Overview
Southbridge is a town in southern Central Massachusetts, about 60 miles from Boston. Southbridge is a close-knit community with a downtown area of friendly small businesses. The area was initially inhabited by the Nipmuck and Mohegan tribes, with the Quinebaug River dividing their territories. In 1730, it was settled by Europeans. Water power from the Quinebaug River made Southbridge a good location for sawmills and gristmills in the 18th century, and textile mills in the 19th century. After the Civil War, many immigrants of Irish and French Canadian descent came to work and live there; by the 1930s they had been joined by Poles, Greeks, Italians and others.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Southbridge
The Notre Dame Church
Worthy of being called a cathedral. What used to be a large wooden church on Pine Street in 1870, became church built of white marble bricks, originally intended as tombstones for the Spanish-American war. It was designe…
Gateway Players
Gateway Players is an all volunteer, non-profit, educational community theater organization that brings theater performances and workshops to Southbridge and surrounding communities. Gateway Players is located in a refin…
Ruth Wells Center for the Arts
Ruth Wells Center for the Arts and Humanities is located in a stately old mansion in the heart of Southbridge. Gallery exhibits, lectures, workshops, classes, art classes, puppet shows, fashion, music and vibrant seasona…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Dec. (climate data from nearby Providence)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ORH Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester — 16 mi away. Directions
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 35 mi away (major hub). Directions
Southbridge is located near the intersection of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and I-84. I-84 provides access from Connecticut and points southwest while the Massachusetts Turnpike provides access from both the west and east. Travelers coming from Connecticut will use exit 3 from I-84 and take Mashapaug Rd into Southbridge. Travelers using the Massachusetts Turnpike from either direction will use exit 78 and take I-84 briefly to exit 6A for U.S. Route 20 West, then turn left at the light for Route 131 which will take you to Southbridge.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Notre Dame Church, Gateway Players
- Lunch Central Pizza
- Afternoon Ruth Wells Center for the Arts
- Dinner Metro Bistrot
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
By car
Southbridge is located near the intersection of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and I-84. I-84 provides access from Connecticut and points southwest while the Massachusetts Turnpike provides access from both the west and east. Travelers coming from Connecticut will use exit 3 from I-84 and take Mashapaug Rd into Southbridge. Travelers using the Massachusetts Turnpike from either direction will use exit 78 and take I-84 briefly to exit 6A for U.S. Route 20 West, then turn left at the light for Route 131 which will take you to Southbridge.
By plane
The nearest commercial airport is Worcester Regional Airport in Worcester, about 30 minutes away from Southbridge. It has daily service to JFK International Airport in New York as well as occasional flights to destinations in Florida. Bradley International Airport in Connecticut is about 50 minutes away and has flights to many more cities.
Get around
The principal road in Southbridge is Route 131, known as Main Street through downtown and East Main Street past the "AO Rotary" and through Sandersdale, a village on the town's east side. North-south roads include Eastford Road and Elm Street (Route 198), and Worcester Street-Mechanic Street-North Woodstock Road (Route 169). Southbridge was formed out of portions of three of its neighboring towns: Sturbridge to the west, Charlton to the north, and Dudley to the east. The other neighboring towns are Woodstock, Connecticut, and Eastford, Connecticut to the south.
See
See The Notre Dame Church
Worthy of being called a cathedral. What used to be a large wooden church on Pine Street in 1870, became church built of white marble bricks, originally intended as tombstones for the Spanish-American war. It was designed by Roman artist Gonippo Raggi and architect Joseph Venne of Montreal.
Do
Do Gateway Players
Gateway Players is an all volunteer, non-profit, educational community theater organization that brings theater performances and workshops to Southbridge and surrounding communities. Gateway Players is located in a refinished barn behind the Arts Center on 111 Main Street.
Do Ruth Wells Center for the Arts
Ruth Wells Center for the Arts and Humanities is located in a stately old mansion in the heart of Southbridge. Gallery exhibits, lectures, workshops, classes, art classes, puppet shows, fashion, music and vibrant seasonal and annual events are offered to the public and the center hosts the Gateway Players Theater.
Buy
Southbridge has limited retail options beyond local services. However, it is one of the communities that has embraced legalized cannabis in Massachusetts and there are a couple of dispensaries open to the public in town.
Eat
Eat Central Pizza
A clean, air-conditioned, open-dining pizzeria. A full menu that includes pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and baklava. Sells wine and beer. Delivers from 11am - 2:00pm & 4:00pm, and a half hour before closing.
Sleep
Stay Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center
Opened in 2002, this hotel is expanded from the beautiful 100 year old American Optical Company which has been preserved as a focal point of Southbridge. Contains a state of the art Focus Fitness Center, Shades Lounge, Crystal Ballroom, and Prism Auditorium. All named after the historical optical company. A lovely hotel that blends the old with the new.
Go next
- Experience early 19th century New England at Old Sturbridge Village
- Drink an award winning IPA at Tree House Brewery in Charlton
- Take in a WooSox game at Polar Park in Worcester
Nearby
Sturbridge
City / town · 50 listings · 3 mi away
Charlton
City / town · 29 listings · 5 mi away
Dudley
City / town · 28 listings · 6 mi away
Holland
City / town · 3 listings · 6 mi away
Woodstock
City / town · 28 listings · 8 mi away
Webster
City / town · 41 listings · 8 mi away
Union
City / town · 9 mi away
Brimfield
City / town · 5 listings · 9 mi away
My experience
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