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Town in Massachusetts, United States
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Spencer is a small town in the Worcester Hills of Central Massachusetts near Worcester. As a rural community, there is not much in the way of nightlife but there are many opportunities for outdoor exploration and recreation.
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A Trappist monk community. Visitors are welcome to walk the areas in front of the church entrance but should not enter the areas of enclosure. The monks are happy to talk to visitors, and pray with or for them if asked. Guests are also allowed to join in with mass and prayer services, and are welcome to visit the gift shop. Check the website for the hours for the gift shop, mass and prayer services, and the showroom hours for the Holy Rood Guild.
A small war memorial established in 1975 to honor three Spencer men who died in the Vietnam War. It was the first memorial of its kind in the United States.
A Mass Audubon wildlife preserve on the west bank of Burncoat Pond. Has 2 miles of moderate to rugged walking trails.
A park commemorating Samuel Bemis, the first permanent European settler of Spencer, and Captain Edmund Bemis, who served in the Seven Years' War. In addition to the monuments, the park has two Parrott guns used during the American Civil War.
Howe State Park
965-acre state forest. Has miles of trails for hiking, mountain-biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. The ponds and rivers are available for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. You can also horseback ride or go hunting.
A nature reserve spanning across Spencer, Leicester, and Paxton. Lots of hiking areas, as well as being available for public fishing, hunting, and trapping.
A 200-acre wildlife management area transversed by the Midstate Trail
14-acre lakefront park in the center of town. Has picnic tables and play ground, skateboard park, and disc golf course. No swimming.
Bayberry Bowladrome
Bowling alley, arcade center, and billiard hall with a beer and wine bar.
Family-owned. Booking link: https://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/1048327?ref=1068
Burger restaurant, also serves drinks
Breakfast, brunch, and lunch
Family-owned seasonal roadside food stand. Serves hot dogs, fries, and similar. The ice cream and frosty drinks are homemade. Has call ahead, take out, and outdoor seating.
1950s-style diner with full bar. Serves American-style home-cooking.
East Asian dishes and sushi, both dine-in and take-out
Offers dine-in, delivery, and drive-through.
Sushi restaurant with dine-in and takeout
Local bakery with dine-in, take-out, and purchase options
Brewery and taproom.
Local pub
Local cafe and bar
An AirBnB on the shore of Thompson Pond. Whole house, maximum 6 guests. Has kayaks and a dock for activities on the lake. Pet friendly.
Whole house AirBnB listing. 2-night minimum. Has capacity for up to 10 guests.
Local, woman-owned general store. Has typical department and hardware store items as well as knick-knacks and souvenirs. Klem's is a popular shopping destination for the area.
Lulu's Herbal and Spiritual Apothecary
Spiritual health and wellness items: Soaps, incense, stones, essential and fragrance oils, and jewelry.
Health food store that also offers psychic readings and spiritual healings
Sells made-on-the-farm Christmas decorations and paraphernalia.
Gift shop. All items are handmade in the United States.
There are no major highways through Spencer, so you will need to take either the state routes or backroads.
Read in the guideTraveling by car is the most practical way to navigate Spencer. A bus line does go through the town center, but outside the town center places can be far-flung.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Worcester · Regional · ORH
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