Worcester Travel: Go Anywhere from Here

Top-notch airport, train station and interstates make Worcester transportation easy.

By Wesley Broome on September 11, 2023

Massport

For Worcester, MA, residents seeking to travel for business or pleasure, a strong infrastructure is in place for exploring near and far. A regional airport, a train station, and five interstate highways help connect Worcester to the world at large.

By Air

Worcester Regional Airport has modernized extensively in recent years, with more expansions on the way. Since the Massachusetts Port Authority purchased the airport in 2010, around $150 million in improvements have been implemented.

Airport Director Andrew Davis has worked in the aviation industry for over 40 years and brings his expertise to the table, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of Worcester Regional, which is both a commercial and general aviation airport.

According to Davis, Worcester Regional is one of few airports to fully recover from a reduction of services as a result of the pandemic. In fact, the airport has 28% more available seating than in 2019, serving three major airlines.

A new Category III instrument landing system has helped cut back on weather-related cancellations and delays. The award-winning maintenance crew keeps the runway clear in the winter months, while further investments in firefighting and snow removal equipment add to the safety of the airport.

“We can’t control the weather, but we can certainly control the conditions on the ground,” Davis says.

As the Worcester population grows, more people and businesses look to Worcester Regional as a connecting point in Central Massachusetts. “We have a population of over 1 million people that live closer to Worcester Regional Airport than any of the surrounding airports,” Davis says.

Even the Worcester Red Sox will benefit as new JetBlue services to Florida will allow the team to arrive right on time for spring training in Fort Myers.

By Car

For those traveling by electric vehicle, new charging stations are springing up around town. Worcester State University (WSU) has seen an increased demand for EV charging stations in recent years. The first charging station dates to 2014.

“Parents were sending their kids to school with electric vehicles,” says Robert Daniels, director of environmental, health and safety at WSU. In 2021 and 2022, four new charging stations were installed, each with two ports. While the charging stations are restricted to student use during school hours, they are also available to the public.

“Electric vehicles make sense from an emissions perspective,” Daniels says.

As part of the Lead By Example program, WSU looks at ways to embrace environmentally conscious practices and encourages individuals to do their part, whether by carpooling or using public transportation where available.

“The term ‘sustainability’ for us covers a broad area. … There’s opportunities for conservation of resources other than just natural gas and electricity,” Daniels says.

Nathan Lambrecht

By Land and Sea

In Worcester, you can ride the rails to near and far destinations, as Union Station provides access to Amtrak and commuter rail.

Travel lovers in Worcester have abundant resources not limited to infrastructure. Local travel agency Cruise Planners offers a personalized experience for those looking to see more of the world.

Tom Hansen and Ted Goulet are native Northeasterners who started their business in Worcester to stay close to family. It ended up being the perfect place for a full-service travel agency, which includes cruises and land travel.

“Where we’re located has helped our business grow,” Goulet says. “We’re in the heart not only of the commonwealth but of New England.”

Goulet and Hansen have visited over 40 countries and three continents in their years of travel and understand the changing nature of the industry and the need for a personalized experience.

“People are looking for someone who has their back and their interests at heart. Ultimately, I think that’s what we bring to the table,” Goulet says.

While their business is travel, Goulet and Hansen call Worcester home at the end of the day. With less bustle than Boston or New York, opportunities abound for people seeking to take trips abroad or even just a weekend getaway.

“We’re 45 minutes to an hour away from pretty much everything else in New England,” Goulet says. “Worcester is ideal.”

Take a Staycation in Worcester

Travelers seeking a picturesque New England setting need to look no further than some of the Worcester area’s inns.

At the Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge, guests can take in a historic country lodge experience. “If you come stay at the Publick House, you’re buying a quintessential New England stay,” says Michael Glick, general manager at the Publick House.

The main inn, with rooms dating to 1771, maintains a historic look and feel with modern amenities. The exposed beams, wooden floors and wood-burning fireplaces create a cozy, antique setting. “It’s comfort, New England-style,” Glick says.

Part of the New England atmosphere at the Publick House is in its dining experience. From classics like pot roast and chicken pot pie to more modern fare, the menu complements the environment. The turkey dinner, available year-round, is a top seller. “We say it’s Thanksgiving Day every day at the Publick House,” Glick says.

Visitors arrive from all over, whether on a tour of New England or for weddings, another of the Publick House’s specialties. Business travelers choose the inn for its central location, convenient to Boston, New York, and Hartford. No matter their reasons for visiting, guests are always the priority at the Publick House.

“We want to take care of people and have them leave here with a smile,” Glick says. “And we do that.”

Kimberly Fleming is the owner of Abigail’s Nest, a short-term rental property in a house that she designed and built herself. Located in Brimfield, the home’s unique design takes on a bucolic feel.

“It has a little bit of a farmhouse feel – a primitive country environment with a very warm cozy touch to it,” Fleming says.

Most of Fleming’s business comes from visitors local to New England looking for a getaway or for a small gathering. The house sleeps up to 20 people and is ideal for family reunions, bridal events, and baby showers.

“There’s a lot of nostalgia here,” Fleming says. “No matter where their celebration is, whether it’s indoor or outdoor, guests are going to have a very nice, beautiful, and cozy type of feeling.”

In addition to the picturesque setting, Fleming’s vision for the house adds to the atmosphere. An interior designer by trade, Fleming outfitted the house with cathedral ceilings, an open floor plan, and a country primitive style. “It’s beautiful no matter what time of year,” Fleming says.