Major city · United States
CharltonCharlton, Massachusetts
Skip as a base: no hotels, few sidewalks. Come for one day — Tree House Brewing, Buffumville Lake, the historic center — and sleep in Sturbridge.
Charlton is a rural town of about 13,000 people in Central Massachusetts, 20 minutes south of Worcester and within an hour of Boston, Hartford, Springfield and Providence. It has no hotel, no train station and almost no sidewalks, so it works as a half-day or full-day stop by car, not as a place to sleep. The draw is a world-known brewery, a lake park and a small historic center.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (ice and cold), peak summer weekends at the lake
- Airports
- ORH · BDL · BOS
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Charlton911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Charlton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow-crime rural town; the real risks are road-related — no sidewalks on US-20 and Route 31, ice in winter, and unlit rural roads at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportORH Worcester Regional Airport (About 20 min by car; few daily flights.
- Getting aroundCar is the practical way: destinations sit along US-20 and Route 31 with free parking almost everywhere.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–5
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–16
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshare$12–20 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedSturbridge motel double room, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedSturbridge motel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedSturbridge motel double room, a night, per roomUS$280
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$45 · Mid US$100 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORH Worcester Regional Airport (About 20 min by car; few daily flights. WRTA Route 2 to Worcester Union Station, then Route 29 toward Charlton.) · BDL Bradley International (Windsor Locks, CT) (Under an hour by car.) · BOS Boston Logan International (About an hour by car, longer with traffic. MBTA commuter rail to Worcester Union Station, then bus, cab or rideshare.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Sep (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Charlton: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
11 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
10 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is the practical way: destinations sit along US-20 and Route 31 with free parking almost everywhere. There are few sidewalks and no separated bike lanes, so walking works only for short hops in the center. WRTA Route 29 links Worcester and Southbridge with a couple of stops in town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sturbridge
goDoor to door: About 15 min
US-20 west, about 10 min by car
Old Sturbridge Village and the nearest hotels and restaurants.
Door to door: About 30–45 min
I-90 or US-20 east, about 20–25 min by car; WRTA Route 29 by bus
Closest city: museums, food, Union Station for Amtrak.
Southbridge
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min
Route 169 or US-20 and Route 131, about 20 min by car
Small downtown; combine with a lake or trail stop.
Webster, Massachusetts
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min
Route 31 south to Route 193, about 20 min by car
Lakefront town; worth it mainly in summer.
Dudley, Massachusetts
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Route 31 south, about 15 min by car
Quiet; pair with Webster on the same loop.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
I-90 east, about 1 h by car; MBTA commuter rail from Worcester
Too far for a relaxed return day; sleep in the city.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Sturbridge (west, about 10–15 min)
The nearest real bed base: chain motels and inns along Route 20 and I-90 Exit 78.
Auburn (northeast, about 20 min)
I-90/I-290 junction motels; handy if you are heading to Boston or Worcester next.
Worcester (about 20–25 min)
Full city hotels and Union Station for Amtrak and commuter rail.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $40–70 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–140 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Sturbridge motel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Rideshare or cab, Worcester Union Station to Charlton1 × US$35 · check | US$35 |
| WRTA bus fare, one ride2 × US$2 · check | US$4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$42 |
| Trip total≈ US$231 per person per day, bed included | US$461 |
No beds in Charlton itself; nearest stock is Sturbridge or Auburn.
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before Massachusetts sales tax. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–5 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–16 |
| Pizza or sub lunch | $10–18 |
| Fried seafood plateSeasonal at Ronnie's Seafood. | $15–28 |
| Brewery pour at Tree House | $8–12 (check) |
| 5 km taxi or rideshare | $12–20 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No hotel in town: book Sturbridge, Auburn or Worcester before you arrive.
- No sidewalks on much of US-20 and Route 31; walking between sights is not realistic.
- Buffumville Lake beach has no lifeguards — swim at your own risk.
- Rider Tavern and the Number 2 Schoolhouse open by appointment only; confirm before driving out.
- Winter ice and unlit rural roads make night driving the main local risk.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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CharltonCharlton, Massachusetts
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Charlton. Nearest consulates-general are in Boston; embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare Worcester Union Station → Charlton: $30–45, about 25 min (check)
- WRTA Route 29 Worcester → Charlton: about $2, roughly 40–50 min (check)
- Drive Boston Logan → Charlton: about 1 h without traffic, longer at peak (check)
Say or show
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
- Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far is Sturbridge? — How far is Sturbridge?
- Do you take reservations? — Do you take reservations?
- Thank you — Thank you
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Charlton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (ice and cold), peak summer weekends at the lake · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ORH, BDL and BOS: last WRTA and MBTA departures field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Charlton Center, the US-20 commercial strip, and the Buffumville Lake / Little River trailheads.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Tree House taproom, Buffumville Lake season, Rider Tavern by appointment) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal and event fixtures (Old Home Day, Blueberry Festival, Earth Day) so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTown of Charlton — official site
- officialCharlton Public Library
- officialUS Army Corps of Engineers — Buffumville Lake
- officialMassWildlife — Bennett Wildlife Management Area
- officialWRTA — Route 29
- officialWRTA — Route 2
- officialAmtrak — Northeast Regional
- officialTree House Brewing Company
- officialCapen Hill Nature Sanctuary
- officialCharlton Arts & Activities Center
- secondaryWikivoyage: Charlton, revision 5280164 (CC BY-SA 4.0)