Things to Do in Millbury

In Boylston, 132 acres rest untouched by modern society, where warm breezes send flower petals dancing and sidewalks give way to winding trails. Tower Hill Botanic Garden envelops visitors in fields of green grass, tall trees, and colorful flowers across both outdoor areas and indoor garden spaces. Staff members educate guests on the gardens’ various flora and fauna in classes and programs calibrated for students of every age. Special events, such as the African Violet Show, shine the spotlight on even more species of flowers, much like the wildflower-identification portion of standard driving tests.

When PYOP Studio, Inc founder Vaishali Patel learned she was pregnant, she seized the rare opportunity to put her pottery painting skills to a mischievous use. So she picked out a bisque platter, painted the words “You’re going to be a perfect daddy” on its surface, covered it with chocolates, and presented it to her husband while they were picnicking on a lake.

Now, the innovative potter strives to empower budding artists to create their own pottery keepsakes at PYOP Pottery. She provides customers with more than 200 bisque pieces and 50 vibrant paints to choose from, and even helps new parents assemble footprint artwork to preserve memories and prove the existence of feet to their future, segway-powered great-grandchildren. Though her studio encourages customer to explore their own creative potential, on-staff artists are happy to create custom pieces.

Making that first mark on a blank canvas can be intimidating, but the only way to create a masterpiece is to put paint on the canvas. To help the process, the professional artists behind Just Paint bolster creative intuitions with step-by-step instructions during each of their sessions. While teachers offer assistance, students of all skill levels sip on their favorite BYOBs as they slather canvases with vibrant hues and bold brush strokes. In addition to their usual sessions, Just Paint also hosts private parties for birthdays, weddings, and baby showers. They offer classes for kids, as well as three-day summer art camps featuring fun themes and projects, such as sports, fashion, and famous neck beards.

A relaxing day on the water shouldn’t be marred by the inconvenience of transporting bulky watercraft. Worcester Kayak Rentals maximizes customers’ leisure time by delivering its kayaks, standup paddleboards, and pedal boats to launch sites such as Webster Lake, Rutland State Park, and Douglas State Forest. Customers with a roof rack and proper tie downs can also pick up their rentals at the shop. The staffers pay close attention to customer safety, providing US Coast Guard–approved life vests with each rental and carefully inspecting each vessel for damage and stowaway mallards.

Red Rock Grill and Bar's chefs seek out seasonal ingredients, whenever possible, from local sources to craft homegrown favorites and American comfort foods. Using fresh meats and produce, they braise pot roast in a blend of Guinness and smoked jalapeños, make marinara sauce in-house, and infuse macaroni 'n' cheese with fresh lobster. At the bar, a selection of microbrews and cocktails keep patrons spacing out their mugs of ice water. Beyond the menu, Red Rock entertains visitors by hosting regular performances from live musicians and loaning out canoes and kayaks with which to explore the nearby waters through Good to Go Kayak Rentals.

Lady T’s relationship with the occult is hardly a new one. She got her first set of tarot cards at age 9 from her father Richard, an avid historian, and since then, she has explored her powers as a psychic, a scryer, and a witch, eventually opening her own magickal boutique. The shop is welcoming, eschewing shadows and secretiveness in favor of bright colors and mystical wall art. Shelves covered in gauzy fabrics hold bottled spells and candles, and packets of herbs hang from the walls. Lady T and her fellow conjurers offer their services in psychic and tarot readings and the casting of spells, and also teach classes in building wands.