As the daylight gets shorter, my adventures stay closer to home. Still I like to get out and explore, so today I set my sights on two towns just outside of Worcester. 

I grew up going to yard sales, but with sights like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, it seems that yard sales aren’t as plentiful as they once were. In the spirit of these old memories, I decided to start my day checking out the Grafton Flea Market. Happening Saturdays and Sundays from June through December, the Grafton Flea Market is a mix of vendors.  Some vendors are seasoned professionals who I’m sure sell the same items – clothing, electronics, home goods – from week to week; but there are also collectors and antique dealers who have some more unique pieces.  From hot wheels to vinyl records, antique tools to sweaters, the Flea Market had a mix of everything. Not all the wares were the nicest quality, but there were deals to be made and treasures to be found. I enjoyed talking to some of the vendors and learning about obscure music artists from the vinyl seller and video game franchises from the gaming seller. Vendors were spread out throughout the site, both inside and outside, and I would recommend bringing cash (it costs $1 to get in). 

The Grafton Common oozes New England charm. At its center is a classic gazebo, and the common is set off from the traffic by a handmade wooden fence. During my visit one fence was decorated by scarecrows made by local businesses and people (I visited just after Halloween). Around the common a series of churches and historic buildings – all in white – complete the quaint picture.  

Local retailers add to this atmosphere with well decorated shops. Even though it only turned November this weekend, The Grafton Country Store was all decked out for the Christmas holiday. The store sells a well curated selection of small gift items and clothing. They support local artists and brands, they and aim to showcase unique pieces. I enjoyed the mugs that featured lyrics from songs as notes to people.  The space is welcoming and magical with historic floors, window displays, and twinkling lights. 

Just behind the ice cream shop, Off the Common Antiques hosts a surprisingly large collection of vintage dealers in a converted gas station. Just like the Grafton Country Store, Off the Common Antiques takes the time to create an inviting atmosphere. The stalls were organized, inviting, and well layered with color and texture. This is the type of store that makes me want to come back and see what I could discover next time. 

My last stop in Grafton was the Post Office Pub.  While this is your standard pub fare, the vaulted ceilings in the bar area and the post office memorabilia around the restaurant made it a noteworthy place.  Their nod to the post office even extends to their bathrooms as they are designated “Mail” and “Femail”.

Another stop where the owner has gone all in is the Secret Garden. Thanks to the magical mind and generous spirit of home owner Robert “Chief Joseph” Terkanian, this short trail that runs from the public pond trail to his backyard is free and open to everyone. There isn’t any specific theme or organization to the thousands of sculptures that decorate the woods, but this is part of what makes it special. Some of the sculptures are modern, while others are country decor. Inspirational quotes decorate the trees, fairy houses live in the rocks, and large creatures loom from above. My favorite parts were the seating areas throughout the space: stone benches, sculpture chairs, and even a dragon bench gave me a chance to really take in the space. I also loved the small fountain where some of the artwork sparkled in the water. This is not a professional collection by any means; it is a place to make people smile.   

A more formal landscape – though now partly in ruins – is set in nearby Prospect Park. Once the home of the Whittall Mansion, Prospect Park still holds the foundation of the formal gardens. The old driveway, renamed Meeting House Hill Trail, is a direct path from the parking area to the stone walls and dilapidated trestle of the Garden of Sweet Remembrance. In the last few years, locals have started to reclaim the space, so the gardens now offer tended plantings with the additions of some whimsical painted rocks.  Signs leading up to the gardens ask for people not to remove the rocks but welcome any new additions. 

Driving along Rt 20, I didn’t expect to come across a candy mansion. While the outside of The Herbert Candy Mansion looks like any other large house, as soon as I walked through the doors, the smell of chocolate let me know I was in the right place. The company has been in production since 1917, and the vintage lighting, framed history of the company, and historic architecture conveyed their pride in their century old venture.  The Candy Mansion not only offers the classic milk chocolate in various forms, but also gourmet truffles, ice cream, and classic penny candy. They also have large windows that allow customers to see into their production room. While there wasn’t any work going on during my visit, I’m assuming that during the week there might be. 

I ended my day taking in the last of the autumn light at the Broken Creek Winery. The building and backyard of the winery sets the tone for a relaxing atmosphere. They offer a few indoor seats, a covered porch, a good number of picnic tables, and a few fireside seats for whatever vibe you’re looking for.  They even had games and blankets around for people to get cozy and settle in for some time. They offer a selection of about 10 wines as well as a variety of wine slushies and sangrias – flavors depend on the season.  While I went for the classic wine flight, the sangria flight with fresh fruit slices on top of each glass looked really enticing.  I enjoyed sitting on the porch looking out over the vineyard while I tasted some delicious wine.