Athol is a friendly historic mill town in the North Quabbin that punches above its size for multi‑week stays — a walkable downtown with local arts and food options and immediate access to hiking, Doane’s Falls, Tully Lake and the scenic Mohawk Trail, with the Quabbin Reservoir nearby for big outdoor days.
For weekend variety, Worcester (about 35 miles) and Springfield (roughly 45–50 miles) put bigger-city restaurants, theaters and major hospitals within an easy drive, so you get small‑town peace during the week and urban options on days off.