Worcester is a City in the United States with a different selection of things for people to see and do.
Bearing the same name as Worcester in the United Kingdom, this happens to be Massachusetts’ second-largest city after Boston which is the largest.
It is alternatively called the Heart of the Commonwealth of its central Location. It is popularly revered as a very busy yet friendly city.
It is close enough to Boston to benefit from all the well-known city has to offer, yet it is also tiny enough to have its distinctive character.
Because of its dozens of Universities and a large influx of students, there is always something to enjoy or see ranging from concerts and theater performances to some of the world’s most renowned museums as well as a great number of festivals.
Below is my list of the best things to do in Worcester, MA.
Things To Do In Worcester, MA.
1. Worcester Art Museum
This is a world-renowned museum that is famous for its splendid collection of art that has spanned more than 5,000 years. Another attribute of this museum is that it features Mosaics from ancient Antioch. You don’t believe it right?
The museum displays a collection of over 35,000 artworks such as the works of Goya, Cassatt, Whistler, Monet, and Gauguin portrayed through different media such as prints and photography, sculpture and painting, etc.
They offer educational services such as tours, talk shows, lectures, etc. to children and adults who are willing to get as much knowledge as they can find on the History of this museum as well as the artworks contained in it.
A visit to the Worcester Art Museum is one of the fun things to do in Worcester, Massachusetts.
2. The Worcester Historical Museum
The Worcester Historical Museum (WHM) is devoted to showcasing Worcester’s regional history. A variety of old documents, relics, and items from the town’s past are on display at the WHM.
Artifacts from Worcester’s industrial past are displayed in educational exhibitions, some of which include early ceramics and woodwork, colonial-era weapons, and a sizable costume and textile collection.
The Salisbury Mansion historic house museum, which was erected in 1772 and later exquisitely renovated as an example of a classic New England residence, is another property owned and run by the WHM.
The WHM also gives visitors the chance to learn more about Worcester’s past through a range of educational programs, escorted and unaccompanied tours, and ongoing exhibitions.
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3. Worcester Ecotarium
The EcoTarium is an innovative indoor-outdoor science and nature museum whose mission is to arouse curiosity in visitors about science and the natural world.
Visitors to the museum can take a thrilling walk through the treetops to explore nature, learn more about the galaxy and the planets at the Alden Digital Planetarium, and interact with some of the local wildlife at Animal Corner.
The museum is located in an urban oasis. This is a fantastic spot to go if you’re wondering what to do in Worcester with kids.
Three levels of interactive, hands-on exhibits on each floor of the EcoTarium museum building are intended to pique interest in and promote the study of the natural world.
4. The Hanover Theater For The Performing Arts
The Hanover Theater for the Performing Arts, which was first constructed in 1904 as the Franklin Square Theater, honors the performing arts with a schedule of plays, musicals, exhibitions, and other events.
The theater, which is referred to as the “cultural jewel of Central Massachusetts,” has a capacity of 2300 people and hosts a variety of acts, including Last Comic Standing and the Historical and Architectural Tour.
Visitors can view art exhibits and other visual arts displays in the theater’s Franklin Square Salon Gallery, which is located on the second floor.
A variety of educational opportunities, internships, and summer youth camps are available for art students.
Watch a show at the Hanover Theater in Worcester if you’re looking for a romantic date option.
5. Worcester Mechanic Hall
Widely known for its architectural elegance, beautiful style of decoration, and excellent sound attributes, Mechanic Hall has grown to become a famous event center and Concert arena.
The Hall, which is in the center of New England, offers a top-notch event space by fusing contemporary comforts with creative 19th-century elegance and an air of the red carpet.
For performances, recording sessions, and special occasions like galas and weddings, Mechanics Hall can be booked.
It’s a tremendously beautiful place and is of cultural relevance to the people of the region. As such, it has found its way into the National Register of Historic Places’ books.
6. American Antiquarian Society
The American Antiquarian Society (AAS), established in 1812 by Revolutionary War hero Isaiah Thomas, consists of a significant independent research library and scholarly organization
More than four million items, including newspapers, pamphlets, books, magazines, periodicals, music, and graphic arts, are stored on more than 25 miles of shelving in the AAS library, which also houses the largest and most accessible collection of material printed in what is now the United States through 1876.
A sizable collection of secondary texts, manuscripts, and digital resources about all facets of American history and culture before the 20th century is also kept by the AAS.
As an added feature, Visitors can take part in free tours around the area on Wednesday afternoons plus other free events that happen at different times of the year. These include lectures, seminars, theatre, and musical presentations.
7. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Situated in Skyline drive at Worcester’s Greenhill Park, this place was dedicated in 2002 to all those who lost their lives when the Vietnam war happened.
This 4- Acres park has features such as a pond and fountain, footpaths, and the memorial which has four portions: the place of flags, the War dogs Monument, the place of names, and the place of words.
When you arrive, you can join others in the public tours that are carried out almost every day from 9 am. Private Tours for Students are also available. These students are even allowed to speak with War Veterans as well as ask them questions.
8. The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery
On the College of the Holy Cross campus, College Street is the location of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery. The gallery, which opened in 1983, presents both transient exhibitions of art as well as pieces from its permanent collection.
The gallery’s permanent collection consists of more than 400 items that span 400 years of history and 400 different art genres, from Asian textiles to an Auguste Rodin sculpture.
The gallery’s 1,800 square feet of display space is also used for educational outreach programs like readings, receptions, and guest talks.
9. Tuckerman Hall
The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra is situated in Tuckerman Hall, a music venue on the Street of Tuckerman.
The hall was created by Josephine Wright Chapman, one of the country’s first female architects, and was constructed in the neoclassical style in 1902 before being rebuilt in 1999.
The hall, which is renowned for its superior acoustics, can accommodate 521 people for concerts and 200–270 people for weddings and business banquets.
The hall is a well-liked venue for lectures, meetings, parties, and other events. In addition to the facility’s stunning main auditorium with its 40-foot high ceiling, other attractions include a kitchen and a projection booth.
10. Hanover Insurance Park
On College Street in Worcester, there is a sports arena called the Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.
The Futures Collegiate Baseball League Worcester Bravehearts and the Can-Am League Worcester Tornadoes call the stadium home. The College of the Holy Cross also hosts sporting events there.
The stadium was named after Reverend James Fitton, who donated property to the College of the Holy Cross and was constructed in 1905 and restored in 2005.
The 3,000-seat stadium has played host to several well-known athletes and events, including Lou Gehrig while he was a college student and Babe Ruth and Ted Williams when they participated in exhibition games there.
11. Livia’s Dish
Livia’s Dish is a laid-back eatery that offers delectable Italian/Mediterranean food in a welcoming setting.
Anton Mehillaj, co-owner and executive chef of family-run restaurant Livia’s Dish, serves a menu of freshly prepared food that is infused with herbs and spices from the New World and cooked with ingredients that are locally sourced and in season.
Livia’s offers everything for everyone, from homemade soups and garden salads to small plates and appetizers like bruschetta and sautéed mussels and entrées like grilled salmon, braised lamb shank, and chicken roulade.
In addition to serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and supper, Livia’s also provides special catering, a function menu, a sweet-and-savory crepe menu, and culinary birthday parties for kids in a specially designed, kid-friendly kitchen.
12. Deadhorse Hill
Deadhorse Hill is a chic-rustic restaurant that serves elevated American fare while making use of seasonal ingredients provided by nearby farmers and fishermen.
It is situated in what was formerly the Bay State House hotel and headquarters for the Worcester Automobile Club in downtown Worcester.
The menu frequently varies and is based on what is in season. With its large, rustic dining area, high tin ceiling, exposed brick walls, and sliding door leading to the sidewalk, it provides the ideal setting for Chef Jared Forman’s artistic creations.
Fresh soups, creative sandwiches, and salads are available for lunch, which is a relaxed event.
At dinner, the atmosphere is more formal and there is a wonderful selection of delicious large entrees and fascinating small plates, like Chimney Hill lamb roulade with cauliflower, sesame crackers, and safflower yogurt.
13. Salisbury Mansion
The Salisbury Mansion is a historic home museum in Worcester and is situated on Highland Street.
The mansion, which Stephen Salisbury constructed in 1772, at first housed a shop that offered foreign products until it was closed in 1820 to make additional space for the Salisbury family.
The house was used as a girls’ school, a tenant house, and a social club before being donated to the American Antiquarian Society in 1929. It is now listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The home was moved to its current position after being donated to the Worcester Art Museum. The Worcester Historic Museum presently manages the house as a museum after restoring it to its 1830 form.
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14. Worcester DCU Center
The DCU Center is a convention center and an indoor arena that is situated on Foster Street in the heart of Worcester.
The Worcester Centrum, also known as Worcester’s Centrum Center and Worcester Centrum, is a venue for a range of events, including trade exhibitions, conventions, athletic events, concerts, and more.
In 1982, Frank Sinatra performed at the center’s inaugural event, which had a 12,000-seat capacity. Since then, the construction of balconies has boosted seating capacity to 14,800.
The complex gained a convention center in 1997, which had a ballroom measuring 12,144 square feet, 11 meeting rooms, and a kitchen in addition to 50,000 square feet of additional display space.
15. O’Connor’s Worcester
O’Connor’s is a laid-back Irish bar and restaurant in Worcester with a lively, welcoming environment.
O’Connor’s takes pride in being the go-to spot for a cozy home-away-from-home atmosphere and delectable food. It has been serving classic Irish, European, and American cuisine to family and friends for over 25 years.
While the main dining area is cozy and friendly, the traditional Irish “Shannon Bar” offers a large selection of beers, wines, and spirits from throughout the globe.
Enjoy delectable dinner specialties like a New England Fisherman’s Pie made with haddock, salmon, shrimp, and bay scallops and baked in chowder sauce, or a pretzel-encrusted pork schnitzel served with braised red cabbage.
Weekly lunch and dinner specials are offered at O’Connor’s, along with a filling breakfast buffet and first-rate private dining options.
16. 111 Chophouse
Visitors are welcomed at 111 Chop House by a tasteful, elegant interior, a contemporary open kitchen, and a polished, white-coated wait staff.
The restaurant, which was created by famous restaurant architect Peter Niemitz, exudes style and refinement with its rich wood paneling, art nouveau-styled walls, and opulent wine cellars.
The menu follows suit with a variety of certified prime-grade cut steaks, including fillet mignon, New York-style sirloin, and classic steakhouse entrees.
Choose the Long Island duck served with honey barley risotto, smoked tomatoes, and aged balsamic reduction or the grilled New York sirloin with black pepper crust accompanied with mashed potatoes, mushrooms, and a shallot brandy cream sauce.
Choose an award-winning wine from the carefully curated wine list to go with your steak.
17. Central Rock Gym and Climbing Centre
The Central Rock Gym offers guests a top-notch climbing experience with its cutting-edge facilities and substantial climbing walls.
More than 100 bouldering, lead, and top-rope climbing stations, over 13,000 square feet of climbing space, and a variety of specialty climbing teams and classes are available to both members and non-members at CRG Worcester.
The facility offers a variety of entertaining and difficult climbing routes that were created by Head Setter Justin Wright and his team to accommodate climbers of all skill levels.
The variety of climbing instruction includes lead climbing, advanced technique, and private tuition in addition to staffed climbs for beginners.
18. Elm Park
In Worcester, between Park Avenue, Highland, Russell, and Elm Streets, there is a historic park called Elm Park.
The park is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and the land was acquired in 1854, making it one of the first purchases of land used as a public park in the country.
The 60-acre park, which was formerly pastureland, was rebuilt and landscaped. Newton Hill is now a part of the park, which also has tennis courts, a playground, picnic spots, a pond with two footbridges, and other amenities.
The park is a popular place for weddings during the warmer months, and people enjoy ice skating there in the winter.
19. Bancroft Tower
Another thrilling activity in Worcester is visiting the Bancroft Tower, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
In 1990, philanthropist Stephen Salisbury constructed it in memory of his friend George Bancroft. Bancroft served as both the secretary of the navy and the founder of the Annapolis Naval Academy.
A 56-foot-tall neo-medieval fantasy structure called Bancroft Tower can be found in Salisbury Park. The tower, which is made of natural stone, resembles a tiny feudal castle supported by a substantial feature.
The tower enjoys a serene wind and is situated in a quiet neighborhood. It typically only welcomes visitors on Sundays throughout October.
20. Compton Collective
The Crompton Collective is a shop and antique market that offers a diverse selection of goods, including art, fresh produce, and delectable homemade sauces.
It was founded to highlight regional suppliers and support those independent small enterprises.
The Canal District Farmers Market, which is a member of the Crompton Collective, is another place where you can chow down on a variety of regional foods and handcrafted beverages.
21. The Sprinkler Factory
You should add Worcester’s The Sprinkler Factory art gallery to your list of things to do there. It is located on Harlow Street.
The 3,000-square-foot venue may accommodate solo performances, group performances, university groups, and other gatherings.
The facility is housed in the former Rockwell Sprinkler Company building. It is renowned for having high ceilings, long walls, and natural light.
The factory has numerous studios where artists can work on a variety of projects, including ceramics, jewelry, pottery, paintings, sculptures, and more. There are also monthly art exhibitions held there.
Additionally, The Sprinkler Factory provides a venue for educational outreach initiatives including workshops and exhibits.
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22. Clayground
Do you want to engage in some creative time with your family? So Clayground is a fantastic choice? You can take “paint your own pottery” workshops here, where there are a variety of items to suit every taste and price range.
You may unleash your creative side at the Clayground thanks to the selection of ceramic items including mugs, figures, and dishes. You can choose from a range of more than 70 paint colors as well.
Additionally, Clayground has on-site kilns where these family creations are baked before being delivered to your houses after drying time.
The proprietors are friendly and helpful. They are constantly prepared to offer guidance and sound counsel.
Every week, Clayground is open from Wednesday to Sunday, giving you plenty of opportunities to go.
23. Newton High Disc Golf
Visit Newton Hill Disc Golf if you want to have a good time with the whole family. We rank Newton Hill Disc Golf among the best Worcester attractions.
Frisbee golf, often known as disc golf, is a game that people of all ages and skill levels love and enjoy. Most athletic ranges can physically access it, and it is not expensive.
You’ll adore the neat and thoughtfully created Newton Hill course. It is incredibly tall and steep but still fairly manageable, giving visitors a little bit of exercise.
Come along with your discs if you want plenty of free fun for the whole family and a chance to show off your talents!
24. South West Asia Memorial
The Desert Calm Committee constructed the Southwest Asia War Memorial in 1993, and it is situated in a peaceful corner of Worcester Common.
Our list of the top things to do in Worcester now includes the Southwest Asia War Veterans Official State Monument, the Memorial.
One of the few of its sort, the Southwest Asia War Memorial was built in memory of those who gave their lives in the Desert Shield/Desert Storm fight.
A huge standing monument and a smaller tablet bearing the inscription “The Official State Monument for Veterans of the Southwest Asia War” serve as its memorial.
25. Worcester Common
The stunning green Worcester Common, the center of town activity, is located a short distance from the theatre and in the exact middle of the city.
Along with being bordered by numerous grand structures and busy enterprises, its verdant lawns are also dotted with significant monuments and memorials.
The common, which was first built in 1669, has slowly shrunk in size as the city has expanded around it. The magnificent Worcester City Hall and its tall tower, which were inspired in part by Italian Renaissance palazzos, loom above the oval end of the park.
There are striking memorials honoring the Civil War, World War II, and the Vietnam War scattered within its picturesque boundaries.
The Burnside Fountain, with its bronze figure of a kid riding a sea turtle, is another of its most well-known sights. The common, which is surrounded by a plethora of stores and eateries, has a buzzy atmosphere thanks to the frequent farmers’ markets and live music performances.
26. Blackstone River Greenway
Walking, running, jogging, or cycling along the Blackstone River Greenway is a wonderful way to take in even more of the city and its beautiful environs.
It brings you past a multitude of pristine natural areas and lovely parks in Worcester in addition to linking several communities and tourism destinations.
27. Worm Town Brewery
What better way to unwind after all the sightseeing, performances, and physically demanding outdoor activities than with a freshly pulled pint at the Wormtown Brewery?
You can have fantastic tastes in their delectable ales and IPAs at their chic facility along Worcester’s restaurant row with free tours available on the weekends.
The brewery, which began as an ice cream kiosk in 2010, has won an incredible 180 medals for its creative brews made with locally sourced ingredients.
They continuously push the envelope of taste, with some IPAs tasting of blueberry lemon and strawberry rhubarb and others of pumpkin and chocolate pecan.
The taproom at the brewery is a great place to spend time because it has a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. Tasty food and live music only enhance the ambiance.
28. Roosevelt American Heritage Center
Make sure to visit the Roosevelt American Heritage Center if you have a genuine interest in American presidential history.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s life and work between 1882 and 1945 are the center’s primary interests.
It contains the largest collection of FDR memorabilia in the entire world and offers visitors a rare window into the life of FDR and his wife, Eleanor.
29. Korean War Memorial
The Korean War Memorial honors the 191 Worcester County troops who died in the Korean War and is a serene and serene location for thought and peace.
One of the memorial’s most prominent elements is a huge black granite wall that has the names of all 191 servicemen engraved on it.
Alongside the majestic pearly white edifice, the memorial landscape is filled with military statues.
Visit the Korean War Memorial if you have an interest in history or want to show your respect for the military personnel who lost their lives during the Korean War.
52 Foster Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01608, houses the Korean War Memorial.
30. Green Hill Park Farm
This charming tiny zoo is a free public attraction and is situated within Green Hill Park. Being that the farm is home to pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, peacocks, chickens, ducks, and even peacocks, it is the ideal outing for the younger members of the family who are interested in animals.
The animals are kept in excellent condition and given housing arrangements that allow them to choose whether or not to engage. Additionally, the pathways are disability accessible, and the walks are bordered with lovely flowers.
31. Worcester Center for Crafts
The Worcester Center, which was established by the Worcester Employment Society in 1856 and is still operating today as a non-profit, independent community-based arts organization, was initially created to give women the skills they needed to produce and market handicrafts.
A trip to the center will be enjoyable if you like pottery and glass products.
If you and your family are in town for Thanksgiving, you’re in for a treat because the Center hosts a fair every year where you can purchase wonderful items for both adults and children, including handmade toys, lovely jewelry, and pottery, wooden, and glass items that have been turned and carved by hand. Not to be overlooked!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do in Worcester on a Sunny Day?
A visit to Winelands Cycling Adventure is an ideal activity if you don’t want to miss out on the day in the Sunshine in Worcester.
Is there any Cheap thing that I can do in Worcester?
Yes, At noon, a carriage trail departs for a 20 minutes ride. It promises to be cheap.
What Can I do in Worcester at no cost?
Head out to Kleinplaise farm museum or Worcester museum. You won’t pay a dime to access these facilities.
Conclusion
There is so much fun in store for you when you visit this great city of Worcester, so make plans to go right now. Please let us know in the comments area if this post was helpful or not.
