25 Best Things to Do in Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester Art Museum

The Worcester Art Museum is world-renowned for its outstanding collection of art that spans more than fifty centuries. The museum features a collection of over 35,000 pieces of work across a variety of mediums, from painting, sculpture, prints, and photography to decorative arts, drawing, and media. The Worcester Art Museum is one of the best things to do in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The collection includes works by famous artists such as Gauguin, Monet, Goya, Cassatt, and Whistler. An interesting feature of the museum is the floor, which features mosaics from the ancient city of Antioch.

The Worcester Art Museum is home to one of the country's first museum/public school collaboration, which was established in 1927 to introduce art into the school curriculum.

The museum also offers a variety of educational programming for adults and other learners; these include public and private tours, artist talks and lectures, community days, and studio art classes and workshops. More things to do in Massachusetts

55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-799-4406

EcoTarium, Worcester, Massachusetts

The EcoTarium is a unique indoor-outdoor science and nature museum that is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging visitors to take an interest in science and the natural world. The museum is set in an urban oasis where visitors can explore nature on an exhilarating walk through the treetops, discover more about the galaxy and the planets at the Alden Digital Planetarium, and meet some of the local wildlife at Animal Corner. If you are wondering what to do in Worcester with kids, this is a great place to visit.

The EcoTarium's museum building features three levels of hands-on, interactive exhibits designed to engage and encourage exploration of the natural world. Signature exhibits include Cool Moves: The Artistry of Motion, The Arctic Next Door: Mount Washington, and Nature Explore@Outdoor Exhibit. The museum hosts a variety of special events, activities, and educational experiences throughout the year, ranging from summer camp science explorations to Frozen Fun Weekends and the Great Pumpkin Fest.

222 Harrington Way, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-929-2700

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Worcester Historical Museum

The Worcester Historical Museum (WHM) is dedicated to presenting the local history of Worcester. The WHM features a collection of historical artifacts, objects, and documents all relating to the history of the town.

Informative exhibits display artifacts related to Worcester’s industrial past, and some of these include early ceramics and woodwork, colonial-era weaponry, and a significant costume and textile collection. The WHM also owns and operates the historic house museum of Salisbury Mansion, which was built in 1772 and later beautifully restored as an example of a historic New England home.

The WHM also offers visitors the opportunity to further study the history of Worcester through a variety of educational programs, guided and private tours, and permanent and evolving exhibitions.

30 Elm Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-753-8278

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The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts

Originally built in 1904 as the Franklin Square Theatre, the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts celebrates the performing arts with a calendar of theater performances, musicals, exhibitions, and shows.

Known as the “cultural jewel of Central Massachusetts,” the theater seats up to 2300 patrons and presents a broad range of performances, such as Last Comic Standing and the Historical and Architectural Tour. The theater also has a gallery on the second floor known as the Franklin Square Salon Gallery where visitors can enjoy art exhibits and other visual arts displays.

Students of the arts can enjoy a range of educational programs, internships, and summer youth camps. If you are looking for romantic date ideas in Worcester, watch a performance at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. More info

2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 877-571-7469

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Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts

Renowned for its architectural elegance, stunning décor, and outstanding sound qualities, Mechanics Hall is a popular event venue and concert hall in Central Massachusetts. One of the finest pre-Civil War performance halls in America, the Hall's cultural significance and exquisite design have earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Located in the heart of New England, the Hall combines artistic 19th century beauty and an air of the red carpet with modern amenities and superior acoustics to provide a world-class event venue. Mechanics Hall can be rented for performances and recording sessions, as well as for special events such as weddings and galas.

321 Main Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-752-5608

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American Antiquarian Society

Founded by in 1812 by Revolutionary War patriot Isaiah Thomas, the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) consists of an important independent research library and scholarly society. The AAS library is home to the largest and most accessible collection of material printed in what is now the United States through 1876 – over 25 miles of shelving hold more than four million items, including newspapers, pamphlets, books, magazines, periodicals, music, and graphic arts.

The AAS also houses a substantial collection of secondary texts, manuscripts, and digital resources related to all aspects of American history and culture before the 20th century.

Visitors can enjoy free public tours of the American Antiquarian Society on Wednesday afternoons and a variety of events throughout the year, including theatrical and musical presentations, lectures, seminars, and talks.

185 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-755-5221

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Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Located on Skyline Drive at Green Hill Park in Worcester, the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated to those who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. Dedicated in 2002, the four-acre park includes walking paths, a pond and fountain, and the memorial, which is divided into four sections: the Place of Flags, the Place of Names, the Place of Words, and the War Dogs Monument.

Public tours of the memorial are conducted nearly every day. School tours are available at the memorial, and they offer students the opportunity to talk with war veterans and ask questions.

Skyline Drive, Green Hill Park, Worcester, Massachusetts

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Green Hill Park

Green Hill Park is a large municipal park located on Skyline Drive in Worcester. Covering more than 480 acres, it is the largest park in the city. The popular park contains many features including a baseball field, a golf course, handball courts, picnic areas, a children’s playground, two ponds, and a zoo.

Green Hill Park Farm is also located in Green Hill Park, the home of chickens, ducks, goats, llamas, and many other animals. The Green Hill Park Shelter is a historic shelter built between 1910 and 1911 by architect George H. Clemence. Built in the Oriental style, the pavilion is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is also located in the park. More day trips in Massachusetts

50 Skyline Drive, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-799-1190

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Bancroft Tower

The Bancroft Tower was built in 1900 in honor of George Bancroft, a former diplomat, historian, and former Secretary of the Navy. Commissioned by Stephen Salisbury III, the tower was constructed using large stones and horses and carriages that brought the stones up Prospect Hill. In 1912, the green space around the monument was officially founded as a park when the land, owned by Stephen Salisbury III, was donated to the city. Today, the park has grown into a popular recreational destination for the public and is home to the East-West Trail, as well as a recut historic trail starting at the parking lot and cutting through the woods towards Massachusetts Avenue.

26 Massachusetts Avenue, Worcester, Massachusetts 01602

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Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery

The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery is located on College Street on the campus of the College of the Holy Cross. Established in 1983, the gallery exhibits works of art from its permanent collection as well as temporary art exhibits. The gallery’s permanent collection consists of over 400 objects that represent a wide range of historical periods and art forms, from Asian textiles to a sculpture by Auguste Rodin.

Made up of 1,800 square feet of exhibit space, the gallery also offers educational outreach programs in the form of guest lectures, readings, receptions, and more.

College of the Holy Cross, One College Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-793-3356

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Tuckerman Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts

Located on Tuckerman Street, Tuckerman Hall is a concert hall and the home of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra. Josephine Wright Chapman, one of America’s first female architects, designed the hall, which was built in the neoclassical style in 1902 and restored in 1999. Known for its excellent acoustics, the hall has a seating capacity of 521 for concerts and between 200 and 270 for weddings and corporate dinners.

The hall is a popular choice for fundraisers, lectures, meetings, parties, and more. In addition to the beautiful main auditorium with its 40-foot high ceiling, the facility also includes a kitchen, a projection booth, and other features.

10 Tuckerman Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-754-1234

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Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field

The Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field is a sports stadium located on College Street in Worcester. The stadium is the home of the Can-Am League Worcester Tornadoes and the Futures Collegiate Baseball League Worcester Bravehearts, and the College of the Holy Cross also uses it for sports events.

Built in 1905 and renovated in 2005, the stadium was named after Reverend James Fitton who donated land to the College of the Holy Cross. With a seating capacity of 3,000 people, the stadium has hosted several famous players and events such as Lou Gehrig when he was a college student and Babe Ruth and Ted Williams when they played in exhibition games at the stadium.

One College Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-438-3773

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Salisbury Mansion

Located on Highland Street, the Salisbury Mansion is a historic house museum in Worcester. Built in 1772 by Stephen Salisbury, the house originally included a store that sold imported goods until it was closed in 1820 to provide more room for the Salisbury family.

The house is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and it served various functions such as a girl’s school, a tenant house, and a social club until it was donated to the American Antiquarian Society in 1929.

Given to the Worcester Art Museum, the house was then relocated to its present location. After being restored to its 1830 condition, the house is now run as a museum by the Worcester Historic Museum.

40 Highland Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-753-8278

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Wormtown Brewery, Worcester, Massachusetts

Located on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, Wormtown Brewery was founded in 2010 and opened its Shrewsbury location in 2015. All of the ingredients used at the brewery are locally sourced, and they ingredients include hops, malt, rye, and Wista water.

Some of the beers made at Wormtown Brewery include Blizzard of 78, Fresh Patch Pumpkin Ale, Norm Chocolate Coconut Stout, 7 Hills Session Ale, and many more. The Wormtown Tap Room is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and tours of the brewery are offered on Saturday and Sunday.

72 Shrewsbury Street #4, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 774-239-1555

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Livia's Dish

Livia’s Dish is a casual restaurant that serves delicious Italian/Mediterranean cuisine in a warm and welcoming environment. Family-owned and operated by Executive Chef and co-owner Enton Mehillaj, Livia’s Dish offers a menu of freshly prepared cuisine made from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and flavored with New World herbs and spices.

From homemade soups and garden salads to small plates and appetizers of bruschetta and sautéed mussels and entrées of roasted salmon, braised lamb shank, and chicken roulade, Livia’s has a dish for everyone.

Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, Livia’s also offers an exclusive catering and a function menu, a sweet-and-savory crepe menu, and a special cooking birthday party for children in a customized, child-friendly kitchen.

1394 Main Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-926-8861

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Deadhorse Hill

Located in what was once the Bay State House hotel and headquarters for the Worcester Automobile Club in downtown Worcester, Deadhorse Hill is a chic-rustic restaurant serving elevated American fare using seasonal ingredients provided by local farmers and fishermen. The menu changes often and depends on what is in season. The dining room is spacious and rustic with a high tin ceiling, exposed bricks, and a sliding door that opens to the sidewalk, creating the perfect background for Chef Jared Forman’s artistry. Lunch is a casual affair with fresh soups, imaginative sandwiches, and salads. Dinner is more formal and offers a nice range of interesting small plates and fabulous large dishes such as Chimney Hill lamb roulade with cauliflower, sesame crackers, and safflower yogurt.

281 Main St, Worcester, MA 01608, Phone: 774-420-7107

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Elm Park

Elm Park is a historic park located between Park Avenue, Highland, Russell, and Elm Streets in Worcester. The land was purchased in 1854, making it one of the first purchases of land to be used as a public park in the United States, and the park is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Originally consisting of pastureland, the 60-acre park was redesigned and landscaped. Today, the park includes Newton Hill and contains basketball courts, a playground, picnic areas, a pond with two footbridges, tennis courts, walking paths, and more. People enjoy ice-skating in the park during the winter, and the location is popular during the warmer months for weddings.

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DCU Center

Located on Foster Street in downtown Worcester, the DCU Center is a convention center and an indoor arena. Known as the Centrum in Worcester, Worcester’s Centrum Center, and Worcester Centrum, the center hosts a variety of events such as concerts, conventions, meetings, sporting events, trade shows, and more.

With a seating capacity of about 12,000 people, the center initially opened in 1982 with a concert by Frank Sinatra. Since then, seating capacity has increased to 14,800 thanks to the addition of balconies. In 1997, a convention center was added to the complex, which added 50,000 square feet of exhibition space as well as a 12,144 square foot ballroom, 11 meeting rooms, and a kitchen.

50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA, Phone: 508-755-6800

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O'Connor's, Worcester, Massachusetts

O’Connor’s is a casual Irish restaurant and bar with a vibrant, friendly atmosphere in the heart of Worcester. Serving classic Irish, European, and American cuisine to family and friends for over 25 years, O’Connor’s prides itself on being the go-to place for a comforting home-away-from-home ambiance with delectable food.

The traditional Irish “Shannon Bar” serves a wide selection of draft beers, wines and spirits from around the world while the main dining space is cozy and comfortable.

Dine on exquisite dinner specials such as pretzel-encrusted pork schnitzel served with braised red cabbage or a New England Fisherman’s Pie of haddock, salmon, shrimp, and bay scallops baked in chowder sauce. O’Connor’s runs weekly lunch and dinner specials, and they also serve a hearty brunch buffet and offer exceptional private dining facilities.

1160 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA, Phone: 508-853-0789

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111 Chophouse, Worcester, MA

Elegant, sophisticated décor, a modern open kitchen, and polished, white-coated wait staff greet guests on arrival at 111 Chop House. Designed by renowned restaurant architect Peter Niemitz, the restaurant reflects style and sophistication with rich wood paneling, walls adorned with art nouveau, and lavish wine rooms.

And the menu follows suit with a selection of certified prime-grade cut steaks, from New York-style sirloin to filet mignon, classic steakhouse entrées, and seafood specialties.

Go for a grilled black pepper encrusted New York sirloin served with mashed potato, mushrooms, and a shallot brandy cream sauce or try the Long Island duck served with honey barley risotto, smoked tomatoes, and aged balsamic reduction. Pair your steak with award-winning wine from the carefully curated wine list.

111 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA, Phone: 508-799-4111

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Central Rock Gym Climbing Center

The Central Rock Gym features state-of-the-art climbing facilities and large climbing walls to provide visitors with a world-class climbing experience.

CRG Worcester boasts over 13,000 square feet of climbing space, more than 100 bouldering, lead, and top-rope climbing stations, and a range of specialized climbing classes and teams for both members and non-members. The center caters to all levels of climbers with a variety of fun and challenging climbing routes designed by Head Setter Justin Wright and his team.

Climbing classes range from introductory and staffed climbs to lead climbing, advanced technique, and private lessons.

299 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA, Phone: 508-852-7625

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Crompton Park

Featuring 12.4 acres of recreational space, Crompton Park is a humble outdoor space enjoyed by the local community of Worcester as well as guests. At the park, visitors can enjoy several amenities and attractions like the 14,000 square-foot skate park, which includes a bowl, a quarter pipe, a snake run, rails, and even a street course. There is also a playground great for youngsters at Crompton Park, an ADA-accessible swimming pool, and various sports fields for use. With a spray park, wading pool, and various monuments to discover and behold, Crompton Park is sure to be a great spot to visit and explore for anyone whether you’re a solo traveler, traveling with family, or out for business.

47 Quinsigamond Avenue, Worcester, Massachusetts 01610

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The Sole Proprietor

At the Sole Proprietor, you’ll dine on seafood so plump and fresh that you’ll think you’re dining down by the waterfront! In fact, The Sole Proprietor is a dining opportunity that simply shouldn’t be missed when in Worcester. After all, it’s been voted as the best restaurant in several categories such as best seafood restaurant, best business lunch spot, best martini, best fish, best oyster and clams, and the like. With 40 years in the business and a passion to maintain its status amongst New England’s best seafood restaurants, visitors are sure to enjoy the delectable and perfectly cooked menu offerings of The Sole Proprietor.

118 Highland Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, Phone: 508-798-3474

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Live Action Escape Rooms

It doesn’t really matter how many times you come back to Live Action Escape Rooms, because each visit promises a memorable and exciting time with family, friends, coworkers, or more. Promising immersive escape games, players at Live Action Escape Rooms can look forward to every item and decoration in the room telling a story. As soon as the doors close, it’s up to you and your team to put all the stories together and solve puzzles before your timer runs out. Have you got what it takes? Find out when you book one of Live Action Escape Rooms' three unique and challenging rooms.

1 Exchange Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01608, Phone: 508-735-1856

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25 Best Things to Do in Worcester, Massachusetts :