1. 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.
55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-799-4406
2. EcoTarium
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. 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-929-2700
3. 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
4. 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.
2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 877-571-7469
5. Mechanics Hall
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
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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.
50 Skyline Drive, Worcester, Massachusetts, Phone: 508-799-1190
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
9. 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
10. Cantor Art Gallery College of the Holy Cross
The 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
Plan Your Trip