Worcester

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Worcester
Worcester
Worcester
Worcester

This city, one of the largest in the New England region, has a family-friendly vibe with plenty of parks, museums and galleries.

Worcester is a safe, clean area with picturesque parks and intriguing art and history museums. The city has a generally pleasant ambiance with tree-lined streets, large green spaces and lakes. Scattered around the city are several universities and colleges as well as museums, art galleries and monuments.

The municipality is known as the “Heart of the Commonwealth” due to its central location in Massachusetts. The name comes from a city in the centre of England and is similarly pronounced “Wooster,” rhyming with “rooster.”

The Worcester Art Museum is one of the city’s most fascinating spots. Browse historic works of art dating back more than 5,000 years. See fascinating exhibits from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome as well as contemporary art.

Drive south for 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) to watch a dramatic performance at the charming Hanover Theatre. Choose from Broadway shows and musicals. Several blocks east, look for Union Station on Washington Square. Note the railway station’s twin towers, marble walls and high ceilings.

A little east, beside Lake Quinsigamond, find the EcoTarium, a museum of science and nature aimed at children. See eagles, foxes, owls and turtles. Take the kids to the play area.

Green parks play an important role in Worcester’s family-friendly atmosphere. Spend a sunny afternoon at Elm Park in the centre of the city. Watch the geese, ducks and birds near the pond. Enjoy a picnic and take the young ones to the playground.

Try local foods, such as kielbasa sausages and pierogi dumplings, which both come from Eastern European immigrant cultures. Worcester is known for its abundance of apples, blueberries and dairy products.

Buses and Amtrak rail serve Worcester. The city is about 40 miles (64.4 kilometres) west of Boston, which lies on Massachusetts’ eastern coast. The nearest international transportation hub is Boston’s Logan International Airport.

Worcester’s playgrounds, parks and kid-friendly museums make it a children’s, and grown-up’s, paradise.

Where to stay in Worcester

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Worcester Central Business District

5/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Worcester Central Business District, DCU Center and Mechanics Hall are top sights worth seeing.

Worcester Central Business District
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Shrewsbury Street

Shrewsbury Street might not have many top sights, but Union Station and EcoTarium are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Shrewsbury Street
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Forest Grove

While Forest Grove isn't home to many top sights, Elm Park and Worcester Art Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

Forest Grove
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Webster Square

Though Webster Square might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts and Mechanics Hall.

Webster Square
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Main South

Though Main South might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Fitton Field and The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Main South
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Franklin Plantation

While Franklin Plantation isn't home to many top sights, EcoTarium and Union Station are some notable places to visit nearby.

Franklin Plantation
The Arcadian Hotel

The Arcadian Hotel

3.5 out of 5
1200 Beacon St, Brookline, MA
The price is CA $198 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
CA $198
CA $268 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Brookline. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (3,344 reviews)
"Cross the Greenline C station at S. Paul Str. Very convenient to the city. Also close to Harvard U, Boston U and nearby community with shops & restaurants at Carlton St."

Reviewed on Aug. 19, 2025

The Arcadian Hotel
The Charles Hotel

The Charles Hotel

4 out of 5
One Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA
The price is CA $605 per night from Sep 21 to Sep 22
CA $605
CA $701 total
Sep 21 - Sep 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Great boutique hotel! Excellent staff and locations."

Reviewed on Aug. 20, 2025

The Charles Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston Waltham

Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston Waltham

3.5 out of 5
550 Winter Street, Waltham, MA
The price is CA $181 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
CA $181
CA $202 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Waltham. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,301 reviews)
"Dining table chairs need to change immediately."

Reviewed on Aug. 21, 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston Waltham
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Spacious 4-bedroom house in charming Worcester with AC, WiFi

Spacious 4-bedroom house in charming Worcester with AC, WiFi

2 out of 5
Worcester
Stay at this vacation home in Worcester. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions DCU Center and Green Hill Golf Course are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
Worcester House
"The house was great in every way.It was a very convenient to everything in Worcester.Thank you"

Reviewed on Jul. 22, 2025

Spacious 4-bedroom house in charming Worcester with AC, WiFi
Spacious 4-bedroom with four and half bathrooms

Spacious 4-bedroom with four and half bathrooms

Worcester
Stay at this vacation home in Worcester. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions DCU Center and Bowlero Worcester are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Just right
"We had room for each of the adults, which included adult children. At these ages they no longer want to share a bed or bathroom with anyone. Perfect that we could come together, but have our own separate spaces. Very clean and comfortable with everything you need."

Reviewed on Jun. 16, 2025

Spacious 4-bedroom with four and half bathrooms
Indian Lake House

Indian Lake House

Worcester
Stay at this vacation home in Worcester. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a garden. Popular attractions DCU Center and Central Rock Climbing Center are ...
6.6/10 (4 reviews)
A Relaxing Stay
"We choose this house for its location less than 10 minutes from WPI with enough beds for everyone in our family. Communication with the host was fast and easy. Check-in was simple. The house was clean and ready for our use, including a stash of toiletries (very appreciated as one kid forgot their ..."

Reviewed on May 18, 2025

Indian Lake House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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