Top 15 Activities in Wayland, Massachusetts

In recent years, this suburban town within the MetroWest region has been recognized as one of the most livable and family-friendly communities in Massachusetts.

One of the many advantages of Wayland is its abundance of natural spaces, from the shores of Lake Cochituate, which features a prominent town beach, to the freshwater wetlands situated along the banks of the Sudbury River.

The Mass Central Rail Trail traverses Wayland from west to east, providing a traffic-free pathway for walking or biking, which connects to a shopping center at its western endpoint.

Moreover, Wayland boasts the distinction of being home to the oldest free public library in Massachusetts, and the second oldest in the United States.

1. Mass Central Rail Trail

Commencing at the intersection of Andrew Avenue and the Boston Post Road, individuals can walk or cycle several miles through Wayland and into Weston on a well-maintained paved rail trail.

This trail is established on the 19th-century railbed of the Central Massachusetts, which subsequently became the Boston and Maine Railroad. Services were discontinued in the early 1970s, allowing the right-of-way to be transformed into a secure and convenient route for pedestrians and cyclists.

Located in the center of Wayland, the former Wayland Depot (built in 1881) has been adapted into a gift shop since the early 1980s.

The trail is part of the greater Mass Central Rail Trail, which, when completed, will stretch over 100 miles from Northampton to Boston.

2. Wayland Museum

Adjacent to the Mass Central Rail Trail in Wayland’s center lies the Grout-Heard House, with the oldest sections dating back to 1740.

Throughout the years, the building has been modified to meet the needs of the Grout family, who expanded it in the 1780s and constructed an ell in the 1720s.

Notably, the house has been relocated twice, first moving to Sudbury Road in 1878 and then to its current location at 12 Cochituate Road shortly thereafter.

Today, the house operates as a museum under the auspices of the Wayland Historical Society, showcasing a range of historically significant period rooms.

The Campbell Room, part of the original 1740 structure, is styled in late 18th-century furnishings and displays domestic tools from that era.

The Draper Room features 19th-century decor and artifacts from the local Draper family, while the Heard Room in the ell is designed in mid-Victorian style.

3. Wayland Town Beach

Nestled within dense woods on Lake Cochituate’s eastern shore (North Pond), Wayland boasts a public beach that rivals any in the region.

Accessible from Memorial Day weekend through late August, this facility features a swimming area outlined by an extensive dock, where visitors can relax on complimentary lounge chairs and wade into the water.

The Health Department monitors water quality, while amenities include a delightful picnic area, a snack bar, and facilities for sand volleyball, basketball, and cornhole.

During the summer months, visitors can also rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, and sailboats at Wayland Town Beach.

4. Hamlen Woods

One of the notable features of Wayland is the extensive amount of town-owned conservation areas, accessible for passive recreation.

The largest and most frequented property is the rocky Hamlen Woods, which encompasses the Old Wayland Reservoirs, offering scenic strolls next to the water.

Opportunities for birdwatching abound in the spring and summer, with great blue herons and various waterfowl frequenting the water, alongside pileated woodpeckers in the woods.

The woods are dotted with ancient stone walls, reflecting centuries of agricultural history, and trails extend into Mainstone Farm, a fine country estate from the early 20th century.

5. Cochituate State Park

Cochituate State Park, which overlaps with Wayland and Natick, encompasses Lake Cochituate’s North, Middle, and South ponds, along with expansive stretches of shoreline.

In Wayland, a great way to explore the park is via the scenic Snake Brook Trail, which meanders through lush hardwood forests and wetlands connecting the North and Middle ponds.

During the summer, a kayak rental company, Boating in Boston, sets up by the beach area on Middle Lake, providing kayak and paddleboard rentals and lessons, as well as summer day camps for adolescents and younger children.

The South Lake, on the other hand, permits motorized vessels and serves as a popular location for water skiing and tubing during the summer season.

6. Wayland Free Public Library

Wayland is named after Francis Wayland (1796-1865), a notable Baptist minister, economist, and the president of Brown University.

Wayland was a strong proponent of public libraries, and, together with local judge Edward Mellen (1802-1875), provided financial support for establishing a library in the town.

A debate arose regarding the legality of taxing citizens for library funding, resulting in a Massachusetts state law in 1851 that facilitated the establishment of free public libraries.

Therefore, it can be asserted that Wayland hosts the first public library in Massachusetts and the second in the United States, following Peterborough, New Hampshire (1833).

The current Georgian Revival structure dates back to 1900 and serves as a vibrant community resource, offering a wealth of services, programs, and events for individuals of all ages.

7. Spellman Museum

For a unique experience, Regis College in Weston houses a museum dedicated to philately (the study of postage stamps).

The Spellman Museum originated from the personal collection of Francis Spellman (1889-1967), who served as Archbishop of New York for nearly three decades.

Since its establishment in 1960, the Spellman Museum has expanded to include more than two million philatelic items, comprising collections assembled by notable figures such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) and renowned violinist Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987).

The museum rotates displays from this extensive inventory and is open to the public Thursday through Sunday afternoons.

8. Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm

This picturesque property, located just beyond the Wayland-Lincoln boundary, integrates a working farm with a wildlife sanctuary. Children particularly enjoy the farmyard area, which houses sheep, chickens, goats, pigs, and cows in a rural setting.

Additionally, there are four miles of trails that wind through agricultural fields and woodlands, leading to the summit of the glacial drumlin that gives the reserve its name.

This location represents one of the highest points in Greater Boston, and on a clear day, visitors can see Mount Wachusett approximately 30 miles to the northwest.

9. Weston Aqueduct Trail

An underground aqueduct flows through an undeveloped area of Wayland, constructed in the early 20th century to transport water from the Sudbury Reservoir in Framingham to the Weston Reservoir, located just east of the Regis College campus.

Spanning 13.5 miles, the Weston Aqueduct’s entire route, along with its infrastructure and buildings, was inscribed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Considerable portions of the aqueduct’s path are accessible to the public, providing opportunities to traverse much of Wayland on foot or by bike.

Winding through residential neighborhoods along an earthen embankment, the trail is unpaved and features more significant elevation changes than the Mass Central Rail Trail, offering a new perspective on Wayland and its neighboring communities.

10. Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

The banks of the Sudbury River are flanked by vital freshwater wetlands, which are preserved by a 3,600-acre conservation area managed by the National Wildlife Refuge system.

In Wayland, visitors find themselves adjacent to the headquarters of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

This unit features several trails, including the renowned Red Maple Trail, which offers scenic vistas of the wetlands from its boardwalk and loops around a pond.

If visiting in summer, there is a good chance of sighting a diverse range of waterfowl, alongside great blue herons, river otters, and various species of turtles.

11. Mel’s Commonwealth Cafe

As the oldest restaurant in Wayland operated by the same family, Mel’s Commonwealth Cafe has origins dating back to 1958 when it first opened as the Elmwood Donut Shop.

In its early days, co-owner Mel Bloomstein adjusted the menu in response to customer requests for items such as eggs and lunch options. Today, it is a family-oriented brunch destination managed by his sons and employing a third generation.

For those who appreciate traditional diners, Mel’s Commonwealth Cafe is a delightful choice, with popular offerings including omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and the renowned “#1 Famous Eggs Benedict,” all accompanied by Mel’s signature home fries.

12. Verrill Farm

Located slightly beyond Wayland’s northern boundary, these 200 acres have been part of the Verrill family for over a century.

In the 1990s, the Verrills transitioned from dairy farming to fresh produce and established a permanent farm stand in 1995, becoming the first agricultural location in the area to feature a commercial kitchen and bakery. It is fair to say that Verrill Farm has been farm-to-table long before the term became commonplace.

Visitors can find seasonal fruits and vegetables, homemade sandwiches, prepared meals, freshly baked pies, pastries, flowers, handcrafted gifts, and a plethora of high-quality specialty items sourced from across New England.

Moreover, keep an eye out for various events, including harvest festivals and holiday visits from Santa in December.

13. Alpine Field

This local park located in northern Wayland is surrounded by a rural landscape, interspersed with various conservation properties.

A visit to Alpine Field is worthwhile for families, as it features a fenced playground nestled among a stand of pines adjacent to a versatile athletic field.

This location also serves as an entry point to longer walks, as it is adjacent to the Castle Hill conservation area, another picturesque parcel of eastern white pine forest.

Within a half-mile radius are additional town-owned natural areas, including Trout Brook, Oxbow Meadows (a former Nike missile site), Upper Mill Brook, and the Hazel Brook Conservation Area managed by the Sudbury Valley Trustees.

14. Natick Mall

Situated near the western edge of Lake Cochituate is one of New England’s largest retail districts.

At the core of this area lies the upscale Natick Mall, which ranks among the top two largest malls in the region by tenant count (214 as of this writing).

In an era where physical retail locations are declining, the Natick Mall continues to thrive.

This mall features a diverse array of national and international brands, including Michael Kors, H&M, Apple, Nike, Nordstrom, Uniqlo, Ann Taylor, Torrid, Lush, LEGO, L’Occitane, and Abercrombie & Fitch.

Additionally, there are nearly 30 dining options, ranging from food court staples such as Sarku, Taco Bell, and Sbarro to established restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang’s.

15. Sandy Burr Country Club

Established in the early 1920s on two hilly farms in Wayland, Sandy Burr Country Club is an 18-hole public golf course designed by renowned architect Donald Ross.

In its early years, Sandy Burr hosted several significant tournaments and matches, including a notable competition in 1928 between England’s Archie Compston and Walter Hagen.

Although the course experienced a period of decline later in the 20th century, it has recently garnered acclaim for its excellent conditions and fast greens.

A round of golf begins with two par 5s, offering a chance to shake off any rust, while precision is essential to avoid the challenging rough.

Lastly, do not overlook the view from the clubhouse deck—this traditional facility features a Tudor Revival design.