Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Westford, MA

Part of neighboring Chelmsford until 1729, Westford is a town of 25,000 located not far southwest of Lowell.

Westford Academy (1794), recognized as one of the oldest public schools in the United States, was where Paul Revere sent his son, and the original building now accommodates the local historical society’s museum.

The Town Common offers a charming vignette of New England, bordered by 18th and 19th-century architecture, including a historic church that has been repurposed as an arts center.

Westford is also noted for its extensive areas of town-owned natural spaces, overseen by the Westford Conservation Trust, which maintains a convoluted network of public trails that extend to all corners of the town.

1. The Butterfly Place

This educational attraction in the northern part of Westford allows visitors to observe hundreds of butterflies flying freely within a distinctive indoor habitat.

The Butterfly Place features species indigenous to New England, along with a variety of tropical species from around the globe.

These butterflies are free to roam the Atrium, a spacious greenhouse environment characterized by beautiful vegetation and a maintained temperature of 80-85 degrees.

Visitors may bring along their smartphones or cameras to capture breathtaking images. Additionally, informative static exhibits and an engaging 15-minute video provide insight into the butterflies’ life cycles.

2. Westford Town Common

The center of Westford for approximately 300 years, Westford Town Common remains vital to local life.

A triangular grassy area, the common is surrounded by stunning architecture, including the Italianate Westford Town Hall (1875), the Federal-style First Parish Church (1794), the impressive J. V. Fletcher Library (1895), and the Old Congregational Church (1829), which currently serves as the Parish Center for the Arts.

Several events occur on or near the common during the warmer months, such as the Westford Farmers’ Market, located nearby at The Roudenbush Community Center, and the First Parish’s Strawberry ‘N’ Arts Festival held each June.

On the north side, opposite the Town Hall, visitors can access the Tom Paul Trail, maintained by the Westford Conservation Trust, which extends throughout the town for 2.5 miles.

3. Westford Museum

Located in one of the dignified buildings adjacent to the Town Common, the Federal-style Westford Academy was completed in 1794.

This building housed the academy, one of the oldest public high schools in the United States, until its relocation in 1796 to what is now the Roudenbush Community Center.

The Westford Historical Society relocated here in the 1970s after a period of restoration, and the museum showcases the rich heritage of the town.

The society’s collections are extensive, allowing only one fifth to be displayed at any given time. At the time of writing, fascinating exhibits emphasize domestic life in Westford, the town’s historical textile industry, granite quarrying, prehistoric Native American archeology, and the Westford Knight (discussed later).

4. Kimball Farm

Now with four locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the Kimball Farm ice cream brand was established in Westford in 1939, evolving into a popular destination filled with enjoyable activities.

The original structure that houses the ice cream stand dates back to 1908, functioning as a dairy barn when the Kimball family operated in the wholesale milk industry.

Everything transformed in the 1930s when Jack and Clara Kimball acquired a freezer, converting their woodshed into an ice cream parlor. Today, Westford’s Kimball Farm encompasses a variety of attractions. Naturally, visitors can choose from 50 flavors of homemade ice cream, but the site also features a Grill & Seafood Shack, a Country Store & Café, along with what can be best described as a small theme park.

Attractions include mini golf, pitch & putt, a driving range, batting cages, bumper cars, bumper boats, a wildlife demonstration area, a zipline, an arcade, and a designated area for children to enjoy pony rides.

5. Nashoba Valley Ski Area

Located in the southern part of Westford, this moderately sized ski mountain commenced operations in 1964. With 17 trails and a vertical drop of 240 feet, it serves as an excellent venue for skiers at all levels to learn and enhance their skills.

For beginners, the series of rope tows in the novice area operate efficiently, while higher up the slope, there is a terrain park and the Sundance Run that caters to freestyle skiing.

A separate entrance provides access to the tubing park, which boasts 18 lanes served by two rope tows and a conveyor, complemented by a dedicated lodge and restaurant.

6. Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Complementing the Westford Conservation Trust’s extensive network of trails is a long-distance rail trail traversing the southeastern quadrant of Westford, utilizing the right-of-way of the former Framingham and Lowell Line of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.

This continuously evolving Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, which has been opened in phases since 2009, is projected to extend for nearly 25 miles from Lowell to Framingham upon completion.

Westford and adjacent Chelmsford are included in the section that was completed during the initial phase, with a parking area situated on Route 27, adjacent to Butter Brook Golf Club.

From this location, visitors can walk or cycle north toward Lowell, or head south toward Sudbury, where the trail will connect with the Mass Central Rail Trail.

7. Bobby’s Ranch

Situated in the picturesque countryside south of the Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Bobby’s Ranch serves as a trail riding center, established in 1972. At the time, the owner, known as “Bobby,” was just 16 years old, and the ranch initially functioned as a summer job.

Differing from other equestrian centers that emphasize boarding and training, guided western trail rides form the primary focus of operations at Bobby’s Ranch.

It is advisable to make reservations several days in advance, and children must be at least nine years old and 48” tall to participate in the trail rides (one rider per horse).

As of the time of this writing, public rides were priced at $50 during weekdays and $60 on weekends. Private trail rides could be secured for $100.

8. Drew Farm

This family-operated farm in Westford invites visitors in late summer and fall to partake in a pick-your-own apple experience amidst scenic surroundings.

Available from early September, Drew Farm cultivates seven distinct apple varieties, ranging from McIntosh to Evercrisp, the latter ready by mid-October.

During this season, the farm also offers apple cider, along with freshly baked apple cider donuts, inviting guests to bring a picnic and relish the views of the colorful foliage.

Starting in October, visitors can come for pumpkin picking, and Drew Farm is celebrated for its Pumpkin Light event on Halloween night, illuminating hundreds of jack-o-lanterns throughout the orchard. Earlier in the year, the farm sells a diverse selection of hanging baskets and bedding plants.

9. Parish Center for the Arts (PCA)

A stunning sight located at the southern corner of the Town Common, the old Congregational Church (1829) underwent significant transformation in 1896.

This building functioned as a church until the mid-20th century and was subsequently converted into an arts space after being acquired by the Westford Historical Society.

The facility features an engaging lineup of concerts and community arts events, typically from June through September.

A gallery located at the PCA provides a platform for showcasing established professionals and talented newcomers through a rotating Artist of the Month program.

10. Stony Brook Conservation Land

This precious expanse of land owned by the Westford Conservation Trust, previously recognized as the East Boston Camps, was acquired by the town in 2005. Spanning 286 acres, it is bordered by Keyes Brook in the east and Stony Brook in the west.

While exploring this area, hikers will encounter steep, glacially-formed eskers enveloped by woodland that supports a rich variety of migratory and resident bird species, from nesting great horned owls to scarlet tanagers.

During spring and fall, the brooks draw a wide array of migratory birds, including pintails, mergansers, and wood and ring-neck ducks.

The trail along Stony Brook, adorned with magnificent wildflowers in spring and summer, remains open throughout the camp season in July and August. Additionally, in the reservation’s northwest corner, there is a segment of the rail trail along an old trolley line.

11. Nashoba Brook Wildlife Sanctuary

En route to the Nashoba Valley Ski Area lies a forested property curated by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

This wildlife sanctuary boasts the advantage of being contiguous with Westford’s Richard Emmet Conservation Land, making it an ideal starting point for an extended exploration of over 500 acres of natural beauty.

The sanctuary features more than four miles of trails that meander through white pine-oak forests and into wetter regions, including a vernal pool that comes to life each spring, a wetland habitat, and a bog.

The Alan Emmet Loop trail, the longest in the sanctuary, guides visitors past historic stone walls and Cave Rock, a notable glacial erratic.

12. Great Brook Farm State Park

Located just beyond Westford’s southeastern corner, this state recreation area exceeds 900 acres and is home to a functioning dairy farm.

Visitors can tour Great Brook Farm on weekends from May through October, with younger guests particularly enjoying the opportunity to encounter barnyard animals, including cows, chickens, sheep, and goats.

A seasonal ice cream stand operates during this period, offering a broad selection of flavors and sorbets.

The park features nearly 20 miles of trails, guiding hikers to significant Native American sites and remnants of colonial settlements, such as 17th-century cellar holes. During the winter months, the trails are prepared for cross-country skiing.

13. One Stop Fun

Ideal for birthday celebrations or lively outings, One Stop Fun is an entertainment center specifically designed for younger children, brimming with attractions and activities.

The indoor playground comprises three stories of tunnels and tubes, numerous slides, a 40-foot rock wall, and a dedicated area for toddlers.

Children can jump and explore at the Nashoba Gymnastics Academy, equipped with Olympic-level apparatus including bars, rings, a tumble track, and a full-size trampoline, along with a foam pit and zipline.

In addition, the pool plaza is tailored for children, featuring slides and interactive play facilities.

14. Westford Knight

Located at 17 Depot Street, a short walk from the Town Common, an intriguing curiosity awaits, marked with an interpretive sign and plaque.

This phenomenon, known as the Westford Knight, is a glacial boulder featuring unusual patterns that have led to various interpretations over the years.

While it is now widely accepted that these markings are of natural origin, in the 19th century, they were thought to be a Native American petroglyph, and more recently, a theory suggested they might represent an epitaph for a Medieval knight who arrived in the New World during the 14th century.

To commemorate this interpretation, a recumbent brass figure of a knight is positioned adjacent to the rock.

15. Butter Brook Golf Club

Situated within the rolling hills of southern Westford, this semi-private championship golf course was designed by architect Mark Mungeam and opened in 2004.

The picturesque setting features sweeping views, mature white pines, and the ever-present Butter Brook, which flows through the landscape.

There are four sets of tees available, accommodating players of varying skill levels, and the course measures 6,800 yards from the longest tees. Players must factor in the course’s rolling topography when selecting their shots, though these natural attributes can often enhance play.

For example, the sixth fairway contains a prominent hillock that can facilitate an ideal approach angle if approached correctly.