Top 15 Activities in Stoneham, Massachusetts

Around ten miles northwest of Boston, Stoneham is a commuter town featuring a significant portion of the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

This proximity offers ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, from kayaking on Spot Pond to hiking in the hills, where breathtaking views of Greater Boston await.

The first European to explore what is now Stoneham was Governor John Winthrop of Massachusetts (1587-1649), who passed through the area in 1632.

Stoneham was incorporated in 1725 after separating from Charlestown and relocated its center in the early 19th century to coincide with the newly constructed Medford-Andover Turnpike.

The downtown area is charming, showcasing preserved architecture, numerous independent shops, lively events on the town common, and an acclaimed professional theater company.

1. Middlesex Fells Reservation

Stoneham’s southern region is home to an expansive public recreation area that spans across four neighboring towns.

Encompassing over 2,200 acres, the Middlesex Fells Reservation features a series of wooded granite hills with substantial water bodies, some of which serve as active reservoirs for the water supply of Winchester and Boston.

With more than 100 miles of well-marked intersecting trails, one could spend days hiking or mountain biking in the Fells without repeating the same scenery.

Notable trails include the Skyline Trail, the Reservoir Trail, the Cross Fells Trail, and the Rock Circuit Trail, each offering unique experiences, from views of downtown Boston to rocky ascents and secluded lakesides.

2. Spot Pond

This 298-acre lake, located entirely within Stoneham’s boundaries, provides an unobstructed view over the water from South Street toward the southern shore.

Spot Pond serves as a sanctuary for outdoor activities, particularly during the summer months when visitors can rent kayaks, rowboats, or sailboats, or participate in classes offered at the Spot Pond Boathouse along Woodland Drive on the eastern shore.

Nearby, Botume House (1849), a striking Italianate residence, stands as the last remnant of several structures that once adorned the shore in the 19th century.

This building now serves as a visitor center for the reservation and marks the beginning of a waterside path weaving through the woods alongside the eastern shore.

3. Stoneham Central Square

A noteworthy aspect of Central Square, Stoneham’s historic town center, is that its current location is not its original site.

The entire center was repositioned to the west following the completion of the Medford-Andover Turnpike (Route 28/Main Street) in the early 19th century.

Central Square is characterized by a high degree of preservation, featuring impressive civic buildings along with a distinctive concentration of 19th and early 20th century architecture.

A key example is the Dow Block (395 Main St), constructed in the French Second Empire style in 1864.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Central Square is bustling with local businesses, offering a diverse range of dining options as well as shops including a florist, butcher, jewelry store, watch shop, bridal shop, and fabric store, all in close proximity to one another.

4. Greater Boston Stage Company

Central Square hosts a wealth of cultural experiences, partly due to the presence of this regional professional theater company located at the historic Stoneham Theatre.

This venue was originally built in 1917 as a movie theater and vaudeville stage, and after closing in the 1970s, it remained vacant for nearly thirty years before the Greater Boston Stage Company took over in the late 1990s, transforming it into a 350-seat performing arts venue.

Since the year 2000, it has proven to be a creative hub, recently achieving Elliot Norton Awards in 2022 for “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1916,” and “Swan Lake in Blue” in 2020.

Each season features at least one world or U.S. premiere, with notable recent productions including “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” “Clue: On Stage,” and “Little Women: The Broadway Musical.”

5. Stone Zoo

The small zoo adjacent to Spot Pond has been operating since 1905 and underwent a significant renovation in 1992.

Spanning 26 acres, Stone Zoo features meandering pathways that transform into a winter wonderland during the holiday event known as ZooLights.

Visitors can explore ten different exhibits, such as the Himalayan Highlands, home to snow leopards, yaks, and markhors, or the newly established Caribbean Coast, which includes a walkthrough aviary showcasing a variety of tropical birds including macaws, ibises, and Caribbean flamingos.

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, visitors can also observe live flight demonstrations at the Birds of Prey exhibit.

6. Stoneham Town Common

Central Square features an iconic town green, bordered by significant structures such as the Town Hall (1939), First Congregational Church (1840), and the Central Fire Station (1916), to be discussed in more detail below.

The common is not merely open space; it serves as a vital part of community life. For instance, Pop-Up Stoneham organizes a near-endless array of free events that engage residents and visitors of all ages.

The Stoneham Farmers’ Market convenes here every Thursday afternoon from June through September.

Additionally, during Thursday evenings in summer, the Concerts on the Common series has entertained the community for two decades, while the Stoneham Town Day marks the beginning of fall with numerous vendors and family-friendly activities.

7. Tri-Community Bike/Greenway

At Pomeworth Field, located near Stoneham Square, visitors can access a seven-mile rail trail that was inaugurated in 2019.

The Tri-Community Bike/Greenway partially follows the right-of-way of the Stoneham Branch of the Boston and Lowell railroad, which was completed in 1862.

The trail encircles Stoneham Square and extends southwest to Wedgemere Station in Winchester, with a spur leading west to Horn Pond in Woburn.

Linking two vibrant commercial districts, the Tri-Community Bike/Greenway serves as both a safe route for car-free commuting and a cherished recreational space, boasting a 45-foot-wide corridor of green space along the former railroad.

8. Whip Hill Park

Adjacent to the Middlesex Fells Reservation in the eastern part of Stoneham lies a beautiful yet often overlooked tract of town-owned land dedicated to passive recreation.

This land was formerly an estate established in the 1930s by James and Angie Crockett, who made their fortunes in the rubber industry.

In 1968, they donated these 30 acres to the town, providing a peaceful retreat with mature stands of pine, oak, and hickory, alongside historic plantings of azalea, mountain laurel, and rhododendron, which flourish in spring and early summer.

The Crocketts’ half-timbered Tudor Revival residence is visible from the outside and was previously accessible to the public during the holiday season.

9. Stoneham Historical Society & Museum

The local historical society recently celebrated its centennial in 2022 and maintains a small campus comprising two significant buildings at 36 William Street in Stoneham.

The larger structure is the Spanish War Hall, constructed in 1911 for the United Spanish War Veterans organization.

This facility also housed a modest manufacturing operation, which produced papers and boxes. Behind it stands the modest Doucette family “Ten Footer” (1725), which reflects Stoneham’s history of small-scale shoe production prior to industrialization.

The museum is open on the third Sunday of each month, showcasing the society’s collection of artifacts, newspapers, documents, and photographs, detailing the local shoe industry in the 18th and 19th centuries.

10. Hall Memorial Pool

Operated in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Stoneham, Hall Memorial Pool serves as an affordable and convenient recreational option for families during the summer months.

Admission is reasonably priced at only $3 per person, with complimentary season passes offered to military families.

The facility features a spacious, well-maintained lap pool adjacent to a splash pad equipped with whimsically designed sprinklers and fountains. Group swim lessons are provided in two sessions during July and August, and private lessons are available throughout the season.

11. Stoneham Oaks Golf Course

For those looking to refine their iron play and putting skills, Stoneham boasts a 9-hole par 3 golf course currently under new management.

This venue serves as an excellent introduction to the sport for younger and novice players.

While the course is beginner-friendly, attention must be paid to the towering trees lining the narrow fairways, as well as the abrupt changes in elevation.

Lessons are available from the course’s experienced instructor, who specializes in training beginners and junior golfers.

12. ZooLights

The holiday season in Stoneham is incomplete without the enchanting light display at Stone Zoo.

Commencing mid-November, the tree-lined paths throughout the zoo are transformed into stunning illuminated walkways adorned with thousands of twinkling lights.

Guests also have the opportunity to observe animals in their pens at wintry Yukon Creek, home to Arctic foxes, black bears, reindeer, Canada lynxes, and bald eagles.

Fire pits are available for warming up and roasting marshmallows for s’mores, and Santa greets children through December 24.

13. Nine O’Clock Horn

One of the most striking structures in Stoneham’s Central Square is the Central Fire Station (1916), notable for its elegant Renaissance Revival tower adorned with arched openings and an ornate cornice.

This historic facility is the source of a cherished local tradition, fondly remembered by past and present residents.

Every day at 9 AM and 9 PM, a horn blast signals from the station. Previously used to alert the town to emergencies—ranging from fires to missing children—this low-pitched signal is now preserved strictly as a ceremonial custom.

14. Bear Hill Trail

Located off I-93 in the western part of Stoneham, a parking area grants access to a short trail leading into the northern segment of the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

This trail leads to the summit of Bear Hill, a site of historical importance where Governor Winthrop and his party enjoyed a meal during their visit in 1632.

A concrete observation tower has topped Bear Hill since the 1890s, the current structure replacing an earlier one erected in 1910.

As of our last update, the tower remains in disrepair but continues to stand as an iconic landmark for Stoneham.

For many, this location offers one of the finest viewpoints in Greater Boston, sparking hope for a future renovation project.

15. Stoneham Town Day

This annual event attracts as many as 10,000 attendees to Stoneham Square, typically occurring on the third Saturday in September.

Occupying the Town Common, Stoneham Town Day serves as a grand showcase for the town’s businesses, artistic talents, recreational opportunities, and non-profit organizations. It is the flagship event for the chamber of commerce, featuring more than 130 booths.

Children will find plenty of entertainment, including amusements, rides, balloon art, face painting, a 70-foot giant slide, and much more.