Overview
In Greater Boston, located just outside of I-95, Norwood is a town with a population of just over 30,000 that recently commemorated its 150th anniversary.
During the 19th century, Norwood experienced significant growth due to the papermaking, printing, and tanning industries. Several mill structures remain from that era, along with the distinguished Tudor-style residence of tanning heir Fred Holland Day.
This property is now maintained by the Norwood Historical Society and is open to the public for tours during the summer months.
Norwood Center is arranged around a classic Town Common, and the town’s stone-built revivalist architecture imparts an appearance of greater antiquity. Notably, the common was only established in the 1910s, while the stately Town Hall was built in 1928.
1. Norwood Center
Envision the quintessential New England town center, and it might resemble Norwood, with its harmonious combination of impressive architecture, shopping opportunities, dining establishments, and community events.
The Town Common serves as the focal point of local life, highlighted by the splendid Late Gothic Revival Town Hall built in 1928, featuring gables, dormers, mullioned windows, and a striking tower topped with pinnacles.
This tower houses the seventh-largest carillon in the United States, with concerts taking place on Sunday afternoons during the summer months.
The common also hosts a summer farmers’ market on Tuesdays, outdoor concerts (after the carillon performance), and the festivities of Norwood Day in September.
Within a short walking distance, a spectrum of dining options awaits, catering to diverse tastes, including Japanese, Lebanese, Indian, fine dining Italian, and classic diner fare.
The Norwood Theatre, located adjacent to the common, features renowned touring music acts, and an old-fashioned candlepin bowling alley is situated at the southeast corner within the Norwood Sports Center.
2. The Norwood Theatre
Captivating attention on the east side of the Town Common is a historically significant movie palace that has been transformed into a performing arts center.
The Norwood Theatre initially opened its doors in 1927, designed by local architect William G. Upham, incorporating Spanish Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance design elements that seamlessly complement the Town Hall, St. Catherine’s, and the United Church, all situated on the common.
This renovated venue has been functioning as a multidisciplinary performing arts center since 2012, accommodating 731 attendees for touring music artists, live comedy shows, musicals, family entertainment, and occasional film screenings.
3. Endean Park
Endean Park serves as Norwood’s primary public park, combining recreational facilities with extensive natural spaces perfect for woodland walks.
The majority of the amenities, located on the east side next to Coakley Middle School, include a summer pool, tennis courts, a playground, baseball fields, and basketball courts.
On the park’s west and north sides, connected trails meander through tranquil woods and alongside the banks of Hawes Brook, which flows through the northern section of the park.
There is a pond near the brook to the north, a community garden located on the south side, and picnicking options can be easily found at the Brookside Café across Washington Street.
4. The Day House
During the summer months, visitors can tour one of Norwood’s premier 19th-century residences during guided tours.
The Day House (93 Day St), owned by the Norwood Historical Society, was established in 1859 and became the residence of renowned photographer and publisher Fred Holland Day (1864-1933), who hailed from two affluent local tanning families.
In the early 1890s, the house underwent a Tudor-style renovation, replacing Second Empire architecture with Arts and Crafts-style leaded windows, timber framing, and tall chimney stacks.
Featuring a grand Great Hall, the building is adorned with period fittings, including fabric wall coverings, carpets, mahogany paneling, original fireplaces, decorative paintwork, and light fixtures, all complemented by Day family artifacts.
5. Signal Hill
Despite its modest elevation of only 188 feet, Signal Hill, located just east of Norwood, offers remarkable vistas of the surrounding region.
To the northeast, one can observe downtown Boston, with the picturesque Great Blue Hill in the foreground. This area, once a rugged peninsula within a glacial lake, is now encapsulated within a 150-acre expanse managed by the Trustees of Reservations.
Archaeological evidence indicates that this site served as a seasonal campsite for paleo-Americans approximately 12,000 years ago, with remnants uncovered during the construction of I-95, which borders the eastern side of the area.
6. Blue Hill Helicopters
The eastern portion of Norwood encompasses the public Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), initially established as a Naval Outlying Landing Field during World War II and later designated as a civil airfield in 1946.
Due to the airport’s proximity to Boston, it serves as a hub for flight schools that offer tours showcasing the skyline and harbor islands.
Among these is Blue Hill Helicopters, which provides a variety of programs for private, professional, and commercial pilots.
If you’re interested in viewing Boston and the coastline from above, numerous packages are available, ranging from a 30-minute flight around the skyline to sunset and night tours, a Cape Cod experience, and a combined tour encompassing downtown Boston and the Boston Harbor Islands.
7. Francis William Bird Park
Established in 1925 and maintained by the Trustees of Reservations, Francis William Bird Park was the brainchild of paper-making industrialist Charles Sumner Bird, Sr. and his wife, Anna, dedicated to the memory of their eldest son.
The park is characterized by exquisite landscapes and waterways, designed by John Nolen (1869-1937), who advocated for the importance of relaxation and outdoor recreation for urban inhabitants.
Spanning 89 acres, the park features three miles of walking trails that traverse woodlands, rolling meadows, and manicured lawns, alongside charming water features. Recreational amenities include four tennis courts, a basketball net, and a playground.
8. Castle Island Brewing Company
Founded in 2015, this craft brewery operates two locations, including one in South Boston and another in Norwood. The latter features a beer garden open during the warmer months, welcoming dogs in the outdoor space.
Castle Island is particularly renowned for its hop-forward pale ales, with a core lineup that includes an IPA (Keeper), a Hazy IPA (Fiver), a DIPA (Hi-Def), an American Pale Ale (Candlepin), a lager (Lager), and a Belgian-style Wit (White).
Additionally, the brewery offers a constantly rotating selection of limited releases, complemented by food offerings from Lombardo’s Kitchen, featuring flatbreads, sandwiches, wings, chips, and hummus.
9. Luke Adams Glass
This studio, located within the Norwood Space Center, offers a remarkable range of vibrant glass items, encompassing jewelry, miniatures, functional home pieces, and seasonal decorations.
Additionally, Luke Adams Glass provides glassmaking classes for the public. For those with limited time, a fused glass class allows participants to create their own artwork by designing and assembling various colored glass pieces, which are then fused in a kiln at 1200-1300°F for a 24-hour period.
For a more in-depth experience, a three-hour glassblowing class is available, where attendees receive step-by-step guidance through two distinct projects.
10. Norwood Sport Center
This purpose-built Art Deco candlepin bowling alley opened its doors in 1940. If you are unfamiliar with candlepin bowling, it is a regional variant that originated in Worcester, MA, in the 1880s.
The pins are elongated and narrow, and the ball fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The Norwood Sport Center remains a favored location for casual bowling in the downtown area, featuring 32 lanes, 26 of which are equipped with bumpers for children.
Computer scoring is available, and the bowling alley accommodates everything from casual games to parties and competitive league play.
11. McAleer Playground
Situated in the northwest region of Norwood, this public area dates back to 1911 and is named after the esteemed local priest, Father McAleer, who passed away in 1939.
A significant highlight during the summer months is the pool, which remains open throughout the school break and offers adult swim sessions every weeknight for one hour.
McAleer Playground also features a softball field, multi-use sports fields, a children’s playground, and serves as the starting point for a peaceful walk. The Trail here connects with the Germany Brook Path, meandering along this watercourse through the woods.
12. Monster Mini Golf
Monster Mini Golf is an indoor center offering year-round mini golf, featuring 18 holes, an arcade, and party rooms.
In keeping with the franchise’s theme, the course is designed to be played in the dark and includes eclectic and whimsical artwork, incorporating elements like mischievous clowns, skeletons, trolls, and even dragons integrated throughout the course.
Some of these art pieces serve as obstacles, while others provide pure decoration. Rounds are accompanied by music from W.I.R.D. Radio, Monster Mini Golf’s exclusive station, while the arcade features air hockey, classic gaming cabinets, and redemption machines.
13. Launch Trampoline Park
This indoor trampoline park serves as an amusement center for those looking to expend energy, featuring attractions suited for both children and teenagers.
Highlights include The Challenger ninja course, the Launch Pad air bag, the Battle Pit, a Slackline suspended over a foam pit, a basketball area for slam dunks, a dodgeball court, and expansive Trampoline Courts with wall-to-wall trampolines.
An arcade is also available, along with Launch Eats, providing a selection of comfort food, including pizza, ice cream, and slushies.
14. Winsmith Mill Market
Within a historic mill complex in Norwood lies a collection of vintage and home design shops featuring over 150 vendors.
The site’s oldest structures, once a tannery, date back to the mid-19th century, and during World War II, bomber jackets for the Air Force were manufactured here.
In recent years, a vibrant community of small businesses has established itself, offering several excellent options for those seeking vintage treasures and innovative home design.
The offerings include Out of the Closet, Chanel Shabby Rose, Shiplap & Chandeliers, White Dog Vintage, and Remarkable Cleanouts, all multi-vendor centers, while Artisan Home Designs serves as a contemporary design boutique and kitchen showroom.
15. Norwood Day
Typically occurring in mid-September, Norwood Day is an event that continues to grow each year, drawing as many as 20,000 attendees for a weekend filled with activities.
The festivities commence on Friday evening with games and inflatable attractions for children, alongside an interactive DJ at Coakley Middle School.
The following Saturday features a parade that traverses Washington Street, commencing from the library to Norwood Common.
On the common, over 200 tables representing local organizations and businesses are set up, complemented by amusement rides, live performances, gaming trucks, a water gun trailer, and much more.
