Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Woburn, MA

Located at the head of the Mystic River Valley, Woburn is a suburban city approximately ten miles northwest of Boston.

Woburn was officially established as a town in 1642, and a significant development occurred in 1803 with the inception of the Middlesex Canal.

This canal facilitated the transportation of raw materials for a thriving tanning industry that prevailed until the mid-20th century, a history commemorated by local references such as the Woburn Tanners hockey team.

Though now defunct for 170 years, a small segment of the Middlesex Canal remains adjacent to Baldwin House, the city’s oldest structure, which dates back to 1661.

Woburn features a revitalized downtown area, offering a diverse array of dining options and easily accessible public green spaces.

1. Horn Pond

This glacially-formed pond serves as a serene refuge for Woburn residents and is situated less than a mile from the downtown area, nestled within a 500-acre conservation region. Horn Pond has historical significance as it was the site of an Algonquin settlement.

The area has hosted ice-making enterprises alongside sand and gravel quarries, with a former drive skirting its western shore.

The road now forms part of a 2.2-mile loop, currently designated for pedestrians and cyclists. During summer, Horn Pond becomes a prime location for kayaking and canoeing, while certain trails along the shore are outfitted with exercise equipment.

To the west, the 287-foot Mount Towanda, formerly a ski area, now attracts hikers and mountain bikers, offering views over Woburn, Winchester, and southeast towards the Boston skyline.

2. Woburn Center

Revitalization efforts initiated over 20 years ago have transformed a lengthy stretch of Main Street in downtown Woburn.

These initiatives included funding for facade improvements, traditional-style lighting, and various streetscape enhancements. The downtown area now provides an excellent environment for shopping, dining, and leisure, framed by elegant architecture and a charming town common.

The culinary scene is vibrant and diverse, with options ranging from tapas and Korean to Indian, Brazilian, sushi, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, and traditional American dishes.

A notable event occurs on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, featuring the Festival on the Common, which includes a tree-lighting ceremony, local performing arts groups, and numerous food vendors.

3. Woburn Public Library

Situated near Woburn Common on Pleasant Street, the Woburn Public Library is the first building designed by the notable architect H. H. Richardson (1838-1886).

Established in 1876, this library emerged as a gift from the estate of banker Jonathan Bowers Winn (1811-1873). The structure showcases Richardson’s signature Romanesque Revival style, employing a basilican floor plan prominent in later library designs.

The facade is composed of red ashlar Longmeadow and Ohio sandstone, accented with bands of red granite sourced from Westerly, RI.

Visitors can explore the elaborately crafted timber trusses in the reading room and the grand, high-arched ceiling in the study hall. A statue honoring Benjamin Thompson (1753-1814), a prominent figure born in Woburn, stands proudly on the lawn in front.

4. Lord Hobo Brewing Company (LHBC)

Established in 2015, Lord Hobo Beer has expanded its distribution to 15 states across the Eastern United States and operates three locations within the state.

Woburn serves as the site of the brewery’s headquarters, featuring a taproom that has evolved from a modest venue into a spacious facility accommodating over 400 guests.

The brewery’s flagship product, Boomsauce, is recognized as the leading Mass-produced Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) in the state.

In an average year, LHBC introduces around 80 different beers, with core offerings that include 617 Lager, 617 Hazy IPA, Juice Lord (India Pale Ale), Angelica (Hazy IPA), Life (Session IPA), Free Bird (Golden Ale), and Glorious (New England IPA).

The Woburn taproom boasts a 40-draft line system, featuring limited and brewery-exclusive releases alongside a comprehensive food menu.

5. Benjamin Thompson House–Count Rumford Birthplace

In North Woburn lies the birthplace of Benjamin Thompson, a British-American Loyalist who achieved notable success in Europe following the Revolutionary War.

Thompson was not only a proficient military administrator but also a scientist and inventor, undertaking significant research into heat and devising improvements for various heating systems.

He received knighthood from George III in 1784 and subsequently served in government in Bavaria, where he was honored as a Count of the Holy Roman Empire.

The preserved birthplace, featuring a gambrel roof and a large central chimney, dates back to 1714 and is overseen by the Rumford Historical Association, established in 1877. The residence can be explored on Sunday afternoons from June through October.

6. Mary Cummings Park

Straddling the boundary between Woburn and Burlington, Mary Cummings Park encompasses 216 acres of woodlands, meadows, vernal pools, and wetlands, formerly the estate of Mary P.C. Cummings (1839-1927).

In her will, Cummings entrusted her estate to the City of Boston alongside a sizable maintenance fund sustained by income from an office building adjacent to Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston.

Cummings envisioned the park as a space “forever open as a public pleasure ground,” which has remained a verdant sanctuary for individuals seeking leisurely walks along designated trails a century later.

Features include a boardwalk traversing the wetlands, an array of stunning wildflowers during summer, and a radio-controlled flying field located toward the northern end of the park.

7. Baldwin House (Sichuan Garden)

The Baldwin House is Woburn’s oldest residence, having stood in various forms since 1661, making it a significant landmark next to a preserved section of the Middlesex Canal.

One notable resident was the esteemed engineer Loammi Baldwin (1744-1807), who supervised the construction of the 27-mile canal between 1793 and 1803, operational until 1851. Baldwin was also instrumental in defining the house’s current Federal-style appearance, stemming from extensive renovations in 1803.

Currently, the Baldwin House houses the Sichuan Garden restaurant, which also operates The Baldwin Bar within the same building. Just north of the house, visitors can stroll along the canal for several hundred feet along the rail bed of the Boston and Lowell Railroad that superseded it.

8. Woburn Bowladrome

Candlepin bowling is a regional variant that is exclusive to New England and Canada’s Maritimes. Dating back to around 1880, this form utilizes a handheld ball devoid of finger holes, complemented by tall and slender pins that are more challenging to knock down than traditional bowling pins.

The preferred venue for candlepin bowling in the area is the Woburn Bowladrome, established in 1940, boasting 40 lanes for enthusiasts.

As is customary for bowling alleys, facilities include a pro shop, food and beverage options, and bumpers for novice bowlers. Notably, on Friday and Saturday evenings, the venue offers glow-in-the-dark bowling complete with blacklight effects and music.

9. Middlesex Fells Reservation

Located to the southeast of Woburn Center, the Middlesex Fells Reservation is one of the preeminent recreational areas in Greater Boston, just a short ten-minute drive away.

Spanning over 2,200 acres, the reservation features rugged granite hills and a series of reservoirs, notably Spot Pond, which serves as a focal point for water recreation activities during the summer, offering canoe, kayak, pedal boat, and rowboat rentals.

The area is crisscrossed by more than 100 miles of trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.

The southern ridges, at locations such as Wright’s Tower, provide spectacular vistas of the Boston skyline.

10. Cranberry Bog Conservation Area

Located just shy of 30 acres along the Aberjona River in Woburn, this conservation area offers both tranquility and historical intrigue.

In 1905, the pond on this site was drained and transformed into a cranberry bog, where the plants were safeguarded from frost during winter through controlled flooding between November and April.

Cranberry cultivation continued here until the 1960s, and visitors can still observe the dams constructed along the river to manage the water flow.

A trail runs along the western edge of the bog, providing an excellent vantage for observing the diverse bird and mammal species thriving in this water-abundant ecosystem and the surrounding woods.

11. Showcase Cinema de Lux Woburn

Part of the regional Showcase Cinemas chain, the Woburn multiplex has a history that predates its modern appearance, being established in 1973.

The auditoriums feature contemporary technologies including Dolby sound and Sony 4K, alongside plush, power-operated reclining seats designed for comfort.

While current cinematic releases can be viewed, cinephiles should also look for classic film screenings that are occasionally hosted here.

Additionally, a selection of alcoholic beverages, including beer on draft and assorted signature cocktails, is available at the lobby bar.

12. Breakout Games

This escape room chain operates two locations in the Boston area, with the Woburn site conveniently positioned just off I-95, near the Baldwin House.

Breakout Games features six hour-long challenges designed for teams of up to eight participants. The collaborative nature of the rooms enhances the experience, making larger teams advantageous, while also distributing the cost since payment is made per room rather than per person.

Each session is themed around an engaging narrative, where teams work together to solve puzzles and uncover clues to avert the sabotage of a runaway locomotive, infiltrate a criminal organization, or recover stolen artifacts from a thief’s residence.

13. XtremeCraze

Families seeking fun in Woburn will find another option at XtremeCraze, a multi-level laser tag arena recognized as the largest and most technologically advanced in the Boston and New England regions.

XtremeCraze features cutting-edge equipment and a game system incorporating various scenarios and formats, some inspired by the renowned video game Fortnite.

Additionally, the facility hosts a bounce park, similar to a trampoline park but utilizing inflatable structures, ensuring a safer environment for children and parents to enjoy together.

Moreover, the venue includes a gaming zone, equipped with redemption machines and classic arcade games like Space Invaders.

14. O’Brien Rink

This rink, featuring a skate shop and a snack bar, serves as the home ice for local youth hockey organizations including the Woburn Tanners (boys) and Mass Bay Warriors (girls), as well as the boys’ and girls’ teams from Woburn High School.

The O’Brien Rink hosts programs throughout the season, from September to March, including learn-to-skate sessions, hockey development, and figure skating courses.

In collaboration with the Woburn Recreation Department, scheduled public skating sessions are regularly available, and the rink can be reserved for private events, although availability may be restricted during the skating season.

15. Stone Zoo

For nearly 120 years, a zoo has existed on the north shore of Spot Pond. As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Stone Zoo is home to roughly 60 distinct species spread across 26 wooded acres.

Engaging exhibits include Himalayan Highlands, which hosts yaks and snow leopards; Treasures of the Sierra Madre, featuring jaguars, coatis, and cougars; Yukon Creek, home to black bears, lynxes, and arctic foxes; and Treetops and Riverbeds, where visitors can observe white-cheeked gibbons, colobus monkeys, and North American river otters.

Children will find delight in the barnyard, which showcases friendly sheep, pygmy zebu, and goats. The zoo is particularly celebrated for its walk-through Christmas light display, creating a festive atmosphere each December.