Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Framingham, MA

The focal point of the MetroWest region, Framingham is a suburban city located approximately thirty minutes by road from Boston and is part of the route for the Boston Marathon.

With a history spanning over 300 years, Framingham has evolved from an industrial hub into a blend of retail and offices set within a landscape of parks and agricultural land.

The city boasts numerous historical residences, and a prime location to appreciate this history is the Framingham Centre Common, the birthplace of the city in the 17th century.

Framingham is also home to two state parks in proximity, in addition to a rich cultural scene supported by Framingham State University and the vibrant Amazing Things Arts Center (atac).

1. Framingham Centre Common

This green space, situated on both sides of Route 9, presents a quintessential New England village green. Framingham Centre is where the town’s first meeting house, established by Thomas Danforth (1623-1699), stood at the heart of his land.

By the early 19th century, this area had become a commercial nucleus, supported by the Worcester Turnpike, serving as a convenient stop for stagecoaches traveling to Boston.

In addition to inns and taverns, impressive residences soon emerged around the common, many of which remain today.

Since 1990, the common has been recognized as a U.S. Historic District, featuring nearly 30 contributing structures, including the Village Hall (1834) and the Edgell Library (1872), both of which can be explored as part of the Framingham History Center.

2. Garden in the Woods

From mid-April to mid-October, an extraordinary experience awaits in northern Framingham. Nestled within mature oak woodlands lies a 45-acre botanical garden that showcases plants native to New England.

The Garden in the Woods is characterized by its striking glacial terrain, featuring eskers, steep-sided valleys, and ponds, creating a diverse tapestry of microhabitats.

With over 1,000 species represented, approximately a quarter of these are recognized as rare or endangered.

This garden was established in 1931 by landscape architect Will C. Curtis (1883-1969) and was entrusted to the New England Wild Flower Society upon his passing.

3. Cochituate State Park

Located in the northeastern part of Framingham, Lake Cochituate represents a series of ponds that were initially dammed in the 19th century to provide water for Boston.

After this role was completed, the 625-acre body of water transformed into a recreational paradise, particularly during the warmer months. Cochituate State Park has become a prime destination for swimming, boating, windsurfing, and fishing.

Swimming and boating activities are confined to the middle lake in Natick, where you may rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rowboats, or pedal boats through Boating in Boston.

A sandy beach, surrounded by grassy areas, coniferous trees, and shaded picnic tables, further enhances the park’s recreational offerings.

4. Danforth Art Museum

Housed in a Colonial Revival structure that formerly served as a school dating back to 1915, the Danforth Art Museum is affiliated with Framingham State University and occupies a prominent location on the Common.

The museum, founded in 1973, has cultivated a remarkable collection of 3,500 works of American art spanning from the 19th century to contemporary times.

Noteworthy artists in the collection include Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller, Charles Sprague Pearce, Barbara Grad, Gilbert Stuart, Albert Bierstadt, as well as several Boston Expressionists and academic painters from the Boston School.

Each year, up to seven temporary exhibitions are held at the Danforth, featuring selections from the permanent collection alongside compelling contemporary works in various mediums including painting, sculpture, installation art, drawing, photography, and illustration. Furthermore, the Danforth serves as an art school, providing educational opportunities for individuals of all ages and skill levels.

5. Amazing Things Arts Center (atac)

Converted in the mid-2000s from an elegant former firehouse built in 1908, the Amazing Things Arts Center serves as a multidisciplinary arts hub for Framingham and the broader MetroWest area.

The center offers a capacity of 135 and is particularly recognized for its live music offerings, featuring performances across numerous genres, supplemented by regularly scheduled jazz jams and open mic events.

Additionally, it presents a diverse array of activities, including live comedy, classic theater, dance, circus performances, burlesque, and other performing arts.

Amazing Things Arts Center includes three gallery spaces that highlight visual arts, showcasing group and solo exhibitions, artist talks, discussions, and markets.

6. Framingham History Center

This local establishment, originating in 1888, began as the Framingham Natural History and Historical Society. It proudly occupies an excellent location on Framingham Centre Common, comprising a campus of three notable buildings.

Included in this campus are the Edgell Memorial Library, constructed in 1872 to honor the bravery of Civil War soldiers; the Village Hall on the Common (1834); and The Old Academy (1837), which served the Framingham School department until 1915.

The center preserves a rich variety of collections that reflect every aspect of life in Framingham throughout the centuries.

Past exhibitions have spotlighted ten significant artifacts, documented local experiences during WWI, showcased historical fashion, and narrated the 150-year history of the Dennison Manufacturing Company.

7. Framingham Farmers’ Market

Operating from mid-June through mid-October, the farmers’ market is ideally situated on Framingham Centre Common. To accommodate various work schedules, the market takes place on Thursdays between 3 PM and 7 PM.

As of the writing of this article, the Mayor’s Office had recently eliminated vendor fees to broaden food options. A typical week at the market features local fruits and vegetables, honey, cheeses, artisan breads, pastries, homemade cannoli, lemonade, and even Nordic kvass.

Additionally, a selection of food trucks is usually present, serving an array of cuisine ranging from tacos to lobster rolls, alongside over a dozen craft vendor booths offering fragrances, candles, handmade jewelry, organic soaps, and an extensive assortment of unique products.

8. Callahan State Park

Located just moments from downtown Framingham, you can explore over 950 acres of natural terrain, featuring a diverse landscape of mixed woodlands, open fields, and ponds.

Founded in 1970, Callahan State Park includes seven miles of marked trails suitable for hiking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.

The park also has intentionally designed mountain biking trails for novice and intermediate riders, enhancing the recreational options.

Dog owners will find the unofficial off-leash dog park at Eagle Pond particularly appealing, offering a fun spot for dogs to cool off in the summer.

9. Eastleigh Farm

Adjacent to Callahan State Park, this dairy farm has a storied past that traces back to the early 19th century.

In 2002, the current owner acquired the property intending to preserve the farmland amid a growing trend of development. Eastleigh Farm offers numerous activities that appeal to families.

Guests can enjoy hayrides, providing an up-close view of the farm’s herd while learning about the property’s history.

The farm market operates from June through October, alongside multi-vendor shops such as Avenue C and the antique store B. Barton & Co.

Moreover, don’t miss Eastleigh Farm’s homemade ice cream, produced in small batches using premium ingredients, offering flavors ranging from chocolate and vanilla to maple walnut and rainbow sherbet.

10. Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company

Emphasizing inclusivity and acceptance, this craft brewery commenced operations in Framingham in 2016 and has since received numerous accolades.

The spacious beer garden is ideal for patrons accompanied by their dogs, offering a selection of beers on draft or options for takeaway in 16 oz cans.

Among the year-round beers available, notable offerings include The Cat’s Meow (IPA), Goody Two Shoes (Kölsch), Briefcase (Porter), and Hair Raiser (DIPA), alongside a rotating selection of seasonal and limited-release brews.

A variety of events are hosted most days, particularly on weekends, featuring food trucks, live music, movie nights, and pop-up shops from local vendors.

11. Cushing Memorial Park

Encompassing nearly 70 acres, Framingham’s well-appointed community park is rich with history.

This location was once the site of a WWII military hospital housing over 100 buildings and was named after Harvey Cushing (1869-1939), a pioneering neurosurgeon.

By the conclusion of the war, approximately 14,000 personnel had received care at this facility, which later transitioned into a center for elder care and research.

Remarkable remnants of the hospital’s past can still be discerned in the park’s meadows and lawns, while wide pathways follow the former hospital’s roadways.

A range of amenities and memorials, such as a 9/11 tribute, a delightful Children’s Grove playground, gazebos, picnic areas, a keyhole garden, flower beds, and birdhouses can be found throughout the park.

12. Cochituate Rail Trail

Spanning just under four miles, this multi-use rail trail links the Village of Saxonville with the Boston-Worcester MBTA commuter rail station in Natick Center.

This route follows the former Saxonville Branch of the Boston and Albany Railroad, first opened in 1846 to support the textile mills in Saxonville and facilitate the construction of Lake Cochituate.

In addition to providing connectivity to transport infrastructure, the Cochituate Rail Trail offers scenic views, particularly adjacent to the state park and Cochituate Brook Reservation.

It serves as an excellent pedestrian route for navigating parts of Framingham and Natick without reliance on a vehicle, including access to Natick Mall and the commercial stretch along Worcester Road.

13. Pike Haven Homestead

For a brief detour, there exists an important piece of local history in the form of a preserved Colonial house located at 161 Belknap Rd. Until the 20th century, the Pike Haven homestead remained within the same family for eight generations.

Constructed around 1697 by Jeremiah Pike, who was elected to the inaugural Board of Selectmen for Framingham in 1700, this homestead provides insight into the area’s early history.

Alongside three generations of his descendants, Pike specialized in crafting spinning wheels. A historical market is also located along Grove St, established in 1930 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.

14. Boston Marathon

Taking place on Patriots’ Day in April, the Boston Marathon, renowned as the world’s oldest annual marathon, has been held since 1897 and passes through Framingham along Waverly St/Route 135.

Framingham marks the sixth mile of this extensive course, allowing spectators the opportunity to witness the first runners entering the town shortly after 9 AM.

Numerous excellent viewing spots can be found along Waverly St. For a more festive atmosphere, those seeking excitement can head downtown to the intersection of Route 135 and 126.

Here, a lively atmosphere complete with live music, engaging activities, and promotions each year celebrate the Six Mile Moment. Alternatively, for a quieter experience, areas such as Coburnville in the western section offer more serene views.

15. MetroFest

Each June, Framingham’s Bowditch Field hosts a popular free one-day event organized by the MetroWest Visitors Bureau.

Now in its second decade, MetroFest features a blend of live music, food, craft beverages, arts, exhibitors, classic cars, and options for family-friendly activities.

Entertainment is provided on two stages throughout the day, complemented by an array of over 15 food trucks offering various culinary delights, including South Korean fusion, BBQ, poutine, and tacos.

A multitude of craft vendors will be present to browse, alongside a tasting tent dedicated to local craft breweries, ensuring hours of enjoyment for children with bounce houses and other inflatables.