Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Waltham, MA

Summary:

A western suburb of Boston, Waltham was established as early as 1636 and possesses a robust historical significance, particularly in industrial development.

In 1814, the groundbreaking Boston Manufacturing Company mill transformed textile manufacturing in the United States. Subsequently, the Waltham Watch Company revolutionized the mass production of watches and timepieces later in the century.

Waltham is still referred to as The Watch City, with the esteemed Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation documenting the legacy of these manufacturers.

Moreover, Waltham features an elegant aspect, hosting several prominent estates that are accessible to the public. One of the highest points in the area offers magnificent views of the Boston skyline.

1. Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation

The riverside setting of the Boston Manufacturing Company mill serves as an ideal location for a museum dedicated to industry in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Founded in 1814 by Francis Cabot Lowell (1775-1817), this innovative, integrated textile mill incorporated the technology for converting raw cotton into finished fabric.

The museum was inaugurated in 1980 and is filled with machinery, tools, and manufactured products that illustrate the American Industrial Revolution.

Visitors can explore the detailed profiles of pioneering industrialists, along with an array of ingenious machines, ranging from early automobiles to a revolutionary device for producing paper bags.

The Waltham Watch Company, a significant entity in the city’s history for over a century, is prominently featured, showcasing a vast collection of timepieces and the original machinery for mass-producing watches.

2. Gore Place

Among the few historic estates in Waltham, Gore Place served as the summer residence for Christopher Gore (1758-1827), a prominent attorney and Federalist politician.

Set on 50 acres, Gore Place was completed in 1806 and has hosted notable guests, including the Marquis de Lafayette, James Monroe, and Daniel Webster.

Visitors can view the most extensive collection of Boston-made Federal-period furniture on display in the United States, encompassing items such as beds, bookcases, and an exceptionally rare billiards table from around 1805.

Gore Place is also recognized as an early exemplification of Federal architecture, largely due to the influence of Rebecca Gore, Christopher’s wife, in its design.

Families visiting Gore Place can enjoy the working farm on the property, which maintains several chicken breeds and sheep, as well as a nature playscape and a story trail throughout the grounds.

3. Downtown Waltham

Predominantly located along Moody Street, Waltham’s central commercial area is appealing, pedestrian-friendly, and richly endowed with shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

This thoroughfare is particularly notable for its diverse selection of dining establishments, featuring cuisines such as tapas, sushi, pho, Indian, East African, Mexican, Salvadoran, Asian fusion, and contemporary American.

Moreover, the proximity of the Embassy Cinema, located just off Moody Street, facilitates an enjoyable combination of dining and entertainment.

From June through October, the Waltham Farmers’ Market operates on Saturday mornings near the riverbank, complemented by live music almost every week. Across the river lies the charming Waltham Common, which hosts free outdoor concerts during the summer.

4. Rose Art Museum

This distinguished museum, dedicated to modern and contemporary art, is situated on the Brandeis University campus and provides free entry to the public.

Renovated slightly over a decade ago, the Rose Art Museum was established in 1961 and is renowned for its innovative exhibitions, including the first video art exhibit in the United States, presented in 1970.

Its collection boasts over 9,000 items, featuring works from iconic artists including Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein, Yayoi Kusama, Henri Matisse, Yoko Ono, Paul Gauguin, and Jasper Johns.

Recent exhibitions have included works by Frida Kahlo, Mark Dion, and Raida Adon, while a permanent installation, Light of Reason, created by Chris Burden, welcomes visitors at the entrance to the building.

5. Stonehurst, the Robert Treat Paine Estate

This summer residence of social reformer Robert Treat Paine (1835-1910) is conveniently located in Waltham, just west of the Bentley University campus.

In 1883, Paine, who is a descendant of a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, enlisted the services of two renowned architects for a unique partnership.

Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-1886), illustrious for his Romanesque Revival style, designed the house, while the grounds were crafted by Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903).

Positioned atop a rocky ridge, Stonehurst offers magnificent views to the southeast, and its interior features exquisite handcrafted details indicative of the Arts & Crafts movement in America.

Guided tours of the interior are available, while visitors can traverse Olmsted’s naturalistic grounds and the adjoining woodland via trails.

6. Charles River Greenway (Charles River Bike Path)

Waltham features a continuous bike path that traces much of the Charles River, often on both banks. This path spans 23 miles, connecting the western suburbs to Boston at the Museum of Science.

Waltham lies toward the path’s western section, which was part of a multimillion-dollar initiative to extend the greenway from Watertown Square to Newton in the mid-2000s.

This greenway not only facilitates access to neighboring communities but also provides an excellent approach to downtown Waltham, the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, and the scenic riverside areas like Riverwalk Park.

7. Lyman Estate

This elegant country home, managed by Historic New England, was built in 1793 for Boston merchant Theodore Lyman. Originally spanning 400 acres, the Lyman Estate underwent expansions in 1882 and received a Colonial Revival upgrade in 1917.

Due to its exceptional preservation, the estate has served as a filming location on several occasions, most recently for Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women (2019).

The grounds are accessible to the public without charge, featuring an array of specimen trees and stunning collections of rhododendrons and azaleas planted by the Lyman family in the 19th century, along with an historic carriage house and greenhouse complex (currently functioning as a nursery).

The house is available for private events, but it opens for public tours on the first Saturday of each month.

8. Prospect Hill Park

Prospect Hill Park is noted for being one of the highest points in a 12-mile radius of downtown Boston, situated within this woodland municipal park in Waltham.

The main summit, Big Prospect, reaches an elevation of 485 feet, while the adjacent Little Prospect stands at 435 feet. Both locations provide stunning vistas of Boston and the surrounding basin.

On a clear day, visibility extends as far as Mount Monadnock, located over 50 miles to the northwest.

Since its opening in 1893, Prospect Hill Park has been preserved as a natural wilderness area with 273 acres available for hiking, allowing visitors to enjoy invigorating walks, particularly in June and July when the meadows are lush with wildflowers, or in the fall to witness vibrant foliage.

9. American Waltham Watch Company Historic District

Designated a U.S. Historic District in 1989, the site of the Waltham Watch Company (1850-1957) is certainly worth a brief stroll southwest from downtown Waltham to admire this architectural marvel.

The Romanesque Revival complex boasts impressive dimensions, extending nearly 1,000 feet along Crescent St.

With its many rows of arched windows, rooftop towers, turrets, and finials, its features are reminiscent of a grand palace, along with the prominent streetfront blocks resembling corps de logis.

Following its acquisition by General Electric in 2004, the complex has been revitalized into a mixed-use site, incorporating residences, offices, and dining options.

10. Embassy Cinema

Waltham is fortunate to host a multiplex movie theater downtown, conveniently located within walking distance of numerous eateries along Moody St.

The Embassy Cinema first opened its doors in 1998 and is part of the Landmark Theatres chain, which operates 35 locations nationwide at present.

In line with the brand’s standards, this six-screen theater features first-run Hollywood releases, as well as foreign and independent films. Its prime location enhances Embassy Cinema’s appeal, particularly with $7 movie tickets offered on Tuesdays.

11. Charles River Canoe and Kayak

The dams constructed for Waltham’s textile mills have given rise to the serene Lakes District of the Charles River. For over six miles upstream, this area offers tranquil flatwater with virtually no current.

The peaceful banks are predominantly bordered by leafy residential neighborhoods and parkland, creating an impression of escaping the hustle of city life while paddling along this stretch of the river.

Charles River Canoe and Kayak (Paddle Boston) operates a riverside location at Moody Street Dam in Waltham, offering a diverse array of canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rental, available for durations ranging from 90 minutes to an entire day.

12. Beaver Brook Reservation

Straddling the border between Waltham and Belmont, this expansive parkland encompasses over 300 acres adorned with intriguing natural and historical sights.

The reservation was established in 1893 to protect the Waverly Oaks, a stand of 22 ancient white oaks that have unfortunately succumbed to old age.

Among its features are a monument commemorating these trees, the administrative building of the former Metropolitan State Hospital (constructed in 1927), the 19th-century residence of landscape architect Robert Copeland (1830-1874), and remnants of a fulling mill from the 1800s.

Within the reservation’s open meadows and woodlands lies Beaver Brook Falls, which boasts a 30-foot drop, while Lone Tree Hill in Belmont presents a popular walking trail.

The South Section along Trapelo Rd in Belmont includes an expansive playground, featuring a spray deck that is particularly cherished by children during the summer months.

13. Mass Audubon’s Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

Located a short distance east of Waltham, this area comprises a landscape of mixed forests, meadows, and vernal pools that is managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Habitat has long focused on wildlife education, offering an indoor gallery and a variety of programs throughout the year.

The center features three miles of trails that wind around the ponds and through the meadows, providing endless opportunities for birdwatching as well as the chance to identify various turtle and frog species during the summer months.

For those wishing to extend their walking experience, the trail network connects to an additional seven miles along the Western Greenway Trail.

Expect a variety of engaging activities at Habitat, with programs available for all ages, whether participants seek informative nature walks, want to learn to identify birds of prey, or wish to develop skills related to illustration and nature writing.

14. Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co.

This modern brewery and taproom for the craft beer brand is situated on the eastern side of Waltham, adjacent to the Beaver Brook Reservation.

One of the appealing aspects of Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. is the transparent integration of the brewhouse and taproom, with gleaming fermentation tanks showcased behind glass panels at the heart of the hall.

At the time of writing, 13 beers were on tap, including Lotería Lime (Lager), the flagship Cloudy Candy (IPA), Cosmic Distortion (IPA), Volaré (Pilsner), and a variety of fruity sours such as Mango Lassi.

The taproom provides a welcoming venue for live music, with performances scheduled most weeks from Tuesday to Thursday. Additionally, a different food truck is present daily, offering an array of options from porchetta and smash burgers to grilled cheese and tacos.

15. DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

Located approximately 15 minutes away in Lincoln, New England’s largest sculpture park is certainly worth the visit. The Sculpture Park regularly presents a changing exhibition of over 60 works of modern and contemporary sculpture, all nestled within idyllic landscaping beside Flints Pond.

Many of these works are on loan, and the institution boasts a rich collection. Notable artists include Nam June Paik, Dorothy Dehner, Jaume Plensa, Antony Gormley, Beverly Pepper, and Sol LeWitt, among others.

The museum further offers substantial indoor gallery spaces for groundbreaking contemporary art exhibitions and family-friendly learning environments.