Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Malden, MA

Renowned for its diverse community and expansive hilly parkland, this northern suburb of Boston has undergone significant transformation over the past few decades.

Malden’s recent development is largely attributed to its proximity to Boston, with North Station located merely ten minutes away via the MBTA’s Haverhill Line.

The city boasts a multicultural demographic, highlighted by a substantial Asian community, which is particularly evident in the downtown area featuring a delightful assortment of establishments offering bubble tea, ramen, and pho.

Since the 2010s, the Northern Strand Community Trail has revitalized an abandoned railroad corridor, enabling cycling access between Malden, Boston, and the coastline extending to Lynn.

An influential figure in Malden’s history is shoemaking industrialist Elisha S. Converse (1820-1904). This philanthropic mayor contributed land for municipal parks and supported the establishment of amenities including Malden’s inaugural public library.

1. Middlesex Fells Reservation

To the west of Malden lies a substantial public recreation area, encompassing over 2,000 acres of rugged, granite-laden woodlands interspersed with reservoirs.

The largest among these is the now dormant Spot Pond, encircled by forested areas featuring remnants of former mills, visible at the Spot Pond Archaeological District.

During summer, Spot Pond serves as a popular boating destination, where visitors can rent canoes or kayaks from the boathouse.

The reservation boasts a network of trails leading to vantage points that showcase the Boston skyline. A prominent feature at one of these southern viewpoints is Wright’s Tower, constructed in 1937 as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) initiative.

Adjacent to Spot Pond’s northern shore is the renowned Stone Zoo, home to snow leopards, Mexican gray wolves, jaguars, American alligators, and two-toed sloths among its inhabitants.

2. Downtown Malden

Malden’s multicultural populace enhances a vibrant culinary landscape. Within a few blocks along Main St and Pleasant St, one can find establishments offering Vietnamese, pan-Asian, Chinese cuisine, ramen, and bubble tea, as well as an Indian grocery store, Middle Eastern market, and Halal market.

This energetic commercial sector features bars, an Irish pub, and several local retailers catering to diverse needs, ranging from comic books to fine wines and mini golf.

Malden’s diverse dining options are showcased at the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival held in June, which is a part of the Malden Summer Festivals, featuring a series of outdoor events across downtown.

In recent years, downtown Malden has been linked by the Northern Strand Community Trail, which connects Everett to Nahant.

3. Fellsmere Park

One of the several venues linked to Malden’s inaugural mayor, Elisha S. Converse, is this beautiful urban park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903).

Fellsmere Park occupies a former swamp acquired by Converse in 1875, originally intended for a reservoir to support his rubber footwear manufacturing facility.

He ultimately chose to develop a park in this location instead, and this elegantly landscaped wooded area was completed in 1899. Much of Fellsmere Park is dominated by the namesake pond, a sanctuary for ducks and geese, metamorphosing into a russet tapestry in autumn.

A hillside provides an overlook over the pond and is favored for sledding during winter months.

4. Pine Banks Park

Spanning more than 100 acres, this expansive public park is jointly owned by Malden and the neighboring city of Melrose. Elisha S. Converse also donated this parcel of land, contingent upon its designation as “forever a public park.”

Pine Banks Park exhibits two distinct aspects. One features rugged woodlands that allow visitors to escape the urban environment for a refreshing hike.

The other side offers a recreational facility that accommodates soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, rugby, field hockey, and more. Here, you will also find a playground and several spacious picnic areas, in addition to a charming, wildlife-rich pond nestled in the woods.

5. Boda Borg

In 2015, downtown Malden became the inaugural U.S. location for a family entertainment chain that originated in Sweden during the mid-1990s.

Resembling an escape room, Boda Borg presents a unique gaming experience revolving around “quests.” There are up to 25 quests available, each containing a series of challenges designed for teams of up to five individuals.

Participants may need to navigate concealed hazards in an abandoned mine, venture into outer space, or attempt to pilfer a valuable diamond from a museum.

These quests are color-coded, with green challenges focusing on mental acuity, black quests demanding physical prowess, and red quests blending both elements.

6. Northern Strand Community Trail (Bike to the Sea Trail)

Located in downtown Malden, this mixed-use rail trail connects numerous North Shore communities along the former Boston & Maine Railroad’s Saugus Branch.

Along with Everett, Malden was among the trail’s initial connections established in 2012. The path has progressively extended northeast since then, passing through Revere and Lynn, and is currently being developed toward Nahant.

In Malden, the principal access points are situated on the westbound side of Route 60, across from Malden High School, and on the eastbound side of Route 60 behind the Dockside Restaurant.

This segment of the trail features the ArtLine, a series of sculptures and murals commissioned by Malden Arts.

7. Revere Beach

Malden is a mere few minutes from the first public beach in the United States. Revere Beach has long attracted visitors before obtaining this designation in 1896, having been connected to Boston and Lynn via a narrow gauge railway since as early as 1875.

Situated along a gentle curve facing Broad Sound, Revere Beach offers over three miles of sand with picturesque views of Boston Harbor and the Nahant Peninsula.

The prominent annual event held here is the New England Sand Castle Sculpting Festival, taking place every July or August, featuring remarkable creations by talented sculptors from across the globe.

The beach serves as a habitat for the piping plover, with designated fenced sections reserved for this endangered shorebird.

8. Waitt’s Mountain

Within approximately 15 minutes, one can easily walk from downtown Malden to the highest elevation in the city. At 217 feet, Waitt’s Mountain may not appear immense, but its prominence provides unique views over the urban landscape.

This site offers stunning vistas of the Boston skyline, particularly captivating at sunset. Additionally, this location bears historical significance, as observers witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill from this vantage point in 1775, and gun batteries were stationed here during World War II.

The current layout is a remnant from the 1930s when the Works Progress Administration converted an uninviting piece of land into a charming terraced park, featuring benches, bridges, and a roadway leading to the summit.

9. Town Line Luxury Lanes

This newly renovated bowling facility offers a plethora of amenities ideal for family outings, romantic evenings, casual games with friends, or competitive leagues for participants of all skill levels.

Featuring 48 immaculate lanes, the experience further elevates on Friday and Saturday evenings with Atomic Bowling, characterized by blacklight, neon lanes, and music.

Complementing the experience is a game room housing over 50 brand-new arcade and redemption machines, as well as a billiards hall equipped with 15 tables.

Dining options are available through Temptations Grill and the Luxury Boxx Sports Bar, while MIXX360 Nightlife serves as a nightclub with bars, VIP areas, and spaces for live performances.

10. Project: PUTT!

Adjacent to Boda Borg, visitors will find a recently opened indoor mini-golf facility that presents a unique twist on this family-friendly activity. Project: PUTT! features 12 holes adorned with bizarre, multisensory putting challenges that include blacklight, lasers, fog machines, projections, vortexes, animatronics, and more.

The experience is complemented by a narrative centered around a secretive organization known as the R.E.A.L.M.S Institute, evoking elements of a sci-fi/mystery storyline.

The challenges are ingeniously designed to “level the playing field,” ensuring that participants of all ages and abilities can engage competitively and enjoyably.

11. Bell Rock Memorial Park

The esteemed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. (1870-1957) designed this public park at a historically significant site in 1910.

Encircling a rocky outcrop that has long served as a natural landmark, Bell Rock Memorial Park is the site of Malden’s first two Congregational meeting houses (1649-1658 and 1660-1730).

This park was created to provide a venue for the city monument commemorating its Civil War soldiers and sailors. Dubbed The Flag Defenders, this sculpture was crafted by Bela Pratt (1867-1917).

The monument is supplemented by several plaques recounting Malden’s early history and significant figures, including the Puritan minister Michael Wigglesworth (1631-1705), author of The Day of Doom, a bestselling poem of 17th-century New England.

12. Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

Located a short distance away, yet accessible within a few minutes by car, is the site of North America’s first integrated ironworks, established around 1646 by John Winthrop the Younger (1606-1676), an early Governor of the Connecticut Colony.

The site fell into disuse in the 1670s, although the ironmaster’s house remains standing into the 21st century.

Archaeological investigations were conducted post-World War II, leading to the preservation of a living reproduction of 17th-century water-powered industry, which includes a blast furnace, forge, trip hammer, shear, rolling mill, and more, all powered by seven monumental waterwheels.

The site is best visited during summer when all structures are open and rangers are present, though visitors can still traverse an interpretive trail around the works even when closed.

13. Converse Memorial Library

Recognized for his philanthropic endeavors, Elisha S. Converse financed numerous projects throughout Malden, including the local hospital, Malden Auditorium, the YMCA, and the public library.

The library has a meaningful backstory, as it bears the name of Converse’s eldest son, Frank, who served as an assistant cashier at Malden bank and tragically lost his life during a robbery in 1863.

The original library structure, in operation until 1996, was inaugurated in 1885 and stands as a key landmark in Malden.

Designed by H. H. Richardson (1838-1886), this building is recognized as one of his final exemplary works in the distinguished Romanesque Revival style. Constructed from brown Longmeadow sandstone, it is distinguished by its corner tower and extended arcaded porch.

14. Malden Summer Festivals

From mid-May to mid-August, an array of open-air events takes place in Malden, some requiring tickets, while most are complimentary.

The centerpiece is a monthly street festival held at Malden Center from May to August. Activities include live music, comedy performances, artist stations, street entertainers, craft vendors, children’s activities, and a farmers’ market.

Additional events include a multicultural day at Malden High School, the May-plewood Festival on Maplewood Square, and the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival, alongside other happenings such as themed pub crawls.

15. Phantom Gourmet Food Festival

Enhancing the Malden Summer Festivals is a ticketed event that has recently been relocated from Boston.

The Phantom Gourmet Food Festival hosts two significant dates—one in Malden in June and another in Waltham during the fall. Taking place along Exchange and Pleasant streets downtown, this festival showcases over 50 food vendors, each offering delectable samples.

The vendors represent a diverse array of restaurants and food trucks from various regions in Massachusetts, with numerous participants hailing from Malden, making it an excellent opportunity to engage with the local culinary scene.