Established in 1630, Watertown stands as one of the earliest settlements in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, originating from a group of Puritan immigrants who navigated up the Charles River.

In the early 1830s, the elevated eastern section of Watertown was designated for Mount Auburn Cemetery, a new and highly significant concept in burial grounds, set within a scenic arboretum.

For over 150 years, starting in 1816, the Watertown Arsenal along the Charles River operated as a manufacturer of ordnance for the military forces.

The long brick structures at the former arsenal site now serve as offices and can accommodate various facilities, including the esteemed Mosesian Center for the Arts. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the original arsenal site has evolved into Arsenal Yards, a vibrant mixed-use development that has gained popularity as a dining, entertainment, and shopping hub.

1. Armenian Museum of America

As of the latest data, Watertown hosts the third-largest Armenian population in the United States, following Glendale and Fresno.

This town serves as a focal point for Armenian-language media across the nation, making it a fitting location for the largest and most diverse Armenian museum in the United States.

The Armenian Museum of America boasts more than 20,000 items within its collections, including artifacts from Ancient Urartu, religious art, Medieval illuminations, ancient and Medieval coins, hundreds of rare books, Armenian rugs, and numerous examples of Armenian textiles.

While exploring the galleries, visitors will encounter pieces of extraordinary historical significance, such as a gospel book from 1207 during the Crusades, rare Armenian bibles printed in Amsterdam in 1666, and a prehistoric bronze archer’s belt.

2. Mount Auburn Cemetery

Opened in 1831, Mount Auburn Cemetery in Watertown was the first of a new type of burial ground, recognized as a rural or “garden” cemetery.

This initiative, which rejected austere graveyards in favor of a rolling, verdant landscape interspersed with winding paths and strewn with classical-style monuments, played a crucial role in igniting the American parks movement.

The visionary behind this concept was physician and botanist Jacob Bigelow (1787-1790), who was concerned about the health issues associated with burials beneath churches and in crowded urban environments.

Besides housing the remains of numerous notable Boston figures, including Bigelow himself, Mount Auburn Cemetery doubles as an arboretum with ponds, specimen trees, abundant birdlife, and distinctive sights to enjoy throughout the year.

Spanning 174 acres, this site is home to more than 5,000 trees from 670 taxa, with an excellent guide available through the cemetery’s website.

3. Mosesian Center for the Arts

In 2005, Building 321 at the former Watertown Arsenal was repurposed as the Mosesian Center for the Arts.

Plans for a multipurpose arts center in the town had been in the pipeline for decades, finally materializing through a combination of community funding and a significant donation from local entrepreneur Charles Mosesian.

The center serves as the venue for key arts organizations, including the New Repertory Theatre (founded in 1984) and the Watertown Children’s Theatre.

The main performance venue is a proscenium theater with a capacity of 380 seats, complemented by a smaller black box theater, extensive gallery space, classrooms, and artists’ studios.

4. Watertown Square

As Watertown’s primary commercial and transportation hub, Watertown Square presents an attractive environment along the Charles River, with the square located adjacent to Watertown Bridge.

The Charles River Greenway extends westward, while the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bikeway leads east along both banks of the river. Downtown Watertown is pedestrian-friendly, offering a variety of dining options, particularly on Mt. Auburn St, featuring Persian, Sichuan, sushi, Mexican, Greek, diner cuisine, and more.

Following Main St will lead you to Saltonstall Park, a venue for community events such as the Outdoor Summer Concert Series and the Faire on the Square (held in September).

5. Gore Place

Located a few miles west of Watertown Square, Gore Place serves as an elegant country retreat that was constructed as the summer residence of notable lawyer, politician, and diplomat Christopher Gore (1758-1827).

Built in the Federal style between 1804 and 1806, Gore Place has welcomed several distinguished figures, including the Marquis de Lafayette, James Monroe, and Daniel Webster.

The estate, featuring 45 acres of grounds, is open to the public year-round at no charge, and guided tours of the residence, widely considered a prime example of Federal period architecture in New England, are available for a duration of 45 minutes.

Highlights of the tour include the Great Stairs, the Great Hall, the Peacock Parlor, Gore’s office and library, the servants’ quarters, billiards room, the Gores’ Bedchamber, Mrs. Gore’s Cabinet, and the distinct carriage house.

The estate also hosts a diverse range of events, including a summer concert series and a sheep-shearing festival held in the spring for over 35 years.

6. Charles River Greenway

The Charles River, which acts as Watertown’s southern boundary, represents one of the town’s many advantages.

Twenty miles of this waterway are designated as a protected reservation, and in Watertown, a continuous sequence of riverfront parks is connected by a multi-use path that also traverses the downtown area.

If you prefer a leisurely walk or a bike ride, consider heading west along Pleasant St for three miles, crossing the Bridge St bridge, and returning toward Watertown Square along the Newton bank of the river.

7. Washington Tower

Part of Jacob Bigelow’s design for Mount Auburn Cemetery, Washington Tower is a circular Gothic Revival structure positioned at the site’s highest point, reaching 125 feet above the Charles River.

The tower is named in honor of first President George Washington and is recognized as a folly, a charming architectural feature popular in English landscapes of the period, reminiscent of a Medieval castle.

From April through October, visitors can ascend the spiral staircase to enjoy a panoramic view of the cemetery, as well as notable landmarks including Harvard University and the State House in the Boston cityscape.

8. Watertown Dam

The dam along the Charles River contributes to the scenic backdrop of Watertown Square, serving as a remnant from the town’s industrial days, and possesses a history tracing back to a fish weir established in the 1630s.

With dimensions of 180 feet in length and eight feet in height, the current form of the Watertown Dam dates back to 1900, and discussions continue surrounding its potential removal to restore the river’s natural condition and facilitate migratory fish passage.

As it stands, the dam attracts a variety of fishing bird species, including herons, gulls, and cormorants, drawn by the abundance of alewife and blueback herring present in the waters below during spring and early summer.

9. Abraham Browne House

Located at 562 Main Street, this is the oldest preserved residence in Watertown, constructed as an unusually sophisticated farmhouse at the commencement of the 18th century.

The building was in a state of deterioration when acquired by William Sumner Appleton, the founder of Historic New England, in 1919.

This acquisition marked the beginning of America’s first completely documented restoration project, which unveiled numerous preserved features from the late 17th century.

The first floor includes a single room utilized for living, sleeping, and cooking, while an uncommon three-part casement window frame is found upstairs.

The interior showcases how the house likely appeared upon its completion, with limited visiting opportunities during the summer months.

10. Edmund Fowle House

The second-oldest residence in Watertown, located at 28 Marshall Street, has been in the possession of the Historical Society of Watertown since 1922.

Constructed in the Georgian architectural style, the Edmund Fowle House has a rich early history, acting as the meeting place for the Massachusetts Provincial Congress during the initial year of the Revolutionary War.

The last restoration occurred in the 2000s, and guided tours are offered on the third Sunday of each month.

Changing exhibitions are showcased in the parlors and the house’s council chamber, focusing on various aspects of local history, from significant Watertown figures to the Civil War.

11. Arsenal Yards

Downstream from Watertown Square lies the location of the Watertown Arsenal, which supplied munitions for the United States military for nearly 150 years until its closure in 1968.

Subsequently, an army laboratory was established on the site, which eventually shuttered in 1995. Following this, the land underwent remediation to prepare for future use.

Several historic buildings on the western side of the arsenal campus have been converted into offices and the Mosesian Center for the Arts.

The eastern section is occupied by Arsenal Yards, a 250,000-square-foot mixed-use development encompassing dining, retail, entertainment, cultural offerings, a hotel, and office spaces.

Within Arsenal Yards, one can find contemporary dining options such as sushi, Mediterranean cuisine, poke, Mexican food, and modern American dishes, alongside well-known brands like Nike and Old Navy, as well as the Majestic 7 movie theater.

12. Arsenal Park

Situated between Arsenal Yards and the riverside is a community park replete with recreational amenities.

Covering 14 acres, Arsenal Park is bordered to the south by Greenough Blvd and the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path along the river.

In terms of activities, Arsenal Park features a skate park, splash pad, two basketball courts, a bocce ball court, a cross-country running course, a softball field, soccer field, volleyball court, six tennis courts, and a winding walking/biking path.

Additionally, on the west side stands the former Commander’s House of the arsenal, built in 1865, which is now available for private events.

13. The Plumbing Museum

At the time of this article, this cherished local attraction was in the process of seeking a new location.

The Plumbing Museum, managed by the reputable construction firm J.C. Cannistraro, features a collection that was initially curated in the 1950s by one Charles Manoog, including claw-foot tubs, intricately designed sinks, and vintage commodes.

This assembly has since expanded to incorporate cutting-edge bathroom fixtures, a set of lead-working tools from 1910, an array of vintage toilet paper, and a replica of Marcel Duchamp’s renowned piece, “Fountain.”

The museum previously occupied a historic ice house, creatively combining these artifacts with informational panels, photographs, and insightful diagrams explaining various plumbing technologies.

14. Watertown Mall

Directly across from Arsenal Yards lies a mall with a slightly longer history.

Watertown Mall is compact yet well-equipped, featuring numerous national retailers such as Target, Best Buy, and Bath & Body Works, alongside several locally-owned establishments, a children’s play area, a Planet Fitness, and branches of Starbucks and Pizza Hut.

Similarly to Arsenal Yards, this mall is accessible via the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway, which connects with the adjacent Charles River Greenway and extends north, passing Mt. Auburn Cemetery toward Fresh Pond in Cambridge.

15. Faire on the Square

Traditionally held on the last Saturday of September, this endearing community event at Saltonstall Park hosts a variety of exhibitions and activities suitable for all age groups.

With an exciting lineup featuring live music, dance performances, comedy routines, a beer garden, arts and crafts vendors, and an abundance of delicious local food, Faire on the Square caters to all attendees. For children, attractions include a magic show, pony rides, face painting, balloon artists, and an array of inflatables.