Overview
On the western flank of the Blue Hills, Westwood is a picturesque suburban town that separated from its neighbor, Dedham, in the late 19th century.
Home to a population of approximately 16,000, Westwood encompasses a significant area, with extensive land allocated for conservation.
A notable reservation, managed by a private non-profit called Hale, has its origins as a scout reservation in the early 20th century.
Hale features a vast expanse of woods and ponds for summer camps and programs, while also being accessible to the public for low-impact outdoor activities.
Situated in an affluent corner of Greater Boston, Westwood and Dedham boast upscale shopping centers and remnants of historic estates and farms, which have been transformed into reservations complete with elegant gardens, barnyard animals, and a variety of songbirds during the summer months.
1. Hale
With year-round educational initiatives and seasonal camps, Hale functions as a private non-profit entity, encompassing over 1,100 acres of natural land in Westwood and the neighboring Dover.
During summer, it operates as an American Camp Association accredited day camp, providing typical camping activities for various age groups.
The land is available to the public for passive recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding along approximately 20 miles of trails.
These paths lead to four bodies of water, including the picturesque Noanet Pond. Additional possibilities such as swimming, boating, and camping are accessible to those participating in Hale’s family-oriented programs.
2. Buckmaster Pond
Created by glacial meltwater following the last Ice Age, Buckmaster Pond serves as an appealing element in Westwood’s landscape.
The pond is named after John Buckmaster, an early settler who passed away in the mid-18th century.
In the years immediately following the war, a gravel pit on the west shore expanded the pond by several acres.
Access to the shore is available at three parks, located to the southeast, southwest, and north, featuring lawns, play equipment, wooded areas, and benches.
A boat launch is situated at the Buckmaster Maple Norwood Conservation Property (358 Pond St), and common fish species include largemouth bass, chain pickerel, brown trout, and catfish.
3. Westwood Day
In mid-September, the community gathers for two days of entertainment and family activities to commemorate Westwood’s anniversary.
Hosted at Westwood High School, Westwood Day serves as a robust platform for local enterprises, featuring a vendor village with over 120 merchants, including various local culinary options.
Children can engage in numerous activities, such as inflatables, face painting, the “Roaming Railroad”, pumpkin decorating, a touch-a-truck event, and countless games.
Additionally, attendees can participate in a 5k run, enjoy performances from local artists, and witness a fireworks display marking the event’s kickoff following the Westwood Wolverines football game.
4. University Station
Served by the Route 128 station (MBTA commuter rail and Amtrak), this extensive mixed-use development has emerged in the eastern part of Westwood in the past decade.
Overlooking the Blue Hills to the east, University Station includes retail, office, hotel, and luxury residential spaces. Retail outlets comprise Target, Nordstrom Rack, Michaels, Homesense, Wegmans, and Marshalls.
Restaurant options feature popular chains such as Chipotle, Panera Bread, SmashBurger, Panda Express, Starbucks, and more.
5. Westwood Public Library
Completed in 2013, the main branch of Westwood Public Library exemplifies a 21st-century library, providing contemporary educational, professional, and recreational resources while fostering an atmosphere of inclusion in a dynamic and welcoming environment accessible to all.
This library was originally established in 1895 as a branch of the Dedham Public Library, and the current building is located approximately on the same site, although the historical Colburn School building had to be relocated to accommodate it.
The library features collections, facilities, and programs suitable for all age groups, but is especially beneficial for parents with young children due to the spacious and secluded Barbara Lloyd Hayes Children’s Library.
6. Colburn School–High Street Historic District
Along High Street, from numbers 349 to 390, one can encounter elements of Westwood’s historical past. A significant portion of the town’s civic functions are concentrated on or near this stretch of road, which is also home to around 40 historic residences.
Many of these structures predate Westwood’s incorporation as a town in 1897, while 19th-century barns stand as reminders of its agricultural heritage.
The notable structure for which the historic district is named is the Colburn School (668 High St), constructed in the Second Empire style in 1874.
Just north of here is the Classical Revival Town Hall (580 High St), completed in 1910 with modern amenities for its time, including sanitation facilities, steam heating, and electric lighting.
7. Legacy Place
Located across I-95 in Dedham, Legacy Place is an urban-style open-air shopping and dining complex. Consistent with the area, the stores cater to an upscale market, alongside numerous mall staples.
Some notable retailers include Apple, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, L.L. Bean, Gap, Sephora, Whole Foods, J. Crew, LOFT, and Francesca’s.
For entertainment, visitors can enjoy the luxurious 15-screen Showcase Cinema De Lux, featuring recliners and in-theater dining, as well as Kings Dining & Entertainment, which combines a bowling alley with a bar and restaurant.
Food options at Legacy Place comprise well-known chain restaurants such as Shake Shack, CAVA, Legal C Bar, and Yard House.
8. Lowell Woods
A substantial area of town-owned conservation land is situated in northern Westwood, where visitors can traverse nearly 300 acres of upland woods and wetlands along Purgatory Brook.
Lowell Woods comprises a collection of four conservation properties, interconnected by three marked trails (Blue, Red, and White). Interestingly, these paths represent historic routes, traveled for generations before the advent of motorized transport.
The most picturesque view is found where the Blue Trail crosses Purgatory Brook via an appealing footbridge.
9. Powisset Farm
Adjacent to Hale Reservation, Powisset Farm has a rich agricultural history that dates back to the 17th century.
The Trustees of Reservations manages a CSA program at this farm, which includes a teaching kitchen, farm stand, and barnyard animals sure to delight children.
Beyond the cultivated areas, a trail meanders through upland woods, across brooks, past seasonal pools, and through wetlands.
During your walk, you may observe wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, and bobolinks nesting in the grasslands.
One of the summer programs at Powisset Farm allows children to experience the joys of rural life, from caring for animals to managing crop cultivation and learning basic culinary skills.
10. Rocky Woods Reservation
The Trustees of Reservations oversees this 500-acre expanse of woodland located to the west of Westwood.
Water is a constant presence at Rocky Woods, due to its unique location, which partially falls within the Neponset River and Charles River watersheds.
The landscape includes wetlands that serve as habitats for species such as painted turtles, beavers, and bullfrogs.
The property contains five man-made ponds, the largest being Chickering Pond, which is encircled by a ¾-mile loop.
The highest elevation in Rocky Woods is at Cedar Hill (435 ft) at the northeast corner, offering expansive views of the reservation to the southwest.
11. Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate
Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk at another Trustees of Reservations property, situated just east of University Station on the edge of the Blue Hills.
The Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate is a refined country retreat, designed for Dr. Arthur Tracey Cabot, a member of Boston’s distinguished Cabot family.
He commissioned Charles A. Platt (1861-1933) to craft the house and gardens, which were subsequently enhanced by his niece, Eleanor, with ponds, specimen trees, a greenhouse, art studio, and a sunken camellia garden.
In 1989, Eleanor bequeathed the estate to the Trustees of Reservations, and during spring and summer, the formal gardens are renowned for their abundance of tulips, lilies, azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwood, roses, and vibrant perennial blooms.
12. Lambert’s Rainbow Market
Established approximately 70 years ago, Lambert’s is a local chain of markets with branches in Dorchester and at the Rainbow Square shopping center in Westwood.
This family-run business is now in its third generation and has transformed from a fruit and vegetable market into a more expansive operation.
It offers a New York-style deli, a salad bar, and prepared foods including a delectable selection of subs, wraps, and calzones. A row of shaded picnic tables outside makes this a convenient dining spot during the warmer months.
Additionally, groceries—both everyday items and unique products—can be purchased, along with a garden center that provides flowers, Christmas trees, and gardening supplies.
13. Adams Farm
Within a five-minute drive from Westwood, one can access around 700 acres of publicly available land in nearby Walpole.
The largest parcel here is Adams Farm, which serves as an excellent destination for hiking, featuring ten miles of trails traversing through woods and fields, where visitors can discover historic stone walls and resting areas for expansive views.
During spring, the woods and rolling meadows resonate with the sounds of various birds, including breeding species such as bobolinks, tree swallows, and eastern bluebirds.
Adams Farm is located along the migratory route of monarch butterflies, and its specially designed Butterfly Garden is enchanting during mid-summer.
14. Blue Hills Reservation
Rising just east of Westwood, the Blue Hills are encompassed within a 7,000-acre reservation and are home to the highest peak in the Greater Boston area.
This peak, Great Blue Hill (635 ft), is easily accessible from Westwood and offers panoramic views of the entire metropolitan area.
In the 1880s, this peak was selected as the site for the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory, which has significantly contributed to early meteorological studies and remains operational today as both a research facility and visitor attraction.
The reservation offers a plethora of activities, whether hiking across this chain of 22 hills, enjoying the summer beach at Houghton’s Pond, skiing at the Blue Hills Ski area, or learning about the range’s ecology and history at the engaging Blue Hills Trailside Museum.
15. Firefighter’s Foam
One of Westwood’s unique annual traditions is organized by the local fire department each July.
Designed exclusively for children, Fireman’s Foam features several water cannons and copious amounts of harmless dish soap, transforming Sheehan Elementary School’s grounds into a foamy paradise. The foam can reach towering heights, and children thoroughly enjoy diving into it.
The inaugural Firefighter’s Foam event took place in the 1980s and has since become a cherished staple of the summer season.
