Summary
Sitting approximately 25 miles northwest of downtown Boston, Littleton is a town with Colonial roots dating back to 1645. It is the location where the Puritan missionary John Eliot established the sixth Praying Village, home to Native American converts.
This village, known as Nashoba, was situated between Fort Pond and Lake Nagog, much of which is now encompassed by the Sarah Doublet Forest, named after the last “praying Indian” who passed away in 1736. Presently, Littleton serves as the New England headquarters for the technology leader, IBM, and enjoys substantial conservation areas that feature overlooks, ravines, caves, and mature lakefront forests.
1. Long Pond
A delightful natural feature in close proximity to Littleton Common, Long Pond spans 113 acres.
Despite its closeness to the town center, Long Pond remains remarkably undeveloped, with the southern and western borders of the shoreline preserved as conservation land.
Open from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, the public beach located on the northwest shore serves as an excellent spot to relax or cool off on a hot day.
Amenities include a sandy area, a bathhouse, a kayak/canoe launch, and picnic spots. Visitors can select a seasonal membership or opt for a daily usage fee.
2. Kimball Farm
Located next door in Westford, this beloved family entertainment center draws visitors from across New England.
Established in 1939, Kimball Farm has evolved from a dairy farm to include a variety of attractions over the years. Golf enthusiasts will appreciate two 18-hole adventure golf courses, a 9-hole pitch & putt course, and a driving range equipped with 75 hitting stations.
Additional activities include a zipline, batting cages, bird of prey demonstrations, pony rides, a petting farm, bumper cars, bumper boats, and an arcade.
Kimball Farm is also renowned for its creamy homemade ice cream, offered in over 50 flavors.
Food is available at two locations on the farm, including a classic New England seafood shack that serves local specialties such as lobster rolls, clam strips, fried scallops, and hand-cut onion rings.
3. Nashoba Valley Tubing Park
The Nashoba Valley Ski Area, located on the Littleton-Westford border, is renowned for its expansive snow tubing park situated on a deceptively steep hill.
With as many as 18 lanes serviced by four lifts, this facility is officially the largest tubing park in New England.
Visitors pay for a two-hour session and are free to utilize as many runs as they desire. The lanes are meticulously maintained, suitable for anyone over 42 inches tall or 6 years old.
Doubles and group tubing are allowed, contingent upon weather conditions. Naturally, the experience can vary with the weather—visits after fresh snowfall may result in slightly slower lanes.
4. Nashoba Valley Ski Area
Access to the tubing park is available from Littleton, whereas the primary ski area can be reached from the Westford side of the town boundary.
This small mountain has been accessible to the public since 1964 and is known for having one of the premier terrain parks in the state. With a vertical drop of approximately 240 feet, the Nashoba Valley Ski Area features 17 runs, the longest spanning 1,400 feet.
The area is equipped with four conveyor lifts, four chair lifts, and three rope tows, ensuring smooth operations with a capacity to accommodate 11,600 visitors per hour.
On-site, the Outlook Restaurant is open year-round, and during the summer, a camp for children is available, alongside Witch’s Woods, recognized as one of the top Halloween scare experiences in the area.
5. Prouty Woods
One of the most enchanting locations for a walk in Littleton is the town-owned mature woodland on the western shore of Long Pond.
Prouty Woods encompasses about 1,600 feet of lakefront and these stunning woods serve a critical ecological role, maintaining the integrity of the lake’s watershed and mitigating erosion.
Another notable feature of Prouty Woods is Wilderness Hill, which rises 170 feet above the surrounding area.
From its summit, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking views on a clear day, including the sight of Mount Monadnock approximately 35 miles to the northwest and Mount Wachusett about 20 miles to the west.
Early spring visitors might be fortunate enough to observe the captivating courtship display of the American woodcock, known as the “Sky Dance,” in which males soar to heights of 350 feet before descending in a unique zigzag fashion, producing unusual sounds with their distinctive wing feathers.
6. O’Neil Cinemas
This contemporary multiplex commenced operations in Littleton’s The Point shopping center in 2017. Featuring eight screens, the theater is part of a regional chain in New England, providing a state-of-the-art cinematic experience in a sophisticated environment.
All theaters are equipped with recliners that include drink holders and trays, complemented by cutting-edge sound and visual technology throughout the facility.
Notably, the Grand DLX is touted as the largest screen in Boston’s Metro Northwest, measuring 72 feet wide and four stories tall, accompanied by multidimensional Dolby Atmos sound.
In line with its upscale atmosphere, the Backstage Lounge offers a full-service dining experience, complete with a 15-foot video wall showcasing sports events, trivia, and more.
7. Oak Hill Conservation Land
Visitors can effortlessly spend hours traversing the trails at this extensive conservation area in western Littleton without experiencing monotony.
Oak Hill features seven miles of trails that present a wealth of discoveries. A highlight includes Lookout Rock, which ascends to 475 feet above sea level, offering views that include Boston’s Prudential Tower and the John Hancock Tower (26.5 miles to the southeast) on clear days.
Excitingly, Tophet Chasm drops 80 feet at the site of what was formerly a monumental waterfall dating back to the last Ice Age.
The trail system at Oak Hill incorporates two 19th-century stagecoach routes, where observers can discern the impressions left by the wheels of these historical coaches on the bedrock.
8. Smith Conservation Land
Located south of Oak Hill and extending into Harvard, this valued conservation area features wetlands, open fields, and former agricultural land encompassing just over 60 acres.
The Smith Conservation Land spans both sides of Whitcomb Avenue, providing distinctly varied experiences on each side.
To the west, visitors can explore a captivating ravine punctuated by caves, known to shelter species such as porcupines, coyotes, bobcats, and even black bears.
Conversely, the eastern side of Whitcomb Avenue offers a gentler trail along the marshes bordering Beaver Brook, where keen observers with binoculars may catch sight of a great blue heron rookery.
9. Spring Brook Farm
Spanning over 400 acres, this farm in northern Littleton has roots tracing back to 1713.
Remarkably, Spring Brook Farm has remained in the same family since its inception. Ten generations later, the farm continues to serve as an essential community resource, celebrated for its assortment of homegrown and homemade products available at its country store.
Products range from freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, plants, to a popular line of jams, farm-raised meats, and an array of baked goods including breads, pies, quiches, and cookies.
The store also features a delightful selection of gifts, including candles, jewelry, linens, and home decorations for both interiors and gardens.
10. Sarah Doublet Forest
The largest property of the Littleton Conservation Trust, Sarah Doublet Forest covers 100 acres of wooded terrain located on part of the historic Nashoba Plantation.
Visitors can explore an exciting blend of natural beauty and history along a network of marked trails within Sarah Doublet Forest.
The yellow loop winds through former pastures and past a long-abandoned quarry, whereas the red loop leads to vernal pools and patches of witch hazel shrubs, which are especially enchanting in the fall when their yellow flowers are in bloom.
Close to the parking area, on the orange trail, visitors can observe the intriguing remnants of an old farmhouse, where only a chimney and foundation remain.
11. Houghton Memorial Building
The Houghton Memorial Building, formerly a public library, stands as one of Littleton’s finest architectural landmarks and currently houses the Littleton Historical Society.
Constructed from yellow brick and completed in 1895, it reflects a Colonial Revival style with Romanesque Revival features on its primary façade.
This structure was a bequest from William S. Houghton’s son, a prosperous Boston merchant and Littleton native who earlier supported the library’s collection.
As of this writing, the building welcomes visitors on Wednesday afternoons and select Sundays. Visitors are invited to explore enriching exhibits about various aspects of local history, as well as seasonal gifts available in the museum shop.
12. Bobby’s Ranch
Located nearby in Westford, Bobby’s Ranch is an equestrian establishment that has been in operation since 1972. Originally, it provided summer employment for its namesake, Bobby, at the age of 16.
Over the years, the ranch has thrived and is currently managed by Bobby, his wife Celia, and their daughters, Cassie and Theresa.
Services include boarding, a horsemanship program for children during the summer, and a selection of private, semi-private, and group riding lessons.
The ranch’s principal attraction is its guided trail riding service (by reservation), conducted on gentle, amiable horses through idyllic rural landscapes, with options available for multi-day adventures with prior arrangements.
13. The Point
When it opened to the public in 2015, this mixed-use development became the first of its kind in the Metro Northwest area of Boston.
The Point is conveniently located just off I-495, incorporating a hotel (Courtyard by Marriott), offices, entertainment venues, and a variety of retail and dining options.
Collaborating with O’Neil Cinemas, one of the best advantages of The Point is its vibrant food scene.
Visitors can enjoy a diverse selection including Indian, pan-Asian, tavern cuisine, and traditional New England seafood.
Additional dining options include a wine bar, as well as establishments for Starbucks, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings, and Moe’s Southwest Grill.
14. MetroRock Littleton
Established in 2019, this indoor climbing facility at The Point is part of a regional chain that caters to climbers of all skill levels.
Upon completing a waiver and acquiring necessary gear, experienced climbers can begin exploring the bouldering landscape at MetroRock within moments of arrival.
Tests for top-rope climbing, as well as more rigorous assessments for lead climbing, are available.
Novices are welcome to come in at any time for a comprehensive orientation and tutorial on using the auto-belays.
If you prefer a guided introduction to climbing, there is an option for a private belay, where a staff member will assist you in learning the techniques.
15. Shaker Hills Country Club
Located just a short distance away in Harvard, this accessible golf course boasts a stellar reputation. Over the years, Shaker Hills Country Club has been recognized as the top public course in Massachusetts, and this esteemed status is reflected in its premium green fees.
The current course design dates back to a renovation in 2012, and one of its most significant features has consistently been the stunning, sprawling scenery.
A fitting grand finale is the spectacular 560-yard dogleg par 5, concluding at the clubhouse, which is situated above a natural amphitheater with views overlooking the 1st, 9th, 10th, and 18th holes from the top deck.
