Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Northborough, MA

First established by Europeans in the 17th century, Northborough in Central Massachusetts is intersected by the historic Boston Post Road (Route 20), which also serves as Main Street.

Numerous significant markers can be found along this historic thoroughfare, including a site commemorating the tragic death of a young woman, Mary Goodnow, who was killed by Native Americans in 1707 during Queen Anne’s War.

The Northborough Historical Society proudly operates from a striking headquarters located in a repurposed mid-19th century church, showcasing artifacts that highlight over 350 years of the area’s local history.

The surrounding countryside is dotted with family-operated farms that have been in business for generations, offering enticing home-baked pies, apple cider donuts, and opportunities for fruit picking.

1. Tougas Family Farm

This second-generation farm invites visitors to partake in the joy of fruit picking during the summer and fall seasons, offering a delightful escape into rural New England.

In order, the Tougas Family Farm provides opportunities to pick your own strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, and pumpkins.

While fruit picking is the highlight, children will also enjoy the playground and the farm’s collection of barnyard animals.

Furthermore, the farm store and kitchen remain operational until Thanksgiving, offering pre-picked fruits, farm-made apple cider donuts, pies, scones, cookies, fruit crisps, and an array of local gourmet specialties.

2. Northborough Historical Society Museum

Situated at 52 Main Street, the museum of the local historical society occupies a beautifully restored old Baptist Church, constructed in the Greek Revival style in 1860.

Since moving here in 1960, the society maintains a museum within the upstairs hall, which features a restored George Stevens pipe organ built in 1874.

The museum boasts a diverse collection that spans many facets of Northborough’s history, including industry and domestic life.

Visitors can explore artifacts pertaining to a one-room schoolhouse, sports memorabilia, a recreated general store, 19th-century clothing, some of the earliest weights and measures in Massachusetts, and various preserved items from an 18th-century kitchen.

3. Craftworks

The history of this beloved gift and yarn emporium stretches back over forty years, beginning as a craft cooperative in Northborough’s former Town Hall. Craftworks has since relocated several times and now occupies a spacious store within the Northboro Shopping Center.

Customers can peruse an extensive selection of yarns across a variety of brands, fibers, weights, and colors, in addition to a comprehensive assortment of tools and materials essential for knitting or crochet projects.

The store showcases the unique creations of hundreds of talented artisans, providing a platform for one-of-a-kind fashion items, accessories, woodworking, pottery, glass art, and various crafts.

Moreover, Craftworks acts as a vibrant hub for handicrafts, offering classes ranging from knitting to needle felting, alongside various events throughout the year.

4. Davidian’s Farm Market

Located near Tougas Family Farm, this family-owned operation has been cultivating the land for over a century.

Davidian’s Farm Market specializes in a wide array of fresh produce, including corn, peaches, watermelons, broccoli, cauliflower, and numerous varieties of peppers, tomatoes, greens, and apples. These seasonal vegetables and fruits are available at the farm market located at 500 Church St.

The market, housed in a rustic structure reminiscent of a barn, also offers ice cream, prepared foods, custom-made sandwiches, locally crafted specialty foods, as well as an array of baked goods such as pies and apple cider donuts.

5. Edmund Hill Woods

Upon examining a map of Northborough, it becomes evident that the town is enriched with expansive natural spaces accessible to the public through the town’s trails committee.

If one must choose just one destination, Edmund Hill Woods beautifully encapsulates both the town’s natural and historical narratives in a single location. Here, visitors can traverse a 2.5-mile interpretive trail, stopping at 27 stations that highlight distinct features of the landscape.

These stations may include notable trees, a glaciated drumlin, boulders, remnants of agricultural practices, vernal pools, an historic aqueduct, old stone walls, and traces of the mid-19th century Agricultural Branch Railroad.

6. Old Farm Trail

Part of Northborough’s extensive network of trails through town-owned lands is the Old Farm Trail, which runs along the border with Marlborough. This pathway is named after the historic Stirrup Brook Farm, a dairy farm that was sold off over sixty years ago.

Once a grazing area, the trail now meanders through dense forest, yet intriguing remnants from its past can still be discovered.

Among these remnants are historic vehicles, left in what were then fields during the mid-20th century, gradually succumbing to the environment.

The most well-preserved of these relics is a light blue 1953 Oldsmobile 88, positioned between two trees. The Old Farm Trail follows the Assabet River and Stirrup Brook, passing a few picnic areas and connecting with the Bird Song Trail near Main Street in the southeast.

7. Sawyer’s Bowladrome

Charming local bowling alleys, such as Sawyer’s Bowladrome located just off Main Street, are a hallmark of communities throughout this region of the state.

Established in 1953, Sawyer’s Bowladrome specializes in candlepin bowling, a regional variation of ten-pin bowling that originated in Worcester around 1880.

For those unfamiliar with this style, it features a smaller ball that fits comfortably in the hand, while the pins are taller and narrower, presenting a greater challenge to knock down.

With its low ceilings and just six lanes, Sawyer’s Bowladrome offers a nostalgic experience compared to contemporary bowling alleys, which many find appealing. While scoring is done manually with pencil and paper, modern conveniences such as a ball-return system and automated pin clearance are available.

8. Assabet Park

Located near civic structures such as the Town Hall and the Northborough Free Library, this public park has undergone numerous upgrades in recent years.

Reopening in summer 2022, Assabet Park features a completely new playground, equipped with ADA-compliant facilities on a soft, safe rubberized surface.

Another valuable addition for families during hot days is the splash pad, featuring a variety of misters, bubblers, and geysers across an expansive area paved with asphalt. Families can enjoy a budget-friendly outing by packing a picnic and beach chairs for a few hours of summer enjoyment.

9. Mary Goodnow Grave

As you traverse the Boston Post Road, you will encounter a poignant reminder of Northborough’s tumultuous history at the site where Mary Goodnow was killed in 1707.

This event transpired during Queen Anne’s War (1702-1717), a period in which French-aligned Native Americans orchestrated raids in the Marlborough region. Mary was gathering herbs in a meadow when she spotted a group of over 20 warriors approaching.

In a display of bravery that allowed her two children and a pregnant companion to retreat to safety, it is said that she willingly surrendered to the attackers.

A stone marker commemorating this event was placed at the site in 1899 and can be accessed via a path that meanders through the woods from the Pheasant Hill parking area.

10. Ski Ward Ski Area

Since the late 1930s, generations of aspiring skiers have honed their skills at this small mountain situated along the border with Shrewsbury.

With complete snowmaking coverage, Ski Ward offers an extended skiing and snowboarding season. It features nine trails, evenly distributed among beginner (3), intermediate (3), and expert (3) categories, served by four lifts.

This destination is well-suited for novice skiers, and during the winter months, the facility employs 100 instructors who lead an assortment of private and group lesson programs.

For many families, the primary attraction is the collection of eight tubing lanes, which are accompanied by two lifts to minimize waiting times. Throughout the remainder of the year, the mountain continues to be a hub for recreation, thanks to a summer tubing park.

11. PYOP Studio

For those seeking a hands-on art experience, Northborough offers a studio where you can craft your personalized piece of decorative art. PYOP Studio features more than 200 distinct unglazed bisque designs, ranging from vases to mugs, providing a canvas for your artistry.

After selecting your piece, you can begin designing using a palette of over 90 colors.

Upon concluding your session, you will leave your creation with the studio for glazing and firing. PYOP Studio hosts a busy schedule of classes, events, and camps, while walk-ins are always welcome.

12. Boundless Adventures Zipline and Aerial Park

Located just beyond Berlin, Boundless Adventures offers an exhilarating zipline and high ropes park, attracting thrill-seekers from across Greater Boston.

Designed to accommodate a broad range of abilities, this park features nine distinct courses to challenge, categorized from yellow (beginner) to black (expert).

Each course presents a sequence of demanding yet fulfilling elements that participants must navigate through balancing, climbing, swinging, or, in some cases, taking a leap of faith.

The expansive site includes a total of 90 rope bridges and 16 ziplines; the more challenging the course, the greater the height within the forest canopy.

13. Ellsworth McAfee Park

Widely recognized for its excellent maintenance, Northborough’s community park is situated in the southern part of town near the boundary with Westboro and features a wide array of active recreation facilities.

To summarize, amenities include a skatepark, basketball courts, pickleball courts, multi-use playing fields, and two playgrounds.

A lengthy exercise trail winds throughout the park, leading to a tranquil pond at the northern end, while a spacious pavilion is available for rental.

Each Thursday evening from late June to mid-August, Ellsworth McAfee Park serves as the venue for Northborough’s annual summer concert series.

14. Juniper Hill Golf Course

Located less than a mile southeast of Northborough’s center, this public golf facility boasts 36 holes and a newly modernized clubhouse featuring a grill, pro shop, and golf instruction center.

The first of the two 18-hole courses at Juniper Hills, the Riverside course, has been in operation since 1931. This course has been refined over the years and is renowned for its scenic views along the banks of the Assabet River.

Opened in 1991, the Lakeside course presents a more challenging experience. Harmonizing with the stunning New England landscape, these 18 holes contain two par-3 holes (the 8th and 14th) that necessitate a bold tee shot over water.

15. Northborough Crossing

This outdoor shopping center is positioned at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 20 in the southern part of the town.

Within Northborough Crossing, shoppers will discover a blend of major retail chains, smaller mall-style outlets, dining establishments, and a branch of the popular supermarket chain, Wegmans.

Notable retailers in the area include Kohl’s, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty, Claire’s, The Paper Store, T.J. Maxx, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michaels, Homesense, and PetSmart.

From a culinary standpoint, visitors can enjoy establishments such as QDOBA and IHOP, alongside nearby options like Burger King, Starbucks, and Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizza.