Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Fitchburg, MA

In the 19th century, this city in North Central Massachusetts emerged as an industrial hub, notably mass-producing paper, tools, firearms, and clothing.

The wealth generated by these industries is reflected in Fitchburg’s elaborate Victorian residential architecture, charming public parks, and institutions such as the esteemed Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM).

The FAM houses thousands of years of art, complementing its permanent collections with contemporary exhibitions and innovative gallery events.

The picturesque surroundings of Fitchburg feature wooded granite hills, with several peaks offering expansive views towards the Boston skyline, located approximately 45 miles to the southeast.

1. Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM)

Fitchburg is home to a highly regarded art museum, which serves as a key cultural institution for Central Massachusetts.

Founded in 1925, following a generous bequest from the Fitchburg artist and collector Eleanor Norcross (1854–1923), the museum boasts a collection of over 7,000 works, exhibiting a deep focus on American Art, African Art, and American photography, alongside significant temporary exhibitions for contemporary art.

As you explore the galleries, you will encounter captivating pieces of pre-Columbian, Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman art, together with decorative arts spanning from the 16th to the 20th century.

The museum also hosts an array of seasonal events, including the spring event “Art in Bloom,” where fine art is paired with floral arrangements by local florists and garden clubs.

2. Coggshall Park

Coggshall Park, Fitchburg’s premier public park, was initially landscaped in the 1890s as a gift from Henry Coggshall, a prominent executive at The Fitchburg Gas Company.

His contributions over the years have expanded the park to encompass more than 250 acres along the wooded shores of Mirror Lake.

Features include a quaint stone house overlooking the lake and a waterfront gazebo on the eastern shore.

The lake serves as a sanctuary for waterfowl and turtles, with benches and picnic tables available beneath the conifers lining the banks. Within the woods, one can find a children’s playground, a network of walking trails, and a well-regarded disc golf course.

3. The Rollstone Boulder

Rising prominently southwest of downtown is the 800-foot Rollstone Hill, which has served as a site for granite quarries throughout much of Fitchburg’s history.

This hill is capped by a 110-ton porphyritic granite glacial erratic, known as the Rollstone Boulder. It became a notable landmark for walkers and picnickers starting in the 19th century.

To protect the boulder from quarrying activities, it was explosively relocated in 1929 to its present location adjacent to Fitchburg’s Upper Common, occupying what is now the most picturesque area of downtown Fitchburg, framed by historic buildings.

Nearby, a fountain features sculptures by Fitchburg-native Herbert Adam (1858-1945), along with a gazebo hosting weekly summer concerts.

4. Wachusett Mountain State Reservation

Located ten miles from downtown Fitchburg, Mount Wachusett is the highest peak in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River.

From spring through fall, visitors may reach the summit at 2,006 feet by car via an access road, providing distant views in all directions, including vistas of Boston and Mount Monadnock.

The reservation spans over 3,000 acres and offers 17 miles of trails, including a segment of the Midstate Trail, which stretches north to south for 92 miles through Worcester County.

The northern slopes of the mountain host a ski area that operates a shuttle service to and from the MBTA station in Fitchburg, featuring 26 runs, the longest of which is 1.3 miles. The area is also significant for its large stands of old-growth hardwood forest, with trees that have been growing for 370 years or more.

5. Fitchburg Historical Society

Established in 1892, the Fitchburg Historical Society now operates from the Phoenix Building (718 Main Street), which was constructed in 1912 and features elegant terra cotta moldings on its Georgian Revival facade.

This building was designed by H. M. Francis & Sons, a firm responsible for much of the commercial, residential, and institutional architecture in Fitchburg during the early 20th century.

At the time of this compilation, the historical society was open on Mondays and Tuesdays, showcasing intriguing exhibitions focused on various aspects of local history across several rooms.

Visitors can examine a rich collection pertaining to railroads, the Civil War, fashion, industry, local publications, and domestic life in Fitchburg.

6. Twin Cities Rail Trail

When this article was composed, the initial segment of this 4.5-mile rail trail, linking Fitchburg with Leominster, had just been inaugurated.

The Twin Cities Rail Trail is an exceptional commuter route, following the corridor of the Fitchburg and Worcester Railroad, which was completed in 1850.

This ADA-compliant trail, measuring twelve feet in width and fully paved, runs from 1st Street in Fitchburg, past the Fitchburg Municipal Airport to Carter Park in Leominster.

Future plans aim to create connections between Fitchburg’s MART Intermodal Transportation Center and downtown Leominster through the Monoosnoc Brook Greenway.

7. Jewell Hill

To the northwest of Fitchburg lies a scenic expanse of rolling meadows covering 300 acres, accessible to the public via an array of trails.

Jewell Hill, formerly a dairy farm, is now managed by the Trustees of Reservations and reaches a maximum elevation of 1,411 feet.

The Jewell Hill Trail, lined with mountain laurel, leads to the Hudson Overlook, where magnificent panoramas stretch for miles over the wooded landscape to the east.

On a clear day, the Boston skyline, 45 miles away, may even be discerned, while Mount Wachusett is also visible to the south along the 0.7-mile Willard Trail.

8. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park

The New England branch of Great Wolf Lodge, part of a prominent resort chain, is located in the southwest of Fitchburg. Visitors are welcome to enjoy its facilities, including a large indoor water park.

The park features a range of high-thrill water slides, such as Wolf Trail, which includes a freefall drop, and the signature Howlin’ Tornado, characterized by a six-story funnel vortex.

For younger guests, attractions include the shallow Cub Paw Pool, the Whooping Hollow playground, and Fort Mackenzie, which offers four stories of interactive fun.

A selection of family-friendly tube rides, a long lazy river, and a serene North Hot Springs hot tub area further enhance the experience.

9. Boulder Art Gallery

Nestled by the boulder on the Upper Common, an independent art gallery showcases works by both emerging and established artists.

Featuring a variety of styles and media, the gallery includes oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, photography, prints, and sculptures.

In addition to providing a platform for local artists, the Boulder Art Gallery curates an extensive collection of vintage art and sells an assortment of antiques and collectibles, many of which have connections to Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts.

10. Lanni Orchards

Operating over 90 acres, this local farm has provided produce to the community for over fifty years and spans three generations.

During the summer and fall seasons, visitors can harvest their own strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, pears, peaches, grapes, apples, and pumpkins at Lanni Orchards.

This fruit, along with a diverse selection of other produce, is available at the farm stand, which also features an impressive array of locally sourced flowers, meats, and grocery items.

A bakery on-site prepares pies made to order within an hour, along with cakes, cookies, and freshly baked apple cider donuts.

11. Coolidge Park

Located in the eastern part of the city near Fitchburg State University, Coolidge Park is the most frequented public recreation area in Fitchburg.

This park focuses on active recreation, featuring multiple soccer fields, five baseball/softball fields, a beach volleyball court, and two street hockey rinks, all encompassed by a mile-long walking path.

Additionally, the J. Robert Cowley Swimming Complex is situated here and is open during the summer months.

The park also includes a one-acre Fitchburg Dog Park, established in 2018, complete with a water fountain and designated areas for both large and small dogs.

12. River Styx Brewing

Situated in downtown Fitchburg, River Styx Brewing is a family-operated and family-friendly craft brewery, offering board games, arcade machines, and shuffleboard for entertainment.

Located in the Putnam Place Business Center, a remodeled 19th-century factory, the brewery presents an array of classical-themed beers, including Atlantis (IPA), Dionysus (Sour), Hercules (IPA), Prometheus (Stout), and Thanatos God of Death (Stout).

Dogs are welcome, and the brewery hosts a dynamic schedule of events on weekends, featuring live music and various food trucks.

13. Flat Rock Wildlife Sanctuary

Within a five-minute drive west of downtown Fitchburg, you will discover a vast expanse of rugged woodland managed by Mass Audubon.

Comprising 326 acres of mixed hardwood and hemlock forest, the Flat Rock Wildlife Sanctuary provides habitats for songbirds, red foxes, and coyotes, while bobcats and black bears have also been spotted.

The sanctuary features six miles of well-maintained trails, which connect with additional pathways on adjacent properties managed by the North County Land Trust and Fitchburg Water Department, surrounding the picturesque Overlook Reservoir.

14. Lakeview Driving Range

Although situated in Lunenburg, the Lakeview Driving Range is located less than ten minutes from downtown Fitchburg and has been operational since 1951.

This family-owned establishment, operating since 1971, caters to individuals of all ages and skill levels in golfing.

The range extends up to 250 yards and features both grass and synthetic tees, a putting green, and a sand trap for bunker shots.

Additionally, the facility boasts an excellent mini golf course set amid gardens, ponds, streams, waterfalls, and over 300 trees and shrubs.

For something unique, you can also take advantage of a baseball batting range with three stalls, each equipped with different pitching speeds, allowing you to watch your hits soar.

15. Cherry Hill Ice Cream (Lunenburg)

Located within a ten-minute drive, Cherry Hill Ice Cream boasts a picturesque setting amidst green rolling hills.

This ice cream stand features over 60 flavors, including unique creations such as coconut cheesecake brownie and seasonal pumpkin Oreo (available in fall).

Guests can choose from more than 20 toppings, including strawberry pieces and peanut butter sauce, as well as sorbets, sherberts, no-sugar-added ice cream, and a variety of frozen yogurts.

With a few shaded picnic tables available, visitors can relish their treats in this tranquil, secluded spot.