Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Holden, MA

Spreading across a large area northwest of Worcester, Holden is a small but rapidly developing town with a population of approximately 20,000 individuals.

There is an abundance of open space, with thousands of acres of woodland available for public recreation within the municipal boundaries. These lands, often linked by trails, are maintained by the town or organizations such as the White Oak Land Conservation Society.

Visitors can traverse the railbed of the former Massachusetts Central Railroad, ascend hills for stunning views, encounter waterfalls, admire unique glacial erratics, or simply disconnect and enjoy the tranquility of a secluded trail for a few hours.

Though the historic center of the town is somewhat understated, those exploring Holden will discover numerous exceptional local businesses, famous for crafting Belgian-style gourmet chocolates and traditional bagels.

1. Holden Center

At the intersection of Main Street and Highland Street, you will find yourself in the 18th-century village center of Holden, where public activities continue to be centered. Holden Center may not be a bustling commercial hub, yet it warrants a visit for its architectural significance.

Close together, you will find the Greek Revival Town Hall (1836), the First Congregational Church (1789), the First Baptist Church (1835), and the historic Post Office building (1880).

Arguably, the highlight is the Damon Memorial Building, which houses the Gale Free Library. Constructed in a Romanesque Revival style with locally sourced granite, it opened its doors in 1888.

Adjacent to the First Congregational Church, you can see the weathered gravestones of the Old Burying Ground, which dates back to the mid-18th century.

2. Trout Brook Recreation Area

The Trout Brook Recreation Area encompasses 660 acres in the northern region of Holden, designated as conservation land. This area features an extensive network of trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

In total, over 16 miles of trails are available, with the primary trail accessible from the parking area on Manning Street presenting a gentle four-mile loop, complemented by numerous side trails for flexibility in trip duration.

A charming pond awaits at the southern end near the parking lot, bordered by picnic areas and complemented by a lodge available for daily or overnight rentals.

Mountain bikers will find the trails primarily easy to moderate, becoming quieter as they venture further north.

3. Stewart’s Chocolates

Situated along a quiet stretch of Wachusett Street in Holden, Stewart’s Chocolates has established itself as a respected chocolatier specializing in European-style gourmet chocolates.

The establishment operates from a quaint farmhouse that dates back to 1803. Opened in 2014, it offers an impressive variety of meticulously crafted bonbons made from premium ingredients, including Valrhona and Barry Callebaut chocolate.

With an almost overwhelming selection of beautifully crafted flavors—ranging from vanilla lavender to tiramisu, orange ginger, lemongrass, cherry amaretto, and strawberry balsamic—there is something for every palate.

As of this writing, Stewart’s Chocolates is exploring the possibility of transitioning into a bean-to-bar operation, researching diverse sources of cocoa beans from around the globe.

4. Mass Audubon’s Eagle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

On the western shore of Eagle Lake in Holden, the Massachusetts Audubon Society manages a 369-acre wildlife sanctuary characterized by vast wetlands and a significant expanse of mature forest featuring towering oaks.

During their spring and fall migrations, a wide variety of waterfowl can be observed along the pond’s shores.

The mature wooded areas provide a nesting habitat for species such as rose-breasted grosbeaks, scarlet tanagers, and great crested flycatchers, and one may even glimpse a barred owl sunning on a branch.

Visiting the sanctuary is particularly rewarding towards the end of spring when the mountain laurel adorns itself with delicate pink and white blossoms.

5. Cascading Waters

As mentioned later in this list, the southern region of Holden bordering Worcester is remote and underdeveloped, providing ample opportunities for serene hikes.

Just beyond the boundary, the Greater Worcester Land Trust oversees several connected parcels, accessible from a parking area on Olean Street. The highlight for many visitors along the blue-blazed Cascades Trail is a breathtaking waterfall cascading approximately 60 feet down a steep, forested hillside.

For those wishing to extend their hike, the Silver Spring Trail and Meadow Ridge Trail lead deeper into the rugged hardwood forest, interspersed with beautiful streams and seasonal pools.

6. Holbrook Forest

Located near Cascading Waters in the southern part of Holden, there is a variety of conservation lands connected by trails.

Holbrook Forest is managed by the White Oak Land Conservation Society and features paths extending into Kinney Woods adjacent to it and further south into Worcester via Cook’s Woods and Cook’s Brook.

What distinguishes these areas is their position on the southern edges of over 3,000 acres of uninhabited wilderness, which contains drinking water reservoirs for Worcester and is not open to the public.

This protected environment has allowed wildlife to thrive, which can be observed along the trails within the conservation areas. Walking in the northern part of Holbrook Forest, one may discover Cousin’s Rock, a notable glacial erratic made of pegmatite, recognized for its exceptionally large crystals that can be examined up close.

7. Val’s Restaurant

In 1991, 22-year-old Valorie James opened a humble pizzeria in Holden. Over the course of more than 30 years, it has evolved into a multi-award-winning full-service restaurant featuring a patio, event room, and two lounges.

Val’s Restaurant serves as a vibrant community gathering spot, hosting live music every weekend, both indoors and on the patio during warmer months. The menu offers a diverse selection of dishes.

Highly acclaimed for its seafood, Val’s features an array of New England favorites such as baked haddock and clam strips. Additionally, the menu includes various Italian, Greek, and classic American options, ranging from marinated lamb kabob to veal parmigiana.

8. Cournoyer Vegetable Farm

Located just over the municipal line in Paxton, the Cournoyer family has operated a charming farm and produce market for over eighty years.

This farm stand operates from June through October and offers more than 100 varieties of fresh, farm-grown produce as they become seasonal.

The selection features an extensive array of products including tomatoes, peppers, chard, cabbage, carrots, parsley, cut flowers, corn, potatoes, broccoli, kale, lettuce, and much more. Additionally, the offerings are supplemented with locally sourced orchard fruits, berries, apple cider, and honey.

9. The Bagel Inn

The Bagel Inn, located at 785 Main Street in Holden, boasts a longstanding presence in the community for over 25 years.

It is important to note that the gourmet bagels at The Bagel Inn are crafted by boiling and hearth baking them from scratch daily, utilizing only fresh ingredients without any pre-packaged mixes.

The bagels, available by the baker’s dozen, come in an extensive range of varieties, from the classic ‘Everything’ to more unique options like apple cinnamon crunch. Additionally, there is a selection of cream cheese spreads and breakfast sandwiches available all day.

10. The Farm at SummitWynds

Boasting panoramic views of Wachusett Mountain, this scenic, fourth-generation farm in Holden has been raising champion show horses since 1964.

Prior to this, the property functioned as a ski area, with a lodge, The Summit Tow, established at its highest point in 1945, which now serves as a barn.

In addition to breeding Appaloosas and Quarter Horses, SummitWynds cultivates lavender, harvesting around 4,000 plants for use in beauty products, culinary applications, or simply for their floral appeal.

Visitors can see the lavender in bloom during the Lavender Farm Fest in late June, with a sunflower festival held later in the season.

11. Holden Hills Country Club

This 18-hole course, open to the public despite its name, has been in operation since 1957 and is situated in a hilly and wooded terrain.

Measuring just over 6,000 yards from the back tees, Holden Hills does not present an especially lengthy challenge, yet achieving a low score still requires skill.

This technical course necessitates careful shot selection and precise approach play due to its small, well-guarded greens.

Following your round, you can enjoy the Players’ Retreat, which features recliners, large TVs, pinball, shuffleboard, and pool tables, while the Holden Hills Grill offers comforting food options such as burgers and sandwiches along with a pleasant shaded patio.

12. Oak Hill & Waterman Trail

Also located along the Holden-Worcester boundary, near Holbrook Forest, lies another natural area acquired by the White Oak Land Conservation Society in the 2010s. A small parking area is available at 785 Salisbury Street.

This parcel of land, known as the Waterman property, yields little indication of the distance into the woods that the winding Oak Hill Trail extends.

The trail meanders southeast through peaceful wooded environments, featuring vernal pools and wetlands along Poor Farm Brook. Before long, one emerges into developed areas at the new housing development on Jordan Road, subsequently returning to the forest as you complete the loop back to the parking area.

13. Asnebumskit Ridge Trail

At an elevation of 1,381 feet, the summit of Asnebumskit Hill lies on the boundary between Holden and Paxton. This location offers a west-facing overlook, providing a breathtaking panoramic view across Central Massachusetts.

There is a parking lot near the summit, but if you prefer a more vigorous walk, one can embark on the trail on S Road, just off Route 31 in the southwestern part of Holden.

This route features a challenging yet rewarding ascent, departing from the banks of Scott Brook through a parcel of young successional forest, eventually entering spectacular mature woodlands lush with ferns.

Though this trail entails an elevation change of over 500 feet, the journey becomes easier once you’ve reached the ridge.

14. Mass Central Rail Trail

Holden is traversed from west to east by a proposed rail trail, which is set to eventually connect over 100 miles from Northampton to Boston.

The Mass Central Rail Trail occupies the former right-of-way of the Massachusetts Central Railroad, which was constructed between 1869 and 1883. At the time of this writing, the trail could be segmented into six different sections, with Holden situated on the Oakham to West Boylston section.

There are various options for a safe and enjoyable walk or ride. You can commence at the Holden-Rutland town line on Route 68 and travel westward as far as Barre without interruption.

Alternatively, you could park at River Street or Wachusett Street in Holden and meander eastward through a canopy of hardwoods, passing remnants of old mills along the Quinapoxet River until reaching the Wachusett Reservoir.

15. West Boylston Cinema

Located just across I-190 in West Boylston, the closest cinema is an independently owned entity, equipped with modern features such as stadium seating, digital projection, and digital sound.

With five screens, this theater opened in 1997 in what was formerly a grocery store and showcases first-run films at ticket prices significantly lower than those at larger chain multiplexes.

At the time of this compilation, matinee and Tuesday tickets were priced at only $6. One of the unique aspects of the concessions is the availability of self-serve butter for the popcorn.