Natick is a town in Massachusetts with a population of about 37,000 (2020). It's approximately 10 miles west of Boston.
Understand
Get in
By plane
Most travelers would fly into Boston's Logan International Airport (IATA: BOS).
By train
From Boston
The MBTA's Framingham/Worcester Line, +1-800-392-6100: $6 one way. Takes 35 to 40 minutes on local train, 20 to 30 on express trains.
From New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.
Amtrak's Acella Express, +1-800-USA-RAIL
to Boston and then connect as above.
From the West
Train from Worcester.
By car
Exit 13 off the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90, also known as the Mass Pike).
Get around
See
- Grave of Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899), Glenwood Cemetery, South Natick, 42.263012303719535°, -71.3190279819987°. Author of 270 dime novels. He is noted as a significant figure in the history of American cultural and social ideals, even though his novels are rarely read these days. As bestsellers in their own time, Alger's works rivaled those of Mark Twain in popularity.
- Henry Wilson Shoe Shop, 181 West Central St, 42.28270890791059°, -71.38090453372793°. (Rte 135), Natick. Built in the 1850s, it was the shoe shop of Henry Wilson, a Senator from Massachusetts and the 18th Vice President of the United States. On July 24, 2000, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Do
- Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot St, 42.256111°, -71.340278°, +1 508 655-2296. (Rte 16), South Natick. Massachusetts Aududon Society wildlife sanctuary and nature center. 626 acres, 9 miles of trails, 1/4 mile handicap accessible trail. Open year-round. Admission charged (no charge for MAS members).
- Lake Cochituate State Park, 42.305556°, -71.372222°, +1 508 653-9641. Commonwealth Rd (Rte 30), Cochituate, Beautiful lake and state park. Lake Cochituate provides a picnic area and a boat launch. You can also rent kayaks and canoes. The lake is divided into 3 huge sections: the North, Middle, & South Ponds, were you can swim, boat, windsurf, fish, or explore the parameter trails.
- Lookout Farm, 89 Pleasant St, 42.263146119279845°, -71.309055828475°, +1 508 653-0653. South Natick. "Pick your own" place with a variety of crops. Farmer’s market, petting zoo animals, train rides, pony rides, bee observatory, birthday parties, guided tours and more!
- Natick Community Organic Farm, 117 Eliot St, 42.2687201421689°, -71.32462526523366°, +1 508 655-2204, ncorganic@verizon.net. (Rte 16), South Natick. Non-profit certified organic community farm.
- Natick Historical Society and Museum, 58 Eliot St (Rte 16), South Natick, 42.27220772191242°, -71.31617537148895°, +1 508 647-4841. The central storehouse of Natick’s history - housed on the lower level of the Bacon Free Library building. Notice the wrought-iron fence surrounding the building which has alternating crosses and arrows. The museum features among its collections the Indian Bible of the 17th century missionary, John Eliot, founder of the Natick Indian Community; it includes artifacts of Archaic and Woodland as well as Christian Indian cultures. Students of literature and history will be interested in the museum's collection of memorabilia of many of Natick's most distinguished citizens including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Horatio Alger Jr., and Henry Wilson, the 18th Vice-President of the United States. The natural history collection features an outstanding array of birds of North and South America.
- Pegan Hill, Pegan Lane, South Natick (Off of Pleasant street on the Natick / Dover border), 42.255037217964926°, -71.30499495849111°, +1 781-784-0567. Open year round, sunrise to sunset. The glacial drumlin is 410 feet and is the highest point in Natick. There is a 1-mile trail up the hill with views of the Great Blue Mountain and the neighboring farms and orchards.
Buy
Natick is a major shopping hub. The Route-9 strip shared with neighboring Framingham is probably the largest suburban shopping area in New England. Everything from Wal-Mart to Neiman Marcus can be found here.
Eat
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
- Agostino's, 23 Washington Street, 42.28506524086124°, -71.34614831263949°, +1 508 655-6643. Italian and American food in addition to pizza. Lunch menu and daily specials.
- Natalie's Italian Kitchen, 319 North Main Street (Route 27), 42.31328785800789°, -71.35975706523757°, +1 508 653-8603.
- George's Pizza, 41 South Main Street (Route 27) (downtown), 42.28476690027476°, -71.34783376981616°, +1 508 653-8879.
- Liberty Pizza, 2 Mill Street, 42.27784727620388°, -71.37692059728043°, +1 508 653-9250.
Drink
The following are interesting and comfortable places to drink:
- Dolphin Seafood, 12 Washington St (downtown), 42.28514478513794°, -71.34678017664018°.
- Desmond O'Malleys.
- Legal Seafood, 50-60 Worcester Rd (Rte 9), 42.29842329918635°, -71.394827774455°.
- John Harvard's Brew Pub, 1 Worcester Rd (Shopper's World), 42.30416412464853°, -71.39621086331569°.
- Barleycorn's Craft Brew, 21 Summer St (downtown), 42.28453448472827°, -71.348551827014°. brew your own beer, wine, sodas
Sleep
- Courtyard by Marriott, 342 Speen Street, 42.306152598020574°, -71.38332217274663°. Swimming pool,fitness center,restaurant $$
- Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1360 Worcester Street, 42.29804093504496°, -71.3888463462121°, +1 508 653-8800, infocrowneplaza@phg.net. $$
- Hampton Inn, 319 Speen Street, 42.30258797895946°, -71.37758353959092°, +1 508 653-5000, BOSNT_HAMPTON@Hilton.com. $$
- Travelodge, 1350 Worcester Street, 42.29760224761038°, -71.38777947796393°, +1 508 655-2222. $
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