Whether or not you are moving to Waltham, live nearby or have lived there for years, you may not know about all of Waltham’s hidden gems. Waltham is notorious for its proximity to Boston, but there is a lot more to do in Waltham than visit other nearby towns and attractions!
1) Join in Community Events!
From May through November, Waltham Common holds festivals and concerts nearly every week! In the summers there are plenty of concerts to attend and festivals for all kinds of occasions. Other kinds of community events are also held at Waltham Common such as Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day ceremonies. There is even a community Holiday Candle Lighting ceremony in November. It’s the perfect place to meet new people and get involved in the local community.
Looking for a farmers’ market? Waltham has its very own farmers’ market every Saturday from 9:30 am to 2 pm. It runs from June 10th to November 4th during the best months to spend time outside in New England. Its even open rain or shine! So you know it will always be there. Visit the farmers’ market website for more info.
Waltham is a wonderfully active community to be a part of. There is always something going on for residents and visitors to enjoy.
2) Visit Historical Sites and Museums!
Waltham is also rich with history! Since it is located in one of the oldest established areas of the United States, Waltham is filled with historical buildings, like the watch factory, which has been renovated into loft apartments, office spaces and dining facilities. Waltham is also home to many museums commemorating the various industrial and artistic achievements of Waltham. The Waltham Museum is just one of many museums located in Waltham.
Other museums include Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, the Robert Treat Paine Estate, Gore Place and the Rose Art Museum. Each has a different focus and completely different appeal.
The Charles River Museum
The Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation displays the innovations and inventions that contributed toward industrial advancement with the purpose of inspiring innovation in the future. Its inspiring permanent collections include a victorian phone booth, the Boston Manufacturing Company Bell, a Lombard Water Turbine, a Flather Model 14 Engine Lathe and much more. The museum also holds educational lectures and events as well as concerts and private events.
Stonehurst Robert Paine Estate
This museum is unique in its setting. “Invisible from the street, Stonehurst sits on a secluded hilltop site amidst 109 acres of public conservation land – away from it all, and yet so close to home.” Not only will you enjoy the historical awe of the Robert Paine Estate, but you will have the opportunity to walk the woodland trails and explore the outdoor grounds.
Gore Place
Gore Place is similar to Stonehurst in that it sits on a 50-acre parcel of land and has many similar features. Yet each is unique in its own way.
Rose Art Museum
Rose Art Museum is one of Waltham’s more contemporary attractions. “Founded in 1961, the Rose Art Museum of Brandeis University is an educational and cultural institution dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting the finest of modern and contemporary art.”
Basically, there are museums and historical sites of all kinds in Waltham! So whether you want to see awesome industrial innovations or today’s modern art pieces, you will find it all in Waltham.
3) Go Antiquing!
Of course, being in such an old and historical area, Watham is also notorious for its selection of antiques! If you like to browse or you’re a serial antique-buyer, then you should definitely spend a day traversing Waltham’s antique market.
Start out with Ramble Market, where you will find “a unique collective of antique dealers, vintage furniture gurus and independent vendors of style.” Then head on over to Downstairs at Felton Antiques and get lost in their multi-dealer antique shop!
Buy and Consign is also a great place to discover antique and vintage treasures. Buy and Consign is a unique consignment shop where “inventory is hand picked from estate and home clean-outs, as well as private consignments brought into the shop.” What they are saying its, they don’t just take any consignment, but only those that they deem worthy of their customers’ attention. It’s a great place to find hidden treasures.
There are plenty of places to shop around in Waltham! Some of the best are those that are the hardest to find. Good luck on your antiquing quests!
4) Eat With Your Friends and Family on Restaurant Row!
If you like to eat and drink then Waltham has what you need. Waltham’s Moody Street is known as “Restaurant Row.” It’s a street filled with places to hang out, eat and drink. Some of the top restaurants include The Backroom, Red Bird and Bistro 781. But Restaurant Row has a lot more to offer than just those 3! You will find mexican food at Amuleto Mexican Table, Italian at Charcoal Guido’s, and so much more!
Like Brunch? Moody Street has an abundance of places to get a fantastic brunch. Moody’s Delicatessen and Provisions as well as In a Pickle and The Backroom all have top-rated brunch specials. They aren’t the only ones! Many of Waltham’s amazing restaurants serve brunch on a regular basis. It will take months to try them all!
5) Spend Time Outside!
Last, but not least is the great outdoors. Waltham is close to many beautiful national historic outdoor recreation areas, like Walden Pond. But it also has it’s own charming outdoor spaces. Waltham is filled with parks and playgrounds of all kinds. Each park and playground in Waltham has different features and sports venues. Some have walking trails and ponds. Others are dedicated to softball and baseball. What you are looking for can be found right on Waltham’s parks and recreation website where the city has provided a chart of all Waltham’s parks and their amenities.
On Waltham’s north end, bordering Bellmont, the Beaver Brook Recreation Area provides a more secluded outdoor experience where you can enjoy biking, fishing, grilling and more. There is something for everyone at each of Waltham’s unique parks.
What are you waiting for?
Get out and enjoy all that Waltham has to offer. If you don’t live in Waltham, visit and check it out. It’s worth the drive and you may end up wanting to move there! Take a look at the map below for a comprehensive overview of everything we just went over in this article.
