Recreation & Leisure
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Worcester has it all…
What's your pleasure? A great meal? A night out on the town listening to music, seeing a play, or enjoying a movie? A shop-til-you-drop expedition? How about a golf outing, a ski trip, or a simple walk in the park? The Worcester region has all that to offer you – and much, much more.
Dining
You'll find a wide and eclectic variety of dining experiences. The region has everything from brew pubs to seafood restaurants to gourmet dining. Just north of Worcester, wine aficionados can enjoy samples at the area's only winery. Whether you're relaxing in the quiet candlelight of a charming country inn, enjoying a romantic dinner, or entertaining business clients, the Worcester region can accommodate every dining preference.
Shopping
Want to shop? The Worcester region offers many options including mega-malls, boutiques, department stores, and specialty establishments offering clothing, home furnishings, appliances, and food items. Located off Route 146 in Millbury are some of the newest stores in the area: The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley. The complex has over 40 stores and restaurants. And if you head down Lincoln Street in Worcester you'll see that a total transformation has taken place with new stores and restaurants. You'll also find shops in which local artisans craft and sell their distinctive wares, and unique little places that carry vintage clothing and jewelry as well as many antique shops. If you're searching for that perfect gift, accessories for your home, the best sporting gear, just the right outfit, you're sure to find it here.
Where to Stay
In response to the region's growth, several new hotels have opened, both in Worcester and in the surrounding region and more are planned. They include full-service hotels, economy motels, and charming bed and breakfast inns. For business travelers, extended-stay facilities offer suites with everything you need. For that special occasion, luxury accommodations are available with whirlpool tubs and breakfast in bed. Outstanding Worcester hotels include the Beechwood Hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott, the Crowne Plaza and the Hilton Garden Inn who have also hosted several chamber events. The Residence Inn offers long-term stays for those remaining in the area for extended periods. In recent years, three hotels have opened in neighboring Auburn providing easy access into Worcester. On behalf of all our member hosts, we hope you enjoy your stay.
Recreation
The Worcester region is famous for its natural beauty. Majestic mountains, serene lakes, and breathtaking waterfalls dot the local landscape. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the nation's oldest public park, Elm Park, located in the heart of Worcester. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a myriad of activities, such as hiking, bicycling, fishing, horseback riding, boating, skating, and swimming. And with the seashore only a short drive away, the area offers it all.
The region's colleges and universities offer sporting events along with Worcester's two professional teams – the Worcester Tornadoes baseball team and the American Hockey League franchise, the Worcester Sharks. The Worcester franchise is the training ground for the NHL San Jose Sharks and provides affordable family entertainment.
The New England Summer Nationals is quickly becoming one of the largest antique and hot rod shows in the Northeast, if not the entire country. This show has grown to over 3,700 cars brings thousands of spectators. To top it off, Worcester boasts one of the region's best firework shows to light up the summer sky. Every year during Worcester's Independence Day Celebration you can witness an eye dazzling show of some of the best and newest fireworks. The Chamber coordinates, with the city, Worcester's Independence Day Celebration every year at Christoforo Colombo Park on Shrewsbury Street.
Remembering Our Heroes
Worcester is home to the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. Located on Skyline Drive at Green Hill Park in Worcester, the 4-acre provides a quiet place to reflect and a natural location for remembering those who served. The Central Massachusetts Korean War Memorial, honors the 191 young men and women who paid the supreme sacrifice in the Korean War. The memorial is near historic Union Station where soldiers departed for the War and later returned home.
For more information on all these offerings visit www.centralmass.org
