Sarah BarnacleWorcester Telegram & Gazette
WORCESTER - It's that time of year again as college students make their grand return to Worcester for the academic year. New England's second largest city welcomes more than 35,000 students each year.
The higher education institutions in the region support nearly 20,000 jobs and according to a 2023 AICU Mass report, the colleges carry an economic impact in Central Massachusetts of almost $4 billion.
Anna Maria College, Assumption University, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (Tufts University), Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Nichols College, Quinsigamond Community College, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Worcester State University all call Central Massachusetts home.
Where to Stay
AC Hotel Worcester is located in downtown Worcester and is within walking distance to public transportation, the DCU Center and Polar Park. 125 Front St., Worcester.
Beechwood Hotel is within walking distance of UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center. 363 Plantation St., Worcester.
Getting Around
The Worcester Regional Transit Authority serves Worcester and 36 other communities in the area. It is fare-free. If you're new to the city and want to learn how to take the bus, the WRTA offers a Travel Training Program to familiarize riders with the system.
Where to Eat
Worcester offers a variety of delicious food. Whether it's from a historic dining car or elegant restaurant, there is something for everyone, no matter what their taste.
The Canal District is home to some of the best dining, entertainment and shopping Worcester has to offer. The original canal, which gives the area its name, has long been filled in. The area is home to the Worcester Public Market, Crompton Collective and dozens of other businesses, including vintage and antiques stores. The district is one of the busiest in the city, especially during the evenings and weekends.
George's Coney Island. For more than a century, this iconic Worcester eatery has been serving up hot dogs and memories. If you want to eat like a local, you'll want to make your order an "up," a dog topped with chili sauce, mustard and chopped onions. 158 Southbridge St.
Lou Roc's Diner. Worcester has quite a few historic dining cars all thanks to the former Worcester Lunch Car Company. Lou Roc's is just one of the many options serving up breakfast and lunch. 1074 West Boylston St.
Peppercorn's Grille & Tavern is near Clark University and is a welcoming spot for students. There is a half-price appetizer happy hour 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. 455 Park Ave.
Worcester Public Market is a great option for those who may not know what they're in the mood for, offering more than a dozen restaurants with cuisine from around the globe. 160 Green St., Worcester.
Wormtown Brewery. There are more than 20 breweries and distilleries in the area, but Wormtown may be one of the most "Worcester" brews. The brewery, which uses the iconic smiley face on its labels, often hosts trivia nights and live music. 72 Shrewsbury St.
Things to Do
Take in some art and explore on a self-guided tour of the POW! WOW! Murals. If you're new to Worcester, you may be surprised at just how much public art graces city streets and walls, especially in the downtown area. The best part: You can walk most of it in an afternoon!
Unwind on Lake Quinsigamond. The lake divides Worcester and Shrewsbury and offers more than just swimming. There are a number of recreational boating activities along the lake's shore. 10 North Lake Ave.
Go for a run through Elm Park, the oldest piece of public land purchased for a municipal park. Elm Park,138 Russell St.,
Pack a picnic for Bancroft Tower, Worcester's very own castle. Standing roughly 56-feet high, the granite tower sits in Salisbury Park and is more than a century old. Bancroft Tower Road
Catch a game at one of Worcester's many sports venues. Worcester is home to the Railers hockey team and, of course, the Worcester Red Sox, lovingly called the WooSox. Polar Park, 100 Madison St., Worcester. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester.
Catch a show at the Hanover Theatre for Performing Arts, the historic Mechanics Hall or the iconic Palladium. The theatre has seen the likes of comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle, performances of Broadway hits like "Kinky Boots" and "Jersey Boys," and musical acts like Aretha Franklin, John Legend and Tony Bennett. Mechanics Hall is known for its acoustics, with many performances preferring its sound to that of Carnegie Hall. The Palladium has hosted a number of iconic musical performers from Blink 182 to Wu-Tang Clan, and is home to New England Metal & Hardcore and Rock & Shock Festivals.
Grab some Worcester pride at Worcester Wares. Falling in love with Worcester isn't hard to do; just ask Jessica Walsh, owner of Worcester Wares. She made it her passion to create Worcester-themes and has started collaborating with other local artists. 105 Commercial St.
Museums
The American Antiquarian Society is home to one of the largest collections of written work connected to American history in the world, rivaling the Library of Congress. There are more than 4.5 million individual items within its archives. It draws thousands of researchers, history buffs and visitors annually. 185 Salisbury St.
The EcoTarium is about to celebrate the big 2-0-0 and gives guests of all ages three floors of indoor interactive exhibits focused on the natural world, as well as live animal habitats and trails around its 45-acre campus. 222 Harrington Way.
The Worcester Art Museum has been a staple of Worcester's art scene since opening in 1898. With weekly free tours and a seemingly endless calendar of events, there is something for everyone within its walls. 55 Salisbury St.
The Worcester Historical Museum is proud of Worcester's contributions to the world,ranging from the Wild West to NASA, which are all on display through out its galleries. 30 Elm St.
