Adventure Awaits: Explore Hidden Gems in MetroWest Boston

Focus on All Things New England! [New England Focus Logo]( Spring Road Trips to MetroWest Boston Easy, affordable getaways to explore the hidden gems of Massachusetts Sponsored by: [MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau]( As we leave the dark days of winter behind, consider a little road trip escape to MetroWest Boston. Comprised of 19 towns just 30-45 minutes outside the city, this region offers charming yet economical hotels and hidden gems to explore, all a short drive from the rest of New England. Here are four itineraries to put a smile on your face and a pep in your step this spring. [Borden Paradise City] 1 - Girls’ or Guys’ Weekend: Start with a libations tour…MetroWest Boston has 16 breweries, 2 cideries, a winery, and distillery! Visit [Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers](, [Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing](, or [GlenPharmer]( distillery for a behind-the-scenes tour and tasting. Afterwards, head to [Level99]( for their unique take on mental and physical escape rooms and challenges, or get a little aggression out with axe-throwing at [Half Axe](. Like history? The [American Heritage Museum’s]( immersive exhibits cover 250 years of world history featuring antique planes, tanks, and cars, plus fascinating stories of veterans from WWI to today, and a plethora of living history events. Need a little shopping therapy? Wander lovely boutiques in the [Natick](, [Franklin]( or [Marlborough Cultural Districts](. Take a deep breath of spring at one of the region’s eight state park recreation areas, like [Hopkinton State Park]( whose 1,500 acres are crisscrossed by trails around a lake with beaches, stocked fishing, and more. The bucolic forest offers hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking trails. And don’t miss the [Paradise City Arts Festival](, Mar 22-24, a beautifully curated show of 175 artists and makers offering one-of-a-kind furnishings, fashion, jewelry, and fine art, from the classical to the fantastic. [Danforth Art Museum] 2 - Romantic Getaway: Take in a couple’s massage at one of the region’s spas, or a fabulous play or special event at [Hopkinton Center for the Arts](, [TCAN](, or [atac: downtown arts + music](. Be sure to visit the [Danforth Art Museum](, a jewel box housing 3,500+ pieces of art from the 18th c. to today, including the largest collection of ephemera by 20th c. sculptor Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller, famous for representing the black American experience in her art. Love fantastic food? MetroWest’s many farm-to-table restaurants—like [Buttercup](, [The Farmer’s Daughter](, or [Heritage of Sherborn](—offer warm atmospheres, exceptional service, and delightful gastronomy! Or indulge at [Framingham Station Brazilian Steakhouse](: this Rodizio-style grill includes Gaucho Chefs who carve meat from skewers tableside, accompanied by side dishes and salads, all served in a historic train station. Take a romantic walk or bike ride with your sweetie on one of MetroWest’s rail trails—the 53 miles of trails include the Upper Charles Rail Trail in Holliston and the [Assabet River Rail Trail]( in Hudson, among others. Finish off your visit with a glorious jazz, chamber, and symphony concert by [Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra](. [Visit MetroWest Boston, A Region Chock Full of Exciting Adventures!]( From outdoor rec to indoor play, fine dining to BBQ, impactful art to amazing history, lovely boutiques to engaging performances—we have fun for the whole family. Plan your adventure with our free Visitors Guide. [Plan Your Visit]( SPONSORED [Elsie Kaye Glasswords] 3 - School Vacation Week: April vacation week is a great time for a road trip to MetroWest Boston! From [Jam Time]( and the [Discovery Museum](, to arts and crafts offerings and [Southwick’s Zoo]( (the largest zoo in New England!), there is lots to amuse the littles. Are your littles not so little anymore? Enjoy [Urban Air’s]( adventure park, with climbing wall, ropes courses, battle beam, zip line, trampolines, aerial course, trapeze, warrior course, and more. Encourage some healthy competition at [Boston Paintball’s]( movie-set style course or challenge each other in [Dave & Buster’s]( arcade. Find they’re swinging from the rafters? Try an aerial class at [Earth & Aerial Yoga]( (no experience necessary, and Mom and Dad can take a class too!) Like hands-on activities? Make something delicious in a cooking class at [WSK](, register for a fantastic STEM workshop—like Battlin’ Bots, an astronomy course, or their Airplane Design Contest—at [New England Sci-Tech](, or try your hand at mosaics at [Cheryl Cohen Mosaics](. Feeling ultra inspired? Create tiny works of art in a glass bead flameworking class or make stamped sterling silver jewelry in a workshop at [Elsie Kaye Glassworks](. Check out the many family-friendly events at [www.metrowestvisitors.org/events](. [Turn Whining into Winning in MetroWest Boston]( Relax with a fabulous drive vacation this spring! With fun for active kids, creative families, competitive teens, and curious bambinos, explore tons of hidden gems in MetroWest! Plan your adventure with our free Visitors Guide. [Plan Your Adventure]( SPONSORED [Boston Honey] 4 – Made in MetroWest: There is nothing that speaks to happy vacation memories like the locally-made treasures you bring home from your trip. Explore the richness of the MetroWest region through a tour of its artisans, starting in the Natick Center Cultural District, where you can explore jewelry, home goods, gifts, and art at [Five Crows](, or visit [The Hive](, a new collective of local women-owned brands, or [H Brandt Jewelers](, who custom-design fine jewelry. Maybe stop in to [Helen’s Handbags](, who offers not only unique handmade bags and blankets that she creates, but will also help you make your own from loved ones’ clothing. Visit [Boston Honey Company]( to watch them pour gorgeous beeswax candles, then step up to their honey bar to taste the difference between honey varieties after you’ve browsed their locally-made honey-based bath products, all featured in their lovely farm store. Don’t miss [Goodnow Farms Chocolates](, the most decorated chocolate maker in North America, whose decadent bars include Spiced Apple Cider Dark Chocolate, Black Urfa Chili, and Dark Chocolate Caramelized Onion—which you can buy at specialty shops in the region, or if you’re lucky enough to get a ticket, direct from their Sudbury factory after a Thursday behind-the-scenes tour. Stop in to the charming [Molly’s Apothecary](, who produce their own stunningly beautiful (plus some funny and quirky!) soaps, lotions, and more. Browse the working artists’ studios, watch them work, and shop their wares at [Zero Empty Spaces #23](. End your tour in Franklin’s Cultural District, where shops like [Greco Design](, the [Little Shop of Olive Oils](, and the [Franklin Art Association’s]( gallery in [Escape Into Fiction]( all offer unique, interesting, and handmade treasures for all your senses. Whatever your interest, whatever the season, MetroWest Boston has something for you! To plan your next adventure, download the free [visitors guide](, and come explore! [Ad-300x250]( SPONSORED [New England]( [TRAVEL]( [FOOD]( [LIVING]( [WEEKENDS WITH YANKEE TV]( [YANKEE MAGAZINE]( [SHOP]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( You received this email because you signed for updates from [NewEngland.com](. If you do not wish to receive our regular e-mail newsletters in the future, please [click here to manage your preferences or unsubscribe](. *Please do not reply to this e-mail* © 2024 Yankee Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. 1121 Main Street | P.O. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444 [Contact Us]( [View web version](