Framingham, MA Road Trips

Framingham is the home of several major corporations, including Staples, TJX, Perini, Boston Scientific, and Bose Audio, and also is part of what is known as the Golden Mile, a large conglomeration of shopping malls and retail outlets. This is where the first mall in America was built.

1 Framingham Town Common, Edgell and Vernon Streets ((Park on Oak street.)). The Town Common is the home to several historic buildings including The Old Village Hall, Edgell Library, the Framingham Historical Society as well and the Unitarian (First Parish) and Plymouth Churches. There are also various monuments and plaques throughout the Common. 2 Framingham Town Hall, 150 Concord St, ☏ +1 508 532-5520. Intersection of Union Avenue and Concord St. Go in to the Framingham Town Hall just to see Framingham's history, or to get a schedule of events in Framingham coming up. 3 Village Hall, 2 Oak St, ☏ +1 508 879-8995. Great historic venue in the Greater Boston area. Built in 1834, it is on the list of National Register of Historic Places. 4 Village of Saxonville. Saxonville is a village in Framingham. The main road is Concord Street (Route 126) and branches out on to Central Street and Elm Street. The Sudbury River surrounds the village on 3 sides. Saxonville has some wonderful historic landmarks and architecture to see. 5 Athenaeum Hall, Concord Street at Watson Place. Built in 1847, Athenaeum Hall was first the town hall. The building has also server as "a school, a jail, a hospital, a polling place, and a newspaper pressroom." 6 Old Danforth Street Bridge, Danforth Street.. This bridge was completely renovated and refurbished in 2003. The bridge also leads to the Carol J. Getchell Nature Trail. 7 Carol J. Getchell Nature Trail (Starts at the intersection of Sudbury Landing and Danforth Street next to the bridge.).

1 Callahan State Park, ☏ +1 508 653-9641. Millwood St., 820 acres of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing in northwest Framingham. Horseback riding, fishing or even a picnic are just a few other options as well. Callahan is also dog friendly. On a hot summer day you will find dozens of dogs frolicking in and around Eagle Pond, near the South entrance on Millwood Street. There are no admission fees. (updated Sep 2023) 2 Cushing Park, Dudley Road.. Located near Farm Pond, it serves as a walking, running, biking, rollerblading and picnic area. It is dog friendly and no admission fees. 3 Farm Pond Park, Dudley Rd ((Route 135 to Fountain Street)). This park provides walking trails, picnic / cookout areas, a playground, and the opportunity for swimming, fishing and non-powered boating along the beautiful Farm Pond. 4 Fun and Games Family Entertainment Center, 50 Worcester Rd, ☏ +1 508 879-5707. (Rt. 9). Lazer tag, mini-golf, out-of-this-world arcade, and home of the Ultimate Birthday Party. 5 Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Rd, ☏ +1 508 877-7630. A 45 acre retreat containing a stunning selection of local flora and fauna. There are over 1600 species and a variety of plants and wildflowers. $14 Adults, $10 Seniors (65+), $6 Youth (5-17), free for children under 5. 6 Loring Arena Ice Skating Rink, 1 Fountain St, ☏ +1 508 620-4877. Public ice skating, private birthday parties, private lessons and leagues all take place in the arena. You can rent ice-skates and there's a skate shop and snack bar inside. 7 Nobscot Mountain. in North Framingham.

1 Aztec Restaurant, 2 Waverly St (Route 135 at the Natick border), ☏ +1 508 820-2523. A small family owned restaurant serving great Mexican dishes. The menu is limited, but the food is more authentic than at the large Tex-Mex chains. 2 Ken's Steak House, on Route 9 near Wal-Mart.. Of Ken's Salad Dressing fame. A local favorite. 3 La Cantina Restaurant, 911 Waverly St, ☏ +1 508 879-7874. M-Th 3:30-9PM, F Sa 11:30AM-9PM, Su noon-9PM. Fine Italian cuisine. 4 Samba, 1138 Worcester Rd, ☏ +1 508 628-0288. (Rt. 9). Steak and sushi are just a few selections on the menu. It is also a Hibachi style restaurant.

1 Jack's Abby Beer Hall & Kitchen, 100 Clinton Street, ☏ +1 774 777-5085. Tu - Th noon to 9pm; F - Sa noon to 11pm; Closed M. Brewery specializing in lagers of all types. Jack's Abby has essentially proven that any style of ale you like, from IPA to Porter, can be made using lager techniques. (updated Apr 2015) 5 Tavern in the Square, Shoppers World, 1 Worcester Road, ☏ +1 774 456-3532. (updated Apr 2015)

There's a large selection of lodging, including: 1 Aloft Framingham, 130 Worcester Road, Framingham, Massachusetts 01702 (on Route 9 about 3 miles east from Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) Exit 111 (Route 9, Framingham, Southborough)), ☏ +1 508-309-4183, toll-free: +1 508-309-4183, fax: +1 508-309-4251. Last renovated 2021. Another unit about 1 mile from Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) Exit 117 (Route 30, Natick, Framingham). 2 The Verve Hotel Boston Natick, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, 1360 Worcester St (on the Framingham Border), ☏ +1 508 653-8800, fax: +1 508-653-1708. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. 3 Framingham Inn, 1186 Worcester Road (on Route 9 about 2 miles east from Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) Exit 111 (Route 9, Framingham, Southborough)), ☏ +1 508 879-1510. 4 Motel 6 Boston West - Framingham, 1668 Worcester Rd, ☏ +1 508 620-0500, fax: +1 508-820-0868. 5 Red Roof Inn Boston Framingham, 650 Cochituate Rd, ☏ +1 508 872-4499. (Rt. 30). 6 Residence Inn Boston Framingham, 400 Staples Drive, ☏ +1 508 370-0001, fax: +1 508-370-0440. 7 Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, 1657 Worcester Road (on Route 9 immediately west from Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) Exit 111 (Route 9, Framingham, Southborough)), ☏ +1 508 879-7200, toll-free: +1-800-325-3535. Purchased by Marriott in 2021 - now a Tri-Branded hotel: TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn Suites, and Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center.

Framingham has 2 exits on I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike toll road). Exit 111, on the western edge of town (near Southborough town line), intersects with State Route 9. Exit 111 is near Staples, Inc. and Bose Corporation. Hotels near Exit 111: Econo Lodge, Motel 6, Residence Inn (Marriott), and Sheraton Hotel. Exit 117, on the eastern edge of town (near Wayland and Natick town lines), intersects with State Route 30. Exit 117 is near the Golden Triangle retail/business center including Shoppers World, Natick Mall, and TJX Companies, Inc. Hotels near Exit 117: Courtyard Inn (Marriott), Crowne Plaza, Hampton Inn, Red Roof Inn, Best Western, and Travelodge. Framingham is served by several state routes - from the north-south via Route 126 (Old Connecticut Path/School St/Concord St/Irving St/Hollis St), and from the east-west via Route 9 (Worcester Rd), Route 30 (Cochituate Rd/Worcester Rd/Pleasant St), and Route 135 (Waverly St). 1 Framingham station, 417 Waverly Street. (updated Oct 2023) Train operators: The MBTA provides commuter rail service from South Station, Boston to Framingham. Trains run approximately hourly, and at the half hour during rush hour. Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. (updated Dec 2020) Route stopping at Framingham: Lake Shore Limited operating daily between Chicago and Boston or New York City. It makes stops at most stations along the route, though it does not stop at some of the smallest stations.

Metro West Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA), ☏ +1 508-872-3500. Several fixed routes connect the Framingham/Natick and surrounding areas. 1 Tommy's Taxi, 167 Franklin St., ☏ +1 508-872-3500. Typically several taxis are waiting for arrivals from the airport at the Logan Express station.