Needham, MA Road Trips

1 Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, ☏ +1 781-292-2300. Olin Way (off Great Plain Avenue west of the town center). Olin is one of the few new colleges campuses to have been built on the East Coast. Olin College's modern vernacular stands in stark contrast to the historicism of many other local colleges. (updated Dec 2022)

1 Cutler Park. This 600-acre park protects the largest freshwater marsh on the middle Charles River. This park is a great spot for birdwatchers, and it also features eskers, or riverbeds formed inside a glacier; drumlins, long hills formed by glaciers; and Kendrick pond. (updated Apr 2024) 2 Martini Junction. Nice easy hike through the town forest to this model train station in the woods. (updated Nov 2023)

1 Cafe Fresh Bagel, 896 Highland Ave, ☏ +1 781-444-7444. 6AM-2PM daily. Delicious bagels and bagel sandwiches. Bagels that would impress even a die-hard New Yorker. Open for breakfast and lunch. (updated Dec 2022) 2 Fuji Steak House, 1430 Highland Ave, ☏ +1 781-726-7658. Noon-9PM daily. Japanese sushi and teppanyaki. Family-friendly. (updated Dec 2022) 3 Sweet Basil, 942 Great Plain Ave, ☏ +1 781-444-9600. M-Sa 5-10PM, Su 4-9PM. Small but highly rated Italian bistro. (updated Dec 2022) 4 Hearth Pizza, 974 Great Plain Ave, ☏ +1 781-433-0600. Tu-Su 11:30AM-8PM daily. Neapolitan style, thin crust pizza along with gourmet salads and a hand-picked selection of wine and beer. (updated Dec 2022)

1 Sheraton Needham Hotel, 100 Cabot St, ☏ +1 781-444-1110. Sheraton Needham provides a free shuttle service to nearby local corporate headquarters and features a full fitness center and a heated indoor pool. (updated Dec 2022) 2 Residence Inn Boston Needham, 80 B St, ☏ +1 781-444-5750. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Dec 2024)

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA OR "T"). Commuter rail Needham Line service linking to Boston. This service runs daily about every hour on weekdays and every 2 hours on weekends. Four station stops in Needham are (in order of increasing distance from the terminal of South Station in Boston) Hersey, Needham Junction, Needham Center, and Needham Heights. Needham is located right on Interstate 95 (also known as Route 128). Exits 33 and 35 serve Needham. Route 135 runs through Needham. Catch the 59 bus from Watertown Square or Newton Highlands.

The MBTA's #59 bus runs through town, heading to Newton and Watertown. There is a direct connection to the D branch of the Green Line at Newton Highlands. Runs every 50 minutes weekdays and 90 on weekends, no evening service. Given the infrequent nature of the former, a car can be helpful in Needham.