Discover Watertown

Watertown offers a variety of ways to spend your days: historic homes and collections, public art, and walking and biking trails. So, when planning your trip, it’s worth first considering whether you’d like to focus on culture, events, or outdoor activities. The variety of experiences gives families with different interests specific options to choose from, without requiring them to follow a set daily itinerary.

History, Art, and Culture

Built in 1772, the Edmund Fowle House is the second-oldest surviving house in Watertown. It represents one of the town’s historic highlights. The Armenian Museum offers a different perspective on history and culture, presenting the largest and most diverse collection of Armenian objects outside the Republic of Armenia. The Mosesian Center hosts concerts, lectures, and theater and dance performances. Visitors looking to combine different cultural interests during their stay will find a range of options here, from collections to stage performances.

Art can also be discovered outdoors. The Community Sculpture Walk runs along the Community Path from Saltonstall Park to Howard Street. Eight sculptures are on display there; each remains on view for two years, while four of the sculptures change each year. The rotating portion of the display regularly brings new works into view, while the others remain on display for longer. This makes the sculpture walk a distinctive way to experience art in Watertown.

Trails and Green Spaces

The “Braille Trail” is a quarter-mile loop designed for people who are blind or have low vision. It includes a sensory garden with fragrant plants, varied textures, and tactile or auditory elements. The trail therefore engages several senses and offers a distinctive outdoor experience in Watertown. Its design and stated short length are practical details to consider when planning your day.

For longer rides, the 20-mile Dr. Paul Dudley White Charles River Bike Path is worth exploring: it connects Watertown with downtown Boston and Waltham. Watertown also has walking and biking trails along the Charles River that connect to trail networks in Newton, Cambridge, and beyond. If you enjoy walking or biking, these trails can be a major focus of your trip. The 20-mile distance refers to the named bike path; the other connections are described as trail networks.

Mt Auburn Cemetery is recognized as a National Landmark, serves as an arboretum, and is the largest contiguous green space in Watertown. This combination of designation, arboretum, and size sets it apart from the trails and cultural attractions described above. If you’re interested in plants and green spaces, you can add it as a distinct point of interest to your trip plans.

Events Throughout the Year

The Watertown Arts Market takes place every August. It is jointly organized by the Watertown Business Coalition and the City of Watertown. Visitors can enjoy live performances, art activities, and local food. As a recurring summer event, the market brings together a variety of activities; if events are important to your trip, you can consider it as a reason to choose when to visit.

The annual Summer Concert Series takes place on Wednesdays after the Watertown Farmers Market, throughout July and August, from 6 to 8 p.m. It therefore has a clearly specified season and day of the week, while the Arts Market is described as an August event. Saltonstall Park is also a venue for city events such as Faire on the Square. River of Light was a winter light celebration featuring lantern-making workshops and a winter parade.

When looking for a vacation rental in Watertown, you can start by considering which experiences you’d like to shape your stay: culture and art, trails along the Charles River, green spaces, or events. This way, your choice of where to stay in Watertown can reflect your interests and preferred itinerary, rather than a general idea of what a stay should offer.

You can also explore these places: Natick, Ayer, Bedford, Arlington, Westford, Lexington, Acton, Sudbury.

For the broader travel overview: Middlesex.