Framingham is a lively university city surrounded by forests, farmland and freshwater lakes. Shop, dine and play in the downtown district, stroll around the historic university campus and visit one of the top art museums in Massachusetts.
Things to do in Framingham
Stone churches and white clapboard buildings give Downtown Framingham all the charm of a New England village. Stroll around tree-lined Framingham Centre Common and enjoy a slice of Boston cream pie at a local café.
Danforth Art Museum showcases American works from the early 19th century onwards. Expect to see pieces by prominent artists like Gilbert Stuart and Marie Danforth Page, as well as pioneers of the Boston Expressionism movement. The museum is located on the Framingham State University campus and occupies a handsome red-brick building overlooking the common.
Get lost in Garden in the Woods, an enchanting woodland botanical garden laid out in the 1930s. The park is set in a mature oak forest and boasts one of the largest collections of wildflowers in New England. Look for turtles swimming in the glacier-carved kettle pond.
Get up close with automobiles and aeroplanes at the American Heritage Museum. The military history museum showcases vehicles from throughout the decades, including veterans used in World War II, the Korean War and the Gulf War. Tank driving experiences get you behind the wheel of legendary vehicles like the M24 Chaffee and M4A3 Sherman.
Hopkinton State Park protects a unique landscape of forests and freshwater lakes. The park is crisscrossed with trails that take you to scenic lookouts and picnic areas. Sunbathe on the sandy beach and rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boards from the boathouse.
Getting around Framingham
Downtown Framingham and the university campus are pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is a 30-minute drive from Boston and 40 minutes by train. Boston Logan International Airport is a one-hour drive away.