Beyond the City: Why MetroWest Boston Belongs on Your Group Itinerary
MetroWest Boston, a region rich in arts, culture, and outdoor attractions, lies just 20-45 minutes from Boston and Providence, providing an economical and convenient home base for group tours, as well as a wealth of unique attractions of its own.
American Heritage Museum (Hudson, Massachusetts)
Begin your tour in the depths of a WWI trench, hearing a nurse’s first-hand account from the Front as bombs explode overhead and the floor begins to shake. AHM houses an astounding collection of historic aircraft, tanks, classic automobiles, and rare relics from WWI through today. Immersive exhibits and one-of-a-kind artifacts bring history vividly to life. Recently named to National Geographic’s list of the World’s Top 10 WWII Museums, they also offer unforgettable add-ons like living history events or even a ride in a WWII Sherman tank.
Longfellow’s Wayside Inn (Sudbury, Massachusetts)
After the museum, enjoy lunch at the oldest inn in America. The historic Wayside Inn property includes the Old Barn (now a farm stand with antique tools), the Grist Mill rebuilt in 1929 by Henry Ford, the 1798 Redstone Schoolhouse (featured in Mary Had a Little Lamb), and the tranquil Martha-Mary Chapel, Longfellow Memorial Garden, and Josephine’s Pond.
Hopkinton Center for the Arts (Hopkinton, Massachusetts)
One of the region’s largest performing and visual arts centers, HCA features rotating gallery exhibitions, lectures, hands-on art workshops, and educational programs, plus indoor and outdoor music, dance, and theatre performances.
Christa McAuliffe Center (Framingham, Massachusetts)
Inspire your group with hands-on science at the McAuliffe Center. Featuring a state-of-the-art planetarium and the Challenger Learning Center simulation lab (available exclusively to groups), visitors work as a team to launch a spacecraft and safely bring it home again.
Lookout Farm (South Natick, Massachusetts)
At Lookout Farm, groups can pick seasonal fruit—peaches, apples, nectarines, or pumpkins—then relax with a flight of farm-brewed beers or hard cider. Lunch features their popular BBQ, served outdoors in summer or inside the cozy brewhouse in winter, both with live local music. Don’t miss the farm shop’s famous cider donuts, jams, jellies, and more. Lookout Farm is one of 15 breweries and many farms throughout MetroWest offering group-friendly events, tours, and tastings.
Southwick’s Zoo (Mendon, Massachusetts)
New England’s largest zoo is home to more than 950 animals in spacious, naturalistic habitats. Groups can feed giraffes, white rhinos, and sloths with their Animal Encounters program, plus enjoy rides, live shows, and popular seasonal events, including the Great Jack O’Lantern Journey and Winter Wonderland. The zoo’s upscale restaurant, Galliford’s, accommodates group dining.
GlenPharmer Distillery (Franklin, Massachusetts)
Located in a historic mill, this destination distillery offers behind-the-scenes tours and chef-inspired cuisine, plus guided tastings that allow groups to sample spirits with a distinctly New England flair, like Bog, their vodka infused with local cranberries, or Brookdale Gin, infused with 11 local botanicals.
Garden in the Woods (Framingham, Massachusetts)
Explore the beauty of New England wildflowers at Garden in the Woods, one of three botanical gardens in the region. Described as magical, this 45-acre garden showcases native plants amid glacially carved landscapes, ponds, and wetlands. Groups can stroll scenic paths, spot wildlife, and attend special talks or events.
Level99 (Natick, Massachusetts)
Perfect for teens and adults, Level99 is a massive real-world gaming experience featuring more than 50 physical and mental challenge rooms that encourage teamwork and friendly competition.
Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center
Stay at the newly renovated Renaissance Framingham. With free onsite bus parking, full-service amenities, catering, event rooms, porterage and an unbeatable breakfast, it’s an ideal group-friendly home base.
For more attractions, group dining, and sample itineraries, visit metrowestvisitors.org/agents.
Written by Stacey David, Executive Director, MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau.
Courtesy of MetroWest Boston.
Photo courtesy of Southwick's Zoo.
