Recommended Places to Visit: Natick

Recreation

Cooking
Sur la Table (chain)
1245 Worcester Street


Pickleball

Bosse
310 Speen Street

Golf

Puttshack (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Arcades

Level99
1235 Worcester Street

Dave and Buster's (chain)
1235 Worcester Street

Fruit Picking
Lookout Farm
89 Pleasant Street South

Water Bodies

Fisk Pond
~126 West Central Street

Lake Cochituate
43 Commonwealth Road

Jennings Pond
Oak Street near Jennings Pond Road

Arts Performances
The Center for the Arts in Natick
14 Summer Street


Mini Golf
Golf on the Village Green
315 Worcester Street

Shopping Malls
Natick Mall
1245 Worcester Street

Christmas Tree Shops (chain)
1298 Worcester Street

Jordan's Furniture (chain)
1 Underprice Way

Dick's Sporting Goods (chain)

1366 Worcester Street

Parks

Loker Park
75 Walnut Street

Navy Yard Field

41 Washington Avenue

Museums
Natick Historical Society
58 Eliot Street


Beaches
Dug Pond
Windsor Avenue and West Street


Hiking
Recommended:
Pickerel Pond North
6 Huron Drive/End of Bradford Road

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
280 Eliot Street

Coolidge Hill
Jefferson Street and Lincoln Street Extension

Pegan Hill
End of Pegan Lane


Tried:

Cochituate Rail Trail

43 Mechanic Street

Pegan Cove Park
Washington Avenue between Bellevue Road and Hunters Hill Court

Hunnewell Town Forest
Oak Street near Jennings Pond Road

Coolidge Woods
End of Sheridan Street

Winter Woods
37 Winter Street

Pine Hill
4 Tech Circle

Architecture

Monuments

Town Common
South Main Street and East Central Street

War Memorials
South Avenue and North Main Street

Places of Worship

Hartford Street Presbyterian Church
99 Hartford Street

Fisk Memorial United Methodist Church
106 Walnut Street

Albanian Orthodox Church of the Anunciation
37 Washington Street

First Congregational Church
2 East Central Street

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
39 East Central Street

First Baptist Church
13 Common Street

St. Patrick's Church
44 East Central Street

Eliot Church
45 Eliot Street

Christ Lutheran Church
113 Union Street

St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church
145 Oak Street

True Jesus Church

20 Mill Street

Schools
The Tobin School
73 Cottage Street

Wilson Middle School
22 Rutledge Road

Riverbend School
6 Auburn Street

Primrose School

296 North Main Street

Natick High School

15 West Street

Town Facilities
T-Station
1 Walnut Street

Town Hall
13 East Central Street

Morse Institute Library
14 East Central Street

Fire Department
22 East Central Street

Bacon Free Library
58 Eliot Street

Post Office

15 Common Street

William L. Chase Arena

35 Windsor Avenue

Dams
South Natick Dam
Mill Lane and Eliot Street


Commercial Buildings
The Verve Hotel
1360 Worcester Street

4 Mechanic Street

4 Mechanic Street

Historical Buildings
Old Sacred Heart Parish
19 Eliot Street

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Thai

Maxwell's 148 (closed)
148 East Central Street
Recommended Dishes:
Crab Curry
Kafir Lime Seared Scallops and Curry Eggplant with Basil

Rice Noodle Thai Eatery

179 West Central Street

Recommended Dishes:

Shoyu Ramen

Som Tum

Prik King Shrimp

Mango with Sticky Rice

Chinese

P.F. Chang's (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Jicama Street Tacos - Kung Pao Chicken
Stir Fried Eggplant
Vietnamese Chocolate Lava Cake
Berry Ginger Shortcake
Long Life Noodles and Prawns
Walnut Shrimp with Melon

Trend Pure Asian Cuisine
1400 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Pickle Vegetable Noodle Soup with Pork
Lamb Dry Pot Style
Mango Maki

Ten-ichi Dynamic Kitchen (closed)
1400 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Xiao Long Bao
East Coast Grilled Maki
Tropical Maki
Dynamite Maki
All-You-Can Eat Hot Pot
Kushiyaki Lamb Chops
Kushiyaki Beef Skewers
Surf and Turf
Mandarin Crispy Duck

Shaanxi Gourmet
259 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chinese Burger Qishan Style
Small Size Qishan Style Handmade Noodles
Lamb Soup with Chinese Bread on Side
Plum Hawthorn Juice
Braised Beef Brisket
Sweet and Sour Pork Filet

Western
Bazille at Nordstrom (chain)
290 Speen Street
Recommended Dishes:
Wild Salmon Nicoise
Handmade Gnocchi with Lamb Ragu

Buttercup
13 West Central Street
Recommended Dishes:
Joyberry Farms Mushroom Toast
Crystal Valley Chicken

The Burger Bar by Wegman's (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Maple Onion Burger
Zucchini Fries

Kid Sized Burger

Haddock Fish Fry Dinner

Sel de la Terre (closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Creamy Radish and Potato Soup
Duck Liver Terrine
Duck Confit Ravioli with Spinach

Met Bar and Grill (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Tokyo Burger

Skybokx 109 (chain)
319 Speen Street
Recommended Dishes:
Nacho Average Burger

Neiman Marcus Cafe
310 Speen Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chicken Paillard Milanese
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Meat Ball Kitchen (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
MBK Sampler
Spaghetti Gelato
Stuffed Whole Artichoke

Kelly's Roast Beef (chain)
2 Underprice Way
Recommended Dishes:
Roast Beef Sandwich

Cheesecake Factory (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Vanilla Ice Cream
Mango Key Lime Cheesecake
Peach Smoothie
Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake
Steak Diane
Chris' Outrageous Cheesecake

Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake

Loaded Mashed Potato Omelette

Pasta Carbonara

Miso Salmon

Vegan Cobb Salad

Mediterranean

The Grillin' Greek
3 Union Street
Recommended Dishes:
Lamb Gyro

Dessert
Melt Gelato and Crepe Cafe
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Shrimp and Avocado Crepe
Strawberry Royale Crepe
Andalusian Crepe
Forbidden Fruit Smoothie
Pineapple Paradise
Pulled Pork Panini

Tous Les Jours (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Whole Milk Loaf
Muddy Bun
Coffee Kaya Bun
Strawberry Match Latte
Original Roll Cake

Vanilla Cream Donut

Green Tea Cloud Cake

Strawberry Croissant

Croque Monsieur

Honey Lavender Macchiatto

Chocolate Gateau

Park Street Ice Cream and Cafe

14 Park Street

Recommended Dishes:

Ginger

Strawberry

The Dapper Doughnut (chain, closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Strawberry Bella
Fluffer Nutter
Blueberry Lemon

Paul Bakery (chain, closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Canele
Noix de Coco Croissant
Beignet Fruits Rouges
Hot Chocolate
Mini Gourmandise
Toscan
Apricot Tart

Laderach (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Piemonteser

Lolli and Pops (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Strawberry Love Bug Truffle 
Pink Champagne Heart Truffle
Hot Lips Truffle 
Strawberry Balsamic 
Ivory Toffee Mouse 
Blackberry
Milk Chocolate Bunny 
PB and J
Milk Chocolate Lab


Latin American
Blue Dalia Restaurant and Tequila Bar (closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Sopes de Hongos
Pescado Yucatan
Taco de Costilla
Ice Cream and Sorbet Sampling
Mexican Guava
Mexican Vanilla
Pina

Baha Mexican Restaurant (chain)
2 Mill Street
Recommended Dishes:

Al Pastor Quesadilla

Deli

Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea (chain)
19 South Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Spinach and Ricotta Croissant

French Vietnamese Au Lait

Japanese
Minado (chain)
1282 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Sushi Buffet

Tonkotsu Ramen

Udon Noodle Soup

Oga's Japanese Cuisine
915 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Oga's Clam Chowder
Foil-Yaki
Black Sesame Sorbet
Sake Ishiyaki Don
Enoki Beef Maki


Tried:
Latin American

Sol de Mexico (chain)

215 West Central Street

Recommended Dishes:

Pina Colada Smoothie

Fried Shrimp Chimichangas

Mediterranean
Falafel House
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Beef Shawarma Plate

Cafe Yafa
6 Wethersfield Road

Recommended Dishes:

Shawermah Chicken

Expresso Macchiato

Japanese
Wasabi (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Japanese Snack
Crawfish Salad
Scorpion Roll
Sweet Potato Tempura

Sarku Japan (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chicken Teriyaki

Breakfast
Casey's Diner
36 South Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Breakfast Grilled Cheese

Zaftig's Delicatessen (chain)

1298 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Empire Eggs

Chopped Liver

Egg Cream

World Famous Homemade Chicken Matzo Ball Soup

Western
McDonald's (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Buttermilk Crispy Tenders

Filet O'Fish Meal

4 Piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal

Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Spalla's Chicago Italian Beef (closed)
229 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
The Overload
Chicago Dog
BBQ Zang Dog
Beantown Dog

Culinary Delights
229 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Beantown Dog

The Pantry Restaurant
1360 Worcester Road
Recommended Dishes:
Short Rib Arancini
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
Pork Chop
Scallops

Smashburger (chain)
1298 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Truffle Mushroom Swiss
Smashfries

American Girl Bistro (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Blue Moon Milkshake


Italian
Sbarro (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Sausage, Pepperoni and Bacon Stromboli

Natalie's Italian Kitchen
319 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mozzarella sticks
Fried chicken wings
Linguini Carbonara

California Pizza Kitchen (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Dakota Smash Pea and Barley
Kung Pao Spaghetti
Classic Caesar
Strawberry Shortcake
Avocado Club Egg Rolls


Korean

Dah Mee

25 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

Momokawa Silver

Thai Noodle Soup

Dok Bok Ki

Bul Go Ki

Duk Man Du Guk

 

Thai
Rice Theory
381 Worcester Street
Recommedned Dishes:
Hot Fish Cake
Thai Iced Tea

Dessert
David's Tea (chain, closed)
1245 Worcester Street

Red Mango (chain, closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Original
Coconut Greek

EBar at Nordstrom (chain)

1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Up Beet and Berry

Milkshake Lovers (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Kit Kat Shake

Woops! (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Lemon Tart
Passion Fruit
Lychee Rose

Gong Cha (chain)

1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Taro

Earl Grey Milk Tea

Kung Fu Tea (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Yogurt Green Tea
Signature Coffee

Muffin House Cafe (chain)

325 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Blueberry Muffin

The Buzz Coffee Shop (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Chocolate    

Chinese

Master Wok (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Crab Rangoons

General's Chicken

Fresh Mixed Vegetables Fried Rice

Asia Bistro
195 West Central Street
Recommedned Dishes:
Asia Bistro Maki
Sizzling Sliced Beef in Sa-Cha Sauce

Cajun Cafe Grill
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Cajun Fries

Brazilian

Terra Nossa Brazilian Grill (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Picanha

Sweet Plantains

Indian

Gourmet India (Chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Minerva Indian Cuisine
1318 Worcester Street

June 13th 2026: Cochituate Rail Trail, Natick

 Today, while in Natick,

Navy Yard Field

4 Mechanic Street

we decided to go cycling on the Cochituate Rail Trail, where the path we took from 43 Mechanic Street is shown below in pink.

Surprisingly, no good views of Lake Cochituate, even from the side detour on General Greene Avenue.

Glad the little one is finally getting the hang of cycling, except needing a little push every time to get going. Gonna need my scooter to keep up next time.

June 7th 2026: Dessert and Fast Food in Worcester

 Today, we started out early in the morning with some bakery goodies from Wooden Bakery in Worcester, where Wooden Bar is at night.

We got the Maple Pecan Bun, Raisin Escargot, Peach Pastry Cream Brioche and Date Pistachio Danish.

The maple bun was good, but way too sticky to handle. The danish was flavorful and crispy as well. The other 2 desserts were just alright.

Later, we had lunch at the Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen location in Worcester,

getting the 4 pc Butterfly Shrimp and 2 pc Tenders, with Biscuit and Cajun Fries.

Not too bad for a quick meal.

Recommended Places to Visit: Bolton

Recreation

Wineries

Nashoba Valley Winery
100 Wattaquadock Hill Road
Recommended Dishes:

Bolton Orchards Sparkling Apple Cider

Shibby Italian Ciabatta

Turkey Club

Chicken Caesar Salad

Chocolate on Chocolate

Vanilla Bean

Museums
Bolton Historical Society
676 Main Street

Animal Adventures
336 Sugar Road

Water Bodies

West Pond
27 Long Hill Road

Parks
Town Common
717 Main Street

Golf
The International Golf Club and Resort
159 Ballville Road

Farms

Bolton Spring Farm

149 Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Apple Cider Donut

Beaches

Little Pond
Hudson Road between Main Street and Mill Road


Hiking
Recommended:
Morse Sawmill Dam

159 Forbush Mill Road

Taggart Property

40 Forbush Mill Road

Bower Springs
Flanagan Road

Fyfeshire Conservation Area
499 Wattaquadock Hill Road

Bolton Flats
Main Street, 42.457524, -71.648896

Bolton Overlook
92 Wattaquadock Hill Road

Danforth Conservation Area
Danforth Lane

Rattlesnake Hill
Danforth Lane

Randall Vinger
441 Berlin Road

Tried:
Powder House
663 Main Street

Vaughn Hills
Green Road near Bare Hill Road

Welch Pond
376 Wattaquadock Hill Road

Wilder Pond
978 Main Street

Annie Moore
98 Annie Moore Road

Northwoods
6 Ledgewood Circle

Zink Trail
44 Corn Road

Gould White
End of Randall Road

Ballville Trails

53 Sawyer Road

Architecture

Places of Worship
Trinity Church
14 Wattaquadock Hill Road

First Parish of Bolton
673 Main Street

Schools

Florence Sawyer School
100 Mechanic Street

Nashoba Regional High School
12 Green Road

Emerson School
50 Mechanic Street

Town Facilities
Public Library
738 Main Street

Restaurants

Recommended:
Cafes
Bolton Bean
626 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Loaded Baked Potato Salad


Tried:
Italian
Fotini's
544 Wattaquadock Hill Road
Recommended Dishes:
Homemade Clam Chowder
Fresh Haddock
Butternut Squash Ravioli

Dessert
Colonial Candies
47 Sugar Road
Recommended Dishes:
Dark Raspberry Fudge Truffle
Caramel Pecan


Western

J's Restaurant
100 Wattaquadock Hill Road
Recommended Dishes:
Azule
Antique Orchard Apple Salad
Pork Belly
Sticky Toffee Pudding
House Smoked Statler Chicken Breast

Slater's
356 Main Street

Recommended Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza
Beef Brisket
Spicy Wings

The Fireplace Room
159 Ballville Road
Recommended Dishes:
Bucatini and Meatballs
Short Rib Benedict

June 4th 2026: Hiking in Bolton and Food in Berlin and West Boylston

 Today, I started out with a hike at the Ballville Trails in Bolton, where I path I took from ~53 Sawyer Road to find the pond here is shown below in pink.

Some open meadows here,

but the water body itself wasn't much to speak of.

From here, we headed to the Berlin side of the Highland Commons shopping area, first checking out the new Ramen Haven,

getting the Signature Tonkotsu Ramen (A rich tonkotsu broth with smooth, hearty flavor. Served with corn, black fungus, bamboo shoots, half soft-soiled egg, scallions, nori, chashu belly, and red chili strips)

which was not bad, especially the pork belly.

Next, we went to the Playa Bowls location here, this time getting the Purple Mermaid Smoothie (Playa Pitaya® Base, banana, pineapple, vanilla protein, blue spirulina, coconut milk & coco whip), although the only picture I was able to take of it was after it was almost finished.

The last place we went to today wase Froze Zone in West Boylston,

getting the Fruity Pebbles flavor.

Wish the little one hadn't chosen this weird flavor, with soggy cereal in it to boot.