Take a trip to Leominster, the second-largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Incorporated as a town in 1740 and as a city in 1915, Leominster offers many recreational amenities and exciting attractions.
It is home to fascinating historic sites, scenic outdoor adventures, various businesses, and family-friendly events, making it an ideal place to spend a day or a weekend.
Do you want to know more about this beautiful place?
Check out the best things to do in Leominster, Massachusetts.
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Leominster State Forest is the ultimate destination to escape city life and enjoy various outdoor activities.
The 4,300-acre forest in western Leominster spreads into its neighboring areas: Fitchburg, Westminster, Princeton, and Sterling.
You can hike a section of the 95-mile Midstate Trail, fish at Paradise Pond, or go to Crow Hill Pond for a picnic and swimming.
Mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, and non-motorized boating are also fun adventures that await you here.
Likewise, it is a perfect place in the winter for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing.
Discover the gems hiding in the woods by exploring Leominster State Forest with your family and friends.
Adjacent to the Mall at Whitney Field is Entertainment Cinemas, where you can enjoy a first-rate theater experience.
This luxury local theater chain opened in 1969.
It plays new movie releases at reasonably priced tickets.
Entertainment Cinemas features digital projection and sound, large screens, and an onsite café serving beer and wine.
It has also expanded into a ten-screen multiplex over the years.
The theater was recently renovated, featuring new stadium seating with cozy leather recliners so moviegoers can relax and enjoy watching the movie.
Catch the latest blockbuster at Entertainment Cinemas with your whole family, a group of friends, or your special someone.
If you want to challenge your mind, the Gate Escape would be the ideal place for you.
You can choose from the three interactive, immersive, and challenging escape rooms: The Observatory, D.J. Death, and The Assistant 2.0.
Your tasks will involve solving puzzles for the grim reaper, finding the scientist’s notes for a worldwide conference, and rescuing the doctor’s thumb drive from a wormhole.
Shocking plot twists, terrific decorations, and notable effects excite the adventures.
In addition, you only have a time limit of 45-90 minutes to escape, depending on your selected room.
Bring your family, friends, or co-workers and unleash your inner detective at the Gate Escape on Harvard Street.
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Avid shoppers should go to the Mall at Whitney Field.
The fully enclosed shopping mall opened in 1967 as Searstown Mall but underwent extensive renovation and was renamed in 2004.
Here, you can shop at JCPenny, Gardner Outlet Furniture, Burlington, Rue 21, Spencer’s, Hot Topic, Old Navy, Fantastic Styles, Finish Line, and many other retail stores.
Afterward, get a fill of delicious foods from one of the food courts or restaurants at the mall, like Auntie Anne’s, La Gazza Kitchen, and Panera Bread.
The Mall at Whitney Field is on Commercial Road, near Route 2 and Interstate 190.
You should try riding a bike along the Twin Cities Rail Trail.
The trail’s first segment, from Fitchburg’s 1st Street to Leominster’s Carter Park near downtown Leominster, has been open to the public since 2022.
It winds through residential areas and passes several parks, businesses, and Fitchburg Municipal Airport.
This 4.7-mile trail should eventually link downtown Fitchburg and MBTA commuter rail with downtown Leominster and Monoosnoc Brook Greenway.
Twin Cities Rail Trail offers recreation opportunities and an alternative route for bikers, runners, walkers, and commuters.
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Barrett Park is another beautiful place in the city because it has features that outdoor lovers will love and enjoy.
The 39.92-acre park includes picnic areas, pavilions, a sports field with bleachers, playground equipment, and a main recreation office.
You’ll also find a little waterfall and hiking trails surrounding the 8.9-acre pond, which offers winter fishing, paddling, and ice skating opportunities.
Barrett Park also has a building that hosts many programs, like preschool yoga and adult paint classes.
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If you love hiking, you will love exploring the Monoosnoc Ridge Trail, a splendid end-to-end trail in Leominster.
It lies on the city’s west side, with its north end in West Street and southern end in Sholan Farms.
The eight-mile ridge-style trail features several long climbs and ups and downs, making the adventure more exciting.
Because of the charming lush greenery, fall foliage, sky, other natural features, and birds, you can enjoy nature photography and wildlife viewing here.
Reaching the summit of the 985-foot North Monoosnoc Hill, the 1,159-foot South Monoosnoc Hill, and the 1,068-foot Bayberry Hill should reward hikers with terrific views of Leominster.
The Monoosnoc Ridge Trail is well-marked and easy to follow.
Before heading out, bring plenty of water and snacks.
If you want to play golf, head to Monoosnock Country Club on Monoosnock Avenue.
Even before prolific Boston architect Wayne Stiles redesigned it, the nine-hole golf course has been one of the most challenging in Central Massachusetts.
It features well-maintained greens and fairways, a clubhouse, a pro shop, and a bar and grille known as Grille 19, where you can have a meal or drink with friends after a game.
In addition, they also offer golf lessons, and they offer a venue for many events, such as parties, weddings, and tournaments.
The Monoosnock Country Club dates back to 1908.
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Nestled on Franklin Street is the historic 1848 Frances H. and Jonathan Drake House, the former home of the well-known abolitionist couple Frances and Jonathan Drake.
Featuring the Greek Revival style, the couple purposely built the 19th-century house with a secret trap door in the front parlor.
This served as a stop on the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves before the Civil War.
One of the most notable fugitive slaves was Shadrach Minkins, who escaped from Virginia in 1850 and reached Boston.
The house was included in the National Register of Historic Places, and visitors can see a monument before it.
The Frances H. and Jonathan Drake House offers house and exhibit tours and other events today.
As the city’s most-used facility, the 17.28-acre Doyle Field is a must-visit recreational park, especially for sports fans.
It is widely used for organized sports, public events, recreation programs, school sports, and by individuals.
It features a running track, a lighted baseball field, tennis and pickleball courts, a combination football/soccer field with bleachers, and a children’s playground.
A clubhouse, concession stands, restrooms, and a walking loop trail around the park’s perimeter are also available.
With its various outdoor sports and activities, you will enjoy watching sports games here.
Doyle Field is located on Priest Street near the Twin Cities Rail Trail.
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Pay a visit to Johnny Ro Veterans Memorial Park, especially if you’re interested in history and the military.
It was named for Jonathan “Johnny Ro” Roberge, a Leominster native who served in the United States Army as a tank driver and was killed in action in Iraq in 2009.
Besides dedicating it to Johnny Ro, the park also honors all Massachusetts soldiers killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
When you visit here, you will see many monuments with inscriptions and a wall that lists all the names of the casualties and another one with photos.
The park’s centerpiece is the Army tank with the “I’m Kind of a Big Deal” line on its barrel.
Volunteers and donors entirely fund Johnny Ro Veterans Memorial Park.
The park is situated along Mechanic Street and alongside the Nashua River.
Head to the city’s downtown area with family and friends for the annual Johnny Appleseed Arts and Cultural Festival.
This celebration honors John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, born in Leominster in September.
He is well known for introducing apple trees to many places, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada.
This family-friendly event features hundreds of vendors, food, crafts, a parade, live music, other fun activities, and the famous delicious Apple Crisp.
Kids will love this event because there are plenty of activities for them, including pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatable bounce houses, and games.
The vibrant Johnny Appleseed Arts and Cultural Festival is held every September.
The Leominster Historical Society has been around since 1906, preserving and promoting Leominster’s history.
It is a great place to learn about the city’s past.
Located in downtown Leominster, it is housed in the historic 1870 Field School building, which serves as a museum and the historical society’s meeting space.
Visitors can see museum exhibits and use the library, artifact collections, maps, records, and other documents for research.
Likewise, the Leominster Historical Society hosts free events like guided tours and history talks that you can join.
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The seasonally open Sholan Farms is a 169-acre community-owned apple orchard on Pleasant Street in the southern part of Leominster.
Here, you can pick raspberries, blueberries, and apples with over 30 varieties with flavors like tart, sweet juicy, and almost spicy.
Apart from the fruits, the farm also has amenities for recreational opportunities like hiking, cross-country skiing, birdwatching, and picnicking.
You may join various events throughout the year, such as the Annual Apple Blossom Festival, which has been around for over 20 years.
The family-friendly event features a craft fair, food trucks, children’s games, rides, music, and other fun activities.
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Stretch your legs by exploring Downtown Leominster, which will lead you to many gems you won’t regret discovering.
The city’s downtown area boasts a historic district called Monument Square, containing many 19th-century buildings.
On the site, you will see numerous monuments, such as firefighters’ and veterans’ memorials and a marker of the town’s second meeting house from 1775-1824.
Shop at various shops, fuel up by tasting delicious cuisine at excellent restaurants and relax at a spa.
You may also encounter the Monoosnoc Brook, which passes through downtown.
The Leominster Public Library and the Leominster Historical Society are also in downtown Leominster.
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Also known as Doyle Conservation Area, Doyle Community Park is a 157-acre paradise with woodlands, meadows, fields, trails, gardens, and parklands.
Its history dates back to the 20th century when Harry W. Pierce owned an estate now known as the Doyle Community Park
His estate featured a stucco mansion with a pond, a stable, horse paddocks, and extensive trails.
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Today, the park is a perfect destination to escape from the hustle and bustle of life because of its scenic spots and tranquil environment.
Visitors can stroll and explore the area, enjoy a picnic, and even walk their dogs.
Apart from the spectacular views, you will also encounter wildlife when visiting the park.
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Leominster is a fantastic destination, brimming with many attractions.
Whether you’re after outdoor adventures, historical sites, dining and entertainment options, or family-friendly events, there’s something for you here.
If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful city, remember this list of the best things to do in Leominster, Massachusetts!
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