Worcester, which is pronounced as “Wuh-ster,” has a very long and rich history, and I bet you will love it. Its history involves not only historical events but also famous personalities and places. Going back to its beginning, Worcester was initially established as a town in 1722, and later in 1731, it was chosen as the capital city or seat of Worcester County. But it was in early 1848 that Worcester finally became a city. Worcester has seen its fair share of settlement attempts before it became a town, and eventually, a city. The first settlement dates back to 1673 when it was inhabited by the Nipmuc tribe who began to call the region Quinsigamond. However, the settlement started to crumble when English traders began inhabiting the region by 1674. The settlement was finally abandoned when King Phillip’s war broke out in 1675. The second attempted settlement was abandoned in 1702 during Queen Anne’s War, and it was then that the city got its name, Worcester. It was in 1713 that Worcester saw its permanent settlement which remains to this day. Worcester is also fairly known for being the first region in the country where the Declaration of Independence was first read by Isaiah Thomas. The Office of the City Clerk is where you can learn more about the rich history of Worcester, Massachusetts, and its memorabilia.

The Heart of the Commonwealth has a wide array of fun-filled indoor and outdoor facilities. For starters, you may drive to the Skyline Drive area to enjoy a family-fun time in one of the largest municipal parks in Worcester: Green Hill Park. The park covers more than 480 acres of lush green space that features scenic ponds, a zoo, a dairy farm, a golf course, and multiple picnic areas where you can sit down and enjoy as your kids zoom around the park.

If you or your family is more into indoor recreational activities, you should definitely check out the Central Rock Gym Climbing Center. The gym offers world-class climbing facilities and features 16,000 square feet of climbing terrain, 42 feet of lead wall, 3,000 square feet of bouldering, and up to 68 stations. The gym caters to visitors of all ages. You may even sign up for specialized classes as a member or get your kids enrolled.

Another great indoor facility that you may definitely enjoy in Worcester is the EcoTarium, which is a science and nature museum. Located in an urban oasis, EcoTarium features the Alden Digital Planetarium where you can learn a boatload of things about galaxies. The Arctic Next Door Mount Washington along with the Artistry of Motion are two of the highlighted exhibits of EcoTarium where you can explore different weather patterns, experience hurricanes, or enjoy a virtual trip up to Mount Washington.

All in all, there are dozens of things you can do in Worcester, and it all depends on what attracts your interest the most. Is it any historic location like the Bancroft Tower? Or is it an outdoor activity like taking a stroll in Green Hill Park or the Hanover Insurance Park in Fitton Field? Just pick one and enjoy.