Paxton MassachusettsATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Paxton, Massachusetts.
1. Moore State Park
HISTORIC WATERFALLS AND GARDENS
Moore State Park spans 400 acres in the heart of Massachusetts with stunning waterfalls and cascades of flower blooms. Visitors can explore stone mill foundations, a restored sawmill, and networks of wooded paths throughout the park. The park is especially known for its mountains of rhododendrons, azaleas, and laurels that create spectacular displays during blooming seasons.
2. Turkey Hill Brook
PEACEFUL NATURAL WATERWAY
Turkey Hill Brook is one of Paxton's most cherished natural attractions offering serene water views and outdoor recreation opportunities. The brook provides a tranquil setting for fishing, nature photography, and peaceful walks along its banks. Visitors appreciate the unspoiled natural beauty and wildlife viewing possibilities throughout the seasons.
3. Paxton Tennis Club
COMMUNITY SPORTS VENUE
Paxton Tennis Club offers well-maintained courts for tennis enthusiasts of all skill levels in the community. The club hosts regular events, tournaments, and lessons for players looking to improve their game. Its friendly atmosphere makes it a popular gathering spot for local residents who enjoy sports and social activities.
4. Klingele Soccer Fields
YOUTH SPORTS DESTINATION
Klingele Soccer Fields serves as the primary location for soccer games and practices in Paxton. The well-maintained fields host youth leagues, school competitions, and community sporting events throughout the year. Families appreciate the open space, quality playing surfaces, and community atmosphere during game days.
5. Metta Wellness
HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER
Metta Wellness provides holistic health services to residents of Paxton and surrounding communities. The center offers a variety of wellness treatments, therapeutic sessions, and relaxation techniques focused on mind-body balance. Visitors seek out this peaceful haven for stress relief, health improvement, and personal rejuvenation.
6. Assumption College
CATHOLIC LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION
Assumption College is a respected Catholic liberal arts institution located near Paxton in Worcester. The campus features attractive buildings, well-maintained grounds, and various facilities open to visitors including art galleries and performance spaces. Many community members attend the college's public events, lectures, and sporting competitions throughout the academic year.
7. Anna Maria College
PRIVATE CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Anna Maria College is a private Catholic institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs on its picturesque campus in Paxton. The college hosts numerous cultural events, art exhibitions, and performances that are open to the public throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful grounds, historic buildings, and community-oriented atmosphere of this educational institution.
8. Worcester Art Museum
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
Worcester Art Museum houses an impressive collection spanning 5,000 years of art history just a short drive from Paxton. The museum features works from ancient civilizations to contemporary masters, with particularly strong collections of European, American, and Asian art. Visitors can enjoy regular exhibitions, educational programs, and special events in this cultural cornerstone of Central Massachusetts.
9. EcoTarium
SCIENCE AND NATURE MUSEUM
The EcoTarium is an interactive science and nature museum offering hands-on exhibits for visitors of all ages near Paxton. The facility includes both indoor and outdoor attractions including a digital planetarium, wildlife habitats, and nature trails spread across 45 acres. Families particularly enjoy the small narrow-gauge railway, live animal exhibits, and dynamic science demonstrations throughout the year.
10. Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
PANORAMIC MOUNTAIN VIEWS
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation offers outdoor enthusiasts spectacular hiking trails and panoramic views just a short drive from Paxton. The 3,000-acre reservation features Massachusetts' most prominent peak east of the Connecticut River, with seasonal activities including skiing in winter and hiking in warmer months. Visitors can enjoy the mountain's diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and stunning vistas extending to Boston on clear days.
11. Mechanics Hall
HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VENUE
Mechanics Hall is a magnificent pre-Civil War concert hall renowned for its perfect acoustics and stunning architecture near Paxton. The meticulously restored 1857 Renaissance Revival building hosts concerts, lectures, and cultural events throughout the year. Visitors marvel at the ornate Great Hall with its elaborate ceiling frescos, magnificent chandelier, and historic Hook Organ dating from 1864.
12. Polar Park
MODERN BASEBALL STADIUM
Polar Park is the state-of-the-art home of the Worcester Red Sox (WooSox), the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, located near Paxton. The modern ballpark opened in 2021 and features innovative design elements that celebrate Worcester's industrial heritage while providing an intimate baseball experience. Visitors enjoy excellent sightlines, local food vendors, and family-friendly entertainment at this centerpiece of Worcester's Canal District revitalization.
13. Bancroft Tower
HISTORIC STONE MONUMENT
Bancroft Tower is a miniature feudal castle constructed in 1900 to honor Worcester native George Bancroft, a prominent historian and statesman. The 56-foot natural stone and granite tower stands in Salisbury Park, offering visitors panoramic views of Worcester and surrounding areas including Paxton. While normally closed to the public, the tower opens for special events and remains a popular landmark for photography and picnics in its scenic park setting.
14. Old Sturbridge Village
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Old Sturbridge Village is one of New England's largest outdoor history museums recreating life in rural New England during the 1830s, a worthwhile day trip from Paxton. The 200-acre museum features more than 40 original historic buildings staffed by costumed interpreters who demonstrate period crafts, cooking, and daily activities. Visitors can immerse themselves in early 19th-century New England through hands-on activities, seasonal events, and authentic historic experiences throughout the year.
15. Tower Hill Botanic Garden
YEAR-ROUND FLORAL DISPLAYS
Tower Hill Botanic Garden showcases 171 acres of meticulously maintained gardens, woodland trails, and horticultural collections near Paxton. The garden features specialty displays including a systematic garden, cottage garden, and an impressive orangerie filled with subtropical plants during winter months. Visitors enjoy seasonal highlights ranging from spring bulbs and summer perennials to autumn foliage and winter holly displays in this year-round botanical attraction.