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Discover Worcester, MA
Upon arriving in Worcester, first impressions will make any historical explanation for the city’s existence seem as unlikely as the pronunciation of its name (Woos-tah). The conspicuous absence of the city’s now-underground Blackstone Canal has turned mills and factories into vacant and imposing shadows of yesteryear. Reflecting the region’s attitude of substance over style, however, Worcester’s reclusive arts community and culturally diverse gastronomy make it a definitive hidden gem of the Northeast.
Worcester’s humble beginnings as an industrial hub of the 19th century set the precedent for its large immigrant population and distinctly ethnic neighborhoods. Daytrippers and permanent residents alike will find it difficult to avoid the mom-and-pops establishments on every block serving up authentic gyros, cannolis, and empanadas. Each of the city’s seven hills provides hours of strolling on winding avenues through architecturally distinct neighborhoods and parks. Even though the Industrial Revolution ended its chapter long ago, modern medicine has made “Wormtown” its home for world-class hospitals that attract workers from across the world. This diversity and the city’s central location in the state have earned it the nickname of “The Heart of the Commonwealth.”
Fondly referred to by locals as the “Paris of the 80s,” it’s no secret that Worcester’s social scene has been under a sort of cardiac arrest for several years. Instead of the hospitals, the city’s nine colleges and universities are providing the pulse needed to revive the nightlife on Main Street. Chic new establishments shoulder up alongside older dives proving that a new, younger generation of Worcesterites is ready for the limelight. Worcester is a city where it is more likely to catch a ride home from a stranger than it is to find any sort of public transportation after sunset, but late last calls and loose law enforcement make it tempting to extend the night until sunrise.
After a few nights at the local watering holes, don’t be surprised to be on a first-name basis with the faces inside. It may be the third largest city in all of New England, but Worcester is more of a big town than a sprawling urban jungle. Visitors will find a warm welcome from the no-frills locals who carry an immense pride for the city that they keep in motion. With a combination of urban convenience and suburban comfort, Worcester has evolved from a bustling hub of industry into a quiet place to raise a family. It might not be on the radar of glitzy Hollywood stars, but any resident will tell you that they wouldn’t want it any other way.
Upon arriving in Worcester, first impressions will make any historical explanation for the city’s existence seem as unlikely as the pronunciation of its name (Woos-tah). The conspicuous absence of the city’s now-underground Blackstone Canal has turned mills and factories into vacant and imposing shadows of yesteryear. Reflecting the region’s attitude of substance over style, however, Worcester’s reclusive arts community and culturally diverse gastronomy make it a definitive hidden gem of the Northeast.
Worcester’s humble beginnings as an industrial hub of the 19th century set the precedent for its large immigrant population and distinctly ethnic neighborhoods. Daytrippers and permanent residents alike will find it difficult to avoid the mom-and-pops establishments on every block serving up authentic gyros, cannolis, and empanadas. Each of the city’s seven hills provides hours of strolling on winding avenues through architecturally distinct neighborhoods and parks. Even though the Industrial Revolution ended its chapter long ago, modern medicine has made “Wormtown” its home for world-class hospitals that attract workers from across the world. This diversity and the city’s central location in the state have earned it the nickname of “The Heart of the Commonwealth.”
Fondly referred to by locals as the “Paris of the 80s,” it’s no secret that Worcester’s social scene has been under a sort of cardiac arrest for several years. Instead of the hospitals, the city’s nine colleges and universities are providing the pulse needed to revive the nightlife on Main Street. Chic new establishments shoulder up alongside older dives proving that a new, younger generation of Worcesterites is ready for the limelight. Worcester is a city where it is more likely to catch a ride home from a stranger than it is to find any sort of public transportation after sunset, but late last calls and loose law enforcement make it tempting to extend the night until sunrise.
After a few nights at the local watering holes, don’t be surprised to be on a first-name basis with the faces inside. It may be the third largest city in all of New England, but Worcester is more of a big town than a sprawling urban jungle. Visitors will find a warm welcome from the no-frills locals who carry an immense pride for the city that they keep in motion. With a combination of urban convenience and suburban comfort, Worcester has evolved from a bustling hub of industry into a quiet place to raise a family. It might not be on the radar of glitzy Hollywood stars, but any resident will tell you that they wouldn’t want it any other way.