Best of Natick

The Best Things to Do Around Natick This Weekend

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:51:00 GMT

We've put together a list of the 16 best things to do around town, one for every hour of the waking day. We even account for [eating meals](/business/dining/) throughout the day. Let's see how this plays out, and, see if we can't just pull this off in the time allowed. {% contentfig "/img/hometown-seat-yoga-class.jpg", "A yoga class at Hometown Sweat, Natick, MA", "Photo Credit to Hometownsweat.com" %} ## 6am-7am Yoga @ Hometown Sweat A workout is really the only way to kick off the day, so we start up off of Oak Street at [Hometown Sweat](https://www.hometownsweat.com/), a locally-owned Yoga Studio. The team is dedicated and friendly and the workouts are challenging, which is just how we like it. And, once you've been, you'll start to notice that they have quite the following, as their clothing appears on bodies all around town. ### Classes offered @ Hometown Sweat - Classic 84 - Hometown Hot Yoga - Inferno Hot Pilates - Original Hot Yoga - Yin Yoga ## 7am-8am Breakfast @ Casey's Diner Yeah yeah, we know, [Casey's Diner](/casey-diner/) is famous for its all-around dogs and bustling lunch operation. However, we think it's a sneaky good place to grab some breakfast, especially after a workout. ## 8am-9am Bike @ Cochituate Rail Trail Your hard work for the day is done, so jump on a bike for a casual cruise up and down the Cochituate Rail Trail, a 4-mile long, paved ex-train track that extends from Natick Center into Framingham. The scenic route will take you along the shores of Lake Cochituate, passing by Camp Arrowhead and Cochituate State Park along the way. And if you're not feeling inclined to cycle for the whole trail, take a casual stroll out to the Navy Yard and back. It's enough to get the blood flowing after that Casey's breakfast without causing a sweat. ## 9am-10am Farmer's Market @ Natick Common The [Farmer's Market](/natick-farmers-market/) sells almost everything. The options range from fresh meat and produce to clothing and jewelry. Don't laugh, they even have a Cutler. For those that don't know, a [Cutler sharpens knives](https://ocknifesharpening.com/blog/what-is-a-professional-knife-sharpener-called/). The year-round event is open to the public and takes place every Saturday at the Common. Show up for the locally-sourced food and stay for the live music. {% contentfig "/img/elis-breakfast-burgers-brews.jpg", "Eli's Breakfast, Burgers, Brews, Natick, MA", "Eli's has excellent pork tacos" %} ## 10am-11am Brunch @ Eli's Eli's delectable food and convenient location are why we've listed it right after the trip to the Farmer's Market. Honestly, you can't go wrong, whether that's Rise'n Shine or the Classic Benny, the Chrissa Belle or the Breakfast Burrito. If you're like us and lean toward lunch options at brunch, then their sandwiches that sit at the dividing line of casual and artisanal should be right up your alley. Then there are the burgers, which are truly a delight. Nine different named burgers with a B.Y.O.B choose-your-own-adventure burger make Eli's a downtown dining gem. Oh, did we mention mimosas? ## 11am-12pm Mini Golfing @ Village Green We could have chosen to work on our Irons at [Kohr Golf](/kohr-golf-center/), or to play a round at Sassamon Trace, but exceptional fun can only be had at the [Village Green](/miniature-golf-on-the-village-green/) on Route 9. ## 12pm-1pm Shop @ The Natick Mall With an aastonishing [~2 million square feet](https://www.natickmall.com/en.html) of shopping, the Natick Mall possesses and almost endless supply of retail stores to patronize. ## 1pm-2pm Lunch @ Zaftigs Since [John Harvard's is closed](https://framinghamsource.com/index.php/2020/10/29/after-24-years-framingham-restaurant-closes-property-for-lease/), and technically wasn't even in Natick to begin with (honorary member?), we're going to Zaftigs for lunch. We're up in that part of town anyway, might as well make the best of it. As one Natick resident put it, "Their menu and their food are _incredible_." And we have to agree. That sentiment is shared by many residents, including us. {% contentfig "/img/broadmoor-wildlife-sanctuary.jpg", "Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary", "" %} ## 3pm-4pm Exploration @ Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary Birds. Birds. And more birds. With over 175+ species of bird, Broadmoor is a Twitcher's dream come true. Wedged between the Charles River and Indian Brook, Broadmoor's 9 miles of well-groomed and shady trails take you on a hometown adventure through nature six days a week (closed on Mondays). Need something to do with your children in the Summertime? Broadmoor's [Summer Program](https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/broadmoor/news-events/broadmoor-nature-camp) is the antidote for the Indoor Nintendo Curse. You can thank the Mass Audubon Society when your Citizen Scientists return home with Wilderness Skills. **Note:** Broadmoor is _not_ dog friendly. An expansive retreat along Indian Brook and the Charles River, Broadmoor is an ever-changing environment teeming with wildlife: dragonflies darting, turtles basking, otters leaving tracks in the mud or snow, and more than 175 species of birds. Easy-to-moderate well-groomed trails lead you through the shade of mature woodlands into open fields and along the edges of streams, ponds, and marshland. Please leave dogs and other pets at home. ## 4pm-5pm Visit @ Natick Community Organic Farm Open year-round and free to visit, Natick's Community Farm has been a model of agricultural sustainability for the town and its residents for years. Adjacent to [Memorial School](/memorial-elementary-school/), NCOF offers children after-school and summer programs as a means to learn about animal care, composting, and growing crops. Stop by to see the live animals, and while you're at it, buy some seedlings. Or, take a class or a maple sugaring tour. The farm can even host your next private event. One thing to note, their [barn burnt down](https://ncof.givecloud.co/barnrebuild) in 2021, so consider a small donation to help this fantastic non-profit rebuild ... because a farm should have a barn. {% contentfig "/img/lookout-farm.jpg", "Lookout Farm, Natick, MA", "Perhaps one of the single biggest pieces of property in Natick" %} ## 4pm-5pm Afternoon Snack @ Lookout Farm Relax with a warm pretzel and a craft beer in [Lookout Farm's Greenhouse](/lookout-farm-taproom/) out yonder in the depths of South Natick. Or if hard cider is your jam, try the First American Cherry, we hear it's pretty tasty. {% contentfig "/img/dug-pond-natick.jpg", "Dug Pond, a pond you can swim in in Natick, MA", "" %} ## 5pm-6pm Swim @ Dug Pond A visit to Memorial Beach for a dip in [Dug Pond](/dug-pond/) is the perfect way to cool down before dinner. After all, you've done some Yoga, took a bike ride up the Rail Trail, played 18 holes of mini-golf, and explored Broadmoor all in the same day. {% contentfig "/img/agostinos-italian-restaurant-natick.jpg", "Agostino's Italian Restaurant", "A staple of downtown dining" %} ## 6pm-7pm Dinner @ Agostino's Italian Restaurant [Agostino's](/agostinos-italian-restaurant/) is a classic Italian restaurant that really impresses us with their parmesan meals, specifically the chicken. Anchoring itself on Washington Street for several decades, you'd be hard-pressed to find a restaurant in town that's got more longevity and experience than they. {% contentfig "/img/park-street-ice-cream-shoppe.jpg", "Park Street Ice Cream Shoppe next to the Natick Common", "Grab a cone" %} ## 7pm-8pm Ice Cream @ Park Street [Park Street](/park-street-ice-cream-shoppe-cafe/) has been scooping ice cream at the Common since Reagan took over in office. After 40+ years of being in business, the number of people who've enjoyed a cone on a Common bench must be uncountable. And when it comes to cones, Park Street Ice Cream keeps it fun, serving flavors beyond the standards, such as Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Thin Mint. {% contentfig "/img/the-center-for-arts-in-natick.jpg", "The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN), Natick, MA", "Live performances in the old Summer Street firehouse" %} ## 8pm-9pm Show @ TCAN The Center for Arts in Natick offers residents of the 01760 a chance to see National Touring acts perform live in a small, New England town; names such as Michael Glabicki (Rusted Root), Johnny A, and Jethro Tull's Martin Barre have taken the stage in recent times. This is on top of comedic acts and theatrical performances. TCAN is the premiere venue for live entertainment in Natick. It's also an excellent place to see a movie, as recent renovations have converted the second floor of the old firehouse into a movie theater. If TCAN were sold out though, we'd check the Events Calendar at the [Walnut Hill School](/walnut-hill-school/), as their performances are really first rate. {% contentfig "/img/7-south-bottle-and-kitchen.jpg", "7 South Bottle + Kitchen, 7 South Avenue, Natick, MA", "So it's daytime in the photo ... you can still go late night" %} ## 9pm-10pm Late Night @ 7 South Bottle + Kitchen There's still time to catch the end of a Boston Sports game after you've gotten out of your show at TCAN. And you can head over to [7 South Bottle + Kitchen](/7-south-bottle-and-kitchen/) to do just that. You only live once, so try the Gummy Bear martini. ## Alternative Things to Do in Natick Not everything to do in [Natick](/) can be packed into a 24-hour window. Here are some ### Visit the Bacon Free Library Unfortunately, you cannot attend the Natick Farmer's Market and visit the Bacon Free Library on the same day because they aren't operating at the same time. The Farmer's Market only occurs on Saturdays, a day when the South Natick library is closed. ### Watch the Boston Marathon Natick plays host to just under 4 miles of the Boston Marathon route, all of which is on MA-135. One of the best places to watch the Marathon for the atmosphere is downtown at the Natick Common. However, one of the best places to watch the Marathon and actually be able to see the participants is between Pizza Peddler and the Dog Park, alongside of Fiske Pond. ### Picnic at the South Natick Falls If your town has a waterfall, there's a good chance it's great for a picnic. Such is the case with Grove Park and the South Natick Dam Park, the two parks on each side of the Charles River in South Natick. And, if your forgot your picnic basket, you can always grab a handful of sandwiches at the [Pizza Shop at South Natick](/pizza-shop-south-natick/) just up the hill. It's also a great place to just read a book. But grab a [coffee](/charles-river-coffee-house/), because the falls might just lull you to sleep. #### Sources - http://archive.boston.com/sports/marathon/course/milemarkers/

Natick Train Accidents June 29th and March 14th

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:49:00 GMT

In sad news, another person was struck by a train in Natick. ## Natick Train Accident on June 29th, 2022 Transit Police reported a man being struck and killed in the area near 113 West Central Street in Natick on June 29th, 2022 around 5pm. More news to follow. ## Natick Train Accident on March 14th, 2022 In a bit of breaking news around town, a woman was killed on Monday, March 14th, 2022 after being hit by a commuter rail train heading West on the Framingham/Worcester line toward the downtown train station. The Natick Train accident pulled in a variety of resources and officals, including the Natick Fire Department, Natick Police, Massachusetts Bay Transit Police, Keolis Commuter Services and more. According to Richard Sullivan, Superintendent of the MBTA Transit Police, the deceased was, “suspected to have taken her own life”. A medical rescue helicopter was called off as it arrived on the scene along East Central Street. Natick Fire Chief, Michael Lentini had this to say about the incident. "We were about to transfer her when she went into cardiac arrest ... We decided to take her to MetroWest Medical". Lentini is referring to the Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham. Natick Police Chief James Hicks shared that the incident took place around 11:30am, when calls of a person hit by a MBTA commuter train a quarter-mile away from downtown came in. However, upon examining the stated “228 East Central Street” address, it seems to be more than a mile away and just over the Wellesley line, not that it matters. Trains along the MBTA Commuter Rail Boston/Framingham/Worcester line were delayed into Monday afternoon, affecting the evening commute, per Keolis Commuter Services. The event was trending a bit on social media as serious events tend to do. Our condolences to the family and friends of the pedestrian and all involved. ## Natick Train Accident FAQs ### What is the oldest known accident? According to the New York Times, a person was struck in Natick on [December 23rd, 1867](https://www.nytimes.com/1867/12/23/archives/railroad-accident-near-natick-mass.html).

What is the Natick Crossword Principle?

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:47:00 GMT

Rex Parker (a pseudonym) states that the Natick Principle is as follows: "If you include a proper noun in your grid that you cannot reasonably expect more than 1/4 of the solving public to have heard of, you must cross that noun with reasonably common words and phrases or very common names." How this came to be was the clue - "1A: Town at the eighth mile of the Boston Marathon" What's crazy about this particular clue is that it would be no different if it cited mile 9, 10, or 11 of the Boston Marathon as well. Back to mile 8 of the marathon, it can't be all that fun. Think about it, you've just come up the hill near [Wendy's](/wendys/) and you're smelling all of that french fry fast food goodness ... you _have_ to be thinking, "Why am I running this race when I could be eating a spicy chicken sandwich?" Anyway, that's all besides the point. The fact that "Natick" is adversely used with regard to crosswords leaves us a bit bothered. We should come up with the a new way to address Natick in crossword puzzles, one that much better represents the quality of our town. We may have to contact Michael Sharp, the well-known blogger and New York Times crossword puzzle solver who goes by Rex Parker, to air our grievances one of these days. If you're looking for a quiet place to do some crossword puzzles in Natick, we highly recommend you visit either library. #### Article Sources - https://rexwordpuzzle.blogspot.com/p/frequently-asked-questions-i-get-lots.html - https://rexwordpuzzle.blogspot.com/2008/07/sunday-jul-6-2008-brendan-emmett.html - https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Natick - https://blog.puzzlenation.com/tag/natick/ - https://www.natickreport.com/2021/03/natick-infamous-in-crossword-puzzle-circles/ - http://archive.boston.com/sports/marathon/course/milemarkers/ - https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/enter/course-information - https://books.google.com/books?id=CnV2AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA120#v=onepage&q&f=false - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/27/crosswords/daily-puzzle-2019-01-28.html

Natick Brewery Crawl

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:44:00 GMT

Football is over, baseball hasn't begun, and there are no days off in the public school calendar, so personal responsibility levels are as low as they get. With the old [Carling's](https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/carling-nostalgia.601546/) gone, Natick is down to two breweries. Okay, that is a bit misleading. Carling's has been gone for a long time. And, for a long time, Natick had zero breweries. The craft beer explosion of the 2010's brought local beer back to town. ## Lookout Farm Taproom [The Taproom](/lookout-farm-taproom/) was hopping when I showed up just after 1pm. A handful of people were saddled up to the bar, several tables were filled, and both of their event hosting rooms were occupied with what looked like birthday parties. One benefit of that is getting to see the side room that abuts the driveway - it has an ample amount of overflow chairs and tables. Whoever was in charge of the taproom playlist was on top of their game. Grunge and alt rock was the flavor of the day, with stalwarts Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam interspersed with 90s one hit wonders like The Toadies and Cracker. It was a great Saturday. Started off with a flight of beer. Tried the Dover Demon (Belgian Dubbel), Plowshare (Coffee Porter), Hold Your Horses (IPA), and Haybale (Belgian Golden Ale). Followed that up with a 1st American Cherry. The Lookout Farm taproom has really upped their food and drink game over the last few years, offering an expanded menu, more beverage options (cider and beer), and improving the overall space. **Protip:** It's always good to eat on a pub crawl, so I got some chips and salsa while at Lookout Farm. Grabbed one more Hold Your Horses before heading out. Since it's a crawl of only two bars/breweries, breaking the golden highlander-inspired pub crawl rule of having "only one" is par for the course. If this were a city pub crawl, having more than one would be in poor taste. ## Kells Beer Company Located on Summer Street in Natick Center, the Kells Beer Company is a much better place to end a pub crawl than begin one. So, that's what I did. It used to be Barleycorns, probably for the better part of 20 years. Diagonally across from TCAN, Kells might be the best kept secret in Natick. Bad for the owner's wallets, good for patrons who want an easily accessible good time. Hopefully we here at Best of Natick can shed some light on Kells and encourage some foot traffic. They deserve it. Speaking of secrets, [Eli's](/elis-breakfast-burgers-brews/) is an unkept secret. Place is a total delight. Checked in with the staff at Kells to see if they still let people brew their own beer. Yes, is the answer. Gonna set up a time. $250-300 seems reasonable. There are folks currently bottling their brewed beer into cases as I sip on the Forever. I'm sold. Natick needed Kells in the 90s. Got a "Forever". The Forever is a smooth and creamy chocolate milkshake with some added lactose. It's pretty good. Might go for a Time Trial or Stay Gold next. (went with the Time Trial) ## The crawl The crawl from deep South Natick to downtown is a real awesome one. You can admire the falls, pass through old town, and slowly shift your visage from farmland to brick-laden suburban town center. It's hard to appreciate the true stratification of town if you have never walked from one side to the other. There is a Simpson's, we have one of everything, vibe to Natick that could be complete with a ski mountain. And a monorail. A strange thing occurred to me on the walk between breweries ... no one knows I'm on a pub crawl. In the city, you tend to Pied Piper a few stragglers who are always interested in adventure. Out here? You're just a person out for a walk. There is a plus side to that, but I can't figure it out just yet. To note, a 3 mile walk isn't for everyone. Plus, there is a definitive elevation change on Union Street. So, take that to heart if you decide to give this a shot in the future. Should you take up the challenge and want a friend, reach out! The downslope from Lookout to the falls is great to establish momentum. The uphill to the Woodland isn't too bad. Then, the downhill into town is basically a victory lap. Considered grabbing a slice at [Pizza By Rocco](/pizza-by-rocco/). If not a slice from Rocco, then the question is where to eat? [Agostino's](/agostinos-italian-restaurant/)? [Lola's](/lolas-italian-groceria/)? Walk to [Pizza Peddler](/pizza-peddler-deli/)? If Peddler, perhaps a walk down Summer Street into the ol' Whoop-De-Doos behind Middlesex Ave and Hunter's Hill Ct.? If only I still had my BMX bike ... Truth be told, this pub crawl is better suited for May, June, or October. And, I never thought a Framingham brewery crawl would be an easier walk (Jack's, Springdale, Exhibit A). Then again, I am not counting John Harvard's and Beerworks Framingham. **Final Verdict:** Totally worth the time. The walk felt great. The beers felt better. I could have used a little more salsa with my chips @ Lookout Taproom, but who is counting? Get out. Get exercise. And get some fresh, local craft beer.

The Best Pizza Shops in Natick

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:37:00 GMT

For real, our town has a ton of [places to get pizza](/business/dining/pizza/). In fact, there are 18 places where you can order up some za. True story. That makes it quite complicated to pick the best pizza in town. How does one determine the best pizza? Is it purely based on taste? Is it the right combination of size, quality, and price? Is it the ability to get slices, or perhaps, the diversity of the menu? Let's take a look at the best pizza shops in Natick. ## The old school pizza joints Let's start with all of the pizza places that have 20+ years under their belt. This includes places like [Theo's Pizza](/theos-pizza/) up by Wilson Middle School. It also includes [Liberty's](/libertys-pizza/), [Corrados](/corrados-subs/), [George's](/georges-pizza/), [Pizza Plus](/pizza-plus/), and [Peddler](/pizza-peddler-deli/)(as the locals refer to it). One subset this leaves out is the pizza at the Natick Mall. [Sbarro](/sbarro/) and [California Pizza Kitchen](/california-pizza-kitchen/) also, surprisingly, have 20+ years of residency here in town. And let's not forget [Ziti's](/zitis/), a full-service [Italian restaurant](/business/dining/italian/). ## Experienced pizza shops It's hard to believe that [Comella's](/comellas/) is closing in on its first decade in town. And, non-90s, now-mainstays like [Lola's](/lolas-italian-groceria/), [The Pizza Shop at South Natick](/pizza-shop-south-natick/), [Bill's](/bills-pizza/), [Nick's](/nicks-pizza-house/) and [Giovanni's](/giovannis-famous-pizza/) have carved out their space in town. And, let's not forget [Little Lola's](/little-lolas/) down by the Falls. ## The new pizza players Even though the storefronts remain the same, pizza shops like [Pizza by Rocco](/pizza-by-rocco/), [Brooklyn New York Pizza](/brooklyn-new-york-pizza/), and [Mingalien's Trattoria](/mingaliens-trattoria/) have recently come on the scene. Plus, Floridian-chain, [Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza](/anthonys-coal-fired-pizza/) has graced Natick with its presence. ## But who has the best pizza in town? Having never sampled pizza from a coal fired oven, we can't say for sure. Does Mingalien's produce the same results that its predecessor Natalie's did? If so, then it would probably be them. Or, is it Brooklyn Pizza, because we believe that some of the Natalie's folks ended up there? The truth is that we need to order from all of the new pizza players to be able to make this call. Updates to follow.