The Best Things to Do Around Natick This Weekend
Natick offers a lot of diverse activity options based on how the town is set up geographically. For instance, in the North you have an array of dining and shopping options, while in the South you have a variety of outdoor activities to experience.
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 throughout the day.
Let's see how this plays out, and, see if we can't just pull this off in the time allowed.
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, 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 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 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.
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.
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, or to play a round at Sassamon Trace, but exceptional fun can only be had at the Village Green on Route 9.
12pm-1pm Shop @ The Natick Mall
With an aastonishing ~2 million square feet 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, 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.
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 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, 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 in 2021, so consider a small donation to help this fantastic non-profit rebuild ... because a farm should have a barn.
4pm-5pm Afternoon Snack @ Lookout Farm
Relax with a warm pretzel and a craft beer in Lookout Farm's Greenhouse 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.
5pm-6pm Swim @ Dug Pond
A visit to Memorial Beach for a dip in 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.
6pm-7pm Dinner @ Agostino's Italian Restaurant
Agostino's 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.
7pm-8pm Ice Cream @ Park Street
Park Street 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.
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, as their performances are really first rate.
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 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 just up the hill.
It's also a great place to just read a book. But grab a coffee, because the falls might just lull you to sleep.