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Things To Do in Medford, Massachusetts

Mystic River Reservation

This scenic parkland along the Mystic River offers walking trails, picnic areas, and beautiful water views perfect for outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, fishing, and bird watching in this peaceful natural setting just minutes from downtown Boston.

Scenic river with walking trails

Phone: (617) 626-1250

Mass.gov – Mystic River Reservation

Isaac Royall House Museum

Step back in time at this beautifully preserved 1732 Georgian mansion that tells the complex story of colonial America. The house offers guided tours showcasing period furnishings, architecture, and exhibits about the enslaved people who lived and worked here.

Colonial mansion with period architecture

Phone: (781) 396-9032

Royall House Association

Wright’s Tower (Wright’s Pond)

This historic stone observation tower offers panoramic views of the Boston skyline and surrounding areas. Built in the early 1900s, visitors can climb to the top for spectacular photo opportunities and enjoy the peaceful pond setting below.

Stone observation tower with scenic views

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Middlesex Fells Reservation (East)

Explore over 2,500 acres of pristine wilderness featuring hiking trails, rock formations, and diverse wildlife just minutes from the city. This outdoor paradise offers activities for all skill levels including mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and nature photography.

Forest hiking trails with rock formations

Phone: (781) 662-5230

DCR – Middlesex Fells

Condon Shell Bandstand

This charming outdoor venue hosts free summer concerts and community events in a beautiful park setting. Bring a blanket and enjoy live music performances ranging from classical to contemporary while surrounded by mature trees and well-maintained gardens.

Outdoor bandstand in park setting

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Brooks Estate Park

This 26-acre park features walking trails, sports fields, and playground areas perfect for family outings. The park includes tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and open spaces ideal for picnics, dog walking, and recreational activities.

Community park with sports fields and trails

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Peter Tufts House

Visit one of New England’s oldest brick houses, built around 1677-1678, for a fascinating glimpse into 17th-century colonial life. This remarkabley preserved First Period house offers guided tours showcasing original architectural features and period artifacts.

Historic 17th century brick house

Phone: (781) 391-6290

Medford Historical Society

Mystic Lakes

These pristine freshwater lakes offer excellent fishing, boating, and scenic walking opportunities in a tranquil natural setting. The lakes are popular for kayaking and canoeing, with several access points and beautiful views of the surrounding conservation land.

Peaceful lakes with boating opportunities

Phone: (781) 662-5230

DCR – Mystic Lakes

Chevalier Theatre

This intimate venue hosts live performances including music concerts, comedy shows, and theatrical productions in a cozy setting. The theatre features excellent acoustics and close-up seating that creates an engaging experience for audiences of all ages.

Intimate theater with stage lighting

Phone: (781) 391-7469

Chevalier Theatre

Spot Pond

This beautiful 307-acre reservoir offers fishing, scenic drives, and peaceful walking paths with stunning views of the surrounding hills. Popular activities include photography, bird watching, and enjoying spectacular sunsets from the shoreline areas.

Large pond with scenic mountain backdrop

Phone: (781) 662-5230

DCR – Spot Pond

Amelia Earhart Playstead

This family-friendly recreation area features modern playground equipment, sports courts, and open fields perfect for children and active families. The playstead includes basketball courts, updated play structures, and plenty of space for outdoor games and activities.

Modern playground with sports facilities

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Medford Public Library

This beautiful 1904 Carnegie library offers more than books, hosting regular cultural events, art exhibitions, and community programs. Visitors can explore local history collections, attend author readings, and enjoy the building’s stunning classical architecture and peaceful reading rooms.

Classical library building with columns

Phone: (781) 395-7950

Medford Public Library

Oak Grove Cemetery

This peaceful Victorian-era cemetery offers quiet walks among beautiful monuments and mature trees, providing a serene escape from city life. The cemetery features notable architectural elements, sculptural monuments, and serves as an outdoor museum of 19th-century funerary art.

Peaceful cemetery with historic monuments

Phone: (781) 393-2487

Cemetery Department

Medford Square

The heart of downtown Medford offers charming shops, restaurants, and cafes in a walkable historic setting. Visitors can browse local businesses, enjoy diverse dining options, and experience the community atmosphere of this traditional New England town center.

Charming downtown square with shops

Phone: (781) 393-2424

Medford Square Business

Tufts Park

This neighborhood park provides a perfect spot for families with young children, featuring updated playground equipment and open green spaces. The park includes picnic areas, walking paths, and recreational facilities that make it a popular gathering place for local residents.

Neighborhood park with playground equipment

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Dugger Park

This waterfront park along the Mystic River offers scenic walking paths, fishing spots, and beautiful river views perfect for relaxation. The park features benches, open lawns, and direct access to the water making it ideal for peaceful afternoon visits and photography.

Waterfront park with river views

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Haines Recreation Park

This active recreation area features tennis courts, basketball courts, and sports fields used for community leagues and casual play. The park also includes a playground, walking paths, and plenty of space for outdoor activities and community events.

Recreation park with sports courts

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Magoun Square

This vibrant neighborhood hub offers eclectic dining, shopping, and entertainment options with a distinctly local character. Visitors can explore unique boutiques, enjoy craft coffee shops, and sample diverse cuisine from family-owned restaurants that reflect Medford’s multicultural community.

Vibrant neighborhood shopping district

Phone: N/A

Magoun Square Business

Lawrence Memorial Hospital Heritage Garden

This peaceful healing garden provides a tranquil space for reflection and relaxation with beautiful landscaping and seating areas. The garden features native plants, walking paths, and artistic elements designed to promote wellness and provide a serene escape.

Peaceful hospital healing garden

Phone: (781) 306-6000

Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Medford Farmers Market

This seasonal market brings together local vendors offering fresh produce, artisanal foods, and handcrafted goods in a lively community atmosphere. Visitors can sample local specialties, meet area farmers, and enjoy live music while shopping for farm-fresh ingredients and unique gifts.

Bustling farmers market with fresh produce

Phone: (781) 393-2424

Economic Development

Hillside Park

This hillside location offers elevated views of the surrounding area along with recreational facilities and walking trails. The park features playground equipment, open fields for sports, and scenic overlooks that provide excellent vantage points for photography and sightseeing.

Hillside park with scenic overlooks

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Barry Park

This neighborhood park provides essential recreational space with basketball courts, playground equipment, and open areas for community gatherings. The park serves as a hub for local activities and offers a safe, well-maintained environment for families and children to play and exercise.

Community park with basketball courts

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Wellington Station Area

This transit-oriented area offers shopping, dining, and entertainment options with easy access to Boston via the MBTA Orange Line. Visitors can explore Assembly Row nearby, enjoy waterfront dining, and take advantage of convenient public transportation to explore the greater Boston area.

Modern transit station with shopping area

Phone: (617) 222-3200

MBTA Wellington Station

Playstead Park

This expansive recreational area features multiple sports fields, tennis courts, and a track facility popular with joggers and fitness enthusiasts. The park hosts youth sports leagues and community events while providing ample space for pickup games and outdoor exercise activities.

Large sports complex with multiple fields

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Riverside Yacht Club

This waterfront facility offers sailing lessons, boat rentals, and scenic river access for water sports enthusiasts. While primarily a private club, they offer public programs and events that provide opportunities to experience sailing and boating on the beautiful Mystic River.

Waterfront yacht club with sailboats

Phone: (781) 396-8888

Riverside Yacht Club

Medford Arts Center

This community arts facility hosts rotating exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events featuring local artists and performers. Visitors can view contemporary art displays, participate in hands-on creative workshops, and attend special events that celebrate the vibrant local arts scene.

Contemporary arts center with gallery space

Phone: (781) 393-2504

Medford Arts Center

Pine Banks Park

This shared park between Medford and Malden offers extensive hiking trails, disc golf, and beautiful forest scenery perfect for nature lovers. The park features well-maintained trails suitable for all skill levels, making it ideal for family hikes, bird watching, and peaceful woodland walks.

Wooded park with hiking trails

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Medford Community Gardens

These neighborhood gardens provide a peaceful oasis where visitors can learn about sustainable gardening and enjoy beautiful seasonal plantings. The gardens offer educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and a chance to connect with the local community while exploring organic growing practices.

Community garden with raised beds

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Fellsmere Park

This waterfront park along the Mystic River offers fishing opportunities, walking paths, and scenic picnic areas with beautiful water views. The park provides direct access to the river for kayaking and features benches and open spaces perfect for relaxing while watching boats pass by.

Waterfront park with fishing pier

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Hormel Stadium

This athletic facility hosts high school sports events and community athletic programs in a well-maintained stadium setting. Visitors can attend exciting football games, track meets, and other sporting events while supporting local teams and enjoying the community spirit of Medford athletics.

Athletic stadium with track and field

Phone: (781) 393-2168

Medford Public Schools

Medford Senior Center

This active community center offers programs, events, and activities for visitors of all ages including fitness classes, social events, and educational workshops. The center hosts community meetings, cultural presentations, and provides a welcoming space for residents to gather and participate in local activities.

Modern community center building

Phone: (781) 393-2408

Medford Senior Services

Grace Episcopal Church Garden

This peaceful church garden provides a quiet retreat with beautiful landscaping, walking paths, and meditation areas open to the public. The garden features seasonal plantings, historic monuments, and serves as a tranquil space for reflection and quiet contemplation in the heart of the city.

Peaceful church garden with flowers

Phone: (781) 396-1246

Grace Episcopal Church

Medford Boat Club

This waterfront facility offers rowing programs, boat storage, and river access for water sports enthusiasts of all skill levels. The club provides learn-to-row programs, hosts regattas, and offers visitors the opportunity to experience the sport of rowing on the scenic Mystic River.

Rowing club with boats on river

Phone: (781) 396-7722

Medford Boat Club

Roberts Playground

This family-friendly neighborhood playground features modern equipment, basketball courts, and open play areas perfect for children and families. The playground includes updated safety surfaces, age-appropriate play structures, and provides a safe environment for active play and community gathering.

Modern playground with safety equipment

Phone: (781) 393-2481

Medford Parks & Recreation

Columbus Elementary School Playground

This public school playground is open to the community during non-school hours and features excellent recreational facilities for families. The playground includes modern equipment, sports courts, and open fields that provide safe play opportunities for children of various ages.

School playground with multiple play areas

Phone: (781) 393-2168

Medford Public Schools

Mystic Wellington Yacht Club

This waterfront club offers sailing programs, social events, and beautiful river views for boating enthusiasts and visitors interested in maritime activities. The club hosts public events, sailing instruction, and provides access to one of the area’s premier boating communities on the Mystic River.

Yacht club with sailboats and marina

Phone: (781) 395-9434

Mystic Wellington Yacht Club

Medford Historical Society & Museum

This local museum showcases Medford’s rich history through exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs that bring the past to life. Visitors can explore displays about local industry, notable residents, and community development while learning about the city’s important role in American history.

Local history museum with exhibits

Phone: (781) 391-6290

Medford Historical Society

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