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Natick is a town of about 37,000 people in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, roughly 15 miles west of Boston. It was founded in 1651 by the Puritan missionary John Eliot as a praying town for Christian Native Americans, the first of its kind, and later grew into a shoemaking center. Henry Wilson, a Natick cobbler, rose to become Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant.
Today Natick mixes a lively town center, quiet historic villages and one of New England's largest shopping malls. Natick Center has a classic common, independent shops and The Center for Arts in Natick, set in a restored firehouse. In South Natick, the Bacon Free Library houses the Natick Historical Society, and the riverside Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary protects woods and marshes along the Charles River.
Every April, the Boston Marathon runs straight through town. Lake Cochituate and the Cochituate Rail Trail offer swimming, paddling and easy biking, and Boston, Wellesley and Framingham are all a short train ride or drive away.
One of the largest shopping malls in New England, on Route 9 in Natick, with department stores, upscale and mainstream brands, a food court and many restaurants. It is a popular rainy-day stop. Weekends get busy, so come on a weekday morning, and use the parking garages closest to the store you want.
A state park on Lake Cochituate, a chain of ponds shared with Wayland and Framingham, with a swimming beach, picnic areas, a boat ramp and kayak and paddleboard rentals in summer. It is a favorite summer escape for local families. Parking fills on hot weekends, so arrive early.
A Mass Audubon sanctuary in South Natick with about nine miles of trails through woods, meadows and marshes along the Charles River and Indian Brook. Boardwalks lead into wetlands where beavers, herons and turtles live. There is an entry fee for non-members; bring binoculars and bug spray.
A paved rail trail on a former railroad line running from Natick Center north toward Saxonville in Framingham, crossing Lake Cochituate on a historic stone arch and a new bridge. It is flat and ideal for walking, running and family bike rides. Start near Natick Center and ride north for lake views.
The town common at the heart of Natick Center, ringed by churches, the library and historic buildings, with independent shops, cafes and restaurants on nearby streets. It hosts a farmers market and seasonal events. The commuter rail stop is a short walk away, making it an easy car-free outing from Boston.
Known as TCAN, this nonprofit arts center occupies a restored 1875 firehouse in Natick Center. It presents folk, rock, jazz and comedy shows in an intimate theater, along with classes and community events. Seats are close to the stage, so it is a great place to see acclaimed performers up close.
A small museum on the lower floor of the Bacon Free Library in historic South Natick, with exhibits on John Eliot's praying town, Native American history, shoemaking and local families. Hours are limited, so check before visiting, and stroll around the South Natick village green and the Charles River dam afterward.
A tiny preserved shoe shop where Henry Wilson worked as a cobbler before entering politics and becoming Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant. The building is a reminder of Natick's shoemaking past. It is open only occasionally, so view it from outside or check with the historical society for open days.
Each April on Patriots' Day, the Boston Marathon passes through Natick along Route 135, close to the 10-mile mark. Natick Center is one of the liveliest places to watch, with crowds, music and cheering for the runners. Arrive early, take the train if you can, and expect road closures all morning.
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