'''Worcester''' [http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us] is located in central Massachusetts approximately 45 mi. (72 km) west of Boston.

Understand

Worcester was established as a town on June 14, 1722 and as a city on February 29, 1848. It has a population of 172,648 as of the 2000 Census and is the second largest city in New England, behind Boston. Worcester is the home of nine colleges and universities, the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, the Massachusetts Bio-Technology Research Park, and the American Antiquarian Society. Despite their large number, Worcester's colleges and universities have not left much of an imprint on the overall feel of the city--for better and for worse, it is not the least bit a college town. Worcester has a very low rate of violent crime compared to the comparably sized city Providence, Rhode Island. It also has lots of parks, greenspace, small bodies of water, and tree-lined streets.

Get in

By plane

  • '''Worcester Regional Airport''' ({{IATA|ORH}}) ({{ICAO|KORH}}), 375 Airport Drive, 1-888-359-9672, [http://www.flyworcester.com] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcester_Regional_Airport]. As of March 2009, there is one airline, Direct Air providing three scheduled flights per week to Sanford FL (near Orlando) with three flights to Punta Gorda, FL (near FT Myers), and two flights to Myrtle Beach SC commencing in April/May 2009 [http://www.visitdirectair.com/flights/timetable/]. Service is actually provided by Virgin America (to Florida) and USA Jet Airlines (to Myrtle Beach).
  • Logan International Airport in Boston or T.F. Green Airport in Warwick carry the bulk of passengers in the area.
  • By train

  • '''MBTA's''' [http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=WORCSTER Framingham Worcester Line]: $7.75 one way. Often takes an hour to an hour and a half, between South Station in Boston and Union Station in Worcester, depending on if on a local or express train.
  • '''Amtrak''', 2 Washington Sq. (Union Station), [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080552076&ssid=93]. There is a daily train from Boston to Chicago that stops in Worcester (it runs direct to Albany, where a transfer is required). This train also arrives from Chicago every day, but Amtrak does not accept boardings at Worcester in the direction of Boston (though you may ride from Boston to Worcester). In most cases, train travel to Worcester is most reliably and conveniently made by travelling to Boston on Amtrak, then on MBTA to Worcester (or vice versa).
  • By bus

  • '''Greyhound Bus Lines''' and '''Peter Pan bus Lines''', 2 Washington Sq. (Union Station), ''+1'' 508-754-1102. Greyhound online, [http://www.greyhound.com], phone 1-800-231-2222].
  • Peter Pan online, 800-343-9999, [http://www.peterpanbus.com]. Peter Pan website info for Worcester schedules is often unreliable, so it's better to call for information. One-way fares for all buses to and from Boston start at about $8.
  • By car

  • Worcester is well served by '''highways'''. Interstate 290 runs through Worcester and connects to Interstate 495, Interstate 190, Interstate 395, and Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike).
  • From New York: '''Ramon's Transportation''', Phone: ''+1'' 508-754-2207. $35 one way, and they will drive you directly to your destination in Worcester. They pickup in Washington Heights, near the 1/9. Call for directions to the pickup. Expect a fast ride and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggaeton reggaeton].
  • Get around

    Many of Worcester's points of interest are far spaced from one another. The only practical way to get around is by car. Public transit in Worcester is focused mainly on commuters. Cabs are no longer inexpensive, and are often more expensive per mile than cabs in other cities. If you're there for more than just a visit, bicycles are available from many used stores and are the best way to get around and explore. Buses in the city usually run every 30 to 60 minutes, with some running only every two hours depending on the route. Fare is $1.25 with an extra 25 cents for a transfer. Schedules are often been cut back and revised, and routes have been frequently eliminated. Buses on certain routes are often a half hour or more late, but be at your stop early as they often fly by a few minutes early in order to catch up for previous late stops.

    Bus

  • '''Worcester Regional Transit Authority''', 287 Grove St., [http://www.therta.com/]. Phone "+1" 508-791-WRTA
  • Taxi

  • '''Yellow Cab''', Phone: ''+1'' 508-754-3211.
  • '''Red Cab''', Phone: ''+1'' 508-792-9999 or ''+1'' 508-756-9000.
  • See

  • '''The Higgins Armory Museum''', 100 Barber Av., Phone: ''+1'' 508-853-6015, (''email: mailto:higgins@higgins.org''), [http://www.higgins.org/]. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 12PM-4PM. Prides itself on being "The only Museum in the Western Hemisphere solely dedicated to the collection of arms, armor and art." 5000 objects on 4 floors. $8, seniors and ages 6-16 $7, under 6 free.
  • '''Worcester Art Museum''', 55 Salisbury St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-759-4406, [http://www.worcesterart.org/]. W-Su 11AM-5PM, Th 11AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. Plenty of great exhibits! Also free on Saturdays before noon. Lots of great art here! $10, students and under 17 free.
  • '''EcoTarium - A Museum of Science and Nature''', 222 Harrington Way, Phone: ''+1'' 508-929-2700, Fax: ''+1'' 508-929-2701, (''email: mailto:eco@ecotarium.org''), [http://www.ecotarium.org/]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Great zoo with a Polar bear and working, kid-sized diesel train and more. $10; Seniors, students ages 3-18 $8. Planetarium, train, tree walkway are extra.
  • '''Worcester Historical Museum''', 30 Elm Street, Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-8278, [http://www.worcesterhistory.org/]. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Th 10AM-8:30PM.
  • '''Worcester Union Station''', 2 Washington Sq. Worcester's pride and joy. This amazing work of art dates back to the glory days of rail roads, tycoons, and Worcester's position as the home to Pullman's Dining Car Company. Abandoned in the 1970s, it was revived to it's original glory in 2000 after a $32 million dollar campaign to save the station. Notice the turn of the century relics as you walk in (such as marble walls and thirty foot ceilings).
  • '''Burnside Fountain''', located on the south side of the Worcester Common, is known to locals as "The Turtle-Boy Love Statue". The fountain features a boy and a turtle engaged in what many observers believe to be an obscene act. Not many people know what it truly represents, so judge for yourself.
  • Do

    Festivals

  • '''First Night Worcester''', Dec. 31-Jan 1. Usher in the new year. Cultural events throughout downtown. Fireworks. Childrens parade. International food court [http://www.firstnightworcester.org/]
  • '''Worcester St. Patrick's Day Parade''', Mid-March. Park Ave. One of the largest Irish Parades in the state.
  • '''Albanian Festival''', early June, alternating odd numbered years, St. Mary's Albanian Orthodox Church. Largest Albanian festival in the country[http://stmarysalbanianchurch.org/Festival2007/index.html]
  • '''Grecian Festival''', early June, alternating even numbered years. St. Spyridon Church. One of the largest Greek Festivals in New England with over 25,000 attendees[http://www.spyridoncathedral.org/grecianfestival/about.asp]
  • '''Summer Nationals''', July 4 weekend, hot rods and fancy cars take over Green Hill Park and downtown Worcester [http://www.summernationals.com/index2.html]
  • '''Italian Festival''', mid-August, Mt. Carmel Church. Very popular annual festival in the city (which did not happen in 2007).
  • '''Latin American Festival''', Mid-August, City Hall, Downtown Worcester. One of the largest Latin American festivals in New England.
  • '''Pet Rock Festival''', early September, held at Quinsigamond Community College. Largest non-profit animal benefit in New England. Held annually to make money for shelters and other animal related services. "They can't talk so we will." www.petrockfest.com
  • Sports and Outdoors

  • '''New England Surge''', DCU Center, [http://www.newenglandsurge.com/]. Mar-Jun. Professional Indoor Football. Inaugural season in 2007.
  • '''Worcester Sharks''', DCU Center, [http://www.sharksahl.com/index.asp]. Oct-Apr. American Hockey League. Development affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks.
  • '''Worcester Tornadoes''', Fitton Field, [http://www.worcestertornadoes.com/]. May-Sep. Playing baseball in the Canadian-American League, they began playing in Worcester in 2005 and won the Canadian American Championship against Quebec in just three games. People seem to love the Tornadoes.
  • '''Worcester Green Hill Municipal Golf Club''', 2 Green Hill Av., Phone: ''+1'' 508-799-1359. Apr-mid Dec. 18 hole, 6487 yds, Par 72, CR-70.4, S-122. Public.
  • '''Quinsigamond State Park''', 10 North Lake Av., Phone: ''+1'' 508-755-6880, [http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/quin.htm]. Swimming, sailing, fishing, picnicking. Rest rooms, showers.
  • Arts and Theater

  • '''Music Worcester''', Mechanics Hall, 323 Main St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-754-3231, [http://www.musicworcester.org/]. Presenter of the Worcester Music Festival(the oldest Music Festival in the United States), the International Artist Series and the Mass Jazz Festival.
  • '''Foothills Theater''', 100 Front St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-754-4018, [http://www.foothillstheatre.com/]. Worcester's professional theater company.
  • '''ArtsWorcester''', 660 Main St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-755-5142, [http://www.artsworcester.org/]. Organization which promotes art programs and exhibitions throughout the city. Schedule available.
  • Also, try The Palladium. Many great bands have playted, and still do play. Upstairs and downstairs stage. Highly reccommened.

    Entertainment Arenas

  • '''DCU Center''', 50 Foster St., Phone: ''+1+'' 508-755-6800, Fax: ''+1'' 508-929-0011, [http://www.dcucenter.com/]. Over 14,000 seat arena. Convention facilities, concerts, trade shows, sporting events.
  • '''Hanover Theatre''', 554 Main St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-770-0101, [http://www.hanovertheatre.org/]. This 2300 seat theater finished renovations March 2008
  • '''Mechanics Hall''', 321 Main St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-752-5608.[http://www.mechanicshall.org/]. pre Civil War era Concert Hall. Grand Hall seating 1,600. Concerts(classical,jazz,popular music),lectures,business meetings.
  • '''Palladium''', 261 Main St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-797-9696, Fax:508-791-7101.[http://www.thepalladium.net/]. Concerts (popular,rock).
  • Learn

    Worcester boasts a fair number of colleges and universities in its region.

  • '''Assumption College''', 500 Salisbury St., [http://www.assumption.edu/].
  • '''Becker College''', 61 Sever St., [http://www.beckercollege.edu/].
  • '''Clark University''', 950 Main St., [http://www.clarku.edu/].
  • '''College of the Holy Cross''', 1 College St., [http://www.holycross.edu/].
  • '''Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences''', 19 Foster St., [http://www.mcphs.edu/]
  • '''Quinsigamond Community College''', 670 West Boylston St., [http://www.qcc.edu/].
  • '''University of Massachusetts Medical School''', 55 Lake Ave N, [http://www.umassmed.edu/].
  • '''Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)''', 100 Institute Rd., [http://www.wpi.edu/].
  • '''Worcester State College''', 486 Chandler St., [http://www.worcester.edu/].
  • Buy

  • '''Mid Town Mall''', Main St. ''directly across from Worcester Commons''. The decor is from the 70s, and there's a broken escalator leading down to a nearly abandoned lower level. Good food too. A wonderful spot of local color. The downtown sections of Worcester are run down and scary but also quite fascinating.
  • '''Greendale Mall''', Gold Star Blvd. Still pretty small by modern standards, but with all of the required stores for a simple stock up.
  • '''That's Entertainment''', 244 Park Av., Phone: ''+1'' 508-755-4207. If you have any interest in comic books, sci-fi, horror, fantasy, roleplaying, etc, check this out.
  • '''Hung Thinh Oriental Market''', 15 Parker St., sells whole, frozen [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian durian].
  • '''Happy Birthday Mike Leslie''', 420 Pleasant St., [http://www.hbml.org]. Visionary junk store that sells ball gowns, trading cards, shrunken heads, and old phone books. Also zines, tapes, cds, posters, and clothing from local artistes. open Wednesday Thursday Friday 2 - 7pm.
  • TUSH Denim Boutique. 38 Green Street. alf Block from Kelly Square - Across from Block 5 Bistro. 08-791-8874. ttp://www.tushdenim.com. 1AM-6PM. Womans & Mens Designer Denim Boutique and Accessories

    Eat

    Breakfast

    For breakfast the wealth of diners opens up and it is near impossible to choose. Here are some of the most cool and comfy:

  • '''Corner Lunch''', 133 Lamartine St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-799-9866. (A famous DeRaffelle diner.)
  • '''Parkway Diner''', 148 Shrewsbury St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-9968.
  • '''Jeans Place''', 136 Cambridge St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-9466.
  • '''Annie's Clark Brunch''' (formally known as Wendy's). Regulars are allowed a tab.)
  • '''Boulevard Diner''', 155 Shrewsbury St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-791-4535 A favorite among college students, open 24 hours.
  • '''Gold Star Restaurant''', 68 W Boylston Dr., Phone: ''+1'' 508-852-7900.
  • Inexpensive

  • '''Coney Island Hot Dogs''', 158 Southbridge Street, Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-4362, Open W-M. (best hot dogs, best sign) If you go to Coney Island, make sure you go into the bar. The bartender will get you your hot dogs and beer, letting you skip the line.
  • '''Long Island Hot Dogs''', 68 Stafford Street, Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-9223. (best burger) A true diamond in the rough. A real greasy spoon dinner hidden in a stripmall.
  • '''New England Roast Beef''', 33 Park Avenue, Phone: ''+1'' 508 -756-1991. (best roast beef) Hands down the best roast beef in central Massachusetts, and maybe all of New England, however their hours are more limited than many of Worcester's dining options.
  • Mid-range

  • '''Boynton Restaurant''', 117 Highland St., Phone: 508-756-8458, [http://www.boyntonrestaurant.com/].
  • '''O'Connor's Restaurant & Bar''', 1160 West Boylston St., Phone: 508-853-0789, [http://www.oconnorsrestaurant.com/].
  • '''Viva Bene Restaurant''', 144 Commercial St. Phone: 508-797-0007, [http://www.viva-bene.com/].
  • '''Webster House Restaurant''', 1 Webster St. (Webster Square), Phone: 508-757-7208, [http://www.websterhouseweb.com/first_frameset.html].
  • Splurge

    Too often, fine dining in Worcester just means paying more for a superficially fancy setting, so beware.

  • '''111 Chop House''', 111 Shrewsbury St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-799-4111,[http://www.111chophouse.com/].
  • '''Block 5''', 139 Green St. (Across from TUSH Denim Boutique), Phone: ''+1'' 508-767-3483,[http://www.block5bistro.com/]. Modern American.
  • '''Coral Seafood Restaurant''', 225 Shrewsbury St., Phone: 508-755-8331.
  • '''The Flying Rhino Cafe and Watering Hole''', 278 Shrewsbury St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-757-1450. Much more excellent than the name suggests, [http://www.flyingrhinocafe.com/].
  • '''The Harlequin''', 363 Plantation St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-754-5789. At the Beechwood.
  • '''Maxwell Silvermans Toolhouse''', Worcester Center Blvd. ''Near Lincoln Sq.'', 508-755-1200. Restored factory building.
  • '''Rovezzi's''', 108 Grove St.,(3rd floor Northworks building), Phone: 508-753-4511, [http://www.rovezzis.com/].
  • '''Sole Proprietor''', 118 Highland Av., Phone: ''+1'' 508-798-3474, [http://www.thesole.com/]. Excellent seafood and fish market. While entree prices can be quite steep, the Kettle Menu in the bar area is filled with a variety of appetizer options that can be quite filling.
  • Pizza

    Greek style:

  • '''Road Runner Pizza''', 3 Hamilton St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-797-0314. Open 11A.M.-2:30A.M.
  • '''Tech Pizza''', 137 Highland St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-752-2133.
  • '''Fantastic''', 910 Main St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-798-5577. Also has fallafel.
  • '''A&V Pizza''', 344 Grafton St., Phone: "+1" 508-757-5016. Nice seating with window booths.
  • '''White City Pizza''', 120 Boston Tpke "+1" 508-757-1022. Booths & beer on tap.
  • '''Franco's Pizza''', 1105 W Boylston St., Phone: "+1" 508-853-7700.
  • Thinner crust:

  • '''Blue Jeans''', 270 Park Av., Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-3777.
  • '''Wonderbar''', 121 Shrewsbury St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-752-9909.
  • '''Mikey's Pizza''', 370 Burncoat St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-852-5255.
  • '''Pops New York Style Pizza''', 1102 Pleasant St # D., Phone: ''+1'' 508-754-7365.
  • Gourmet Pizza:

  • '''Corner Grill''', 806 Pleasant St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-754-8884, [http://www.cornergrille.com/].
  • '''Juniors Pizza Grill''', 346 Shrewsbury St., Phone: 508-459-5800.
  • Ethnic Restaurants

    You could spend a lifetime going to the following restaurants in rotation:

    Jamaican

  • '''Caribbean Delights''', Chandler at Piedmont, lots of meat, patties, roti.
  • '''One Love''', Main St at Castle, next to the Artichoke Co-op. Great roti, other nice entrees, romantic, quaint dining. Perfect for dates or a nice night out with friends. BYOB. Fresh fruit in water. Patties for lunch for $1.50.
  • Vietnamese

  • '''Pho Dakao''', 593 Main St., Extensive Vietnamese menu from appetizers and pho (noodle soup) to chicken, beef, pork, and seafood entrees and a good selection of vegetarian options. All the food is excellent and though some of the staff speak limited English, service is courteous and good. Atmosphere is pleasant and comfortable, not too fancy. Recommended dishes include the Papya Salad with beef, the Chicken and Vermecelli with mint, lettuce, and cucumber, the Salted Squid, and the Vegetable Medley (with or without tofu or chicken).
  • '''Saigon''', 976 Main St. Most of the entrees are delicious. The #92 is a favorite. Also make sure to get the tofu mushroom rolls appetizer and an avocado milkshake. Who could resist this restaurant!
  • '''Dalat''', 425 Park Av., Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-6036. Vegetarians, get #37 in the Spring and Summer months, and #86 in the Fall and Winter. Avocado milkshake is a favorite of course, and can be made with soy milk by request. Also try the durian milkshake, which is tasty despite smelling like serious foot.
  • '''Ba Le Boston''', 878 Main St. ''near Clark University'', Phone: ''+1'' 508-798-8856. Tofu sandwich.
  • Japanese/Sushi

  • '''Haiku''', 258 Park Ave., Phone: 508-459-3033.
  • '''Sakura Tokyo''', 640 Park Ave., Phone: 508-792-1068, [http://www.sakura-tokyo.com/].
  • '''Takara Restaurant''', 10 Kelly Square., Phone: 508-791-1140.
  • '''Zipango''', 270 Shrewsbury St. Phone: 508-754-8047, [http://www.zipango-sushi.com/].
  • Latino

  • '''Pupuseria La Salvadorena''', 82 Pleasant St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-756-5586. This place makes pupusas, has a great burrito, and has the best nachos in the city, if you ask them to hold the meat: homemade guacamole, homemade tortilla chips, and plenty of salad and sour cream. $1 for a full plate of steaming hot sweet plantains.
  • '''Sabanas''', Midtown Mall, Front St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-767-1820. Sabanas is conveniently located downtown in the midtown mall (directly opposite the Common on its north side).
  • '''Maria's Kitchen''', 826 Main St., 508-797-3380. Liveliest restaurant in the heart of Main South. Great Dominican cuisine. Large portions, great selection.
  • '''Kilo Amigo''', 214 Chandler Street, 508-753-9222. Brazilian selection. Fill your own plate with what you want and weigh it up to pay.
  • '''Sazon Latino''', 130 Chandler Street, 508-797-5645. Fantastic Dominican food. Fast Service. Friendly atmosphere.
  • '''El Buen Sabor''', 59 Chandler St., 508-754-2041. If you're looking to have a meeting this is a great place. Quiet with rearrangeable tables. Try the bacalao!
  • '''La Delicia''', 296 Pleasant Street, 508-754-5558. In a city with several choices for rice and beans, La Delicia comes out on top.
  • Italian

  • '''Castellana's''', 90 Harding St., Phone: 508-757-5575, [http://www.castellanasdining.com/].
  • '''Dino's Restaurant''', 13 Lord St., Phone: 508-753-9978, [http://www.dineatdinos.com/index.htm].
  • '''Leo's Ristorante''', 11 Brackett Ct., Phone: 508-753-9490.
  • '''Wholly Cannoli''', 488 Grafton St., Phone: 508-753-0224, [http://www.whollycannoli.com/]. As the name suggests, there is a plethora of delicious cannoli offerings, as well as some sandwiches and other Italian baked goods available.
  • Middle Eastern

  • '''Amelia's Bakery''', Pleasant St. ''(near Irving St. two blocks uphill from Main St.)'' Closes at 2:30pm. Best falafel in Worcester, and a cute table in the front window. Opposite Pupuseria Salvadorena.
  • '''Lee's Bakery''', 98 Hamilton St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-755-7014. Lebanese.
  • '''El Basha''', 256 Park Ave and 424 Belmont St., [http://www.elbasharestaurant.com/home.html]. Best Lebanese restaurants in MA. The Belmont Street location is better.
  • '''Sahara''', 143 Highland St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-798-2181.
  • '''Shiraz''', 259 Park Av., Phone: "+1" 508-767-1639. Armenian.
  • '''Fantastics Pizza''', 910 Main St., Phone: 508-798-5577. Falafel, baba ganouj, hummus, and an eggplant gyro. Also Middle Eastern meat dishes and a standard pizza shop menu too.
  • Vegetarian / Vegan

  • '''Quan Yin''', 56 Hamilton St., Phone: 508-831-1322. An all vegan fake meat restaurant by run by followers of Suma Ching Hai (the "Suma" is a contraction for "Supreme Master"). Great mock foods. The fake cheeseburger is a secret item: not on the menu but always deliciously available.
  • '''Udupi Bhavan''', near 364 Maple Ave. in Shrewsbury, in plaza w/ Price Chopper (phone?). All-vegetarian South Indian restaurant. Even when Udupi was 40 minutes away in Framingham, it was still worth the trip (more like a pilgrimage) for Worcester vegetarians. They have many dishes (like the crepe-like "dosai") that aren't on the mostly-identical menus of New England's Indian restaurants, so it's well worth a visit for any fan of Indian food. Uses ghee, so many dishes aren't vegan. Get the samosa chat and the almond and ice cream dessert. BYOB on weeknights. Closed Tuesday.
  • '''Saigon''', 976b Main St., Phone: 508-799-5250. Vietnamese with exciting vegetarian offerings. Don't even look at the menu and order the #92 (warning: spicy). After that, get the vegetable hot and sour soup.
  • '''Tortilla Sams''', 107 Highland St., Phone: 508-756-SAMS. This is Worcester's best tex-mex restaurant. It has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Even the red chili can be made vegan, so just ask your server. They sometimes feature un-chicken, so keep your eye out for it.
  • '''Nancy Chang''', 372 Chandler St. Phone: 508-798-6688. Healthy asian cuisine. You can order any of the chicken or shrimp items on the menu and replace it with vegetarian chicken or vegetarian shrimp. Check out their awesome lunch menu, weekdays until 5pm (I think). You can also order the Chicken & Rice Soup with Vegetables and Chicken Noodle Soup with Vegetables ''without'' the chicken.
  • '''The Living Earth''', 232 Chandler St., Phone: 508-753-1896, Fax: 508-754-4840. Inside The Living Earth you will find tons of vegan/vegetarian groceries and fresh, local fruits and vegetables. You will also find Sano Cafe, whose menu offers a good amount of veg*an appetizers, meals, smoothies and desserts. They have specials that change from week to week, and always have at least one vegan option. If you don't feel like sitting down to eat, you can take out your order. Show your college ID and get 10% off of non-sale items (including food from the cafe). Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm.
  • '''Clark University dining hall''', 950 Main St. This is kind of a joke, but there isn't anywhere else in Worcester that even occasionally has vegan pizza. There is a constant vegan bar with brown rice, soy milk, and some kind of tofu or tempeh dish. Most first and second year students have more meal points than they will ever use, and are very happy to "swipe" any outsider who asks nicely in for a free meal (Don't bet on it anymore, though, now that people only get three guest swipes per semester). Otherwise, seven or eight bucks for an all you can eat buffet.
  • '''Duck Yao'''. Traveling, seasonal. Duck Yao is an elegant backyard vegan restaurant run by two hip young women and a Chinese Taoist family. Fake meat like no other. Now plotting bigger things.
  • Also see "Middle Eastern" for more delicious vegetarian meals.

    Late Night

    Worcester is the birthplace of the diner. The Worcester Lunch Car Company Built Diners from their factory in downtown Worcester from 1906 to 1957. Their serial numbers started at 200 and ended with 850. Many are still in existence. They are characterized by porcelain enamel exteriors with the name of the diner in the enamel. The interiors have mosaic tile floors and tile walls. So there's still lots of "third shift" places to eat, including:

  • '''Kenmore Diner''', 250 Franklin Street, Phone: ''+1'' 508-792-5125. Recommended.
  • '''Boulevard Diner''', 155 Shrewsbury Street, Phone: ''+1'' 508-791-4535.
  • '''Miss Worcester Diner''', 300 Southbridge Street, Phone: ''+1'' 508-757-7775. Terrific liver and onions at this diner, for the inner truck driver in you.
  • '''Parkway Diner''', 148 Shrewsbury Street, Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-9968.
  • '''George's''', Grafton St. One of the most interesting cheap late-night eats is a pita bakery on Grafton Street. It opens each night around 3AM to start making pita, and you can buy fresh pitas that look like footballs. The pita bakery is about 5 storefronts up the hill from their daytime, public-facing deli.
  • '''Tortilla Sams''', 107 Highland St., Phone: 508-756-SAMS. Open late everyday: Su,M until 11PM, Tu-Th until 12AM, F,Sa until 3AM.
  • Drink

    Worcester has a very large number of bars. If you're looking for raucous 20-something bars, go to Shrewsbury St. or Park Av., south of Elm Park. If you're looking for very cheap, strange, divey bars, go to Canterbury St. and its cross streets.

    The following are interesting and comfortable places to drink:

  • '''Vincent''', 49 Suffolk St.
  • '''Sahara''', 143 Highland St.
  • '''Ding Ho''', 38 Southbridge St.
  • '''Tammany Hall''', 43 Pleasant St.
  • '''Ralph's Diner''', 148 Grove St., Live Music, killer jukeboxes, great burgers (veggie, too).
  • '''Lucky Dog Music Hall''', 89 Green St., [http://www.luckydogmusic.com]. Live Music and drinks
  • '''The Dive Bar''', 34 Green St., [http://www.thedivebarworcester.com]. The only specialty beer bar in Worcester, very unique selection of craft beer.
  • Upscale Bars:

  • '''Block 5''', on Green Street (Across from TUSH Denim Boutique).
  • Karaoke

  • '''Irish Times''', Main St. Karaoke Wednesday nights. Cons: White hat bar, many Holy Cross kids. Pros: killer song selection and $3000 final cash prize for the weekly contest, many dedicated karaoke warriors. Cons: The staff are very full of themselves and tend to be very brusque with patrons.
  • '''Lucky Dog Music Hall''', Green St. Has karaoke on MONDAY nights, no cover charge. Professional sound set-up with monitors.
  • '''Ralph's Diner''', Prescott St. Has karaoke on Wednesday nights, no cover charge.
  • Blu Ultralounge and Nightclub 105 water st. Wednesday nights, 18+

    Unique

  • '''Hotel Vernon''', Kelly Square, [http://hotelvernon.com]. $1 drafts (gansett, bush, pabst), pool, darts. A backroom decorated to look like the inside of a ship ("The Ship Room). Located beneath a "rooms by the week" hotel. Had a speakeasy in the basement during the Prohibition, still partially intact.
  • '''Kelley Square Liquors''', Kelley Square, This is a hidden gem known only to the people in the neighborhood. It is a small liquor store which contains everything a big liquor store does (Dom, Cristal, Hennessy XO, etc.) with prices that are fair. The store could hire more mature help, but thats a small negative, its a great place if you can get through Kelley Square.
  • '''Guertin's''', Off Canterbury Street. Beautiful woodwork, $1.50 drafts.
  • ''''English Social Club''', Camp Street. This is a members-only social club, so they are exempt from the regulations that ban smoking in all Worcester bars. Friendly folks.
  • '''El Coqui''', 184 Chandler St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-756-8862. Opened to 11PM every night (Except Sundays). It is a discount liquor store which does not carry many smaller brands. In spite of this it is considered by some to be the best liquor store.
  • Sleep

  • '''Beechwood Hotel''', 363 Plantation St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-754-5789, Fax ''+1'' 508-752-2060, [http://www.beechwoodhotel.com/]. 2 miles from downtown, near all major business centers and universities. $$$$
  • '''Best Western Executive Inn & Suites''', 50 Oriole Dr., Phone: ''+1'' 508-852-2800, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do#null]. $$
  • '''Courtyard Marriott Worcester''', 72 Grove St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-363-0300, Fax: ''+1'' 508-363-3563, [http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/boswr-courtyard-worcester/]. $$$
  • '''Crowne Plaza Hotel-Worcester Downtown''', 10 Lincoln Sq., Phone: ''+1'' 508-791-1600, Fax: ''+1'' 508-791-1796, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/wrccp?_requestid=46906]. $$$
  • '''Hampton Inn Worcester''', 110 Summer St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-757-0400 ''+1'' 508-831-9839, [http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=WORMAHX]. $$$
  • '''Hilton Garden Inn Worcester''', 35 Major Taylor Blvd., Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-5700, Fax: ''+1'' 508-753-5780, [http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=BEDWOGI]. $$$
  • '''Hotel Vernon''', Kelly Square. In a pinch? $100/week, bar downstairs.
  • '''Residence Inn''', 503 Plantation St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-753-6300. Fax: ''+1'' 508-753-6330, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/BOSRI]. $$$
  • Get out

    Worcester is in the center of New England and within reach of many of its destinations.