Watertown Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

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Nestled just outside of Boston, Watertown is a charming city in the Massachusetts region of the United States. With its rich history, vibrant community, and proximity to major attractions, Watertown offers visitors a unique and memorable experience.

One of the highlights of Watertown is its historical significance. As one of the earliest settlements in Massachusetts, the city boasts a wealth of colonial and Revolutionary War-era landmarks. Take a stroll along the Charles River Greenway and discover the remnants of the Arsenal at Watertown, a historic site that played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Immerse yourself in the city's past by visiting the Edmund Fowle House, a well-preserved 18th-century home that offers a glimpse into colonial life.

For art enthusiasts, Watertown is a haven. The Arsenal Center for the Arts, located in a beautifully restored historic building, hosts a variety of exhibitions, performances, and workshops throughout the year. Explore the galleries and immerse yourself in the local art scene. Additionally, the Mosesian Center for the Arts is a hub for creativity, showcasing a diverse range of visual and performing arts.

Nature lovers will also find solace in Watertown. The city offers several parks and green spaces, providing a serene escape from the bustling city life. Enjoy a picnic at the picturesque Saltonstall Park, or take a leisurely walk along the Riverwalk Park, which offers stunning views of the Charles River.

Food enthusiasts will be delighted by the culinary offerings in Watertown. The city is known for its diverse range of international cuisines, reflecting its multicultural community. From authentic Italian trattorias to vibrant Mexican taquerias, there is something to satisfy every palate.

In addition to its own attractions, Watertown's prime location allows for easy access to the vibrant city of Boston. Just a short drive away, visitors can explore world-renowned museums, enjoy a game at Fenway Park, or indulge in some retail therapy at Newbury Street.

Alternative names: Settled: 1630Population: 31.9 thous.Area: 4.12 mi²Elevation: 23 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 42°21'59"N, 71°10'52"W

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MassachusettsUnited States

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Watertown Top Attractions

Watertown Attractions - What to See and Explore

Watertown offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Armenian Library and Museum of America, Arsenal Center for the Arts, The Plumbing Museum, Browne House. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Specialty museum • Museum • Art museum
Armenian Library and Museum of America
Armenian Museum of America, located in Watertown, Massachusetts, United States, is an institution that has the largest collection of Armenian artifacts in North America.
Performing arts • East Watertown
Arsenal Center for the Arts
The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts is a community arts center located in Watertown, Massachusetts, United States, on the former property of the Watertown Arsenal.
42°22'8"N • 71°11'56"W
The Plumbing Museum
Specialty museum • Museum

Museum • History museum
Browne House
The Abraham Browne House is a colonial house located at 562 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts, US. It is now a nonprofit museum operated by Historic New England and open to the public two afternoons per year.
Museum • History museum • Georgian architecture
Edmund Fowle House
The Edmund Fowle House is a historic house and local history museum at 28 Marshall Street in Watertown, Massachusetts, USA. Built in 1772, it is the second-oldest surviving house in Watertown, and served as the meeting place for the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in the first year of the American Revolutionary War.
Bridge • Newton Corner
Watertown Bridge
The Watertown Bridge is a five-lane traffic bridge over the Charles River, carrying Rt. 16 and Galen Street. It connects Watertown Square on the north side and Watertown Yard on the south side of Watertown, Massachusetts.
Dam • Nonantum
Watertown Dam
The Watertown Dam spans the Charles River 980 feet upstream from the Watertown Bridge near Watertown Square in Watertown, Massachusetts. The dam is located where the Charles River tidal estuary historically ended. Watertown Dam is of Concrete construction, a gravity dam. Its length is 220 feet. Its capacity is 30 acre feet.
42°20'5"N • 71°8'2"W
House at 89 Rawson Road and 86 Colburne Crescent
89 Rawson Road and 86 Colbourne Crescent are two historic Shingle Style houses located in Brookline, Massachusetts.
42°20'17"N • 71°8'35"W
House at 12–16 Corey Road
The House at 12–16 Corey Road in Brookline, Massachusetts is a distinctive local example of townhouses in an English Revival style with Shingle elements. The townhouses were designed by Arthur H. Bowdith, a prominent local architect, and built in 1896 for Alan Arthur and Gardiner Shaw, two real estate agents.
42°20'26"N • 71°7'56"W
Lynch-O'Gorman House
The Lynch-O'Gorman House is a historic house at 41 Mason Terrace in Brookline, Massachusetts. Design of this house has been attributed to Arthur Vinal, a prominent area architect; it is an elaborately-decorated Queen Anne Victorian that was built in 1889 by Charles Sias on Beacon Street.
Greek Revival architecture • Washington Square
Timothy Corey House No. 2
The Timothy Corey House No. 2 is a historic house at 786–788 Washington Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. Built in 1843, it is one of Brookline's few stone houses.
42°20'29"N • 71°8'22"W
Timothy Corey House No. 1
The Timothy Corey House No. 1 is a historic house at 808 Washington Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. Built in 1806, it is a good example of vernacular Federal architecture, and was home for over a century to members of one of the town's most prominent early families.
42°20'33"N • 71°7'51"W
Rev. John Orrock House
The Rev. John Orrock House is a historic house at 64 Winchester Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. It is a two-story wood-frame structure, with tall mansard roof and clapboard siding.
42°22'3"N • 71°10'49"W
Miles Pratt House
The Miles Pratt House is a historic house in Watertown, Massachusetts. The 2+1⁄2 story wood-frame house was built sometime between 1860 and 1874, and is Watertown's finest surviving Italianate residence.
42°21'37"N • 71°9'50"W
Commanding Officer's Quarters
The Commanding Officer's Quarters, Watertown Arsenal is a historic house in Watertown, Massachusetts. During the American Civil War, a new commander's quarters was commissioned by then-Capt. Thomas J. Rodman, inventor of the Rodman gun, for the Watertown Arsenal.
Neighbourhood • Watertown West End
Bemis
Bemis is a neighborhood located in the southwest corner of Watertown, Massachusetts, United States. It is bounded by Main Street to the north, the Charles River to the south, and the City of Waltham to the west.
42°22'51"N • 71°10'11"W
Everett C. Benton Library
Library • Cushing Square
Interesting neighbourhood • East Watertown
Watertown Arsenal
The Watertown Arsenal was a major American arsenal located on the northern shore of the Charles River in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Neighbourhood • Colonial revival architecture
Beaconsfield Terraces Historic District
The Beaconsfield Terraces Historic District is a residential historic district at 11–25, 33–43, and 44–55 Garrison Rd. and 316–326, 332–344, and 350–366 Tappan Street in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Day trips

Watertown – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Watertown, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), Quincy Market (Boston), Faneuil Hall (Boston).

4.8 miE
Impressionist art and Egyptian treasures
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston stands as a beacon of culture and history in the United States. Established in 1870, this grand institution is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the country, boasting a collection that encompasses nearly 500,000 works...
6.5 miE
Shopping, Market, Flea market
Quincy Market, Boston
Quincy Market is a historic marketplace in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, that has become a beloved landmark and a bustling hub for locals and tourists alike. Located in the city's downtown area, Quincy Market consists of a main building, Faneuil Hall, flanked by...
6.5 miE
Historic indoor-outdoor shopping center
Faneuil Hall, Boston
Faneuil Hall, located in the heart of Boston, United States, stands not only as a bustling shopping center but also as a site steeped in history. Known as "The Cradle of Liberty," it was built in 1742 and has been an integral part of Boston's social and political life...
6.3 miE
Original colonial seat and state capitol
Old State House, Boston
The Old State House stands as a testament to the rich history of Boston, United States. This Georgian-style building, constructed in 1713, is one of the oldest public buildings in the country and has played a crucial role in the American Revolution.
5.7 miE
Interactive exhibits and an IMAX theater
Museum of Science, Boston
Nestled in the heart of Boston, the Museum of Science stands as a beacon of exploration and education, capturing the imagination of visitors with its interactive exhibits and cutting-edge presentations. This esteemed institution is dedicated to making science...