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Living in Worcester

Home to 13 colleges and universities and more than 30,000 college students, Worcester is truly a “college town” – and our students enjoy all of the benefits of a major, urban center.

Step off campus and you'll find a vibrant and welcoming city. With its industrial heritage, Worcester and the surrounding area is home to culture, delicious dining, homey neighborhoods, and beautiful green spaces and parks. And situated just one hour from Boston, Providence and the seacoast, two hours from the Berkshires, and three hours from New York City, the city is centrally and conveniently located. 

From the city's historic museums and close-knit community, to its lush New England landscapes and diverse culture, explore the exciting possibilities that Worcester has to offer.

Breakfast spread with many dishes on table.

Food

Worcester’s thriving food scene provides options to satisfy every palate.

Start your day at Lou Roc’s Diner, which serves only the best (and largest) breakfast spreads—think eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles. Then, for lunch, explore Worcester’s many delicious comfort food offerings: dig into burgers at Boynton, grab a slice of pizza from Cornerstone Grill or Ted’s, or snack on a classic American hot dog from George's Coney Island.

When dinner rolls around, treat yourself to a trip to Deadhorse Hill or 111 Chop House. Deadhorse offers diners a constantly changing, elegant selection of farm-to-table American fare, while 111 Chop House is the ideal spot for a black-and-white-tie affair in a classic steakhouse setting.

And if you’re looking to try a little of everything, you’re in luck: Introducing Shrewsbury Street’s College Shuffle, where 2,000 participants experience food tastings at 20 restaurants, vendors, sponsor booths and more.

Two young people standing in snow on ski mountain.

Outdoors

Situated on 60 acres of rolling grass, Worcester’s Elm Park is a picturesque and historic addition to the city’s outdoor offerings: picturesque in its expansive greenness, historic in its legacy as one of the first purchases of land to be used as a public park.

The aptly named Green Hill offers walkers, joggers, and picnickers an even larger selection of activities. The park boasts not just open, airy space, but a small zoo housing goats, llamas, mini horses, and other lovable farm animals.

And even in the middle of New England's not-so-green winters, Worcester affords its residents the chance to spend a day outside at nearby Mount Wachusett. The popular ski and snowboard destination towers 2,000 feet into the sky and is carved out by 25 scenic trails ideal for both beginners and long-time winter sport enthusiasts.

Female violinist playing instrument.

Culture

Whether you’re interested in music, theatre, or comedy, Worcester’s many performance halls offer a diverse selection of entertainment options.

Built in 1857, Mechanics Hall was originally home to a trade organization known as the Worcester County Mechanics Association. Now, more than 150 years later, Mechanics Hall acts as a venue for orchestras, jazz bands, and musicians, all of whom flock through its doors to experience its robust acoustics and architecture. And that’s not Worcester's only musically-inclined venue—Tuckerman Hall, located within walking distance of Mechanics Hall, is home to the harmonious Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra.

For those looking to delve into a different genre of performance, the Hanover Theatre showcases touring Broadway and ballet companies, comedians, and local theatre groups.

Two people climbing indoor rock wall.

Community

Worcester’s 40 square miles are home to 13 universities and colleges—which makes meeting fellow like-minded students as easy as walking out your front door.

At the Sprinkler Factory, art enthusiasts can interact with both each other and the visual wonderland of exhibits that line the gallery’s industrial walls. If you’re looking to create some art yourself, grab a group and head over to Clayground or the Worcester Center for Crafts, both of which allow amateur artists to make their own creations.

Across town, students looking to tap into their adventurous side can boulder and belay across the walls of the Central Rock Climbing Center, which provides roughly 13,000 square feet of climbing space to athletes of all abilities. Additionally, the Newton Hill Disc Golf Course welcomes visitors to try their hand (and their aim) at a little-known sport, an experience sure to create lasting memories and friendships.

Rows of old photographs.

Museums

Worcester’s rich history and cultural landscape is displayed uniquely across four institutions: the Worcester Historical Museum, the Worcester Art Museum, the EcoTarium, and the American Antiquarian Society.

Founded in 1875, the Worcester Historical Museum offers students a glimpse into the city’s contributions to American history and booming industrial past. Meanwhile, the Worcester Art Museum encourages visitors to contemplate the abstract and appreciate fine art as they meander through corridors lined with works painted by some of the world's most esteemed artists, such as Claude Monet and Utagawa Hiroshige.

At the EcoTarium, you’ll learn more about Worcester’s local biosphere and wildlife through fun, interactive exhibits. And at the American Antiquarian Society, you can dive back into America’s history as you peruse the country’s largest and most accessible collection of music, newspapers, pamphlets, books, broadsides, periodicals, and graphic arts material printed through 1876.

Professional baseball players conversing in game.

Sports

There are plenty of ways to take in a game, right in our own backyard.

At the DCU Center, which is right across the street from our campus, you can see a pro-hockey game featuring the Worcester Railers. Or, if you’re more interested in watching America’s favorite pastime in action, a Worcester Bravehearts’ game offers the perfect laid-back summertime activity.

Speaking of baseball, keep an eye out for tickets to a Pawtucket Red Sox, or "PawSox," game. The PawSox, which are a professional minor league baseball team and affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, made Worcester their home in 2021.

And just an hour’s drive away, avid sports fans can visit Boston, where they'll find ample opportunity to watch their favorite players in action. Whether it's vying for a foul ball at Fenway Park, or cheering on the Bruins or Celtics at TD Garden, Boston provides a highly accessible experience for Worcester-based sports fans.