Worcester

DCU Center

Over 14,000-seat arena. Convention facilities, concerts, trade shows, sporting events. Most major acts passing through the area will perform at the DCU Center.

Hanover Theatre

2300-seat theater. The Hanover was built in 1904 as Franklin Square Theater and hosted Burlesque acts and travelling Broadway shows. It was soon converted to a movie theater and stayed in business until 1998. After a lengthy fundraising campaign, it reopened in 2008 and was named after a local insurance company which provided seed funding. Today it has returned to its roots as a space for live performances, hosting prominent speakers and Broadway shows.

Mechanics Hall

Pre-Civil War era concert hall. Grand Hall seating 1,600. Concerts (classical, jazz, popular music), lectures, business meetings. Mechanics Hall was built in 1857 by the workers of Worcester for educational and cultural activities. In 1864, the Hook Organ was installed and it is now the oldest unaltered four keyboard organ in the Western Hemisphere. The hall fell into disrepair in the 20th century and was almost torn down during a wave of urban renewal. It was saved and restored in the late 1970s.

Palladium

Built in 1928 as the Plymouth Theater, this popular venue holds about 2500 for concerts. The Palladium holds a variety of acts, but the majority are metal/rock.

Quinsigamond State Park

This state park has a public beach, sailing center, fishing spots, and a picnic area, right in the city.

Sunrise-sunset·Parking $15/day, MA residents $8

Tuckerman Hall

Neo-classically-designed, triangular-shaped building, next to the Worcester Art Museum, contains a breathtaking 550-seat main hall adorned with magnificent plaster detail and ornate gold leaf. A pristine circular auditorium seating 200 and six fireplaced turret suites, each with a different architectural motif including Colonial, Dutch, Moorish, and Renaissance revival styles.

Worcester Red Sox

Apr-Sept. The Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, play at Polar Park.

ArtsWorcester

Organization which promotes art programs and exhibitions throughout the city. Schedule available.

Blackstone Canal District Wagon Tour

Explore the history of the Blackstone Canal and Worcester's transformation from an agricultural village into an industrial powerhouse. Tours leave from Kelley Square on Thursday evenings in July and August.

Free

Broadmeadow Brook

Hike the well-marked trails in the largest urban wildlife refuge in New England.

Central Rock Climbing Gym

Central Massachusetts' largest indoor rock climbing gym with around 14,000 square feet of climbing area, and climbing walls from 15 to over 40 feet. Though many hardcore climbers frequent the gym, the terrain difficulty ranges from beginner to expert, and there is a separate beginners area and a wall just for kids also. Don't worry if you've never climbed before, this place is super welcoming and the staff is great! A small retail shop near the main desk sells climbing accessories and clothing. Upstairs there is a lounge area complete with free Wi-Fi, and a yoga room that can be used for stretching when yoga classes are not practicing. Waiver forms are needed for anyone who wants to climb, and minors need a parental signature.

Mon-Fri 10AM-10PM except Thu 10AM-11PM, Sat 9AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-7PM·Memberships are available, but day passes for are $14 for adults, $12 for students. They also offer early bird specials before 2PM. If you're only interested in bouldering, its $10. Shoes, harnesses, and chalk can all be rented at the front desk.

Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts

Restored downtown theatre staging professional touring productions and national comedians and musical acts.

Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra

Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra's annual activities include the admission-free Summer Concert Series in Worcester's Institute Park as well as symphonic and 'pops' performances in Worcester's Tuckerman and Mechanics Halls before audiences numbering in the thousands.

Music Worcester

Presenter of the Worcester Music Festival (the oldest music festival in the United States), the International Artist Series and the Mass Jazz Festival.

Pakachoag Golf Course

Grab a tee time at this public golf course that is also the launch site for Robert Goddard's first rocket.

Seven Hills Symphony

A community orchestra affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, has concerts occasionally throughout the year.

StART on the Street

September, Park Avenue. Huge street festival featuring over 200 local vendors and artists, food, and live music and performance art. StART also holds StART in the Park (spring) and StART at the Station (Christmas time).

Worcester Green Hill Municipal Golf Club

Apr-mid Dec. 18 hole, 6487 yds, Par 72, CR-70.4, S-122. Public.

Worcester Ice Center

The Worcester Ice Center is a multi-use dual rink facility located in the Canal District. Home of the Worcester Railers. Public skate is usually open on weekend afternoons. Attached (hipster) cafe.

$5 public skate $5 skate rental

Crystal Caves Family Entertainment Center

Mini golf, batting cages, homemade ice cream.

Fri 10AM-10PM, Sat 9AM-10PM, Sun 9AM-7PM

Worcester Fencing Club

243 Stafford Street.