Best Things to Do in Watertown, MA: Events, Eats & Boston Charm

Watertown sits just a few miles west-north of Boston in eastern Massachusetts, and locals joke it feels like a “mini-city” wrapped in a friendly New England town. You can grab coffee on Main St, pedal a few minutes to the Charles River, and still make a quick trip into downtown Boston without breaking a sweat.

Houses range from historic triples to new condos, so whether you’re scouting homes for sale in Watertown, MA or just mapping a weekend trip, you’ll find the area surprisingly walkable and compact.

Watertown’s story stretches back to the Massachusett people who fished along the Charles, but the recorded chapter starts in 1630 when Sir Richard Saltonstall’s party rowed upriver, planted a mill, and officially named the town “Watertown.” 

During the spring of 1775, after the shots at Lexington and Concord, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress moved its meetings here, making the village a makeshift capital and hub for Revolutionary planning. 

Industry soon followed. The riverside Watertown Arsenal began casting cannon in the early 1800s and later became the nation’s first major military metallurgy lab, humming straight through World War II before its brick shops morphed into today’s mixed-use campus. 

Factory jobs drew waves of immigrants—most notably Armenians fleeing persecution around 1895—and Watertown now hosts one of the largest Armenian communities in America, a culture still heard in church bazaars and tasted in Main St bakeries. 

Walk the city today and you’ll see every layer stacked together: colonial gravestones beside capes, 19th-century mill lofts next to sleek biotech labs, and street signs in both English and Armenian—a living timeline woven right into the neighborhood fabric.

MBTA bus 70 rolls straight through Watertown Square and links to the Red Line in Cambridge; plenty of Lyft drivers hang around Arsenal Street if you prefer a quick ride-share.

Drivers hop on the Mass Pike via Exit 17, while cyclists love the paved river path that hugs the Charles and threads east toward Boston’s Esplanade.

Locals call the Square their favorite Watertown spot—it’s the place to explore coffee shops, indie bookstores, and a growing bar scene without leaving the core of town.

Street musicians show up on warm nights, families linger by the historic landmark World War I memorial, and nearly every community event kicks off within a block or two.

Start at the Armenian Museum (open Thursday–Sunday, free for kids) where you can see a seventh-century gospel and tech-driven interactive displays.

A quick walk north lands you at the Plumbing Museum—which as of June 2025 is temporarily closed—where vintage clawfoot tubs share space with modern water-saving technology demos, making it an oddly fun activity for curious tinkerers.

If the sun’s out, jog or skate the Charles River Greenway and watch rowers glide by; the paved trail stretches 23 miles, so you can turn it into a full-day trip or a short lunchtime loop.

Across the river sits serene Mt Auburn Cemetery, a leafy, historic garden where you might spot a red-tailed hawk circling the tower.

On the west side, Arsenal Park is getting a multi-million-dollar restore and expansion, while nearby Filippello Park boasts spray pads, ballfields, and plenty of free parking.

Victory Field just wrapped Phase II improvements—new track lanes, tennis courts, and more seating for parents who’d rather cheer than chase toddlers.

Smaller kids gravitate to the updated jungle gym at 552 Main Street Playground, tucked behind shade trees and picnic tables.

Every June the Watertown Pride parade brightens Watertown Square with floats, music, and face paint for all ages.

Spring brings the Charles River Herring Festival—yes, that’s a fish parade of sorts—with dam tours, art stations, and food trucks, and it’s entirely free, making it one of the best things on the local calendar.

Beyond museums, Watertown’s public library hosts weekend robotics clubs and story hours, while the Arsenal Yards community center often partners with MIT outreach for pop-up science demos.

Kids leave with fresh curiosity—and sometimes a light-up LED badge they soldered themselves.

Watertown’s food scene packs surprising punch for a small town, offering everything from BYOB sushi to saffron-laced kebabs—all within a quick Lyft of Boston.

Start with the crowd-favorite rolls at Super Fusion Cuisine II; regulars swear the volcano maki is the best in the area.

Craving Persian comfort food? Molana Restaurant plates charcoal-kissed koobideh and pillowy sangak that’s perfect for sharing.

For wood-fired chicken and crispy potatoes, grab a patio seat at Branch Line inside the old Arsenal complex, then wander next door to City Works for 90 rotating taps of craft beer and game-day energy.

Vegans aren’t left out—Red Lentil spins out globally inspired plant-based dishes, while the retro Deluxe Town Diner keeps Main St humming with all-day pancakes and late-night burgers.

No matter where you dine, you’ll find a locally loved spot ready to fuel the rest of your Watertown trip.

Watertown Farmers Market sets up every Wednesday from June through October on Arsenal Street, a place where you can buy heirloom tomatoes, Armenian flatbreads, and cold-brew from a retro VW bus.

Pro tip: Show up at 1 p.m. when vendors open so you can snag the best pastries before they vanish.

Beyond Pride and Porchfest (an all-afternoon porch-to-porch music crawl each September), Arsenal Yards hosts “Movies Under the Stars” every Thursday in July, while Armenian Independence Day in October brings traditional dance, exhibit booths, and steaming pots of lamb stew that perfume the entire street.

Check each organizer’s website for schedules and to book tickets when needed.

If you’re planning to explore for a weekend, the 150-room Residence Inn by Marriott sits on Arsenal Street, directly across from Arsenal Yards and < 15 minutes from downtown Boston.

The all-suite hotel layout means kitchens, which can save a family cash on breakfasts. Budget travelers look near Fresh Pond in Cambridge or north toward Belmont for cheaper motels.

Late spring pops with lilacs along the Charles River, and fall foliage paints the cemetery gold—prime photo ops for your Instagrams today. Winters can be icy, but the John A. Ryan Ice House rink hosts open skate, proving there’s still fun even when the thermometer drops.

Whether you’re house-hunting, plotting a quick weekend escape, or just poking around for the next top attraction, Watertown delivers a surprising variety of options: history, green space, global cuisines, and community festivals—all stitched together by a walkable grid and a population that never hesitates to offer a restaurant recommendation.

Use this guide to plan your route, and you’ll leave convinced this little city punches well above its weight.

Don’t miss the Armenian Museum of America for art and artifacts, and the offbeat Plumbing Museum for a quick, quirky stop. Both are easy walks from Watertown Square.

Absolutely. Walk or bike the Charles River path, picnic at Filippello Park, or stroll the historic grounds of Mt Auburn Cemetery—no admission fees required.

Grab a pint at City Works, catch a movie on the Arsenal Yards lawn in summer, or listen to live sets during Porchfest in early fall.

Very. Splash pads, revamped playgrounds, kid-focused library programs, and seasonal festivals keep little ones busy year-round.

Six miles. Hop the 70 bus or drive east along Arsenal Street and you’ll be in Cambridge in ten minutes, downtown Boston in twenty, making Watertown a convenient base for wider New England exploration.