Sandwiched Between Springfield And Portsmouth Is A Quaint East Coast Town With Outdoor Fun And Historic Charm

From its founding in 1770 to its acclaim for making iconic oyster crackers served with chowder, Westminster, Massachusetts, teems with history. With a population of around 8,000, this little town is tucked into the dense thickets and rolling topography of Worcester County in the northern center of the Bay State. Surrounding Westminster, the bucolic landscapes and ecologically diverse wilderness draw people to this historic hamlet that's known for having classic New England architecture.  

Mount Wachusett rises 2,000 feet above Westminster, its leafy hills morphing into a ski resort each winter. Four miles north is the High Ridge Wildlife Management Area, while the Woods of Westminster Golf Course is located right in town, each offering outdoor lovers beautiful scenery. Several ponds around Westminster provide tranquil places to relax, hike, or paddle. 

Then there are the longstanding structures that have seen many centuries pass. The 1761 Old Mill Restaurant and Cracker Barrel Pub has housed businesses for more than 265 years, four properties around town are on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Forbush Memorial Library has welcomed readers and researchers since 1868. Between Springfield, 62 miles away, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 84 miles away, a deep dive into small-town Massachusetts history is just a day trip away in Westminster. 

Outdoor activities abound in Westminster. Mount Wachusett, New England's "most accessible ski resort" for endless winter fun, is also crisscrossed by 17 miles of hiking and biking trails in varying degrees of difficulty when the snow melts. One Tripadvisor reviewer said that the mountain is, "Great for hiking! There are tons of hikes to choose from based on time and difficulty." The Wachusett Mountain State Reservation is 5 miles south of Westminster, with sweeping views from its summit. Mount Wachusett is also one of the top places to observe hawk migrations in the Northeast United States. 

A slower pace with equally scenic surroundings is found nearby at The Woods of Westminster Golf Course. A family-owned, 18-hole course spread over 225 acres, its rates rival that of a restaurant lunch for two. One Google reviewer said that "The Woods of Westminster is one of the best golf experiences in Central Massachusetts. The course layout is both challenging and enjoyable, offering a great mix of risk-reward holes, elevation changes, and scenic views that keep every round interesting." 

Over 1,000 acres of forest, wetlands, and grasslands are ready for exploration within the High Ridge Wildlife Management Area. A former farm, service roads act as rugged trails for meandering and observing white-tailed deer, hawks, blue herons, and foxes, among many other birds and mammals found here. Hunters find ring-necked pheasants each fall, along with Canadian geese, wild turkeys, and snowshoe hares. Back in town, Round Meadow Pond and Wyman Pond are perfect places to paddle or catch largemouth bass.  

Taking the Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts' most picturesque drive, a historic byway with serene forests is an ideal route to Westminster from Boston, which is just 57 miles away. Once there, immerse yourself in history and New England architectural charm by exploring the dozens of 18th- and 19th-century homes and businesses dotting Westminster's streets. Among them are the original Westminster Cracker bakery building, built in 1828, and the Old Mill, which has been around since 1761. While the cracker company no longer occupies its former Westminster home, diners can still have lunch or dinner Tuesday through Saturday and explore the Old Mill's grounds along a picturesque brook and pond. A wooden bridge spans the waterway, adding to the enchanting setting.  

The exquisite Georgian architecture of the Nathan Wood House has been admired since 1756. Just 500 feet away is the two-story, brick Ahijah Wood House, built in 1795 and also on the National Historic Register like its aforementioned neighbor. A portion of the timber-constructed Ezra Wood and Levi Warner House that still stands was built in 1759 and is similarly listed on the historic register. 

For full historic immersion plus tales and artifacts from the town's lengthy past, visit the Westminster Historical Society. Here you can peruse diaries, deeds, photos, furniture, and more collected from the many generations who established, worked, and resided in Westminster. For more Worcester County history, visit nearby Westborough, another historic New England town with serene trails that's just 29 miles away.