Forget Boston, New England's Less Crowded Town An Hour Away Has Waterfalls, Local Eats, And Storybook Charm

A crisp morning walk past old churches, a hike to a waterfall surrounded by red and yellow fall foliage, and a good meal at a locally owned restaurant are sometimes all you need for a successful New England getaway. Boston has enough museums, historic landmarks, and dining options to fill up an itinerary, but as the largest city in the region, you may be looking for somewhere to take things a little slower. That's where Holden, Massachusetts, comes in. Just 20 minutes north of Worcester, this small town of around 20,500 residents (as per the U.S. Census Bureau) would be an alternative for travelers wanting to explore New England in a less crowded setting.

Holden was first incorporated in 1741 as a farming hub, according to the Town of Holden, Massachusetts, website, but since the late 19th century, it has been an escape for city dwellers. Visitors from Boston and New York would head to hotels or lodges in the town's Jefferson area for the summer. While those summer hotels no longer exist, travelers today can still explore Holden's past elsewhere in town, around Main and Highland streets — from the Old Burial Ground to the over-200-year-old First Congregational Church.

For an overnight stay in Holden, the family-owned Inn Crowd Bed & Breakfast offers rooms inside a Colonial home dating back to the 1800s. From there, Holden's historic downtown is walkable, but having access to a car can make getting around much easier. From Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), the drive there takes just over an hour, depending on traffic. Having your own wheels also comes in handy when you're ready to venture beyond the town's historic streets and onto its wooded trails and waterfalls.

You won't have to go too far from downtown Holden to reach its waterfalls, which could very well be one of the best-kept secret waterfalls in the country. Lovellville Falls, also known as Asnebumskit Brook Falls, is a short drive away followed by a five-minute trek from the Mill Street Bike Trails trailhead. Like Massachusetts' much taller Bash Bish Falls, Lovellville's waterfall splits into two cascades around a large rock formation and drops 10 feet into a pool below.

If you're okay with venturing outside of Holden, there's another waterfall and trail system worth considering at Cascading Waters, a nature preserve in neighboring Worcester. Like Lovellville Falls, the falls at Cascading Waters are relatively close to the trail entrance, and one Google Maps reviewer estimated that it's "about 100 yards from the Cascading Waters trailhead parking lot." However, others mentioned that the falls can sometimes dwindle to a trickle when the water levels are low. As a result, the Greater Worcester Land Trust recommends visiting during the spring months or after periods of heavy rain for the best views.

After admiring the falls in the area, you can hop in the car and head to Trout Brook Reservation for some more time outdoors. The 660-acre conservation area has seven main trails for hiking and biking. During the colder months, you can also try cross-country skiing. Past visitors on Google Maps describe the trails as well-maintained and marked with difficulty levels. For more time outdoors, consider extending your trip to the nearby Wachusett Reservoir, an artificial lake with shore fishing and trails.

A day spent wandering wooded trails is bound to leave you hungry, and fortunately, Holden has a few local spots to satisfy your appetite. Head to Val's Restaurant & Lounge, an independently-owned pizzeria-turned-seafood restaurant, for a sit-down meal. Start your visit with some seafood appetizers, including bacon-wrapped scallops and fried calamari. Follow that with carbonara pasta or a fisherman's platter of haddock, scallops, and whole belly clams. But be sure to check the schedule when planning your visit. Val's is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

For a more casual stop, try Quinn's Blue Plate, a pub where you can catch a game while you eat. The menu features classic pub fare like burgers, wings, shepherd's pie, and buffalo chicken mac and cheese. It's open every day from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., so it's nice for a late-night bite. If you're staying overnight and want to get going quickly the next morning, The Bagel Inn is an easy breakfast stop. Opening at 6 a.m., the shop makes its bagels from scratch. Choose from 20 bagel varieties, almost a dozen specialty cream cheese flavors, and traditional butter and jam spreads. For a little more protein, make your bagel into a bacon, sausage, or ham, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich. Don't forget the coffee. The eatery serves its Bagel Inn Blend, along with several other options for under $5.