Acton is a small town in Massachusetts, 25 miles (40.2 kilometers) from Boston. It was voted as one of the top 20 small communities with a population of approximately 23,000. Acton may be small but there are a lot of activities and things to do in this town. It is home to many museums, landmarks, and parks. It is worth taking a visit to this small and peaceful community. There were some movies that were also shot in Acton, making actors call it their second home. Athletes also enjoy their vacations relaxing in this forested town. The streets of Acton are lined up by many trees and there are about 1,650 acres (4,077 hectares) of conservation land. The trees and plants in their conservation lands are well taken care of. Take a walk across the trails they offer and enjoy the view of mountains and forests. You can eat at their top restaurants, relax at the spa, and visit their museums with your whole family, which even children will enjoy. Check out this list of things to do in Acton, Massachusetts.
1. Hike the Great Hill Recreation Area
Acton is known for its large conservation lands. Great Hill Recreation Area is one of the best trails in Acton stretching over 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers). You can hike, trail run, or simply walk and enjoy the view. The difference it has from the rest is that it has a large open area for recreational purposes. There are picnic tables, playing fields, and ponds situated in the area. Activities for children are also held in the recreation area. Pets are also welcome to play around the fields. Due to the area’s size and location, it is always used by locals and tourists and as a result, it stays busy.
Great Hill Recreation Area
Address: South of Massachusetts Avenue (Route 111) and east of Main Street (Route 27), between Kelley’s Corner and South Acton Center
Website: Great Hill Recreation Area
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free entry
2. Have some fun in the sun at NARA Park
The Nathaniel Allen Recreation Area or NARA for short is open year-round for residents and non-residents. The beach portion of this recreation area is the perfect place to feel the summer air. If you plan to go swimming, they have fully equipped shower rooms. You can even rent paddle boats and canoes at a low price. Aside from the beach, there is a park with a playground and a large tented area. There are food stands situated around this site that sells food at a reasonable price. During the summer, concerts are held at the amphitheater which accommodates 3,000 people. Enjoy your vacation while you have fun in the pool at NARA Park.
NARA Park
Address: 25 Ledge Rock Way in Acton, Massachusetts
Website: NARA Park
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 6pm; Fri - Sun: 9am - 7pm
Price: 3 to 45 USD
3. Drop by the marvelous Acton Arboretum
Arboretum, meaning a botanical garden composed of trees, fits the name of this trail in Acton. It features a well maintained 20 acre (8 hectares) lawn, gardens, and trees. The different colors of flowers creates a picturesque view you should not miss. This is perfect for plant lovers and also beginners who have taken interest in plants and trees recently. This is also a great place to visit with your family. There are picnic tables present around the area if you want to sit down, relax, and enjoy the view.
Acton Arboretum
Address: 2 Taylor Rd, Acton, MA 01720, USA
Website: Acton Arboretum
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
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4. Tour the historical Hosmer House museum
The Hosmer House is one of the old traditional houses which was preserved by the Acton Historical Society. The owner of this house was the Hosmers. You may be wondering, what is so special about the Hosmer family? They were one of the early Acton residents and they served the town very well. Jonathan Hosmer was one of the first Deacons of Acton’s church. His son was a farmer and a brickmason who then married Submit Hunt. They both built the Hosmer House. There are several stories about the Hosmer family. This museum will tell the story of the Hosmer family once you enter.
The Hosmer House Museum
Address: 300 Main St. in Acton, Massachussetts
Website: The Hosmer House Museum
5. Go bowling at Acton Bowladrome and Arcade
Operating for more than 50 years in Massachusetts, the staff at Acton Bowladrome and Arcade are used to making sure that you and your family enjoy your bowling and arcade experience. It is definitely the place to bond with your family. You can go bowling, win at the arcade, grab some fries, pizza, and burgers at their restaurant, and even host your birthday party at Acton Bowladrome and Arcade. Have a fun time indoors during your vacation in Acton with the whole family.
Acton Bowladrome & Arcade
Address: 257 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720
Website: Acton Bowladrome & Arcade
Opening hours: Sun: 9am - 9pm, Tue & Thu: 10am - 10pm; Wed: 9am - 10pm, Fri: 12pm - 11pm; Sat: 9am - 11pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 5 USD onwards
6. Learn, play, and explore at Discovery Museum
The Discovery Museum at Acton, Massachusetts, is a hands-on museum that mixes nature, science, and play. Your children will have fun and at the same time learn. Aside from the indoor museum, they have an outdoor activity area which they call Discovery Woods. They focus on teaching children about science, technology, engineering, art, and math over an engaging experience. You can also rent the Discovery Museum and the tree house for events like birthday parties. The price for rentals ranges from 240 to 320 USD. It includes 2 hours and 15 minutes time to enjoy the museum, tables, crayons, and invitations to print. The package is good for up to 30 people.
Discovery Museum
Address: 177 Main St, Acton, Massachusetts
Website: Discovery Museum
Opening hours: Fri: 9am - 8pm; Sat - Thu: 9am - 4:30pm
7. Take a walk about the Pratts Brook Conservation Area
The Pratts Brook Conservation Area is one of the many trails in Acton, Massachusetts. It is a 2.25 kilometer (1.4 miles) loop trail. It is mostly hilly in the southern portion. However, the terrain is more gentle in the northern portion. It is just for information that this area features wet and stony conditions so you need to wear hiking shoes. You are welcome to walk your dog too. It is composed of blueberry barrens, ponds, and brooks.
Pratts Brook Conservation Area
Address: 108R Parker St, Acton, MA 01720, USA
Website: Pratts Brook Conservation Area
Opening hours: 7am - 6pm (daily)
8. Watch and enjoy theater performances at Theatre III Box Office
Acton’s community theater is named Theatre III Box Office. It promotes performing arts through reasonably priced plays or performances to entertain the residents and visitors of Acton. They also offer auditions for upcoming plays if you are interested in joining one of their productions. They focus on open participation of all ages, express creativity, and promote knowledge on the performing arts.
Theatre III Box Office
Address: 250 Central St, Acton, MA 01720, USA
Website: Theatre III Box Office
Price: 20 USD onwards
9. Buy fresh at Idylwilde Farms
Idylwilde Farms is the home of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs in season. Guests can stop by and shop for fresh products. Idylwilde Farms also sells flowers and seedlings at the Greenhouse. You can bring home some seedlings and plant them. The flowers can be bought either fresh or tied up as a bouquet. The Idylwilde Farms also has a bakery. They sell cookies, cakes, and breads. The bakery’s best-seller is the baguette. Aside from bread, they also serve soup that varies every day. Some of their soup include chicken with kale, chicken tortellini, vegetarian minestrone and sweet potato beef stew.
Idylwilde Farms
Address: 366 Central Street Acton, Massachusetts 01720
Website: Idylwilde Farms
Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 8am - 7:30pm (closed on Tue)
10. Relax and indulge at 1 on 1 Self indulgence Spa
After exploring Acton, you can relax at 1 on 1 Self indulgence Spa. They offer facial services, body massage, manicure, pedicure, tanning, and waxing. They offer a wide variety of facials which ranges from 80 USD to 160 USD. Their signature facial is the “hydrafacial” which is 160 USD. The treatment includes deep cleansing and exfoliation as it hydrates the skin. They also offer a special Teen Facial for ages 17 and below. Under massage and body, they offer different types of massages ranging from 95 to 160 USD. There is a sauna perfect for relaxing at 35 USD for 30 minutes. For hands and feet, they offer manicure and pedicures. This spa is open for women, men, and even teens.
1 on 1 Self indulgence Spa
Address: 457 Great Road Acton, MA 01720
Website: 1 on 1 Self indulgence Spa
Opening hours: Mon: 10am - 5pm; Tue & Thu: 10am - 6pm; Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Wed & Sun)
Price: 35 - 160 USD
11. Tee off at Quail Ridge Country Club
Golf is one of the most popular sports in Acton. The Quail Ridge Country Club was once nominated the “Best new private golf courses in America” by Golf Digest. Aside from golf, you can also play tennis at four of their tennis courts. Their tennis courts are fully equipped. They also have a field for Footgolf. Footgolf is a combination of soccer and golf. The country club also includes a pool and a gym where guests can work out or simply relax in the pool. They also offer Kids’ Camps during the summer which includes training or tutorials. The Quail Ridge Country Club is where you can spend quality time with family and friends.
Quail Ridge Country Club
Address: 354 Great Rd, Acton, MA 01720, USA
Website: Quail Ridge Country Club
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
12. Buy a gift from The Happy Chocolatier
The Happy Chocolatier is home to the original cubed chocolate truffle. These are locally made chocolate called the cubze. Aside from its rich all-natural taste, there are always inspirational happiness and positive statements attached to them. It comes in many flavors including cookies and cream, raspberry, peanut butter, and mint. You can buy the signature cubze’s at The Happy Chocolatier as a souvenir or just carry them home for a special treat after.
The Happy Chocolatier
Address: P.O. Box 2292, Acton, MA. 01720
Website: The Happy Chocolatier
13. See different species of animals at Heath Hen Meadow
Heath Hen Meadow is one of the trails in Acton, Massachusetts. A hike across this trail is a perfect idea for those who are keen about wildlife and wouldn’t mind meeting beavers, skunks, opossums, deers, ducks, and raccoons. It is a unique trail in Acton. The meadow in the trail is home to many birds, insects, and amphibians.
Heath Hen Meadow
Address: Acton, Massachusetts 01720
Website: Heath Hen Meadow
14. Buy ceramics, and crafts at Handworks Gallery of American Crafts
Guests should visit the Handworks Gallery of American Crafts in Acton, Massachusetts. You can simply visit or you can also buy these crafts made by several artists and artisans. There are many unique crafts in the gallery that you might want to explore or even purchase if you like. The ambiance is very lively and colorful so you can come with friends and family to this excellent gallery.
Handworks Gallery of American Crafts
Address: 161 Great Road (Rt 2A), Acton, Massachusetts 01720 (978) 263-1707
Website: Handworks Gallery of American Crafts
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10:30am - 6:30pm; Sun: 11am - 4pm
15. Witness a glacial kettle hole at Grassy Pond Conservation Area
The loop trail of Grassy Pond Conservation Area is 1.1 miles (1.77 kilometers). It is also one of the many trails in Acton. The most unique feature of this trail is that the pond is a glacial kettle hole which dries up during the summer or fall. Guests who can visit during these times will be very lucky to witness it. From its name, you can already imagine that this conservation area is full of different kinds of plants.
Grassy Pond Conservation Area
Address: Northwest of Acton Center, Massachusetts
Website: Grassy Pond Conservation Area
16. Visit Rapscallion Table & Tap with friends
Posted by Rapscallion Table & Tap on Tuesday, 21 May 2019
The Rapscallion Table and Tap is considered one of the best restaurants in Acton. Their best-sellers are chicken wings, salmon burger, and shrimp & grits. Their best sellers of craft beer are honey, ale, lager, and blonde craft. The ambiance of this restaurant is very cozy. Guests can also choose to drink and dine outside as the lawn is provided with chairs and tables.
Rapscallion Table & Tap
Address: 5 Strawberry Hill Rd, Acton, MA 01720-5706
Website: Rapscallion Table & Tap
Opening hours: Mon: 5pm - 9pm; Tue - Fri: 3pm - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm
17. Indulge your taste bud at Not Your Average Joe's
Posted by Not Your Average Joe's on Wednesday, 10 July 2019
Not Your Average Joe’s has several branches in Maryland, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. They serve a variety of brunch, dinner, and dessert. They are also vegetarian-friendly making it easy for those on a special diet. Their best-sellers are clam chowder, mustard crusted chicken, scallops, and ahi tuna, which you must try. If you are traveling with a child, they provide high chairs and take out upon request.
Not Your Average Joe's
Address: 305 Main St., Acton, Massachusetts
Website: Not Your Average Joe’s
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
Price: 11 - 35 USD
18. Enjoy delicious food and beer at True West Brewing Co.
Posted by True West on Friday, 6 April 2018
Have some food and beer at the True West Brewing Co. They serve a bunch of food for sharing like their best seller one pound of wings and fish tacos. They also have a gluten-free, sweets & coffee, and kids menu. It is also vegetarian-friendly, they serve a variety of salads with their best seller the Caesar salad.
True West Brewing Co.
Address: 525 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, Massachusetts
Website: True West Brewing Co.
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 5pm - 10pm; Wed & Sun: 11:30am - 10pm; Thu - Sat: 11:30am - 12am
Price: 7 - 20 USD
19. Shop, dine, and stroll at Acton Plaza
Acton Plaza is the home of shopping centers and malls. It is very convenient since it is a whole plaza of shopping centers. The Acton Plaza is the perfect place to drop by if you need to shop for extra food, clothes, and other needs. There are also lots of restaurants and shops you can visit during your stay. You can also buy gifts and souvenirs in Acton Plaza.
Acton Plaza
Address: 291-307 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720
Website: Acton Plaza
Experience these activities in Acton
Do not forget to visit these attractions in Acton, Massachusetts. You can exercise, eat, drink, and shop all in one town with your whole family! Come and enjoy your vacation at Acton.
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