Top 27 Things To Do In Worcester, Massachusetts

things to do in worcester ma
Maria Cristina
Maria Cristina 
Updated
| 13 min read

It won’t take you an hour’s drive to get to Worcester from Boston yet this town seems to be in a different realm - in terms of its cost of living. Voted as one of the top 100 best places to live where rent is cheap yet the quality of life is superb all because this historic city has its unique charm and beauty. Though its New England climate is unpredictable, there are plenty of things you can do indoors and outdoors. There are numerous parks, outdoor patios like the Dive Bar, and weekend markets selling local fresh produce and meat like the Canal District Farmers Market. Several theaters, museums, and restaurants provide various indoor entertainment. Home to the top healthcare and manufacturing industries, Worcester offers a lot of job opportunities. Below is a list of exciting things to do in Worcester, Massachusetts, that you must try!

1. Appreciate the antique collection at the Worcester Art Museum

The Renaissance Court at the Worcester Art Museum during the opening party for last year's Samurai! exhibition.

Posted by Worcester Art Museum on Tuesday, 2 February 2016

WAM (Worcester Art Museum) contains over 38,000 ancient to contemporary artwork from all cultures around the world signifying 51 centuries of creativity and cultural heritage. Since 1898, it’s the first American museum to purchase a 1921 Gauguin painting and the 1910 water lilies painting of Monet; exhibited fine art photography and an installation of the whole 12th century architecture of a Romanesque chapter house in 1904; and second to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with its huge collection of armor and arms of the Americas in 2013. Visit WAM, one of the most prominent art museums in America for a truly an awesome experience.

Worcester Art Museum

Address: 55 Salisbury St. Worcester, MA 01609, USA

Website: Worcester Art Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: Adults: 16 USD; senior and students: 14 USD

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2. Pay respect at the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial

#worcesterMa

Posted by Dawn Marie Bigger on Saturday, 20 July 2019

At the Green Hill Park on Skyline Drive is the memorial to the fallen soldiers of the Vietnam War and those who served the Commonwealth from 1955 to 1975. The lush and lovely park features walking paths, a pond, and a memorial divided into three sections – The Place of Names, Place of Flags, and Place of Words. The names of all Massachusetts residents that were killed or died from their wounds during the Vietnam War are engraved on the stones of the Place of Names. Excerpts from letters sent by marines, airmen, soldiers, and sailors who were victims of the war are etched on shingles displayed in the Place of Words. The Memorial is a wonderful place to visit if you want to contemplate, pay your respects to the fallen, and learn about the Vietnam War.

Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Address: Biotech Park Area, Worcester, MA 01605, United States

Website: Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial

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3. Revisit history at the Worcester Historical Museum

Posted by Worcester Historical Museum on Tuesday, 24 November 2015

WHM or Worcester Historical Museum is the only museum dedicated completely to the locality’s artifacts and history. Originally built as Worcester Society of Antiquity in 1875 in downtown Worcester, it features a research library containing more than 7,000 titles, thousands of documents, and artifacts collection and ownership of the sole historic house museum in Worcester, the restored Salisbury Mansion. There are exhibits, tours, publications, and educational programs, as well as permanent and changing exhibitions that promote Worcester’s local history.

Worcester Historical Museum

Address: 30 Elm St, Worcester, MA 01609, USA

Website: Worcester Historical Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Price: 3 USD onwards

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4. Organize family picnics at Green Hill Park


Green Hill Park is the largest public park in Worcester measuring more than 480 acres (194.2 hectares) and where Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial is located. Formerly owned by the Green family, the estate underwent several transformations over time from being the wilds, farmland, country estate, and now into a one-of-a-kind multi-use park recorded as a historic place in the National Registry. Situated on one of the seven main hills of Worcester, the park offers beautiful vistas and panoramic views that include a golf course, a football field, five soccer fields, two softball fields, and a zoo of farm animals, playgrounds, ponds, picnic areas, and gazebos.

Green Hill Park

Address: 50 Skyline Dr, Worcester, MA 01605, USA

Website: Green Hill Park

Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)

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5. Visit EcoTarium


Formerly called the New England Science Center, EcoTarium is a unique nature and science museum offering an amazing indoor and outdoor experience to guests of all ages. The building is on a 45 acre (.07 square miles) campus property and it has three floors that showcase interactive indoor exhibits, real animal habitats, the digital Alden Planetarium that features astonishing shows, and Science Discovery programs featured daily. Participate in exciting outdoor activities like imaginative plays, hiking through the meadow and forest nature trails, or take a train ride on an 1869’s steam engine scale model around the campus. Apply for a membership so you can visit the museum for free.

EcoTarium

Address: 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA 01604, USA

Website: EcoTarium

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 14 USD onwards

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6. Shop for antiques at Crompton Collective

Posted by Crompton Collective on Tuesday, 25 June 2019

The Crompton Collective was once 1860s Crompton Place, a registered National Historic Place. The curated boutique store is at Worcester’s historic mill building on Green Street and this is where antique sellers and buyers meet. Sellers of antique and handcrafted items can rent a booth from 40 USD to as much as 250 USD depending on its size. It’s heaven for buyers of vintage and one-of-a-kind items as there is a wide selection of goods to choose from. Join their free events and shop to your heart’s delight!

Crompton Collective

Address: 138 Green St, Worcester, MA 01604, USA

Website: Crompton Collective

Opening hours: Sun & Tue: 11am - 5pm; Mon: 11am - 4pm; Wed & Fri: 11am - 6pm; Thu: 11am - 8pm; Sat: 9am - 6pm

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7. Time travel at the American Antiquarian Society


Feel like a learned fellow once you walk into the ancient halls of the American Antiquarian Society. It’s the oldest national independent research library and historical society having been built in 1812. If you need to do some intensive research or you merely want to brush up your knowledge with a higher level of learning, visit the AAS and browse through their massive collection of printed materials, graphic arts, music, reference works, digital resources, and many more that are related to the American national history and culture. The institute, awarded with the National Humanities Medal in 2013, offers activities, scholarships, and employment opportunities.

American Antiquarian Society

Address: 185 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609, USA

Website: American Antiquarian Society

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri: 10am - 5pm; Wed: 10am - 7pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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8. Attend a concert at Mechanics Hall

Mechanics Hall, Worcester
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kenneth C. Zirkel used under CC BY-SA 4.0

For over 150 years, this massive concert hall has been the cultural center of Massachusetts with its elegant interiors and fascinating history. Built-in 1857 by the best tradesmen and artisan of Worcester county, Mechanics Hall represented the American Industrial Revolution with its advanced construction techniques and mechanical systems. Its five huge function rooms can host concerts, galas, recordings, business meetings, weddings, proms, receptions, and other community events. Experience how the finest concert hall made during the pre-Civil War era and the awesome architecture of a registered National Historic Place makes a significant impact on your viewing pleasure.

Mechanics Hall

Address: 321 Main St, Worcester, MA 01608, USA

Website: Mechanics Hall

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9. Drink with the locals at Wormtown Brewery

Wormtown
Source: Photo by Flickr user Matthew Bellemare used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Who would have known that Worcester’s favorite watering hole started on Park Avenue as an ice cream shop? With the vision and ingenuity of its owner, it was transformed into a 10-barrel brewery utilizing the freezers to keep the beer and hops fresh. It officially started brewing in 2010 and eventually moved and expanded to its new location five years later on Shrewsbury St. Sample a pint while waiting for your growler and trade stories with the locals while drinking in the WT Taproom. It’s overlooking the pit where they are brewing your beer. Watching it brew and how they create their handcrafted beer makes an excellent conversation piece!

Wormtown Brewery

Address: 72 Shrewsbury St #4, Worcester, MA 01604, USA

Website: Wormtown Brewery

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 7pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 2 USD onwards

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10. Watch a live show at Hanover Theatre

Please note that OUR BOX OFFICE IS CLOSED tomorrow for scheduled website maintenance and will reopen Wednesday at...

Posted by The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts on Monday, 10 June 2019

Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts was the former Franklin Square Theatre built on 1904, a grandiose theater with palatial interiors featuring Broadway shows, burlesque shows, and silent movies. In the turn of the century, the theater was remodeled and expanded adding more seating capacity, theater space, and a gallery for exhibits with most of its original structure well preserved. Awarded a National Trust for Historic Preservation and a spot in the National Registry as a historic place, the theatre is now a world-class venue for art exhibits, musicals, Broadway plays, and holds classes for dance, music, acting, and technical theatre.

Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts

Address: 2 Southbridge St, Worcester, MA 01608, USA

Website: Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts

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11. Discover the historic Salisbury Mansion

Salisbury Mansion, Worcester MA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user John Phelan used under CC BY 3.0

In 1772, Salisbury Mansion was built in Lincoln Square to serve as a store and house owned by Stephen Salisbury. Change of ownership and location transformed the mansion from a rooming-house, gentlemen’s club, and finally back to the original layout of the widow Mrs. Salisbury’s home. To date, it is the sole historic house museum in Worcester owned by the Worcester Historical Museum which attracts visitors for the whimsical appeal of its restored interiors and Georgian style architecture that dates back to the 1830s.

Salisbury Mansion

Address: 40 Highland St, Worcester, MA 01609, USA

Website: Salisbury Mansion

Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 1pm - 4pm (closed from Sun - Wed)

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12. Get adventurous at the Central Rock Climbing Center


Conquer your fear of heights and enroll in a rock climbing gym! The Central Rock Climbing Center will provide you with safe and state-of-the-art facilities, complete climbing gear, and professional instructors who will initiate you in the extreme sport of rock climbing. They offer indoor rock and wall climbing classes to kids and adults and to beginners and professional climbers with fitness and yoga classes on the side.

Central Rock Climbing Center

Address: 299 Barber Ave, Worcester, MA 01606, USA

Website: Central Rock Climbing Center

Opening hours: Mon, Wed & Fri: 6am - 10:30pm; Tue & Thu: 11am - 10:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 9pm

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13. Attend a trade show at DCU Center


DCU Center is a state-of-the-art convention center and indoor arena complex that hosts various social events, big to small-sized conventions, trade shows, meetings, sporting events, and family shows. It has an exhibition space of 100,310 square feet (9,319.10 square meters), 11 meeting rooms with a total area of 23,636 square feet (2,195.86 square meters), and the largest ballroom in Central Massachusetts measuring 12,144 square feet (1,128.21 square meters). Whether you are an attendee or an exhibitor, you will not be disappointed with the exquisite facilities, excellent catering services of Savor, ultramodern amenities, and superb location of the complex.

DCU Center

Address: 50 Foster St, Worcester, MA 01608, USA

Website: DCU Center

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14. Attend a Sprinkler Factory exhibition

Closing Reception for 'Golden Contemporaries: the many meanings of gold' TODAY / SUNDAY, October 28th, 1-4pm. Last...

Posted by Sprinkler Factory on Sunday, 28 October 2018

Entrance is free to the Sprinkler Factory, a huge industrial type space with flexible interiors to which makes it the ideal venue for dynamic exhibitions, performance, art galleries, and artist studios. The complex was formerly owned by the Rockwood Sprinkler Company in 1906 and today it is the hub of arts and learning. Its three huge, well-lit galleries, a learning center, and performance space are intended for the cultural enlightenment of the Worcester citizens in the areas of art, music, and performance. Drop by and see an exhibit or an art installation and get a chance to meet the artist himself or enroll in one of the several workshops to bring out your creative side.

Sprinkler Factory

Address: 38 Harlow St, Worcester, MA 01605, USA

Website: Sprinkler Factory

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

Price: Free

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15. Get creative at the Worcester Center for Crafts

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


WCC (Worcester Center for Crafts) is among the oldest cultural institutions of the city and the first of its kind in America. The center provides facilities where people can have classes, workshops, and youth programs to hone their creative talent and create a better appreciation for art and handmade pieces. Here the artist and the student meet so they can engage in arts and crafts like blacksmithing, forging, bladesmithing, ceramics, photography, glass, and jewelry-making. There is also a residency program for aspiring artists that will require them to stay in the center for at least one to two years during their training.

Worcester Center for Crafts

Address: 25 Sagamore Rd, Worcester, MA 01605, USA

Website: Worcester Center for Crafts

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

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16. Take a stroll at Elm Park

Worcester Massachusetts Elm Park Iron Bridge
Source: Photo by user JoeyBagODonuts used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Elm Park is the city’s most popular historic park built in 1854 on the land named “New Common” putting Worcester among the first US cities to spend public funds to buy land for a public park. It’s one of the city’s treasured open spaces that Park Avenue divides into two. To the west are wooded trails, four lighted tennis courts, and a basketball court. To the east, are picnic areas, playgrounds, ponds that transform into ice skating rinks during winter, and the two iconic bridges at the center of Lincoln Pond. Take a relaxing stroll through the park that’s rich with history and lovely scenery or watch an outdoor concert or have a picnic while enjoying the sports facilities.

Elm Park

Address: 138 Russell St, Worcester, MA 01602, USA

Website: Elm Park

Opening hours: Sun - Sat: 5am - 10pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

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17. Visit the historic Bancroft Tower


Bancroft Tower resembles a mini medieval castle built in the 1900s made of granite and natural stone standing 56 feet (17.07 meters) high in the wooded areas of Salisbury Park. The tower was created by George Bancroft to honor his good friend George Bancroft, Worcester’s elite statesman, historian, and politician. Currently, the organization Park Spirit is managing the operations and upkeep of the historic tower and its surrounding areas allowing guests to visit only on all Sundays of October just in time for their “Haunted House” event. During that time, the general public is allowed to enter and explore the ancient tower that is filled with history and notorious past.

Bancroft Tower

Address: Salisbury Park, Prospect Hill, Worcester, Ma

Website: Bancroft Tower

Opening hours: October: Sun: 10am - 2pm (closed from Mon - Sat)

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18. Play with the Green Hill Park Farm animals


Looking for a fun activity to do with the kids that won’t take you away from the city or cost you a dime? Then head off to the Green Hill Park Farm and spend the day mingling up-close with friendly farm animals like chickens, ducks, goats, alpacas, llamas, peafowl, mini-horse, pheasants, sheep, and pigs. The farm is open to the public free of charge the whole year round and it has a zookeeper who will restrain you from feeding the animals due to their health and safety issues.

Green Hill Park Farm

Address: 50 Skyline Dr, Worcester, MA 01605, USA

Website: Green Hill Park Farm

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 5am - 10pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

Price: Free

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19. Cycle through the scenic Blackstone River Bikeway


Go on an exciting adventure exploring Blackstone Valley by cycling through the Blackstone River Bikeway. Enjoy the scenery as you pass eight bridges overlooking Blackstone River & Canal, a view spot overseeing Millville Lock, a playground, four dams, a museum, and other historic landmarks as you bike through the partially finished bikeway. The bikeway aims to connect Worcester, MA, to Providence, RI, via India Park. Upon completion, the bikeway serves as an alternative way of traveling for commuters and provides a new source of recreation while connecting the largest cities of New England.

Blackstone River Bikeway

Address: 670 Linwood Avenue Northbridge, MA 01588

Website: Blackstone River Bikeway

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20. Indulge in Gibby’s Ice Cream


Treat yourself to over 60 flavors of home-made ice cream made fresh every day and 20 creamy soft-serve flavors. Gibby’s Ice Cream is created in the family-owned Gibson’s Dairy Farms, the largest food supplier serving the Worcester community since 1923 with their farm-to-table fresh dairy and produce. Visit the farm and taste their famous homemade brownies, banana split, and old-fashioned creamy ice cream recently hailed in Massachusetts’ top 15 best ice cream joints.

Gibby’s Ice Cream

Address: 50 Sunderland Rd. Worcester, MA 01604

Website: Gibby’s Ice Cream

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

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21. Cheer for the Worcester Bravehearts at Fitton Field

things to do in worcester ma | cheer for the worcester bravehearts at fitton field
Source: instagram

If you’re a Bravehearts fan, you’ll find them training or playing a game at Fitton Field. The 100-year-old football stadium belongs the College of the Holy Cross and was originally intended for the school’s exclusive sporting events. Today, this impressive football field which is made of high-quality natural grass and has a 23,500 seating capacity, is home to the Crusaders and has hosted the best college football teams from Georgia, Penn State, Boston College, and others.

Fitton Field

Address: 1 College St, Worcester, MA 01610, USA

Website: Fitton Field

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22. Treat yourself at Boynton Restaurant & Spirits

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Boynton Restaurant & Spirits was a tiny tavern in the 1930s named after John Boynton (one of WPI’s founding fathers) frequented by the students and professors of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the general public. John and Irene James took ownership in 1969 and expanded the restaurant by buying the dress shop beside it. A massive makeover in 2004 has transformed it into one of the most sophisticated restobars in the city serving the finest cuisine and a wide selection of beers and ales the traditional way.

Boynton Restaurant & Spirits

Address: 117 Highland St, Worcester, MA 01609, USA

Website: Boynton Restaurant & Spirits

Opening hours: 11am - 1am (daily)

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23. Immerse yourself in the Dive Bar nightlife


Enjoy the night by visiting one of the popular watering holes of Worcester – the Dive Bar! Whether you just want to drink to get drunk or have a nightcap after a stressful day, Dive Bar is the place to be with their wide selection of handcrafted brews and beers to be enjoyed in a laid-back atmosphere. There’s live music every night to keep you entertained and a wide garden at the back where you can drink al fresco with your friends.

Dive Bar

Address: 34 Green St, Worcester, MA 01604, USA

Website: Dive Bar

Opening hours: 6pm - 2am (daily)

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24. Admire the architecture of Union Station


Union Station is a train station with a waiting room located in Worcester’s Washington Square built during 1911 to serve the Main Line of the Boston and Albany Railroad. Marvel at its grand architecture featuring a Grand Hall with its original oval ceilings decorated with stained glass and the interior columns made of marble and mahogany trim, and the Luciano’s Cotton Club restaurant with a 1920s gangster motif, where you can grab a bite while waiting for your train ride. There is also the Union Station Parking Garage with 500 parking spaces and easy entry to the station. It’s the only train station with a long single platform with wheelchair access that serves only one train each time.

Union Station

Address: 2 Washington Square, Worcester, MA 01604, USA

Website: Union Station

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25. Learn pottery at Clayground


Since 1966, Clayground has been providing the community with a facility and the materials where they can create and paint pottery. They offer workshops and summer camps both for kids and adults who want to learn the craft and art of pottery, clay impressions, and painting. For a fee, you can create your pieces and have them fired and glazed in a kiln and get them back in seven to ten days so you have a lasting souvenir of your activity. The studio also hosts birthday parties with this remarkable activity.

Clayground Paint Your Own Pottery Studio

Address: 65 James St # 11, Worcester, MA 01603, USA

Website: Clayground Paint Your Own Pottery Studio

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 10am - 3pm (closed on Tue)

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26. Practice disc golf at Newton Hill


Newton Hill is Elm Park’s 41-acre (16.6 hectares) section with a lot of trails, paths, flower beds, flagpoles, a fitness circuit, and open spaces perfect for playing disc golf. In 2009, the park stewards installed the disc golf 18-hole course to cater to the needs of the sports aficionados. Not only does the sport encourage good exercise and camaraderie among the players, but it also allows to enjoy and explore the beautiful natural landscape of Newton Hill while they are playing.

Newton Hill Disc Golf

Address: Summit Rd, Worcester, MA 01602, USA

Website: Newton Hill Disc Golf

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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27. Pay your respect at the Southwest Asia War Memorial

Desert Shield Desert Storm memorial - Worcester, MA - DSC05762
Source: Photo by user Daderot used under CC0

This memorial was built by the City of Worcester in 1993 to pay respects to the veterans of the Southwest Asia War and to those who died during the 1990 Desert Shield and 1991 Desert Storm armed conflict. The memorial is made of two parts, a large standing stone monument with a smaller tablet at the bottom stating it is the official state monument. At the back of the memorial is an “Honor Roll” which is a list of nine names of high ranking soldiers with special commendations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Southwest Asia War Memorial

Address: Southwest Asia War Memorial, Worcester, MA 01608, USA

Website: Southwest Asia War Memorial

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Wonderful Worcester

The amazing places to see and exciting things to do will make any wanderlust want to stay in Worcester! You have a wide selection of dining and drinking options, several parks and monuments to explore, indoor and outdoor activities that will make you appreciate the city’s remarkable history and culture. The city’s unique mix of rustic surroundings and urban comforts makes Worcester, MA, a wonderful place for a permanent vacation!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Tina is a free-spirited writer and traveler. She likes to experience unfamiliar places, cuisines, and scenery. She prefers beaches to mountains though as she is afraid of heights. Visiting museums,...Read more

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