Worcester County · Massachusetts

Clinton City Guide

Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.

OverviewNeighborhoodsFoodHangoutsShoppingParksAttractionsEventsSchoolsBuying tips

Life in Clinton, MA

Clinton is a compact mill town on the Nashua River, next to the Wachusett Dam and Reservoir. It is home to Fuller Field, certified by Guinness as the oldest ballpark in continuous use, and to The Icon Museum and Study Center. Downtown High Street has a busy mix of local restaurants, bars and small shops.

Clinton was incorporated as its own town on March 14, 1850, after splitting from Lancaster. Brothers Erastus and Horatio Bigelow built the town around their carpet mills, and Horatio N. Bigelow donated the land for Central Park in 1852. Work on the Wachusett Dam began in 1897, and the reservoir finished filling in 1908. Clinton feels like a walkable small town with a real downtown, parks on nearly every side of the center, and long running traditions like Olde Home Days. It draws commuters who want a town center, water views and access to central Massachusetts highways.

Clinton neighborhoods

Downtown High Street

The town center, with Central Park, Town Hall on Church Street and a run of restaurants and shops along High Street. The town keeps Downtown Clinton Design Guidelines for storefronts and signage. (source)

The Acre

A long established neighborhood centered on Philbin Memorial Park, the former site of the 1911 Forbes School. The park has a playground, tennis courts, a splash pad and a basketball court largely unchanged since the 1950s. (source)

Depot Square (Main and Sterling Streets)

The area around Hamilton Square at Main Street and Sterling Street, near the former Bigelow Carpet Mill and the old train depot. It is the historic industrial core of town. (source)

Vale Street area

The neighborhood around Savage Field, the busiest athletic park in town, bordered by Water, Vale and Branch Streets. The town notes the park sits in a flood zone. (source)

South Meadow and Coachlace Pond

The southwest side of town about a mile and a half from the center, around Coachlace Pond on South Meadow Brook. Duffy Memorial Park overlooks the pond off New Harbor Road. (source)

Fuller Field and the Nashua River edge

The northern edge of town along the Nashua River, anchored by Fuller Field and the Parks and Recreation building at 560 High Street. (source)

Where locals eat in Clinton

American grill · 27 High Street, downtown

Clintons Bar & Grille

Reviewers call out the lobster mac and cheese, steak tips and potato crusted haddock. (source)

Middle Eastern · 72B High Street, downtown

Zaytoon Halal Restaurant

Known for shawarma, falafel and kibbe, plus a weekend buffet Friday through Sunday. (source)

Thai · 180 Church Street

Thai Time

Pad thai and drunken noodles are the most mentioned dishes. (source)

Thai · 1175 Main Street

Similan Thai Bistro

Longtime local favorite for panang curry, honey duck and mango fried rice. (source)

Classic diner · 100 Chestnut Street

Lou's Diner

One of the oldest eating spots in town, run by the Turini family, with omelets, home fries and diner plates. Expect a wait at lunch. (source)

Vegan breakfast and lunch · 54 High Street, downtown

The Vegan Nest Cafe

Family owned all vegan cafe. Reviewers mention the onion burger on a homemade bun and the eggs benedict. (source)

Subs and pizza · 104 Sterling Street

T.C. Lando's

Known for its steak and cheese subs. (source)

Mexican · 1 High Street

Taqueria El Amigo 3

Small 16 seat taqueria. The pollo torta gets praise. (source)

Coffee, drinks and hangouts

Sterling Street Brewery

Family friendly and dog friendly taproom at 175 Sterling Street with trivia, live local bands, food trucks and seasonal releases. (source)

The Simple Man Saloon

Pub at 119 High Street, open since 2010, with trivia on Thursdays, music bingo and karaoke on Fridays and live music on Saturdays. (source)

Spruce Street Tavern

Neighborhood sports bar since 2008 in a building serving the town since 1936. Thin crust pizza, trivia, a vintage shuffleboard table and an outdoor patio. (source)

Bigelow Free Public Library

Town library at 54 Walnut Street with programs for kids, teens and adults, plus eBooks and audiobooks through Libby and Hoopla. (source)

Turini's Corner

Small park at High and Water Streets by the train bridge, on the site of the old Turini's Diner. A local spot for people watching and catching up with friends. (source)

Shopping in Clinton

The Fountain Confections

Old school soda shop at 138 High Street with dirty sodas and a candy shop with 48 feet of pick your own candy by the pound. (source)

Sunrise Boutique

Downtown gift and clothing boutique at 62 High Street carrying jewelry, shoes, incense and more. (source)

Meadowbrook Orchards (Sterling)

Farm store, bakery and restaurant on 100 acres worked by the Chandler family since 1912. Apples, blueberries, pumpkins and homemade preserves. (source)

DiMeco's Nursery & Landscape (Lancaster)

Family owned garden center, florist and gift shop with houseplants, locally sourced gourmet foods and handmade soaps and candles. (source)

Parks, beaches and nature

in town

Central Park

Four acre town green donated by Horatio N. Bigelow in 1852, with Civil War and Spanish-American War monuments, a sundial and the rebuilt Foster Fountain. Hosts the summer concert series. (source)

in town

Rauscher Farm Conservation Area

62 acres of town conservation land with grasslands, wetlands, woodland trails and access to Clamshell Pond for fishing and car-top boats. Leashed dogs allowed. (source)

in town

Duffy Memorial Park and Coachlace Pond

Park off New Harbor Road overlooking Coachlace Pond, a man-made pond on South Meadow Brook. (source)

in town

Savage Field

The town's most athletic park at 36 Vale Street, known locally as the Vale Street Playground, with a lighted adult softball field. (source)

borders Clinton

Wachusett Reservoir

6.5 square mile reservoir with 37 miles of shoreline. Walking, running, fishing in designated areas and cross-country skiing through designated gates. No swimming, boating or dogs. (source)

about 20 miles

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation (Princeton)

3,000 acre state reservation with 17 miles of trails, a summit road to the 2,006 foot peak and a visitor center. (source)

about 10 miles

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge (Harvard and Devens)

Refuge along the Nashua River with five miles of easy trails, kayaking and the largest known Blanding's turtle population in the Northeast. (source)

Attractions and landmarks

The Icon Museum and Study Center

Museum at 203 Union Street with the most comprehensive collection of icons and Eastern Christian art in the U.S., in a restored historic building. Open Thursday to Sunday, free the first Sunday of each month. (source)

Fuller Field

Certified by Guinness as the oldest ballpark in continuous use, with organized baseball on the diamond since at least 1878. (source)

Wachusett Dam

The dam that holds back the Wachusett Reservoir, one of the key structures of the state water supply system for 2.7 million people. (source)

Clinton Historical Society

Local history museum based at the Holder Memorial, listed with the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce. (source)

Davis Farmland (Sterling)

Children's discovery farm with farm animals, seasonal pick your own apples and pumpkins, and a summer splash park. Adults must come with a child 12 or younger. (source)

Annual events

September

Olde Home Days

Two day town fair started in 2000 for Clinton's 150th anniversary, with a vendor fair, food court, main stage on Church Street and contests like the baby crawling race. (source)

Summer, Tuesday evenings

Summer Concert Series

Outdoor concerts in Central Park on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. (source)

July

Town Wide Yard Sale

A one day yard sale across town organized by Clinton Parks and Recreation. (source)

September

Daughter's Dance

Parks and Recreation dance event, held in late September. (source)

Clinton Public Schools

Elementary

Clinton Elementary School

Middle

Clinton Middle School

High

Clinton High School

Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)

Buying in Clinton: what Ryan checks

  • Check FEMA flood maps near the Nashua River and low areas like the Vale Street and Savage Field neighborhood, which the town lists as a flood zone.
  • Land near the Wachusett Reservoir falls under state watershed protection rules managed by DCR. Confirm any limits before planning additions, septic work or clearing.
  • Clinton is a 19th century mill town with many older homes. For homes built before 1978, ask about Massachusetts lead paint compliance, and check the Downtown Clinton Design Guidelines for mixed use or storefront properties on High Street.
Roads

Routes 62, 70 and 110 run through town. I-190 is a short drive west and Route 2 is to the north.

Airports

Worcester Regional Airport (about 30 min), Boston Logan International (about 1 hr)

Worcester: about 25 minLeominster: about 15 minMarlborough: about 20 minBoston: about 1 hr

Talk to Ryan about Clinton

Ryan C. Winslow, broker/owner of Winslow Homes. REALTOR® since 2009, 3,000+ homes sold, broker in FL, MA, CT and RI, U.S. Army Retired.

Researched and verified 2026-09-28. Businesses change; call ahead.