Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.
What Grafton is known for
Grafton is a semi-rural town southeast of Worcester known for its classic town common, lined with historic buildings and a bandstand built for a 1935 Hollywood film. It grew as a string of mill villages along the Quinsigamond and Blackstone rivers. Today it is also home to Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and a commuter rail stop on the Framingham/Worcester Line.
The land was the Nipmuc village of Hassanamisco, where missionary John Eliot set up a church and school in 1671. The town was established in 1735 and named for Charles Fitzroy, Duke of Grafton, and the common was laid out in 1738. In the 1800s the mill villages of New England Village, Farnumsville, Fisherville and Centerville grew up around water power, and Washington Mills still makes abrasives in North Grafton. Grafton mixes old New England village centers with newer subdivisions and open space. Daily life runs between the common, the Route 140 and Route 122 corridors, and the town's trails, beach and ball fields.
Where to live
The historic heart of town around the 1738 common, with the library, the Grafton Inn, shops and the 1935 bandstand. Early American, Greek Revival and Victorian homes still stand along North Street, South Street and Worcester Street. (source)
The northern village grew around the Upper and Lower mills starting in 1824, and Washington Mills still operates there. It holds the Worcester Street commercial strip, Tufts Cummings School on Westboro Road and the Grafton commuter rail station at 1 Pine Street. (source)
A South Grafton mill village where Peter Farnum and his son built a four-story stone woolen mill in 1827. Main Street here is home to South Grafton Elementary School and Mill Villages Park. (source)
Mill village founded around 1829 on the Blackstone Canal. Fisherville Pond and the Ferry Street/Fisher Park fields and playground are nearby. (source)
The earliest mill site in town, on the Quinsigamond River at Brigham Hill Road, where Grafton's first electricity was produced. The area is quieter and more rural, with the Grafton Lions Club grounds and trails on Brigham Hill Road. (source)
Local favorites
Scratch kitchen run by longtime Grafton residents Steve and Lori Belfiore, with wood-fired pizza and a wide beer, wine and cocktail list. (source)
Casual pub with outdoor tables and an event space. Locals go for the Reunion Burger, wings with house-made garlic parmesan sauce and the lobster roll. (source)
Longtime North Grafton pub off Route 140 with a big lunch and dinner menu. (source)
Pub dining inside the historic Grafton Inn, with window tables that look out on the common. The inn also has guest rooms. (source)
Family-owned spot known for hand-made margaritas and a full Mexican menu. (source)
Neighborhood Chinese restaurant open seven days, with Peking duck and Kung Pao shrimp on the menu, plus delivery. (source)
Public restaurant in the Highfields Golf & Country Club clubhouse, overlooking the golf course. (source)
Casual deli near the common known for handcrafted sandwiches and Italian grinders. (source)
After hours
Ice cream and coffee cafe on the common serving Bliss Dairy ice cream, espresso, sandwiches and baked goods, with indoor and outdoor seats facing the common. (source)
Seasonal ice cream shop on Worcester Street in North Grafton. (source)
Town library at 35 Grafton Common, open six days a week, with adult workshops and kids programs through the year. (source)
18-hole public golf course opened in 2002, also used for weddings, events and casual dining at the tavern. (source)
North Grafton park at 6 Prentice Street with three softball fields, a basketball court, a disc golf course and a fire truck climbing structure for kids. (source)
Shopping
Gift shop on the common focused on USA-made home decor, accessories and gifts from local artists, with free gift wrapping. (source)
Multi-dealer antiques and vintage furniture market just off the common, with on-site parking. (source)
Tack shop in South Grafton selling English and Western tack, riding apparel and gifts. Its slogan is Everything for Horse and Rider. (source)
Garden center and nursery on Providence Road in South Grafton with greenhouses, plants, decor and gifts. (source)
Outdoors
224-acre conservation property with numbered historic, nature and kids trail guides. It is co-managed with the Historical Commission and studied by UMass Boston archaeologists. Park at the end of Salisbury Street. (source)
Town beach at 245 Upton Street with a lifeguarded sandy beach, deep-water raft, kayak rentals, grills and a pavilion in summer. The trails and fishing are open year-round. (source)
Passive park at 95 North Street with the town's first accessible loop trail, meadows, a pavilion and nature play. (source)
Launch a canoe or kayak at Ekblaw Landing, 111 Worcester Street, and paddle upstream to Snow Marsh or downstream to Lake Ripple and Fisherville Pond. (source)
Nearest state park, with about 2 miles of trails through rock formations like The Corn Crib, The Coffin and Lovers' Leap. The Chasm Trail closes in winter. (source)
National park telling the story of the Blackstone Valley mills that started America's industrial age. The visitor center is at Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI, and Grafton's own mill villages sit in the same valley. (source)
Refuge along the Nashua River about 40 miles west of Boston, used for wildlife watching, photography and paddling. (source)
Things to do
The town common dates to 1738. Its bandstand was built in 1935 by Hollywood filmmakers for the movie Ah, Wilderness, which was filmed in Grafton. (source)
Museum at 11 Willard Street in North Grafton, set in the Willard family home and workshop, with clocks by three generations of Willard clockmakers. Guided tours run Thursday through Saturday. (source)
Local history society with exhibits on Grafton's past, events like First Friday Tea and Art in Bloom, and a yearly Antique & Arts Fair. (source)
Volunteer farm at 37 Wheeler Road in North Grafton that grows fruits and vegetables for hunger relief. Individuals and groups can sign up to volunteer. (source)
Nonprofit music and theatre school on Grafton Common offering private lessons, classes and productions. Its Great Hall is available for rentals. (source)
On the calendar
Weekly market on Grafton Common from 2 to 6 pm. (source)
Annual summer concert on Grafton Common hosted by the Grafton Lions Club. (source)
Annual antiques and arts fair held by the Grafton Historical Society, with dealers and artists on Grafton Common. (source)
Grafton Lions Club fundraiser held each fall. (source)
Community Harvest Project's festival and 5K farm run at its North Grafton farm on Wheeler Road. (source)
Schools
Millbury Street Elementary School, North Grafton Elementary School, North Street Elementary School, South Grafton Elementary School
Grafton Middle School
Grafton High School
Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)
Broker notes
Route 122 and Route 140 run through town. Route 146 and the Mass Pike (I-90) are close by. The MBTA Framingham/Worcester Line stops at Grafton station, 1 Pine Street, North Grafton.
Worcester Regional Airport (ORH): about 29 min. Boston Logan (BOS): about 50 min. Rhode Island T.F. Green (PVD): about 49 min.
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.