Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.
What Shrewsbury is known for
Shrewsbury sits on the east shore of Lake Quinsigamond, right next to Worcester, with Route 9 and Route 20 crossing town. It is the hometown of Revolutionary War General Artemas Ward, whose homestead is still owned by Harvard University. Locals call it The Bury.
Nipmuc leader Peter Jethro and other Nipmuc people deeded land around Lake Quinsigamond to settlers in 1664. Gersham Wheelock became the first permanent settler in 1720, and the town was incorporated in 1727. The Town Common was laid out in 1721, and the center became a local historic district in 1972 and joined the National Register of Historic Places on October 8, 1976. A town of about 38,000 people (2020 census) that works as a close suburb of Worcester, with lake life on the west side and a historic town common at its center. Daily errands run along Route 9 and Route 20, while fall weekends bring the Spirit of Shrewsbury parade.
Where to live
The historic core north of Main Street around the 1721 Town Common, the First Congregational Church, the 1830 brick schoolhouse, the public library, and several historic homes. Exterior changes here go through the Historic District Commission. (source)
Homes along the Shrewsbury side of Lake Quinsigamond, a lake about five and a half miles long. Waterfront owners with docks register and renew them each year with the Lake Quinsigamond Commission. (source)
The south side of town along Route 20 (Hartford Turnpike). It has its own fire station at 100 Hartford Turnpike, built in 1962, plus Edgemere Park off Edgemere Boulevard and the Oak Island boat ramp nearby. (source)
A residential area off Route 20 around Stoney Hill Road and Deer Run, with town open space at Hills Farm and Hills Farm Pond. (source)
Residential streets in the Walnut Street area, with neighborhood parks at Toblin Hills off Walnut Street and Hillando Park on Hillando Drive. (source)
Local favorites
Prime dry-aged beef and fresh seafood, with a sushi bar run by master sushi chef BJ. (source)
Family-run spot started by Olga and John Baltas as Dean Park Pizza, serving pizza, subs, and grill plates. (source)
Known for its allergy-aware kitchen, weekend brunch, and a patio at Lakeway Commons. (source)
Big bar and grill for games and group nights out at Lakeway Commons. (source)
Build-your-own poké bowls; The Atlantic bowl pairs raw salmon and tuna with edamame and seaweed salad. (source)
All-you-can-eat sushi and seafood buffet featuring Alaskan crab legs. (source)
South Indian village-style cooking, just over the town line on Route 9. (source)
A.P.N. certified pizza napoletana and handmade regional pasta on Worcester's Shrewsbury Street restaurant row. (source)
After hours
40-lane bowling center on Route 9 with an arcade and sports bar. Formerly Bowlero Shrewsbury. (source)
Library at Route 140 and Main Street with roots in a 1792 social library. Its latest renovation and expansion opened September 21, 2016. (source)
The 1721 common at Main and Boylston Streets, home to the 1869 Civil War Memorial and seasonal events like Light the Common. (source)
Town rowing center and boat ramp on North Quinsigamond Avenue for getting out on Lake Quinsigamond. The Oak Island ramp sits off Route 20. (source)
Public 18-hole championship course plus a 9-hole par-3 course, with Cyprian's Restaurant open to the public seven days a week. (source)
Shopping
Shopping and dining plaza off Route 9 with big-box retail, boutiques, and restaurants, on the site of the former White City amusement park. (source)
Route 9 center at 193 Boston Turnpike, home to Tavern in the Square, Burtons Grill & Bar, and Atlantic Poké. (source)
Full Wegmans supermarket on Shops Way, open 6am to midnight daily, just over the Shrewsbury line on Route 9. (source)
Farm market with local produce, meat, a deli, and year-round cider doughnuts and pies. (source)
Outdoors
Town park on Main Street with three basketball courts being rebuilt through Community Preservation funds. (source)
Former Masonic property on Prospect Street with walking trails and a pergola more than 100 years old that the town is restoring. (source)
Park with a paved path and a StoryWalk of children's picture book pages changed monthly by library staff. (source)
Nearest state park, on Lake Quinsigamond. Regatta Point has swimming, sailing, and a 2,000-meter rowing course; Lake Park has a beach, picnic area, and tennis courts. (source)
Mass Audubon sanctuary of 435 acres with marked trails through woods, fields, streams, and marsh, plus a nature center. (source)
3,000-acre reservation with a 2,006-foot summit, about 17 miles of trails, and a summit road open in season. (source)
National park telling the story of the Blackstone River and America's early industrial revolution, running from the Worcester area to Rhode Island. (source)
Things to do
One of the earliest surviving schoolhouses in Worcester County, now home to the Shrewsbury Historical Society and its town history museum on Church Road. (source)
Home of Revolutionary War General Artemas Ward, owned by Harvard University and part of Shrewsbury's historic districts. (source)
Botanic garden with an apple orchard, seasonal Night Lights, garden dining, and plant shows. (source)
Indoor-outdoor museum of science and nature with the Alden Planetarium, the Explorer Express train, and otter encounters. (source)
Home of the Worcester Red Sox, also hosting fall festivals, markets, and winter events. (source)
On the calendar
Town Expo and art show with 100-plus exhibitors, plus a parade with floats and the Shrewsbury High School Band. (source)
Shrewsbury Garden Club scarecrow display on the Town Common during the Fall Festival. (source)
Holiday lighting on the Town Common organized by the Shrewsbury Town Center Association. (source)
Train show, penny candy sale, and toy exhibits at the 1830 Brick School. (source)
Schools
Beal School, Coolidge School, Floral Street School, Paton School, Spring Street School
Sherwood Middle School, Oak Middle School
Shrewsbury High School
Saint John's High School, Shrewsbury Montessori School
Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)
Broker notes
Route 9 (Boston Turnpike), Route 20 (Hartford Turnpike), and Route 140 run through town, with I-290 just west in Worcester and the Mass Pike (I-90) to the south.
Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), about 20 minutes; Boston Logan International (BOS), about 50 to 60 minutes without heavy traffic.
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.