Worcester County · Massachusetts

Westborough City Guide

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

OverviewNeighborhoodsFoodHangoutsShoppingParksAttractionsEventsSchoolsBuying tips

Life in Westborough, MA

Westborough is the birthplace of Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin, and holds the headwaters of the Sudbury and Assabet rivers. It sits where the Mass Pike (I-90) meets I-495, with its own MBTA commuter rail stop. Locals know it for Route 9 institutions like Harry's Restaurant, in business since 1946.

Westborough was settled in 1675 and incorporated in 1717 as the 100th town in Massachusetts. Eli Whitney was born here in 1765, and the Boston-Worcester railroad reached town in 1834, turning farms into a manufacturing center. In the 1870s the National Straw Works on East Main Street was the largest straw hat maker in the country. About 21,500 people live here (2020 census), many commuting to Boston, Worcester or the office parks along Route 9 and I-495. Daily life mixes a walkable downtown rotary, wooded conservation trails and summer days at Lake Chauncy.

Westborough neighborhoods

Downtown Westborough

The town center where Route 30 (Main Street) and Route 135 (South and Milk Streets) meet at a rotary. Older homes, small shops and restaurants sit close together. Town Meeting voted in March 2026 to consolidate the downtown zoning districts into one base district, pending Attorney General review. (source)

Vintonville Historic District

A 20-acre residential district just east of the town center, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. It holds about 80 modest houses on small lots, mostly built between 1860 and 1890, on streets including Cottage, Elm, Spruce, Green, Pine and South. (source)

Lake Chauncy area

Homes near Westborough's 182-acre lake. The lake has a public beach for Westborough and Northborough residents, with lifeguards back on duty starting in the 2026 season. (source)

Route 9 corridor

The commercial spine of town with plazas, hotels and office parks. In March 2026 the Planning Board approved a 388-unit, five-story apartment project on both sides of Route 9 near Route 135 (171 Milk Street and 222 Turnpike Road). (source)

Westborough station area

The area around the MBTA commuter rail station at Smith Parkway and Fisher Street, on the Framingham/Worcester Line. The station lot has 448 parking spaces, a draw for Boston commuters. (source)

Where locals eat in Westborough

American diner and seafood · Route 9 (Turnpike Road)

Harry's Restaurant

Family owned since 1946 and on Route 9 in Westborough since 1969. Known for breakfast all day, lobster rolls, fried clams and lobster bisque. It celebrated 80 years in June 2026. (source)

Ice cream · 234 East Main Street

Uhlman's Ice Cream

A Westborough stop since 1967, making small-batch ice cream with a 14% butterfat recipe. Staffed by about 85 local high school and college scoopers. (source)

Chinese and Japanese · 157 Turnpike Road (Route 9)

Cheng Du Restaurant

Three concepts under one roof: traditional Chinese at Cheng Du, Japanese kushiyaki grill at Akamon and the 157 Bin wine bar and lounge. (source)

Italian · 54 East Main Street

Arturo's Ristorante

A sit-down Italian spot downtown that takes reservations. Closed Sundays. (source)

Wings and BBQ · 32 West Main Street

The Coop

Wings and barbecue plus burgers and craft beer, with dine-in, takeout and delivery. (source)

Thai · 2 Connector Road

Thai Tamarind

Weekday lunch and dinner Thai just off Route 9 near I-495. Gluten-free versions of dishes can be made on request. (source)

Indian · 225 Turnpike Road (Route 9)

Desi Chowrastha

Opened September 5, 2026 as the chain's first Massachusetts location. Dozens of Indian dishes with adjustable spice levels, plus desserts and juices made fresh daily. (source)

Modern American · Westborough Shopping Center, 32A Lyman Street

Chill Kitchen & Bar

The second location of a Marlborough family restaurant, opened in 2026. Comfort food, cocktails and weekend brunch. (source)

Coffee, drinks and hangouts

Red Barn Coffee Roasters Westborough Cafe

The cafe for Upton-based Red Barn, serving fresh coffee and baked goods downtown at 17 South Street. Open daily from early morning. (source)

Owen O'Leary's Westborough

Irish-style pub at 17 Connector Road, open until 12:30 a.m. most nights, with a function space for parties. (source)

157 Bin at Cheng Du

A wine bar and lounge inside the Cheng Du building on Route 9. (source)

Cafe Nine

Nonprofit coffee, breakfast and lunch cafe off Route 9, opened in 2026. It doubles as a job training program run by MAB Community Services for people with disabilities. (source)

NorthStar Ice Sports

Ice rink at 15 Bridle Lane used for skating and hockey. (source)

Shopping in Westborough

Westborough Shopping Center

Plaza at Route 9 and Lyman Street with Super Stop & Shop, Staples, Tatnuck Bookseller, Julio's Liquors, local shops and several restaurants. (source)

Tatnuck Bookseller Gift Gallery & Cafe

Independent bookstore, gift shop and breakfast and lunch cafe at 18 Lyman Street, with author events. (source)

Julio's Liquors

Wine, beer and spirits shop in the Westborough Shopping Center that hosts tastings, including a Sake Day celebration with nearly 100 sakes in October 2026. (source)

Nourse Farm Store

Farm stand at 80 Jasper Street on a family farm working the land since 1722. Sells fresh fruit, vegetables and farm products, and runs a fall CSA. (source)

PLAYNOW! Toy and Game

Toy and game shop in the Westborough Shopping Center. (source)

Parks, beaches and nature

in town

Lake Chauncy

182-acre lake with a town beach for Westborough and Northborough residents, plus swimming, boating and fishing. (source)

in town

Walkup and Robinson Memorial Conservation Area

63 acres owned by Sudbury Valley Trustees with stone walls, woods, fields, several trail loops and an old cattle underpass beneath the former trolley line. (source)

in town

Sandra Pond (Westboro Reservoir)

Walking area around a reservoir that supplies part of the town's drinking water. Dogs must be leashed or under electric-collar control. (source)

about 5 miles (Upton)

Upton State Forest

Nearly 2,800-acre state forest, mostly in Upton with smaller sections in Hopkinton and Westborough. It includes the last remaining Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Massachusetts. Nearest state park land. (source)

about 8 miles (Hopkinton and Ashland)

Hopkinton State Park

State park created in 1947 around the former Hopkinton Reservoir, managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. (source)

about 17 miles (Sudbury and Maynard)

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Former U.S. Army land transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2000, with over 15 miles of trails for hiking, biking, fishing and cross-country skiing. (source)

sites across the Blackstone Valley south of town

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

National Park Service unit in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that tells the story of the early American Industrial Revolution and its textile mills. (source)

Attractions and landmarks

Nourse Farm pick-your-own

Family farm since 1722 with seasonal pick-your-own raspberries, flowers and pumpkins, a farm store and a food truck. (source)

Westborough Historical Society

Local history group founded in 1889. Holds free programs and a history book group at the Sibley House, 13 Parkman Street. (source)

Launch Family Entertainment

Trampoline and family entertainment park at 290 Turnpike Road with toddler time, teen glow nights and birthday parties. (source)

Westborough Public Library

Library founded in 1857, returning to its renovated building at 55 West Main Street with reopening planned for November 2026. (source)

Vintonville Historic District

A walkable National Register district of 1860s to 1890s homes just east of downtown. (source)

Annual events

May

Memorial Day Parade

Parade along South Street ending with a ceremony at the Forbes Memorial Building, followed by refreshments from VFW Post 9013. (source)

Late June to early July

Fourth of July Block Party

Town block party with flags, speakers and community groups. The 2026 edition marked America's 250th anniversary. (source)

Thursdays, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. in season

Westborough Farmers Market

Weekly market at Bay State Commons, with mascots Miss Blue and Mr. Maize at the rotary and a Power of Produce Club for kids. (source)

October

Fall Taste of Nourse Farm

Farm tasting event set for Sunday, October 18, 2026, with proceeds going to the Westborough Food Pantry. (source)

Westborough Public Schools

Elementary

Armstrong Elementary School (K-3), Annie E. Fales Elementary School (K-3), Hastings Elementary School (K-3), Mill Pond School (grades 4-6)

Middle

Sarah W. Gibbons Middle School (grades 7-8)

High

Westborough High School

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

Buying in Westborough: what Ryan checks

  • Westborough adopted the state Specialized Energy Code, effective January 1, 2027. New construction (not renovations) that uses fossil fuels must be pre-wired for future all-electric conversion, so check the rules before building.
  • Homes in the Vintonville Historic District are on the National Register. Ask the town about any local review before exterior changes.
  • Downtown zoning was rewritten at March 2026 Town Meeting and was still awaiting Attorney General review, and a 388-unit project is approved on Route 9. Check current zoning and nearby development for any property near downtown or Route 9.
  • Sandra Pond is part of the public drinking water supply. Confirm whether a home is on town water and sewer or a private well and septic.
Roads

I-90 (Mass Pike) and I-495 meet at the east edge of town. Route 9 carries most of the retail and office traffic, and Routes 30 and 135 meet at the downtown rotary. MBTA commuter rail stops at Westborough station on the Framingham/Worcester Line.

Airports

Worcester Regional Airport (ORH): about 30 minutes. Boston Logan International (BOS): about 50 minutes without traffic.

Worcester: about 20 minFramingham: about 25 minBoston: about 50 minProvidence, RI: about 1 hr

Talk to Ryan about Westborough

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.