Things to Do in Framingham, Massachusetts

When you’re in Framingham, Massachusetts, there’s never a shortage of things to do. Visit an art gallery, tour a garden, do dinner and a movie, play miniature golf or bubble soccer, spend a day at the country club or spa, delight in an array of shopping, and dine in a variety of restaurants – all within Framingham.

Here are just a few of the things you can do in town:

The Danforth Art Museum and School

A respected staple in the community, the Danforth Art Museum and School invites the public to explore, create, learn about, and be inspired by art. There’s a permanent collection featuring 19th Century American art through art from the present day and rotating exhibits showcasing historic works as well as those of regional and contemporary artists.

The Garden in the Woods

Connect with mother nature and learn about plant preservation through the Garden in the Woods, a botanical garden established with the intent to protect, preserve, grow, and nurture native plants to Massachusetts that were once at risk of extinction. The garden spans 45 acres and includes a shaded brook and wetlands. Guided walking tours of the Garden in the Woods are also available. You can also download a tour app from Google Play or the app store from Apple.

AMC Dine-In Framingham 16 

There’s nothing quite like a night at the movies with hot, buttered popcorn, candy, and a soda. Well, and, in this case, dinner and drinks! And we’re not talking about snack bar food. Enjoy delicious appetizers, next-level entrees, artisan flatbreads, burgers and sandwiches, and sweet treats for dessert. You can also order from the bar and test out specialty drinks — all while enjoying the latest blockbuster movie.

Fun and Games

Just like it sounds, Fun and Games, a miniature golf course, is a great way to play when you’re in Framingham, a staple in the community for 57 years! The Village Green is designed with a nod to the Freedom Trail with a patriotic theme and educational opportunities. The course is complete with miniature historic buildings, life-sized statues, and other colonial replicas. It’s also a great venue for hosting birthday parties in Framingham.

New England Bubble Sports

For a unique way to enjoy a day, engage in Bubble Soccer, Foot Dart, Big Ball Volleyball, Archery Tag, and Soccer Billiards at New England Bubble Sports. The kicker to this fun-filled adventure is that it’s mobile, indoors or out, and comes to your preferred location!

For Bubble Soccer, the viral event that is New England Bubble Sports featured activity is a game where you slip the top of your body into a bounceable bubble while your lower body attempts to play a normal game of soccer. Although the game is hysterical for participants and spectators, there’s also a serious side to it as represented by NABS, the National Association of Bubble Soccer.

The Framingham Country Club

Since 1898, the Framingham Country Club (FCC) has been a staple in Framingham and a draw to those who appreciate the golf lifestyle. The club includes men’s and women’s programs, a junior golf program, member tournaments, golf lessons, a range, putting green, and has carts and golf carts.

The private club also has a pool and recreation facility and a wide array of community events, including special children’s events, brunches, dances, holiday parties, and more. Other amenities include a fitness center and a kitchen that offers lunch, dinner, and munchies for members and their invited guests.

USpa Fitness

Framingham knows how to deliver comfort, relaxation, and everything you need for self-care at the USpa Fitness spa. Services include Qi bodywork, infrared sauna, Finnish body scrub, hydrotherapy, personal training, Thai bodywork, Dead Sea mud treatment, steam sauna, Dead Sea salt bath, and spa specials.

Shopper’s World

Since opening in 1951, Shopper’s World has been recognized as one of the greatest shopping destinations in the Framingham area. It has been known as one of the country’s first suburban shopping malls. In 1994, the mall was reimagined to the open-air facility it is today.

The mall is situated in an area known as the Golden Triangle, the largest shopping destination in the Boston area. Stores in Shopper’s World include Kohl’s, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Old Navy, T.J. Max, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack, PetSmart, Pier 1 Imports, and more. 

Dining in Framingham

There is a wide variety of restaurants to choose from in Framingham, from quaint little coffee shops to fine dining establishments. Some of the highest-rated restaurants in the area include Pho Dakao, Nzuko Restaurant, Bourbon’s Kitchen and Cocktails, Mediterranean Turkish Cuisine, Bella Costa, Aoi Japanese Restaurant, and Andaman Thai Cuisine.

Parks in Framingham 

There are numerous parks and recreation resources throughout the community. Collectively, the parks include public beaches, basketball courts, tennis courts, more than two-dozen playgrounds, 64 athletic fields, a football stadium, a running track, a cross-country running trail, an outdoor skate park, and more.

The Framingham Farmer’s Markets

Each Thursday from mid-June through mid-October at the Village Green at Framingham Center, you can explore the local farmer’s market for locally sourced produce, hand-crafted items, and homemade goods.

Community and Special Events

There are several seasonal and annual events hosted in Framingham each year, including a rotary auction by the Framingham Rotary Club in November, a Holiday Tree Lighting sponsored by the City of Framingham on the first Friday in December, a Winter Wonderland also in December, and in February the town enjoys a Joe Val Bluegrass Festival sponsored by the Boston Bluegrass Union. 

The Framingham Public Library

The Framingham Public Library covers an expansive 57,000 square feet in Downtown Framingham, featuring a vast array of resources and hosting a wide variety of classes and special events as well as providing a relaxing place to study or take in a good book.

Conclusion

No matter your age or interest, there’s always something entertaining to do when you live in or are visiting Framingham, Massachusetts. Gather up your family and friends or set out on your own to explore the area’s mini-golf, movies, galleries, shops, spas, golf clubs, restaurants, and more.