Waltham, MA

Travel Guide
Waltham featuring a garden
Stroll through beautiful university campuses and learn about the Industrial Revolution in one of Middlesex County’s most charming towns.

Discover Waltham’s captivating cultural life. Located in Middlesex County, this small town is full of early American history. Learn about its role in the Industrial Revolution and explore its many museums and stately homes.

Stroll along the Riverwalk and watch the scenic Charles River. Waltham has more than 100 locations on the National Register of Historic Places. Although many are privately owned, look for them as you wander throughout town.

Explore Waltham’s watchmaking history in the American Waltham Watch Company Historic District. Between 1850 and 1957, the Waltham Watch Company produced about 35 million timepieces and precision instruments. Visit the multi-building complex today and trace watchmaking history through the years.

See the site of America’s first factory at Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation. The building was originally part of American industrialist Francis Cabot Lowell's groundbreaking textile mill. Explore the museum’s exhibits and learn about the Waltham Watch Company and the town’s role in the Industrial Revolution.

Both Bentley and Brandeis universities are located in Waltham. Walk through their tree-lined, well-manicured campuses. Browse through thousands of pieces of art in Brandeis’ Rose Art Museum, with works by famous artists including Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.

Discover Waltham’s stately homes and grounds. Visit the red-brick Federal-style Gore Place, a summer home that entertained guests including the Marquis de Lafayette and James Monroe. Tour the beautiful grounds and stylish interiors of the Lyman Estate, a rambling white stone mansion. Explore the stunning grounds of the Robert Treat Paine Estate, designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Enjoy beautiful New England weather at Hardy Pond and the adjacent Lazazzero Playground. Fish off the pier, jog along its trails or play a game of basketball.

From Waltham, drive along historic Revere Beach Parkway, which has connected the suburbs north of Boston since 1896. Downtown Boston is just 14 miles (23 miles) east. Reach the state’s capital by car in under 30 minutes or take the bus or commuter rail, which both run regularly.

Where to stay in Waltham

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Piety Corner

Piety Corner might not have many top sights, but Moody Street Historic District and Lyman Estate are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Piety Corner
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South Side

4/5(9 area reviews)

Though South Side might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Moody Street Historic District and Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation.

South Side
The Beaver Brook Historic Reservation is located near Waverley Square...Massachusetts A nice little day park for a quick hike

North Waltham

If you're spending some time in North Waltham, National Archives at Boston and Beaver Brook Reservation are top sights worth seeing.

North Waltham
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Banks Square

When in Banks Square, you can plan a visit to Moody Street Historic District and Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Banks Square
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Highlands

When in Highlands, you can plan a visit to Moody Street Historic District and Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Highlands
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The Lanes

The Lanes might not have many top sights, but Moody Street Historic District and Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

The Lanes
Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston Waltham
Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston Waltham
3.5 out of 5
550 Winter Street, Waltham, MA
The price is $115 per night from Jul 1 to Jul 2
$115
$128 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 1 - Jul 2
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Waltham. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,259 reviews)
"Close to Highways. Close to some food places. Weird smell in room though."

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2024

Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston Waltham
The Westin Waltham-Boston
The Westin Waltham-Boston
4 out of 5
70 Third Avenue, Waltham, MA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $152 per night from Jun 30 to Jul 1
$152
$170 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 30 - Jul 1
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Waltham. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
Fast, friendly staff.
"The women that work at the front desk are all very professional and helpful. Check in was quick and they even charged my phone for me. It was a very friendly, welcoming experience."

Reviewed on May 31, 2024

The Westin Waltham-Boston
HYATT house Boston/Waltham
HYATT house Boston/Waltham
3 out of 5
54 4th Ave, Waltham, MA
The price is $97 per night from Jul 3 to Jul 4
$97
$108 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 3 - Jul 4
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Waltham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
"Everything was very nice. The breakfast was very good."

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2024

HYATT house Boston/Waltham
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Crescent Suites Hotel
Crescent Suites Hotel
3 out of 5
287 Crescent Street, Waltham, MA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Waltham. Enjoy a fitness center, a business center, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (832 reviews)
"Didn’t feel like a hotel, gave off a “homey” kind of vibe."

Reviewed on May 23, 2024

Crescent Suites Hotel
Global Luxury Suites Downtown Boston
Global Luxury Suites Downtown Boston
4 out of 5
8 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Boston. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a 24-hour business center. Popular attractions Boston ...
8/10 Very Good! (403 reviews)
"Decent place"

Reviewed on May 4, 2024

Global Luxury Suites Downtown Boston
HYATT house Boston/Burlington
HYATT house Boston/Burlington
3 out of 5
2 Van De Graaff Dr, Burlington, MA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Burlington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,208 reviews)
"Clean, always had coffee, breakfast was good"

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2024

HYATT house Boston/Burlington
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Waltham

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
227
" "5 - Excellent 33.48082595870206%
4 - Good
319
" "4 - Good 47.05014749262537%
3 - Okay
107
" "3 - Okay 15.781710914454278%
2 - Disappointing
12
" "2 - Disappointing 1.7699115044247788%
1 - Terrible
13
" "1 - Terrible 1.9174041297935103%

5/5 - Excellent

Phil
Mar 25, 2020

Waltham is a great town lots of dining options highly recommend Brelundi for Italian food very warm and generous staff and owner. If you don’t want to drive into city it has a commuter rail stop which will bring you to downtown Boston quickly

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 3, 2020

Very quiet area not many stores around

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Feb 24, 2020

Very convenient to Boston

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jan 28, 2020

Navigating was a bit confusing.

5/5 - Excellent

sh
Jan 16, 2020

Loved the Chateau, which is delicious Italian and seafood... served in a 1960’s vibe (but it’s real) restaurant. The food was great, menu huge, amazing number of gluten free options (cauliflower crust pizza was DELICIOUS) and the staff terrific!

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler
Jan 2, 2020

I would NEVER STAY THERE AGAIN, AND WOULD NEVER RECOMMED it to anyone else!!!

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