Waltham

Waltham is a city in the American state of Massachusetts. It is 10 miles (16 km) west of central Boston on the Charles River, and 3 miles from the city limits to the east. Waltham is part of the Greater Boston conurbation; even so, it has a unique character compared to Boston's other suburbs, and is one of the most significant regional centers for employment, culture, education and food in the entire metro area. It is sometimes called "Watch City" because it was home to Waltham Watch Company. Many high-tech companies have made Waltham their home. It is also home to Bentley College and Brandeis University.

Understand

One of the oldest of American cities, Waltham was first settled by British settlers in 1634 and was incorporated in 1738. In 1813, the Boston Manufacturing Company was formed in Waltham by Francis Cabot Lowell. It was the first modern factory in the United States and history books have credited this as the beginning of America's industrial revolution. In 1854, the Waltham Watch Company was established by Aaron Dennison. The company went on to make the first watches with interchangeable parts and the first 100% American-made watch, designing advanced machinery that spread to other industries and led to America's industrial power. Waltham is also noted as the home of such famous persons as Governor Christopher Gore and General Nathaniel Banks.

Get in

By plane

42.363056-71.0063891 Logan International Airport, East Boston. Logan is the closest airport to Waltham; it is about 20 minutes east. Logan Airport has flights from all around the United States and at least 28 other countries. From Logan Airport, you can take the T to North Station, and then take the commuter rail (Fitchburg line) to Waltham. Or you can take a taxi the entire way. (updated Jun 2021)

By train

There are several commuter rail trains from Boston daily. From North Station in Boston, take the MBTA Commuter Rail on the Fitchburg line to either 42.374197-71.2363112 Waltham Station or 42.362011-71.2601063 Brandeis/Roberts Station . The trains are a good way to get into Boston, especially on the day of a sports game, because they go directly to the Boston Garden. They are moderately priced.

Although there are no T stations in Waltham, 42.3372-71.25214 Riverside Station is fairly close to Waltham. Riverside is the last station on the Green Line's D branch. From Riverside, take a short, 3-mi (5-km) taxi ride to Waltham.

By bus

Local MBTA buses 70 and 70A run from Central Square in Cambridge to Waltham. Several MBTA Express Buses (553, 554, 556, 558, 505) also serve Waltham. They originate several blocks from South Station in Boston and go to Waltham on weekdays only. Buses are usually reliable and inexpensive, but tend to get crowded around rush hour as well (4:30PM to 6:30PM).

By car

Waltham is accessible via Interstate 95, also called Route 128, which connects to the Mass Pike (I-90). This is important if you are flying in or out of Logan Airport because you are going to take I-90 West to get into Waltham and vice versa to get back into Boston. On I-90, there are two sets of toll plazas of $1.25 each, and rush hour can set you back 25-30 minutes between 4:30PM and 6:30PM.

Get around

By car

Driving around Waltham is not difficult and you can be just about anywhere in the city in 15 to 20 minutes. There are three main streets to Waltham: Main Street, Moody Street, and Lexington Street. During rush hour(4:30 to 6:30PM) you will hit some traffic that may slow down your commute 10 to 15 minutes. Main Street is probably the worst during that time, and Moody Street can also be busy on a Friday or Saturday night. Parking is accessible with several public parking lots in high traffic areas, as well as on street parking.

By bus

Local city buses are a dependable way to get around the city. They are cheap and usually reliable, but can get crowded and stuffy at times. The best place to catch the bus from is on the Common, the bus stop is across the street from the train stop, with buses leaving fairly frequently to go throughout the city and surrounding towns, as well as to downtown Boston.

See

42°23′0″N 71°14′13″W

Map of Waltham

42.3732-71.23371 Charles River Museum Of Industry & Innovation, 154 Moody St, ☏ +1 781 893-5410, info@charlesrivermuseum.org. Th-Sa 10AM-5PM (closed due to Covid and renovation until spring 2022. Check website for outdoor events). Exhibits on textile mills, American Waltham Watch Company and a power plant. (updated May 2021)
42.377133-71.2356732 ^{[formerly dead link]} Waltham Museum, 25 Lexington Street, ☏ +1 781-893-8017, +1 781-893-9020. Tu-Sa 1PM-4:30PM. An extensive collection of memorabilia including watches, clocks, automobiles and other industrial products made in Waltham. Fee.
42.386482-71.2247483 Bentley College Bowles Performing Art Series, 175 Forest Street, ☏ +1 781 891-3424. M-F 10AM-6PM (art gallery). Theatre, music, dance, and lectures.
42.365503-71.2622414 Rose Art Museum of Brandeis University, 415 South Street, ☏ +1 781 736-3432. $10. (updated Jan 2021)
42.398028-71.2113335 National Archives and Records Administration, New England Region, 380 Trapelo Road, ☏ +1 781-663-0130. M-W F 7AM-4:30PM, Th 7AM-9PM. New England historical records including census, naturalization, passenger arrival lists for Boston, military service, pension, and bounty land application records from 1789 to 1970s. Primarily of interest to family history researchers. Free.
42.386698-71.2138686 Girl Scout Museum At Cedar Hill, 265 Beaver Street, ☏ +1 781-893-6113. By appointment. Exhibits and archives of Girl Scouting. Free.
42.372222-71.2113897 Gore Place, 52 Gore St, ☏ +1 781 894 2798. Indoor tours: M WF 10AM, 11AM, noon, 1PM, 2PM; Sa 10:30AM, 12:30PM. Outdoor tours: Sa 11:30AM, 1:30PM. Historic mansion built in 1806, and now operated as a museum. $16. (updated Jun 2021)

Do

42.375229-71.23571 Concerts On The Waltham Common, ☏ +1 781 893-2787. Tuesday evenings at 7:30PM. Summer only. Evening concerts on the Waltham Common. Free.
42.397006-71.2513672 Boston Rock, Prospect Hill. Daily 10AM-7PM. This is good place to take a quick little car ride, and have lunch at the top. There are picnic tables and grills scattered around the viewing area. The view of the Boston skyline is beautiful. It is also a good work out, if you want to run up the road up instead of driving.
42.396439-71.2492353 Veterans Memorial Rink, 295 Totten Pond Road, ☏ +1 781 314-3474. Public skating hours: Su 2PM-3:50PM, Tu 10AM-11:50AM, W 10AM-11:50AM, Th 10AM-11:50AM, F 7PM-8:50PM, Sa 2PM-3:50PM. The ice rink is a fun place to go and mess around for a couple hours. You can get pick-up games going, or skate around for fun. They do not rent skates. But if you have your own gear its not expensive and it usually not very busy. $2, $1 reduced.
42.371498-71.2358194 Landmark Embassy Theater, 16 Pine Street, ☏ +1 617 499-1995. Sx screens. They usually have a good mix of popular new releases and independent films. Also, they run different daily specials and discounts which is a good way to catch a cheaper movie.

Learn

42.385188-71.2195535 Bentley University, 175 Forest Street, ☏ +1 781-891-2000.
42.36626-71.2595576 Brandeis University, 415 South Street, ☏ +1 781-736-3500.

Buy

Waltham does not offer a lot of shopping.

42.404923-71.2344171 Olympia Sport, 868 Lexington Street, ☏ +1 781 899-0459. M-Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 10AM-6PM. Olympia is a good store for basic athletic equipment and athletic shoes. But it does not offer much in high quality shopping.

Groceries

42.369492-71.2208212 Shaw's, 130 River Street, ☏ +1 781 647 5341. Daily 6AM-10PM. Large, conventional supermarket. (updated Jun 2021)
42.41211-71.2340813 Star Market, 1070 Lexington Street, ☏ +1 781 891 0615. Daily 6AM-11PM. Large, conventional supermarket. (updated Jun 2021)
42.376257-71.2444674 Hannaford Supermarket, 55 Russell Street, ☏ +1 781 893 6776. Daily 7AM-10PM. (updated Jun 2021)
42.370709-71.2370495 Market Basket, 110 Market Place Drive, ☏ +1 781 894 1510. Daily 7AM-8PM. Small grocery store. (updated Jun 2021)
42.368967-71.237346 Patel Brothers, 425 Moody Street, ☏ +1 781 893 1003. Daily 10AM-8:30PM. Indian spices and groceries. (updated Jun 2021)
42.370709-71.2370497 Waltham India Market, 315 Moody Street, ☏ +1 781 899 6018. Daily 10AM-8:30PM. Fruit, vegetables, spices, frozen foods, and halal meat. (updated Jun 2021)

Eat

Most of the good restaurants in Waltham are along Moody Street. This includes Thai, Chinese, Indian, and American diner fare. Start at one end and walk the length before deciding on one spot.

Budget

42.372476-71.24971 99 restaurant, 110 South Street, ☏ +1 781-893-4999. The 99 is a good family restaurant, with American style food. The price is reasonable and is a good, quick little dinner option.
42.370712-71.2370082 Waltham India Market food court, 315 Moody Street (in basement of supermarket). Check out the curries.
42.404698-71.2491683 Pizzi Farm, 549 Lincoln Street, ☏ +1 781 891-1032. Deli and market, great place for sandwiches, soup and ice cream.
42.36073-71.261594 The Prime Deli & Cafe, 580 South St, ☏ +1 781 622 9144. M-F 7AM-10PM, Sa 8AM-10PM, Su Closed. Simple, casual deli, open late. (updated Jun 2021)

Mid-range

42.398014-71.262035 Green Papaya, 475 Winter St, ☏ +1 781 487-9988. Decent Thai food for New England. Good vegetarian selection. Although the spicy level is rated at 1 - 3 stars, the chef will kick it up a notch if you ask for 4 or 5 stars. Their red curry is very good.
42.368154-71.2374416 Little India Restaurant, 475 Moody St, ☏ +1 781 894-8755. This restaurant is one of many Indian places along Moody St. Little India is probably the smallest tucked into a small front, although they have a second dining room in the back. They have a well spiced menu. Try the Saag Paneer.
42.397387-71.2568167 ^{[formerly dead link]} Naked Fish, 455 Totten Pond Road #1, ☏ +1 781 684-0500. Naked Fish is a nice place to eat, and is with in 5 minute walking distance of the Doubletree and Hilton Hotels. It is primarily a seafood restaurant with a very good selection. They do also have a children's menu and it is an upper scale family dinner spot. It is middle-priced and good quality food. They do serve alcoholic cocktails with a tropic flair; the Mui-Tui is delicious.
42.367999-71.2374558 Charcoal Guido's, 482 Moody St, ☏ +1 781 373-2733. Good pasta dishes
42.398491-71.2617859 Bertucci's, 475 Winter Street, ☏ +1 781 684-0650. Mediocre Italian food.

Splurge

42.368089-71.23742310 Tempo, 474 Moody Street, ☏ +1 781 891-9000. M-Th 5PM-10PM, F Sa 5PM-11PM, the bar is open late every night. Tempo is a fine dining restaurant and bar. The menu is always full and changing. Also, there are daily specials and appetizers using local grown and fresh caught ingredients. Tempo also has a hopping bar scene on a Friday or Saturday night. But if you plan to eat on weekend call ahead for reservation because the place fills up quickly. Tempo is on the pricer side but is a great place to go on a date.
42.37704-71.23083711 La Campania, 504 Main Street, ☏ +1 781 894-4280. M-Th 5:30-9:30PM, F Sa 5PM-10PM. La Capania offers upscale Italian food, that taste like an Italian grandmother cooked it for you. It has its own wine store, with a large selection of Italian vino and other wines. This restaurant has a quiet, intimate atmosphere and is perfect for a romantic date night. This is a pricey restaurant but you get great home-cooked food and excellent wine.

Drink

42.372127-71.2365281 The Skellig, 240 Moody Street, ☏ +1 781 647-0679.
42.38693-71.2011052 Mighty Squirrel Brewing Company, 411 Waverley Oaks Road, ☏ +1 781-839-9242, taproom@mightysquirrel.com. (updated May 2021)

Sleep

42.396626-71.2664471 Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston Waltham, 550 Winter Street, toll-free: +1-800-HILTON (445866). (updated Jun 2021)
42.3984-71.258162 Holiday Inn Express, 385 Winter Street (at exit 27 off of I-95 (Rte 128)), ☏ +1 781-890-2800, toll-free: +1-800-824-2538, fax: +1 781-890-1021. Get free Wi-Fi (bring your own computer and wireless card -- they don't have any loaners). Make sure to book a room on the first floor of the main building to get access from your room as there is only one access point in the main lobby. Room charge was $89/night plus tax. Includes a well-stocked complimentary breakfast with fruits, cereal, bagels, and cinnamon buns. A quick ten minute drive to downtown Waltham.
42.393972-71.2578593 Hyatt House Boston/Waltham (former Hyatt Summerfield Suites), 54 Fourth Avenue, ☏ +1 781 290-0026. In the heart of the Route 128 corridor.
42.396383-71.2580654 Hilton Garden Inn Boston/Waltham, 420 Totten Pond Road, ☏ +1 781 890-0100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. 148 guest rooms, café, lobby lounge, an indoor heated pool and exercise room.
42.394816-71.262045 The Westin Waltham Boston, 70 Third Avenue, ☏ +1 781-290-5600. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. 15 miles from downtown Boston and provides access to nearby corporate headquarters. This hotel has 346 guestrooms. Gym.

Connect

42.37632-71.2396171 Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, ☏ +1 781 314 3425, waltham@minlib.net. M W F 8:30AM-4:30PM, Tu Th 11AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-noon, Su closed. Free Wi-fi (updated Jun 2021)

Go next

Waltham is at the start of the American Industry Tour, which goes on westwards to New York City and Chicago.

Routes through Waltham

Peabody ← Lexington ←	N S	→ Weston → Canton
Worcester ← Weston ←	W E	→ Watertown → Boston
END ←	W E	→ Belmont → Medford
Fitchburg ← Weston ←	NW SE	→ Belmont → Boston

This city travel guide to Waltham is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.