As a tourist we spent a couple of cold winter days exploring the city. At one time the name Worcester did not create zip code envy. In the past couple of decades, Worcester has been working on it's image, attracting business, restoring it's historic past and cleaning up it's image. There are now signs of neighborhood pride, art and community within the city. We were surprised how quiet it is downtown on a week day. Surface street traffic was easily negotiated during business hours. It got much busier as the office buildings let out for the day, but otherwise, it was surprisingly quiet. Perhaps due to the very cold weather? We were in town for an event at the DCU. Street parking is available with payment kiosks on each block, or use the Passport parking app. There are also several parking garages. The one we used scans your car on entry. You register with their website and upon exiting, we received an email immediately showing we had departed and how much they charged our card. Easy peasy either way. While we were parked we walked over to Union Station to check out the building. We passed a few persons who appear to be homeless, not uncommon in any city, without incident. Intersections all have crosswalk lights and of course locals just breeze right through as any savvy city dweller will. We also walked over to the Commons and City Hall while the car was parked along with a couple of other side quests. Just driving around the city you will see lots of historic structures. Warehouses, churches and businesses of the past that are still in use. There are several murals, historic plaques and statues scattered around the city. The art museum is an excellent stop and if you are a local they offer classes. We stopped at the old clock tower that was once part of the Worcester Insane Asylum and has been restored. Bancroft tower, a castle like folly on top of a hill in a neighborhood, over looks the city. Salisbury house includes not just family history, but city history as well and some beautiful period dresses among other items. In winter an ice rink is open to the public on the Commons, which also has art installations and a historic graveyard. Worcester public market has a variety of food and shopping options. Although small compared to some other city markets we have visited it has a lot to offer and we did a bit of shopping while there. We felt safe throughout our visit to the city and there is plenty to keep one busy, especially if you are interested in the history of the area. read more

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Lived here all my life and love it. Lots of historical areas and many important places. I love to explore here. (Just wish we weren't overshadowed by Boston lol) read more

In the old days, kids were sent to War. These days they're just sent to Wor. To Worcester that is... which is pronounced Wuhstuh, not War-chest-hair, which is something only unhygienic generals have. Worcester is not my favorite city although there are a couple of really cool Brazilian places here which I appreciate. I will be back in the future just for those. There are old churches and cathedrals in the middle of town and the police didn't bother me even though I was driving around in the middle of the night. Speed limits are ridiculously low on some of the city roads and the country roads nearby but then your mother's speed limit is pretty low whenever I stay over the night with her if you know what I mean. read more

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The city is allowing the parking garage at 3 Chelsea Street LLC in a residential neighborhood to be used to work on cars that are used in racing. The tenants are revving engines at all hours of the day and night. And the street is used like a racetrack. Traffic is disrupted by the loading of these vehicles onto makeshift trailers. And the garage is a fire hazard. The city inspector ordered a cease and desist at this address but the city judge denied a preliminary junction. read more

I don't remember the laws changing on parking on the sidewalk. I live between Hamilton st and Grafton St. Most people are parking on the sidewalks, which I see kids and adults walking in the road because people are parking on the sidewalks. I have seen many almost accidents because people are walking in the roads,when are the police going to do something about this. Also I have almost been hit twice trying to pulling out of my driveway and cannot see if anyone is coming, so again I ask if the police are going to do anything about this challenge. I do realize that this is not a major priority for the police but when will it be important enough to fix this issue,when someone gets hurt??? read more

Absolutely NOTORIOUS people. In 2018; my family and I asked City Hall's Candy Carlson Merlo to PLEASE fix the roadway for Natural History Road/Plantation Street/North Lake Ave extention as well as to lower the speed limit to 10 mph for the sheer fact that there are kids on the street and we have noticed people barreling down the street even caught THREE cars doing almost 35mph down our street. This is at the 3 WAY intersection that is super dangerous, we have witnessed 18 car accidents since 2016, one of them had appeared to be fatal, and PEOPLE Also GO DOWN THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROADS and it's the leading cause of these accidents!!! We also asked for a blind driveway sign since many people come up from the hospital or North lake Ave cannot see us backing out and many have already almost hit us even when we plow our own driveway. We were told to "take down our fence" because we "do not qualify" um SORRY. NO. OUR LANDLORD SAYS THE FENCE HAS BEEN HERE FOR ALMOST 40+ YEARS. We're GRANDFATHERED IN. Lastly, they REFUSE TO REPAIR THE FREAKING ROAD. It's damaging our property and there is a HUGE CHUNK of the road missing, AGAIN THIS IS DAMAGING OUR PROPERTY AND THE LANDLORD IS GETTING MAD ABOUT IT. Meanwhile Candy Carlson Merlo was REPRESENTING Saint Vincent Hospital nurses during the Covid pandemic strike but she was COMPLETELY INCAPABLE of following up to make sure her citizens she promised all this to...weren't killed or injured by this inconsiderate act of hers. It's BEEN 3 FREAKING YEARS. FIX THE PROBLEMS OR YOU CAN PAY THE 10,000$ WE WERE QUOTED TO REPAIR OUR PROPERTY!!!! read more

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The bus drivers here are rude messy and a insane had a bus driver speed we told her to slow down and she yelled at us terrible experience

In what could be a really interesting place to visit, with great 19th century architecture and buildings, is infested with panhandlers. I have never been asked for change or money more and I live 10 minutes from Manhattan. I have an idea. Clean up your city so people are not accosted every block by wastrels looking for a handout. read more

I just visited to stop at the library (which was very nice), and drop off a letter which gave me a moment to walk thru the downtown and see the area. Lots of nice little shops. Like all big cities, you have to pay to park (70c / hr at the Library). That was a little steep for me so I drove to a nearby suburban library with free parking. I noticed a beautiful park area, and a Cafe that sold smoothies which I must try next time I'm in town (I hate the "fast food" smoothies made from kits ... corn syrup enrichment factor :-) It's a city. No better or worse from other big cities from what I can tell. read more

When I think of cities, Worcester is not one of the first ones I think of. Now that I've been spending a bit more time in Woo Town, I do appreciate it a bit more. While I still have no desire to move into or closer, I don't mind visiting as much as I used to. It's still dirty and a hassle to get around. Train service is still abysmal. There are however, plenty of places to visit and plenty of good places to eat. I look forward to exploring more as my four year old daughter grows up. Hopefully, the CSX and City Square projects help turn things around. read more

City of Worcester - Local Flavor Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

The WooSox have brought great renovations and new life to this city. The city however has not done anything to provide parking even temporary for the businesses. They need parking and it should be free for the first hour or so anyway. What about a free parking garage as the city is benefiitng greatly from the new improved business. They also need to check out towing scams like Joe's Towing and Madison Plaza. read more

Worcester City Hall is so inept, the employees are some of the rudest I've ever encountered, today I went there to get a birth certificate. I had to use the ladies room unfortunately and when I entered the entire stall was COVERED in human feces. I left immediately and found a city employee and informed her of the nasty situation. She shrugged her shoulders and just kept on walking. Welcome to Worcester. That's a pretty good summation of this entire city. read more

Worcester gets a bum rap because it isn't as flashy as some of its neighbors. What it lacks in visual pizazz it more than makes up for in history, culture, food and transportation. Worcester has many culturally interesting sites including the hidden gem Worcester Art Museum with its acclaimed collection of European and North American Paintings and the Worcester Historical Museum where you can learn the origin or the smiley face and Harvey Ball. Did you also know that the Declaration of Independence was first publicly read by Isaiah Thomas in July of 1776 in Worcester? Did you know that Ted Williams used to play at Fitton Field where today we can watch the Worcester Tornado's? How about that Sigmund Freud's only visit to America was to give a lecture at Clark University? Or that Dr Robert Goddard invented the modern rocket here? For something more fun and interactive you can enjoy the indoor/outdoor Ecotarium which is great for kids and adults alike or take a trip back in time and learn about the middle ages at Higgin s Armory. If the arts is more your style you can enjoy shows at the magnificently restored Hanover Theater, the majestic Mechanic's Hall, or the spacious DCU Center. For the more artistic individuals you can take classes at the New Street Glassworks and learn to work with glass or take a visit to the Worcester Center for Crafts where they have many offerings to satisfy your creative needs. For those who like the outdoors Worcester has many options from exploring one of America's First Parks, Elm Park or enjoying a summer concert in Institute Park. You could also enjoy Worcester's 18-hole golf course or a leisurely stroll in Green Hill Park. For the spectators you can catch a Worcester Tornado's Ball game or watch the Worcester Sharks on the Ice for far less then it would cost to watch a game in Boston's Garden or Fenway Park. After a full day of enjoying any one of the city's many activities Worcester isn't done providing a great time. Worcester is known as a melting pot of great food. You can sample anything from the traditional American, Italian and French to the exotic Caribbean, Middle Eastern or Vietnamese and everything in between. Nightlife here in Worcester has admittedly had its up and downs but there is always a new place to try and I'm sure with the right people you can have fun anywhere. While it is worth noting that the Worcester Airport has had its struggles it shouldn't be a surprise with so many major airports (Logan, Bradley, TF Green and Manchester, NH) in such close proximity. However when the airlines are flying they are always booked solid and many in the central MA area enjoy the ease of use. On a more commercial transportation level Worcester is still one of the largest inland ports in the northeast servicing the needs of all of New England. Before making assertions to the downfall of Worcester people should learn to appreciate what it has to offer and take advantage of the many amazing things you can enjoy. read more

Worcester is a great an unique city that is quickly moving beyond its gritty industrial past. The downtown area is entering a period of revival with large projects underway and a series of restaurants and bars starting to open up. Most of the neighborhoods are very nice- just steer clear of the triple deckers and you'll be fine. There are lots of oddball things about Worcester. The smiley face was invented there and it has land marked like Turtle Boy (a statue of what can only be a boy humping a turtle) and The Topless Church. Lots of cool, amusing little stuff. Plenty of museums and colleges for a middle sized city. The people tend to be blue collar and don't have any sort of elitist attitude. If you go into Worcester thinking your some super important hot shot, get ready to make no friends and have your drinks spat in. But if you're cool and laid back, you can expect a good time. This is a drinking town with lots of great bars including Nicks, the hotel Vernon, vincents and Herbies. Shrewsbury street is filled with restaurants. The arm museum is great too read more

The Paris of the Eighties. While it is not perfect, Worcester is far from the hell hole some of the reviewers have made it out to be ("alcoholics and street drug users" aren't the main inhabitants, for example). Maybe I like my towns a little shabby, but I've not noticed any uniquely 'Worcesterian' quality to the natives that marks them as "obnoxious lack[ing] class" or "akin to northeast PA". It's an industrial town like many others, with all the good and bad that implies. Me, I'll take the bearable housing prices, superfluity of diners, and friendly neighbors if the worst thing I have to put up with is the Greendale Mall. Now, if it only had better restaurants... read more

The streets are horrible-hardly ever get fixed- and if they do, it's only after they get 3 complaints.Snowplows just bounce all over the place with all the potholes. People are very mean.Sirens constantly heard at every hour 12AM, 3AM, 4AM - seriously?City workers in general are non-responsive, passive at best and most are rude. Noise at any given time of day-traffic, car alarms, sirens, people yelling, truck traffic, trains, car horns, jets and those sounds are heard even in residential areas. Panhandlers on almost any corner. Road rage,loud motorcycles and dirtbike racing. Traffic is constant unless you are driving before 5AM or after 10PM-you might encounter someone bold enough to try to get into your car at a stoplight.In 8 years our home was broken into once and our cars 3 times.You might think"Call the police!" Well that doesn't do much good-IF they show up it is never less than an hour later when it doesn't matter anymore. Most people don't care - about anything in this city - including city officials. Rarely (if ever) would we see police detail or police in general around the city, but you always heard those sirens. After we were broken into, we just never felt safe again. Be prepared for high auto insurance rates and you are luck if you can afford full coverage. Homeowners are few and far between - most rent. We were unlucky enough to live across the street from "renters" who moved in during our 7th year at our home in Worcester; they ran a drug business with cars showing up all night playing loud music and a woman who would sit on the front steps completely under the influence of some drug exposing every part of her body and a man who would recite obscene lyrics loudly up and down our street. All this with young children living across the street. We were lucky enough to get out of this forsaken city in the nick of time.Lesson learned. read more

I don't live in Worcester, I drive in to eat, drink, and be merry. Worcester facilitates these needs with out tolls, parking tickets, having to spend a hour looking for parking, or the outrageous cost that goes along with fun in other cities. So for that I thank you, just stop closing your night clubs all the time and I will throw you a extra star and a hug. read more

I was born/raised in Worcester (so was my Mother and my Grandparents). Specifically I was raised in Vernon Hill (one of Worcesters "7 hills"). Worcester (pronounced "Wister") has over 182,000 people making it the #125th largest city in the country and the second largest in New England. It encompasses nearly 40 sq.miles. Worcester, also known as "The Heart of the Commonwealth", is the center of Worcester County. It was first settled in 1673 and became a city in 1848. Let me break Worcester down for you: Schools: I went to elementary school at Vernon Hill Elementary, middle school at Sullivan Middle, and High School (for one year) at South High. I also had one year at Worcester State College (before transferring out). Worcester actually has a huge public schooling system that incorporates 33 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 7 high schools (many more private schools). There are 8 colleges in Worcester proper: -Holy Cross (est.1843) -Worcester Polytechnic Institute (est.1874) -Worcester State College (est.1874) -Clark University (est.1887)-1st graduate school in the US and is where Sigmund Freud spoke on his only trip to America. -UMass Medical-in the top 50 medical schools in the country -Becker College (est.1887) -Quinsigamond Community College -Assumption College (est.1904)- has largest campus in Worcester Sports: Worcester recently (2005) got it's first minor league baseball team (Worcester Tornadoes) who play at a small stadium by Holy Cross. Worcester also has a minor league (AHL) hockey team called the Worcester Sharks (formally called the Worcester Ice Cats), an affiliate of the San Jose Sharks (NHL). Famous Worcester-ites: -Harvey Ball: credited for creating the smiley face in 1963 -Esther Howard: who is responsible for popularizing Valentines Day cards in America in 1847 -Ichabod Washburn: founder of Worcester's Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company in 1831 (later become American Steel & Wire Co.) which was the worlds largest wire company and is credited for barbwire fencing the American West -Robert Goddard: the "Father of of Modern Rocketry" -Jordan Knight (of "New Kids on the Block") -Dennis Leary (actor/comedian) Museums: -The Worcester Art Museum (est.1898) has an impressive 35,000works by many of the worlds best artists and is the 2nd largest art museum in New England. -The Higgins Armory (est.1930) is the only museum in the western hemisphere devoted to arms and armour and is the largest collection of medieval arms and armour outside of Europe Transportation: Worcester's beautiful and expansive Union Station (built in 1911) houses Amtrak and a Bus Depot while the gorgeous Worcester Airport has been a complete failure as virtually no flights go in or out of this mostly empty airport. Other Notable Information: -Polar Beverages and Table Talk Pies are both based in Worcester -Elm Park, is the countries first public park (1854). This was the first design project by Frederick Law Olmsted who went on to design many other parks including New York City's Central Park. -Worcester is Credited for being the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and to this day you can see all the factories that once filled the city from the mid 1800s to mid 1900s. Two of the largest being the Washburn & Moen Manuf. Co. as well as the Royal Worcester Corset Factory (the largest employer of women in the US in 1908). -Candlepin Bowling was invented in Worcester in 1880. -The Diner (first invented in RI) became a huge New England staple and the Worcester Lunchcar Company (1906-1957) was the first and largest commercial production of Diners. Many of their diners are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. -One of the things Worcester is known for is the 3 decker. The 3 decker is essentially an apartment building where each of the 3 floors is a separate apartment, this type of residence is very popular in Worcester and in fact I was born and raised in the ground floor of one. These buildings were built mostly between 1870-1920 to accommodate the large middle class that came to Worcester for many of the Industrial jobs available. This type of building became a hugely popular design throughout New England and many of them are now registered historic places. -From 1905-1960 Worcester even had it's own Amusement Park (White City) -Just above Worcester (still in Worcester County) there is also Mt. Watchusett, a very popular Ski area Other Notes: Worcester is diverse city with distinctive neighborhoods. There are some neighborhoods that are still primarily Irish or Polish (like where Dennis Leary grew up) while other neighborhoods are primarily Vietnamese or Puerto Rican. Like any city there are good areas and no so good ones. Worcester is about 1 hr west of Boston and 1 hr north of Hartford making it a great centralized location. Unfortunately shopping, nightlife, downtown cleanliness, overall feel, and transportation is generally lacking so I went with 3 star read more

Hi, reported potholes two weeks ago going east on pleasant st from Flagg st South to Kensington, about 6 to 8, not filled yet. Also reported potholes on Mabelle St, about 5 to 7 holes, guess what, not filled yet. So I called customer service today, 508-929-1300, person that answered, I think it was Laura, blew me off. This city is so slow to repair potholes. Great customer service........Way to go Worcester....... read more

Had a drain clog issue and although it wasn't the city the customer service center sent the city out did a courtesy flush it was very professional and very helpful and very prompt thank you so much for being there for me as a resident of Worcester eight years now! read more

I'm writing to praise the service I received in the Verizon store in Auburn, MA. I had destroyed my IPhone and arrived completely distraught. I wasn't due for an upgrade and stupidly hadn't purchased insurance on my phone. Donovan was able to figure out a way to get me back in the 'safe arms' of the IPhone family without costly me a small fortune. As a senior citizen, I've lived most of my life without being attached to a phone but I can't navigate life anymore without my phone. Thank-you, Donovan for being so very helpful and solving my 'crisis,' You now have a loyal (and insured) lifetime customer. read more