In town for the Boston Marathon and wondering what to do in Hopkinton, Massachusetts (MA)? This article covers all of the best sights to see and things to do in Hopkinton, MA.
“It all starts here!” This is the slogan of the small town of Hopkinton, MA, famously known for being the starting line of the Boston Marathon. This slogan has a double meaning for me, as it is also my hometown and where I grew up! I lived in Hopkinton for 18 years, and am therefore a self-proclaimed expert. As such, I’ve compiled the top 15 most memorable things to do in Hopkinton, MA, as written by a long-term local. I know every inch of the town, all the quirks, secret spots, and popular hangouts, and I want to share them with you.
Located 26 miles southeast of Boston, Hopkinton is a small and quaint town that is primarily residential, with a picturesque main square. My advice for the best time of year to visit Hopkinton is in April to view the marathon, and in September when the warmth of the summer lingers and the trees start to change colors. If you can’t make it during the warmer months, Hopkinton is close to many major New England sights and attractions that are well worth a winter visit.
With the Boston Marathon (held on Patriot’s Day annually – the third Monday in April) coming up, I thought it was about time I wrote about Hopkinton. The marathon brings an estimated half a million spectators along the route, so this is easily the biggest travel day to Hopkinton every year. If you are in town for the marathon, just passing through, or a local looking for something new to do, I’ve got you covered with the top 15 best things to do in Hopkinton, MA!
Now being from Hopkinton, MA myself, you’d think that I would have pictures of all of these spots I’ve been to a million times, but I actually had to take a trip around town to collect these photos. It’s funny how when you live somewhere you often take it for granted and seem to only have pictures of people and not of places.
I suppose this is a good thing, but if you’re reading this article, here is a reminder to take some pictures around the town you live in and your current house or apartment. We often overlook these things as mundane, but it is wonderful to get to look back on them when time passes and you find yourself somewhere new!
Without further ado, you can find all what to do in Hopkinton, MA listed and described below, with some local recommendations scattered throughout!
If you’re short on time, click here for the main takeaway
A trip to Hopkinton is never complete without a walk through the downtown common, a pint from Start Line Brewery, and a kayak around Hopkinton State Park. Make sure you hit these top attractions when visiting!
Table of Contents
1. Boston Marathon Start Line
Right in downtown Hopkinton you will find the Boston Marathon starting line. It’s hard to miss! The start line typically gets a fresh coat of paint each year so before the marathon is usually when it looks best.
The starting line is, of course, in the middle of the road, but is easily viewable from the sidewalks or by driving through in a car. If you want to get up close and personal please make sure you are doing so safely and paying keen attention to the traffic. The least busy time is early in the morning.
The oldest marathon in the world still running seems to have inspired a lot of statues in Hopkinton. Next to the starting line is “The Starter” statue, a depiction of George Brown who fired the pistol to start the race back in 1905. If you continue down East Main Street towards Ashland you will find another statue, “Spirit of the Marathon” in front of Weston Nurseries that is worth a visit.
In addition, the “Yes, You Can!” statue is located just a short walk to the right of the start line in front of the old “Center School”. The statue depicts the inspiring story of how Dick Hoyt pushed his quadriplegic son with cerebral palsy through 32 marathons to raise awareness of disability inclusion.
So how did the marathon get its start (literally) in Hopkinton? Well back In 1924, the marathon starting line was actually moved from the adjacent town of Ashland to Hopkinton. Before this, the marathon was 24.8 miles long rather than 26.2 miles long (source), and there was no standardized marathon length. When the marathon length was standardized, the starting line was moved to Hopkinton to lengthen the race accordingly. Now I can’t say for certain if this was the cause or not, but Hopkinton and Ashland have notoriously been known to be competitors for quite some time now!
2. Hopkinton Town Common
Next to the start line, you will find the beautiful Hopkinton Town Common, a green quad with a white gazebo, and the Claflin Memorial Fountain. The town common is also where the summer farmer’s market is held. You can pick up locally grown foods and homemade goods every Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm between the months of June and October.
A short walk from the town common you will find yourself at the historic Hopkinton Public Library. It’s a beautiful stone building that recently underwent significant renovation. It’s the perfect spot to spend the afternoon reading or getting some work done, or simply to admire its architecture.
3. Downtown Shopping
Downtown Hopkinton has a lot to offer! It is easily walkable- you’ll often see the streets filled with students on a treasured ‘early-release’ day from school with money to burn at the local shops. Start your walk from the town common, and walk west to Main Street. Once you’ve reached the fire department you’ve pretty much seen it all! The town is in the process of opening a bike path in this area, but it is still under construction in 2024.
I’ve listed some of the local favorites that you must check out here:
- Muffin House for a coffee and, of course, a muffin.
- Hop-Yo for frozen yogurt.
- Pan Thai restaurant for great Thai food.
- Snappy Dogs for a take-out hot dog (located in the CVS parking lot).
- Orale restaurant for Mexican cuisine.
- Bill’s Pizza is a Hopkinton mainstay and has been around forever, but truth be told it’s not really worth the visit.
- Swoon for local jewelry.
4. Hopkinton State Park
Hopkinton State Park is a fantastic park that has something to offer for everyone and is easily one of the best things to do in Hopkinton. The park is over 1500 acres and has a multitude of hiking trails. During the summer the park has two open beaches and spots to fish. There are tons of picnic tables and charcoal grills available for use. The trails are great to explore in all seasons and you can’t go wrong with choosing one. A popular one that I recommend is the Pepperbush Loop Trail.
The dam that holds the reservoir runs through the middle of the park and offers some beautiful views as you walk over it. On a snowy day in the winter, the hill from the top of the dam down to the parking lot offers some of the best sledding in MetroWest!
In the summer it’s fun to rent a paddleboard or kayak to paddle around the reservoir. See if you can paddle out to the little Farr Island for a landing!
There is a daily parking fee in the summer at Hopkinton State Park of $8 for Massachusetts residents, or $30 for non-Massachusetts residents.
5. The Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail
The Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail is a bike trail that will eventually be 25 miles long and will include the communities of Milford, Ashland, Sherborn, Holliston, and Hopkinton. The trail links the towns by an abandoned rail bed. Not all towns have completed their portion of the trail, but there is a beautifully finished portion, roughly 6 miles long, that runs from the Hopkinton town line to the town center in Milford.
It’s a really great spot to go for a walk or bike ride. The trail is paved and in the woods, so you don’t need to worry about cars or strenuous walking. The trail even has bicycle repair stations! There are many trails around the town, but this is the most accessible and therefore the one I recommend.
You can start the trail from multiple spots, but the closest parking lot to Hopkinton is called the “Milford Hopkinton Trail Parking”. You can put it into Google Maps and it will pop right up. The trail is free to use. You can learn more about the trail here.
6. Lake Whitehall
Known commonly as Lake Whitehall, this area is technically called Whitehall State Park and the lake is named Whitehall Reservoir. This is a great spot to boat, kayak, paddleboard, or fish. The reservoir has an easily accessible boat ramp. In the winter people sometimes like to icefish here when the temperatures are cold enough.
There is a lovely trail that loops the perimeter of the reservoir. It’s a great spot for a casual hike with serene views, allowing you to easily step into nature despite being so close to a major city like Boston.
The easiest way to access this area is by parking in the lot directly across from 300 Wood Street, Hopkinton, MA.
7. Day trip to Boston
Boston is the most popular day trip to take from Hopkinton. It is very easily accessible by car and train. The commuter rail from Southborough Station and Ashland Station will take you directly into South Station, which is the city center of Boston
Some of the popular things that I recommend doing in Boston are as follows:
- Walk around Boston Public Common and Garden.
- Walk along the Boston Harbor waterfront. Consider a boat cruise for some skyline views.
- Grab lunch at the Boston Harbour Hotel for upscale dining, at SailLoft for affordable waterfront dining, or at Pizzeria Regina for Boston’s original pizza.
- Get cannoli from Mike’s Pastries and walk around the historic North End.
- Take a duck boat tour of the city.
- Walk the freedom trail and learn Boston’s history.
- Explore Faneuil Hall Marketplace and shop around the many vendors located inside.
- Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, or a Broadway show at a historic theater.
- Tour the prestigious Harvard University campus in Cambridge.
- Take a stroll along the Charles River esplanade.
- For indoor activities, check out a museum such as the Boston Science Museum, or explore the New England Aquarium.
There are really an endless amount of sights and activities to do in Boston. I will be posting my guide to Boston soon to provide more detailed information.
8. Apex Center
The Apex Center is not in Hopkinton, it is actually in Marlborough, but I would be remiss to not give a rainy-day activity! The Apex Center is about a 20-minute drive from Hopkinton. It has tons of activities that are fun for kids, families, and adults too. Some of the activities they offer are:
- Food and drink
- Arcade
- Bowling
- Bumper cars
- Go kart racing
- Laser tag
- Mini golf
- Pool tables
- Ropes course
- Sports simulators
- Kids playspace
Entry price and activity costs vary. Check their website here for more information.
9. Check out the local hot spots – Start Line Brewery and Cornell’s Irish Pub
If you ask anyone from Hopkinton where the best local spots are, they’ll surely respond with either Start Line Brewery, Cornell’s Irish Pub, or both!
Start Line Brewery is relatively new to Hopkinton, but has quickly become a favorite. Start Line Brewery, cleverly named for its location, is a craft beer brewery that serves an excellent lineup of locally-made craft beer and great appetizers. They have trivia nights weekly on Wednesdays and often will have live music. Start Line Brewery is located a short drive up the road from the high school. They also sell canned beer if you don’t have time to stop for a full drink.
Conveniently just a short drive up the road, Cornell’s Irish Pub (known simply as “Cornell’s”) is a restaurant and bar that serves standard American fare. It often gets busy on the weekends as the local hangout. Behind Cornell’s Pub, you’ll also find some recreational fields.
10. Ashland State Park
Ashland State Park is another state park located very close to Hopkinton. Similarly to Hopkinton State Park, Ashland State Park offers many of the same activities. These include hiking, swimming, fishing, biking, boating, and more.
There is a popular 3.5-mile-long trail around the reservoir that you can visit year-round. The park gets most busy during the summer and the parking lots can often fill up, so I would recommend going early in the day to get a spot.
You must pay to park during the summer season. The daily parking fee at Ashland State Park is $8 for Massachusetts residents or $30 for non-Massachusetts residents.
11. Sandy Beach
Other than the beaches that are open in Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton has only one other beach, not-so-creatively named ‘Sandy Beach’. The beach is fairly small and located on Lake Maspenock.
There is a small playground here that is great for kids, as well as some volleyball nets. The beach has restrooms and is attended by lifeguards during the summer. There’s a rope swing nearby, but it is frequently taken down for concerns of safety. In addition, Sandy Beach has a boat launch.
The entry and parking lot for the beach is located at 4 Lakeshore Drive, Hopkinton, MA. As of 2021, the town restricted beach access to residents only due to the pandemic. Entry passes must be purchased and displayed on your car when parking.
12. Churches
If churches are your thing, there are two popular churches of significance located in Hopkinton, both within walking distance of one another.
Right in downtown Hopkinton, St. John Church is architecturally beautiful. Visitors can pass by or stop in to see the church if interested, with opportunities to attend services and engage with the local community.
The Korean Presbyterian Church in Hopkinton is one of the primary Korean Presbyterian churches of the greater Boston area. It is located directly across from the common and holds cultural significance in the community.
13. Fruit Street Athletic Fields
The Fruit Street Athletic Fields is a complex of natural and turf soccer and football fields where I’ve spent many weekends in the past playing soccer! On any given weekend you will find the fields filled with organized games and tournaments. The sports teams from Hopkinton are known as “the Hillers”.
The fields are technically by reservation but may be used for recreation if there are no other games or practices in session that have been reserved. The athletic fields are located at 29 Pratt Way, Hopkinton, MA. Be respectful of the fields and do not cause any damage.
14. EMC Park
EMC Park is located just a short walk up the road from the high school. The park has recreational fields, baseball fields, a skate park, picnic tables, and a playground that are all open to the public. The park got its name from the EMC Corporation which used to exist in Hopkinton but has since changed.
The park is a fun spot where I spent many afternoons when I was a kid. It’s a great place for families to take their kids to get out some energy!
EMC Park is located at 113 Hayden Rowe St, Hopkinton, MA.
15. Things to do beyond Hopkinton’s borders
There is a lot to do right in Hopkinton, especially if you’re in town for the marathon. The town is filled with parks and green spaces and has some good food and drink.
That being said, Hopkinton is a pretty small town. If you’ve found yourself exhausting the items in this article, Massachusetts (and New England as a whole) has so much more to offer! There are many day trips that are very easily accessible from Hopkinton. To name a few within the borders of Massachusetts:
- Experience the spooky history of Salem, known for the infamous witch trials, with visits to museums and historic sites.
- Explore Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, two picturesque islands known for their beaches and scenic landscapes.
- Take a trip out to the Berkshires to explore the arts scene there and music festivals.
- Enjoy outdoor adventures in the Berkshire Mountains, such as hiking, skiing, and exploring charming small towns like Stockbridge and Lenox. Fall foliage season is the best time of year for this.
If you are looking for my recommendation, I would say take a trip to Cape Cod! Cape Cod has truly stunning scenery and light-brown sand dunes and beaches. Visit Chatham for the quintessential beach town experience of Cape Cod, or consider making your way to Province Town, home to vibrant LGBT culture. Along the way stop at Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro, or spend the day on the Cape Cod National Seashore Public Beach.
Map of the top 15 best things to do in Hopkinton
To make life easy, I’ve put all of the top things to do in Hopkinton into the map below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Hopkinton have a downtown?
Yes, Hopkinton has a lovely downtown area where the Boston Marathon starting line, the town common, and the public library are located, along with various shops and restaurants.
2. Is Hopkinton a nice town?
Yes, Hopkinton is a quintessential New England town known to be family-friendly, safe, and in close proximity to Boston.
3. Are dogs allowed at Hopkinton State Park?
Yes, dogs are allowed at Hopkinton State Park if they are leashed.
4. Is Hopkinton a safe town?
Hopkinton is an extremely safe town with very low crime rates.
5. Can you bring your own kayak to Hopkinton State Park?
Yes, you are allowed to bring your own kayak to Hopkinton State Park.
Conclusion – Most Memorable things to do in Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Hopkinton is a beautiful New England town with lots to do right within the town borders and endless options nearby. Explore these top attractions and activities to discover the essence of what to do in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and create some unforgettable memories whether you’re a resident, visitor, or marathoner!
If you too grew up in a small town where you once thought, ‘There’s NOTHING to do here,’ but in hindsight you could write a list of the top 15 best things to do – then go give your hometown some love! Use the subscribe form below to get notified as I post additional content on New England!
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What are the Top 15s at Imperfect Nostalgia? They are your all-in-one-stop for travel planning. I make these posts as concise as possible and make sure to capture all of the must-see’s and must-do’s of the location. With my Top 15s, you can be sure that you have seen all of the major sights of your destination without having to look elsewhere. Click here for more!
