Waltham, Mass., is home to several universities — Brandeis, Middlesex, and our very own Bentley. Because of this, and the many companies and office parks in the area, there's more to do here than you might think. Waltham's Moody Street is the hot spot for foodies and anyone looking for a vibrant social scene. And because it’s just a short shuttle ride from Boston, Waltham maintains a small-town feel while offering many of the gastronomical perks you'd find in the city.
Students who choose to attend one of these Waltham colleges often wonder what there is to do outside of classes and work. We’ve picked out some of our favorite Waltham hot spots, as well as where you can go to get essentials while you’re here. Check out this list to learn a few of the best activities, restaurants, and attractions Waltham has to offer.
Restaurants & Bars
Bison County: The best place in Waltham for quintessential American food — barbecue!
Gustazo Cuban Restaurant & Cafe: A traditional Cuban restaurant that serves a large variety of tapas items and other great meals.
Joe Sent Me: A favorite local bar in Waltham (you can spot Bentley students here on the regular) that has great food for lunch and dinner.
La Campania: An award-winning, authentic Neapolitan restaurant featuring pizzas and meats cooked in a brick oven and wood burning grill. This Waltham gem often ranks in "Best of Boston" lists!
Margaritas: The name says it all. A favorite Mexican restaurant and local hotspot for Bentley students —they have tons of room for large groups, an outdoor patio on the water, and a large menu. Plus . . . margaritas.
Masao’s Kitchen: A macrobiotic vegan restaurant that uses only organic ingredients and steers clear of refined sugar, MSG, preservatives, and irradiated or genetically modified foods.
Sakura: An authentic Japanese restaurant that serves teriyaki dishes, udon and soba noodle options, and a variety of sushi rolls.
Solea: Date night? Try this. Solea is a great tapas bar that is popular when you’re in the mood for something a touch fancier.
Shoppers: One of the best local bars — owned by a Bentley graduate — with poker and karaoke nights during the week.
Taqueria Mexico: Another popular Mexican restaurant that focuses on authentic, traditional Mexican cuisine.
Tree Top Cuisine: A vegetarian-friendly spot that serves Thai staples like pad Thai and drunken noodles.
Entertainment
Embassy Cinema: A small, six-screen movie theater that shows mostly eclectic films, along with the occasional Hollywood blockbuster. It’s located on Moody Street and surrounded by restaurants, making it a prime location for a night out.
Rose Art Museum: A free art museum located on the Brandeis University campus, with guided tours of their modern and contemporary art collection.
The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation: A museum located on the Charles River in the historic Boston Manufacturing Company textile mill, with a hands-on exhibit featuring American innovation and invention from 1812 to today.
The Waltham Museum: The place to go if you want to learn the history of Waltham.
Notable Places Around Town
Charles River Bike Path: A beautiful, scenic bike trail that spans 27 miles, going all the way into Boston. It’s a popular trail for bikers or runners.
Gore Place: A historic Federal Period house and estate built in 1806 for Massachusetts Governor Christopher Gore that you can tour.
National Archives: You can visit their research room, which is a great place to do genealogical and historical research.
Prospect Hill Park: A 250-acre community park located in west Waltham with several beautiful trails for hiking and biking.
The Necessities
Grocery Stores
Mass Farmer’s Market: A market offering fresh, local produce and other items while in season.
Shaw’s Supermarket With two locations in Waltham, it’s many people’s go-to.
Trader Joe’s: In Arlington, one transit stop away. As one of our international students describes it, it’s a personal favorite for the health conscious, or the place for “hippies, vegans, fruitarians, and other kombucha-sipping folk.” In other words, a specialty store.
Whole Foods: A grocery store for natural and organic foods.
Pharmacies
CVS: The have three pharmacy locations around Waltham.
Hannaford Pharmacy: Located in the Hannaford Supermarket.
Walgreens: They have two locations in Waltham.
Banks
Hair & Nails
Laundry & Dry Cleaning
Check Them Out
Whether you’re planning to attend a school in Waltham or just visiting, there’s tons to do while you’re here. With a wide range of attractions — plus hundreds of others not on this list — you’re bound to find something you enjoy in Waltham. To learn even more about the city, check out the latest news and updates on its website.