A Two-Stop Day-Trip from Boston: Wachusett Dam & Reservoir plus Tower Hill Botanic Garden

With so little to celebrate in this world, a warm Spring day is sufficient motivation to turn off the news, leave the computer, put down the protest banner, and go see the explosion of greens, as the flora awakens around us.

We head to Clinton, Massachusetts (less than an hour from Boston) for the Wachusett Dam, constructed between 1897 to 1905, and still the largest stone dam built by hand. It creates the magnificent Wachusett Reservoir, which supplies part of Boston’s needs. At nearly 7 square miles, it is the second largest body of water in Massachusetts. For those willing to descend a gazillion steps, one can tour the very base of the dam where the landscaping includes a handsome water fountain. But I found it plenty gorgeous from atop the dam as well.

From there it was a quick 5-mile drive to the Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Our state park pass got us in without paying the $11 senior entrance fee. Founded in 1986, the gorgeous visitor center is surrounded on all sides by assorted gardens, all of which thrive in New England’s variable weather – the Garden is only closed in January. Among the one dozen gardens are the Systematic Garden, Winter Garden, Cottage Garden, and Vegetable Garden. On this visit, the plethora of tulips – white and ruby – were a highlight of our visit.We were lucky to visit during the enthralling, mesmerizing exhibition of large stainless steel wind sculptures scattered throughout. Titled “Wind, Waves & Light: Art in Motion,” they are the work of George Sherwood, an engineer/artist who lives in Ipswich, Massachusetts. A 40-second video clip of the work is below.

The Tower Hill Botanic Garden center has a cool garden shop, a café (already closed when we arrived), impressive event rooms (where, for example, UMass Medical School holds its graduation), a library, and clean bathrooms. Tours are offered. Best of all, there are benches all over the place for relaxing amidst the different plants.

One of the charms of this one-day trip is that it can be as accessible, physically non-challenging as you want, while people with kids and energy can run up and down the steps of the Dam and to the furthest reaches of the 171 acres of Tower Hill. 

 

Comments

[SUE C KELMAN]

George Sherwood seems lovely and I've enjoyed his art for a while now. Your trip sounds like the perfect balm. I've been concerned that world affairs has you so stirred up, angry, and frustrated, that you're not giving yourself sufficient down-time to regroup, recharge those amazing batteries, and feed your soul. Please take care of yourself.
Love, The Other Sue

[Mary Fusoni]

Thanks for this, Sue! I need a kick in the butt to get myself to Tower Hill, and this may do it. I have already discovered that downtown Clinton has a sweet, relaxing row of stores and restaurants on the main street, with a park and river nearby. Clinton is the halfway meeting-for-lunch place for me and a friend who lives in Barre.

[Sherrard]

Finally journeyed to Tower Hill thanks to you, Sue. Lovely trip with 2 friends and a dog.
Thanks to you!!!
💜Sherrard

[Sue Katz]

That's so great!!!