Grab Fresh Coffee and Tea
Working Downtown and need a chance to stretch your legs? Start with a pick me up at one of the neighborhood’s excellent coffee shops. Fuel America is ideal for a coffee date. The industrial-modern space offers plenty of seating options with a great view of both the authentic roastery and the Worcester Common. For grab and go options, drop by Brew on the Grid on the opposite side of the Worcester Common. Choose from a wide selection of roasts, espresso drinks, smoothies, and milkshakes. Not a coffee drinker? Stay warm with a steaming cup of hot bubble tea from Gong Cha. Order a brown sugar ginger milk tea or an earl gray latte with fresh tapioca pearls.
Take in the Local History
Once you are adequately caffeinated, consider Preservation Worcester’s 30-minute walking tour of Downtown, beginning at Worcester City Hall. Admire the tombstones of Worcester’s early settlers like Jonas Rice, the first European to call Worcester his home. You will come away with more than just a history lesson; delight your friends with a newfound knowledge of Worcester’s most unique assets Downtown. Take, for example, the Burnside Fountain, better known as Turtle Boy. This memorable statue was commissioned in 1905 as a park fountain that provided freshwater to city residents, dogs, and horses. Today, the statue is one of the most well-known symbols of Downtown Worcester, sparking the curiosity of locals and visitors alike.
Just a short walk up Chestnut Place, you’ll find Turtle Boy’s lesser known companion The Boy with a Dolphin. This sculpture was commissioned in 1974 by famed British sculptor David Wynne and seemingly defies gravity as a young boy catches a ride on a friendly airborne dolphin.
Explore Delicious Lunch Options
By the end of your stroll, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. Downtown offers a variety of eateries where you can find a quick bite. Oishi is a one stop shop for no-nonsense Japanese cuisine that will leave you feeling rejuvenated. From fifty different maki and hand rolls to a local favorite, nigiri sushi, they have options for all. Go for the lunch special and receive a free beverage, soup, or salad depending on your preference. North of City Hall, you can find fresh, healthy lunch options like salads and bowls at Ila Verde. South of City Hall, you can get excellent soul food from Addie Lee’s. Head down Franklin Street for other delicious options. Shawarma Palace serves up the best Middle Eastern fare Downtown. Don’t skip the baklava.
Be sure to keep your calendar open during lunchtime on Thursdays in the summer for the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers’ Market at the Worcester Common Oval.
Visit the Library at Lunch
Round out your lunch hour by popping into Worcester Public Library’s periodical section, where you’ll find all of the most current issues of popular newspapers and magazines, updated daily. By the time you get back to the office, the fresh air and sustenance will have you feeling good as new.
