For Worcester Partners
Are you a nonprofit organization or business looking to connect with Holy Cross? Contact the Government and Community Relations office for more information.
Worcester & Beyond
At home on a quintessential liberal arts campus situated in New England’s second-largest city.
Cities are all about connection, opportunity, and community. We’re fortunate and proud to call Worcester home.
Proud to Call Worcester Home
With more than 200,000 residents, eight colleges and universities, and emerging clusters in biotech, healthcare, and manufacturing, Worcester is a dynamic urban center that’s known locally as “the Heart of the Commonwealth” for a reason.
Beyond Holy Cross, Worcester is home to a vibrant cultural scene with more than 60 parks, seven major performance venues, six museums, two professional sports teams and a world of restaurants, cafes and activities.
Take advantage of internships, volunteering opportunities, and community-based learning within Worcester. Connect with employers, meet alumni, immerse yourself in community organizations, and reap the benefits of social and cultural offerings that propel personal and intellectual growth in a city rich with history and opportunities.
Explore Worcester
Worcester is the hidden gem of Massachusetts’ entertainment scene. Hollywood has carved a niche in Worcester with stars like Ryan Reynolds, George Clooney and Jennifer Lawrence shooting films in the city. The DCU Center, where Holy Cross hosts commencement, has welcomed household names from Madonna and Snoop Dogg to Ariana Grande and Zach Bryan. Worcester hosts a rich music, theatre and comedy scene in the city continues at world-class venues like historic Mechanics Hall, the Hanover Theatre and Worcester Palladium.
Hall of Famer baseball players Dennis Eckersley, Wade Boggs and David Ortiz have attended Worcester Red Sox games at Polar Park, which annually ranks near the top in attendance among minor league baseball stadiums.
Most of these options are less than three miles from campus.
Not far from campus, visit the Worcester Art Museum, home to everything from a painting credited to a young Leonardo da Vinci to Asian sculptures crafted out of jade. Murals and sculptures complement a walk along Main Street downtown, depicting the city’s rich history, including hosting the first National Women's Rights Convention and a museum honoring Worcester’s own Major Taylor, the first African-American to win a cycling world championship.
Spring outdoors to green spaces that transport you to an environment that feels miles away from a bustling city. The Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Blackstone River Bikeway, Blackstone Gateway Park, Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center, Purgatory Chasm and Wachusett Mountain are just a few of the options close to campus.
The city is also home to dozens of festivals throughout the year overflowing with food, boutiques and performances.
The options are endless regardless if you’re a few steps or several miles from campus. The Canal District’s Worcester Public Market features a smorgasbord of food options from around the world. Shrewsbury Street, or “Restaurant Row” as it’s known within the city, has more than 40 dining options, offering everything from a casual slice of pizza to a fancy sit-down dinner.
Diners pop up across the city in the famous Worcester Lunch Car Company diner cars. Step back into the past at the Boulevard, the Kenmore or Miss Worcester. Join the ongoing debate of which deli boasts the best meatball sub. Vincent’s? Belsitos? Somewhere else?
Endless options exist for dessert, including Queen’s Cups in the Canal District, The Bean Counter in several locations or Jennifer Lee’s Bakery, featuring sweets free of the top nine allergens.
Not far from the Worcester Public Market, which is home to several local artists, Crompton Place is home to Seed to Stem, one of the top boutiques in the country according to Vogue. Crompton Collective also calls the former mill building home as one of the region’s best vintage shop. Instagram-worthy locally-owned bookshops are across the city from Bedlam Books to Root and Press and Annie’s Book Shop.
Joe’s Albums is one of the best music spots sandwiched between Mechanics Hall and the DCU Center. Fans of gaming, comics and everything in between will find what they’re looking for at That’s Entertainment, an icon in Worcester for more than 40 years.
Avoid the traffic and congestion driving to the airport in Boston or Providence and fly out of Worcester Regional Airport. The airport offers connecting flights out of hubs in New York City and provides free parking for 24 hours and $7 a day.
The commuter rail out of Union Station offers endless possibilities into Boston including Fenway Park, North Station, connections to Logan Airport and more.
Free shuttles are available to take students around Worcester every weekend, sponsored by the Student Government Association.
Around the City
Students enjoying a meal at the Worcester Public Market.
Polar Park is home to the Worcester Red Sox, also known as the "Woo Sox."
Hanging out on Green Street in Worcester.
Inside the Worcester Art Museum.
Students volunteering through Working for Worcester.
Experiencing the city's arts community.
Welcome to Worcester
Looking for more information about life in New England's second-largest city? Check out these city resources.
