City of Worcester

I’m writing to praise the service I received in the Verizon store in Auburn, MA. I had destroyed my IPhone and arrived completely distraught. I wasn’t due for an upgrade and stupidly hadn’t purchased insurance on my phone. Donovan was able to figure out a way to get me back in the ‘safe arms’ of the IPhone family without costly me a small fortune. As a senior citizen, I’ve lived most of my life without being attached to a phone but I can’t navigate life anymore without my phone. Thank-​you, Donovan for being so very helpful and solving my ‘crisis,’ You now have a loyal (and insured) lifetime customer.

In what could be a really interesting place to visit, with great 19^th century architecture and buildings, is infested with panhandlers. I have never been asked for change or money more and I live 10 minutes from Manhattan.
I have an idea. Clean up your city so people are not accosted every block by wastrels looking for a handout.

After living here for a number of years I can honestly say I don’t plan to live here much longer. It has more to do with the residences of the city then it does with the politics.
Am I the only person who thinks someone casing my car in my own drive way is problem? This isn’t just a one time occurrence, four times! Lucky for me I have alert dogs that happen to bark and make a ruckus when a stranger comes into the yard. But I do have to say the druggie foot traffic in my neighborhood has slowed since the two competing drug dealers on my block have finally been sentenced and sent to jail.
Can’t get around Worcester without running into a beggar. Usually they show up in droves during the Spring/​Summer time, but there is always one on a corner some where in the city year round. I guess Worcester cracking down with an ordinance about them not being allowed to play in traffic is nice. But now they walk down the side of road and bang on your passenger windows screaming «What a nice car you have, you need to give me a buck!» Of course I love the guy at the 290 Exit who needs money yet has the most up to date iPhone stuck in his hand. I personally watched one beggar try to open someone car door in front of me, and kick it because it was locked; this was at a stop light! The driver drove off through the stop light and I personally don’t blame them. Do I think there are people down on their luck who are on the street begging for money, yes. Do I think all the beggars in Worcester are down on their luck? No, I think a majority of them are scam artist. Do I think Worcester is becoming the beggar capital of the East Coast? Yes.
Of course how could I forget the local drivers. The accidents I’ve avoided and the dumbest driving I have ever witnessed. It is like driving in the third world country where everyone thinks it’s the Indy 500. If you do get into an accident chances are it is staged, had a person back into me in a parking lot then tried to extort money out of me what a laugh. They didn’t laugh too much when the cops showed up.
The cops some are good, some are bad. I’ve had to call on occasion when things get a little out of hand. For example a group of people beating the crap out of each other in the middle of the street, some star crossed Romeo and Juliet couple screaming in the street and threatening to kill one another and my lovely neighbor who tried to break in, twice; lucky for me he is gone either moved or got sent back to the pokey. Some cops have chip on their shoulder act as if you are bothering them if you have to call because some drugged out kid is passed out on your lawn. Had one cop refused to assist claiming I should know what type of neighborhood I live in and I should expect people to be less then civil.
The one thing I like about Worcester is the Parks Green Hill Park, Elms Park both nice places to relax in.
Yep Worcester the clogged heart of Massachusetts.

ZERO!!!
yesterday, i was driving out going on hammond (the most typical of worster!) and they decided to have some construction in the middle of the street. no signs, no warning, no detours, just a cop (thank you for what you do) in the middle of the street waiving his arms like angels in the outfield.
anyway, zippo stars for the worst «city» ive been too
smell ya worster, smell you later forever

Worcester is a great an unique city that is quickly moving beyond its gritty industrial past. The downtown area is entering a period of revival with large projects underway and a series of restaurants and bars starting to open up. Most of the neighborhoods are very nice– just steer clear of the triple deckers and you’ll be fine.
There are lots of oddball things about Worcester. The smiley face was invented there and it has land marked like Turtle Boy (a statue of what can only be a boy humping a turtle) and The Topless Church. Lots of cool, amusing little stuff.
Plenty of museums and colleges for a middle sized city. The people tend to be blue collar and don’t have any sort of elitist attitude. If you go into Worcester thinking your some super important hot shot, get ready to make no friends and have your drinks spat in. But if you’re cool and laid back, you can expect a good time.
This is a drinking town with lots of great bars including Nicks, the hotel Vernon, vincents and Herbies. Shrewsbury street is filled with restaurants. The arm museum is great too

I just visited to stop at the library (which was very nice), and drop off a letter which gave me a moment to walk thru the downtown and see the area.
Lots of nice little shops. Like all big cities, you have to pay to park (70c /​hr at the Library). That was a little steep for me so I drove to a nearby suburban library with free parking.
I noticed a beautiful park area, and a Café that sold smoothies which I must try next time I’m in town (I hate the «fast food» smoothies made from kits … corn syrup enrichment factor :-)
It’s a city. No better or worse from other big cities from what I can tell.

Worcester gets a bum rap because it isn’t as flashy as some of its neighbors. What it lacks in visual pizazz it more than makes up for in history, culture, food and transportation.
Worcester has many culturally interesting sites including the hidden gem Worcester Art Museum with its acclaimed collection of European and North American Paintings and the Worcester Historical Museum where you can learn the origin or the smiley face and Harvey Ball.
Did you also know that the Declaration of Independence was first publicly read by Isaiah Thomas in July of 1776 in Worcester? Did you know that Ted Williams used to play at Fitton Field where today we can watch the Worcester Tornado’s? How about that Sigmund Freud’s only visit to America was to give a lecture at Clark University? Or that Dr Robert Goddard invented the modern rocket here?
For something more fun and interactive you can enjoy the indoor/​outdoor Ecotarium which is great for kids and adults alike or take a trip back in time and learn about the middle ages at Higgin s Armory.
If the arts is more your style you can enjoy shows at the magnificently restored Hanover Theater, the majestic Mechanic’s Hall, or the spacious DCU Center. For the more artistic individuals you can take classes at the New Street Glassworks and learn to work with glass or take a visit to the Worcester Center for Crafts where they have many offerings to satisfy your creative needs.
For those who like the outdoors Worcester has many options from exploring one of America’s First Parks, Elm Park or enjoying a summer concert in Institute Park. You could also enjoy Worcester’s 18-​hole golf course or a leisurely stroll in Green Hill Park.
For the spectators you can catch a Worcester Tornado’s Ball game or watch the Worcester Sharks on the Ice for far less then it would cost to watch a game in Boston’s Garden or Fenway Park.
After a full day of enjoying any one of the city’s many activities Worcester isn’t done providing a great time. Worcester is known as a melting pot of great food. You can sample anything from the traditional American, Italian and French to the exotic Caribbean, Middle Eastern or Vietnamese and everything in between.
Nightlife here in Worcester has admittedly had its up and downs but there is always a new place to try and I’m sure with the right people you can have fun anywhere.
While it is worth noting that the Worcester Airport has had its struggles it shouldn’t be a surprise with so many major airports (Logan, Bradley, TF Green and Manchester, NH) in such close proximity. However when the airlines are flying they are always booked solid and many in the central MA area enjoy the ease of use. On a more commercial transportation level Worcester is still one of the largest inland ports in the northeast servicing the needs of all of New England.
Before making assertions to the downfall of Worcester people should learn to appreciate what it has to offer and take advantage of the many amazing things you can enjoy.

The Paris of the Eighties. While it is not perfect, Worcester is far from the hell hole some of the reviewers have made it out to be («alcoholics and street drug users» aren’t the main inhabitants, for example). Maybe I like my towns a little shabby, but I’ve not noticed any uniquely ‘Worcesterian’ quality to the natives that marks them as «obnoxious lack[ing] class» or «akin to northeast PA». It’s an industrial town like many others, with all the good and bad that implies.
Me, I’ll take the bearable housing prices, superfluity of diners, and friendly neighbors if the worst thing I have to put up with is the Greendale Mall.
Now, if it only had better restaurants…

Everything closes so early.

I don’t live in Worcester, I drive in to eat, drink, and be merry.
Worcester facilitates these needs with out tolls, parking tickets, having to spend a hour looking for parking, or the outrageous cost that goes along with fun in other cities.
So for that I thank you, just stop closing your night clubs all the time and I will throw you a extra star and a hug.

Avoid living here city has been in a sharp decline since 1950s and Worcester natives are obnoxious and lack class.
City economy is in a dire state. Alcholics and street drug users mostly inhabit Worcester.
Airport is a joke, airlines are always leaving shortly once they start routes to this dump. Massport is just being political by holding on to it.
Public school system is also failing and underfunded.

When I think of cities, Worcester is not one of the first ones I think of. Now that I’ve been spending a bit more time in Woo Town, I do appreciate it a bit more.
While I still have no desire to move into or closer, I don’t mind visiting as much as I used to. It’s still dirty and a hassle to get around. Train service is still abysmal.
There are however, plenty of places to visit and plenty of good places to eat. I look forward to exploring more as my four year old daughter grows up.
Hopefully, the CSX and City Square projects help turn things around.

Worcester Rules.
(More details forthcoming. Stay tuned.)

I was born/​raised in Worcester (so was my Mother and my Grandparents). Specifically I was raised in Vernon Hill (one of Worcesters «7 hills»). Worcester (pronounced «Wister») has over 182,000 people making it the #125^th largest city in the country and the second largest in New England. It encompasses nearly 40 sq.miles. Worcester, also known as «The Heart of the Commonwealth», is the center of Worcester County. It was first settled in 1673 and became a city in 1848. Let me break Worcester down for you:
Schools:
I went to elementary school at Vernon Hill Elementary, middle school at Sullivan Middle, and High School (for one year) at South High. I also had one year at Worcester State College (before transferring out). Worcester actually has a huge public schooling system that incorporates 33 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 7 high schools (many more private schools). There are 8 colleges in Worcester proper:
–Holy Cross (est.1843)
–Worcester Polytechnic Institute (est.1874)
–Worcester State College (est.1874)
–Clark University (est.1887)-1^st graduate school in the US and is where Sigmund Freud spoke on his only trip to America.
–UMass Medical-​in the top 50 medical schools in the country
–Becker College (est.1887)
–Quinsigamond Community College
–Assumption College (est.1904) — has largest campus in Worcester
Sports:
Worcester recently (2005) got it’s first minor league baseball team (Worcester Tornadoes) who play at a small stadium by Holy Cross. Worcester also has a minor league (AHL) hockey team called the Worcester Sharks (formally called the Worcester Ice Cats), an affiliate of the San Jose Sharks (NHL).
Famous Worcester-​ites:
–Harvey Ball: credited for creating the smiley face in 1963
–Esther Howard: who is responsible for popularizing Valentines Day cards in America in 1847
–Ichabod Washburn: founder of Worcester’s Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company in 1831 (later become American Steel & Wire Co.) which was the worlds largest wire company and is credited for barbwire fencing the American West
–Robert Goddard: the «Father of of Modern Rocketry»
–Jordan Knight (of «New Kids on the Block»)
–Dennis Leary (actor/​comedian)
Museums:
–The Worcester Art Museum (est.1898) has an impressive 35,000works by many of the worlds best artists and is the 2^nd largest art museum in New England.
–The Higgins Armory (est.1930) is the only museum in the western hemisphere devoted to arms and armour and is the largest collection of medieval arms and armour outside of Europe
Transportation:
Worcester’s beautiful and expansive Union Station (built in 1911) houses Amtrak and a Bus Depot while the gorgeous Worcester Airport has been a complete failure as virtually no flights go in or out of this mostly empty airport.
Other Notable Information:
–Polar Beverages and Table Talk Pies are both based in Worcester
–Elm Park, is the countries first public park (1854). This was the first design project by Frederick Law Olmsted who went on to design many other parks including New York City’s Central Park.
–Worcester is Credited for being the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and to this day you can see all the factories that once filled the city from the mid 1800s to mid 1900s. Two of the largest being the Washburn & Moen Manuf. Co. as well as the Royal Worcester Corset Factory (the largest employer of women in the US in 1908).
–The Diner (first invented in RI) became a huge New England staple and the Worcester Lunchcar Company (1906 – 1957) was the first and largest commercial production of Diners. Many of their diners are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
–One of the things Worcester is known for is the 3 decker. The 3 decker is essentially an apartment building where each of the 3 floors is a separate apartment, this type of residence is very popular in Worcester and in fact I was born and raised in the ground floor of one. These buildings were built mostly between 1870 – 1920 to accommodate the large middle class that came to Worcester for many of the Industrial jobs available. This type of building became a hugely popular design throughout New England and many of them are now registered historic places.
–From 1905 – 1960 Worcester even had it’s own Amusement Park (White City)
–Just above Worcester (still in Worcester County) there is also Mt. Watchusett, a very popular Ski area
Other Notes:
Worcester is diverse city with distinctive neighborhoods. There are some neighborhoods that are still primarily Irish or Polish (like where Dennis Leary grew up) while other neighborhoods are primarily Vietnamese or Puerto Rican. Like any city there are good areas and no so good ones. Worcester is about 1 hr west of Boston and 1 hr north of Hartford making it a great centralized location. Unfortunately shopping, nightlife, downtown cleanliness, overall feel, and transportation is generally lacking so I went with 3 star

Oh Worcester, many people think you are a worthless piece of junk, taking up valuable (?) real estate in Central Mass. While I don’t disagree, to a point, there are still plenty of things that make Worcester great. For my 400^th review, I will help the people the Commonwealth understand Worcester for what it really is
Worcester has one thing that it one-​ups Boston on, DINERS. Worcester is arguably the diner capital of the World. The Worcester Lunch Car Company was formed in 1906, and any reputable diner owner would want to have one of these babies for their restaurant. There are so many diners in Worcester, I’ve lost count. And I’ve yet to find a suitable replacement for them in Boston.
While Boston has dozens of hospitals, Worcester is becoming a fast competitor when it comes to their own string of medical centers. UMass Med Center is becoming one of the fastest growing academic health centers in the world. Not only that but UMMS is ranked fourth in primary care education among the nation’s 125 medical schools in the 2006 U.S.News & World Report annual guide, «America’s Best Graduate Schools». Besides UMass, the brand new Medical Center downtown is a spectacular step forward from past hospitals (See: St. Vincent’s).
They got rid of the god-​forsaken Fashion Outlets. I think I’ve been there once, and I’m still scarred because of it.
If you are a medieval freak, then head on over to Higgins Armory. I’ve never been there myself… I know, I suck, but I assure you, the place is fantastic.
So you thought only Boston is a college town? Well, you are right. While Worcester has over 11 colleges, most Worcesterites don’t like them. The students tend to stay in their designated areas, and, more often than not, the people that go to school in Worcester are from Worcester and are too scared to venture out into the real world. But, Worcester does have some cool colleges, like WPI and Holy Cross (the latter I spent many a nights working on term papers)
Worcester has seven hills, Airport Hill, Bancroft Hill, Belmont Hill (Bell Hill), Grafton Hill, Green Hill, Pakachoag Hill and Vernon Hill. I don’t know what else to say except, SLEDDING.
Ok, the Worcester airport is useless and should probably be converted into a Mall.
Worcester likes to make sure that the kiddies aren’t out in the streets, so Enter: Sh’Booms, a club for the under 18 set. Located in downtown Worcester (where you KNOW you want to send your kids…) I think I went here once… and I’m still ashamed
Lake Quinsigamond is also known for its rowing competitions, most recently the 2005 US Masters Championships. And you can swim in the lake (Can’t say that about the Charles)
Every time I’m on 290, I always look for the Polar soda bear on it’s perch, and half the time it’s been deflated =(
Coney Island hot dogs are the BEST on the freaking planet. I will fight to the death for them
And now, some facts about Worcester:
1. A 2006 estimate put the population at 175,898, making it the estimated second-​largest city in New England, after Boston. (Betcha never thought THAT)
2. Worcester is known as the «Heart of the Commonwealth.» (Apparently Massachusetts has had multiple heart-​attacks, and has managed to stay alive… sort of)
3. Known for innovation in commerce, industry, education, and social thought, Worcester and the nearby Blackstone Valley claim their historic role as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. (Who’d have thought Worcester was important for anything?)
4. The American Red Cross was established on May 21, 1881 by Worcester County native Clara Barton, the first president of the organization. (You can visit her house in nearby Oxford)
5. There use to be two amusement parks, Lincoln Park & White City. The first houses elderly apartments, the second, a strip mall.
6. Harvey Ball, the inventor of the Smiley Face, was born in Worcester =)
7. The Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology is best known for the development of the oral contraceptive pill (1951) and for pioneering research on in vitro fertilization. The first American conceived by this method (1981), Elizabeth Jordan Carr, lived in nearby Westminster.
8. Mechanics Hall, a National Historic Landmark, this circa 1857 exhibition hall was recognized as the nation’s finest pre-​Civil War concert Hall.
9. The Worcester State Lunatic Hospital (1833) was the first hospital in the United States established to treat mental illnesses. (My friends and I had a lot of fun driving up there in the middle of the night and scaring the shit out of ourselves)
Even with all this magnificence, I can only give Worcester 3 stars. It’s just too boring for me, public transportation is non-​existent (the WTA buses don’t count), I went to school there for almost my entire life, and nothing, not even the Apocalypse, would make me move back to Worcester. But it’s not all bad. So here’s to you Worcester: tips cap: This 400 is for you.