Stoneham is a lovely little town on the northern outskirts of Boston, and if you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy a nice relaxing vacation but which can also connect you quickly to a big city and many other important sights, you won’t find a better destination than this. However, skipping this charming place completely would be a mistake because you can come up with a very interesting Stoneham itinerary quite easily. The town has a lot to offer, so if you have one day to spend here, we’ll help you find the best places to see, so stick around!
What’s the best time to visit Stoneham, Massachusetts?
Stoneham gets quite cold during winter, with the temperatures dropping way below the freezing point in December. Things start to get a bit warmer in March, but if you want nice warm weather to accompany your visit to this town, you should definitely come here in summer. And if you want to avoid rain, August is by far the dryest month of the year here.
But Stoneham also boasts a huge variety of events, both big and small. From St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to various music events, there’s something for just about anyone here. So, if you come to this town on a major holiday, any holiday at all, you can be absolutely sure there will be plenty to do and choose from.
A few facts about Stoneham
Stoneham first started out as a part of Charlestown back in the 1630s. However, as the settlement grew the distance between it and Charlestown proper became an increasingly important issue, so Stoneham became “independent” on December 17, 1725. In other words, it will soon celebrate its 300th birthday!
But how did Stoneham get its name? No, there’s no ham or any other meat product involved – the word “ham” in this case was used as a short form of “homestead”. Makes much more sense, doesn’t it?
With the advent of the industrial revolution, the town prospered quite a lot and became one of the leaders when it came to producing shoes. There’s even a shoe in the town’s official seal!
Also, Stoneham is very proud of its Olympians, as several athletes from this town have appeared there over the years. The most prominent of them is Nancy Kerrigan who won a bronze medal in 1992’s and a silver medal in 1994’s Winter Olympics in figure skating.
Today, this is a very pleasant and safe community also known as “The Friendly Town”. So, if you enjoy talking to and befriending locals whenever you visit a new place, coming here is just about the best thing you can do.
One day in Stoneham itinerary
As we said, Stoneham is a small but very charming town, and your one day here is best spent in a stress-free exploration and enjoying everything this quaint place has to offer. However, there are a few things you really shouldn’t miss, which is why we’ve assembled this Stoneham itinerary. Have fun!
Enjoy a great breakfast
Stoneham is the kind of town where it certainly pays off to go out for breakfast. Numerous modern coffee shops have a lot to offer, and many of them are great places if you want to feel the town’s vibe or simply do some people-watching. So maybe stay away from big coffee shop chains this time, and dive into places that are much more closely connected to the local community.
Kushala Sip Coffee House, for example, serves a wonderful cup of joe and has a great menu to go along with it. Java Grind and Grill is also a great place from which to start your one day in Stoneham.
Visit Stone Zoo
Once you’re done with your breakfast, it’s time to get serious. And the best way to do that is to start visiting Stoneham attraction of which Stone Zoo is probably the most famous one. Yes, this small town has its own zoo, a very interesting place visited by thousands and thousands of people every year (you can buy the tickets in advance here).
You will see some really fascinating species here, from snow leopards and jaguars to reindeer and flamingos. It’s a great destination if you’re traveling with your whole family, but even if that’s not the case, adult animal lovers will have a great time here.
Go for a hike
For this next Stoneham attraction, you don’t have to go very far. As a matter of fact, it’s right next to the zoo. Middlesex Fells Reservation is a lovely piece of greenery ideal for hiking and various other forms of recreation. There are numerous trails you can choose here, many of which are actually guided hikes.
A particularly nice route is the one running around Spot Pond, which can be completed in less than half an hour, but the choice is entirely up to you. Other reservoirs offer you the chance to take up kayaking or even sailing if you come during summer, and if you have your pet along for the trip or want to have a nice picnic, just head for Sheepfold Meadow.
Sit down for a great lunch
All this fresh air is bound to make you hungry, and by now it will be time for lunch. If you’re a foodie – rejoice! There are many great food options in the area.
Anthony’s Italian Specialties and Three Amigos are both great choices because they serve delicious and fairly affordable Italian and Mexican food, respectively. So, you won’t have to spend much, but you’ll be full when you’re done. Rang Indian Bistro is a bit pricier but has some very good vegan and vegetarian dishes. Mind you, these are just some of the choices you have – there are excellent Asian and American restaurants here, too.
Shop ‘till you drop
A trip like this is ideal for some shopping time (are we right, ladies), so after lunch, you should head to Redstone Shopping Center and see what they have to offer. They usually have some pretty good deals, so a trip here may just be worth it.
Plenty of shops, including brands like Target, and loads of places where you can sit down for a bite and a drink will make sure you have a great time here. However, when it comes to food, you may want to hold on a bit and have a proper dinner just a tiny bit later.
Catch a show in Stoneham Theater
People in Stoneham love their theater. Sure, it’s not the biggest theater in the world, but it has plenty of heart and an incredibly good vibe. And there’s not a bad seat in the house – no matter where you sit, you will hear and see everything perfectly.
So, why not spend an evening enjoying a good show here. It can be very relaxing and entertaining, plus it can be a great date with your spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend. Not to mention the fact that you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with the locals a bit. A very fun night out!
End your day with a great dinner
The cherry on top of the cake that is your one day in Stoneham will be a nice dinner in a fine restaurant. And for that, Gaetano’s Restaurant is a fantastic place because there’s nothing quite like authentic Italian dishes to finish the evening. Oh, and if you can accompany that with some good wine, even better! But some great cocktails are available here, as well
Enjoy traditional Italian dishes or choose some good old-fashioned comfort food. Alone or with your family and friends, this will be a fantastic end to a wonderful day.
Where to stay in Stoneham?
Boston Marriott Burlington
One Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01803
For a more luxurious stay, you may want to book a room in Boston Marriott Burlington. Now, this hotel is well connected with the wider Boston area, so you should have no problem getting to Stoneham and back. Furthermore, you get to enjoy two pools, a fitness club, and a great bar and restaurant. The rooms are very comfortable and fitted with really big TVs, the staff is incredibly nice, and you are bound to have a great time here. Well worth booking.
Hilton Boston Woburn
2 Forbes Road, Woburn, MA 01801
A Hilton hotel near Stoneham? Yes, Hilton Boston Woburn is just about a mile and a half away and it has a pool, a fitness center, and all of its rooms come with everything you need to prepare a great cup of tea or coffee. In addition, you will also be able to enjoy the wonderful Matadora restaurant, a modern tapas-focus establishment that has a lot to offer. Pets are welcome too, and the bar is a great place to relax after a long day. You won’t go wrong with this one!
Courtyard Boston Woburn
700 Unicorn Park Drive, Woburn, MA 01801
Woburn is a great place to look for accommodation if you’re spending one day in Stoneham (or staying longer), and Courtyard Boston Woburn is a fine choice indeed. Spacious rooms come with bathrooms that have marble elements in them, and the beds are extremely comfortable. You will definitely get a good night’s sleep here. A pool and a jacuzzi are also at your disposal, plus it’s worth mentioning that the hotel is pet-friendly.
Hampton Inn – Boston Woburn
371 Washington Street, Woburn, MA 01801
If you’re looking for reasonable accommodation that offers a great quality of service, Hampton Inn – Boston Woburn is most certainly the place where you need to stay. It has a fitness center, a swimming pool and serves a killer American breakfast, so you can enjoy yourself here in more ways than one. Spacious, neat, with excellent service, Hampton Inn provides its guests with a wonderful experience. And it’s fairly close to Stoneham.
Day trips from Stoneham
Stoneham boasts excellent connections with the wider Boston area but also with the rest of the state of Massachusetts. Because of that, if you’re spending more than one day in this town, organizing day trips from Stoneham will be very easy and very rewarding. There’s a lot to see, and here are some of the most popular destinations.
Boston
This, of course, is the most obvious choice. You are, after all, visiting a town just a few miles from downtown Boston. But, it’s worth pointing out that one day in Boston can be filled with some really exciting stuff – this is the home of the first American university, this is where the American Revolution started, plus there are some great eateries all over the city. A fantastic day trip from Stoneham, and you don’t have to travel far.
Portsmouth
About an hour’s drive from Stoneham is the city of Portsmouth. Not only is this a great trip, but you will also be visiting another state as Portsmouth is in New Hampshire. Now, Portsmouth is interesting for several reasons. There is loads of history here, with some houses dating back to the 17th century, but there are also many wonderful parks and the charming Market Square. A great choice if you just want to explore without too much stress.
Providence
Another interesting destination for your day trip from Stoneham is Providence, also an hour or so away by car. Now, this is the capital of Rhode Island and a city that boasts an amazing zoo, colorful Federal Hill, an impressive State House, and many other interesting and intriguing sights. You’ll have a blast exploring all of this.
Extra tips for visiting Stoneham
– Even if you don’t have a car with you, it’s still fairly easy to get around Stoneham, plus it’s very well connected to the wider Boston area, and several buses connect it with downtown Boston. In addition, getting to and from Logan Airport is also quite simple.
– Stoneham is a great place to visit if you’re a foodie and like modern cuisine. There are loads of restaurants and coffee shops around here in which you can sit, relax and soak in the vibe of this wonderful town.
– You may find that the prices around here are somewhat higher than in the rest of the country. The cost of living is significantly higher than the US average, in some respects more than 30%. So, don’t let it shock you. And, honestly, some things here are just so good that they’re worth a few extra dollars.
– People in this part of the US are careful what they wear, especially if they’re going out for dinner or something. If you want to blend in, try to put on some more serious clothes, not just any old T-shirt and running shoes.