wachusett dam

The Wachusett Reservoir Dam (which is in Clinton, not West Boylston) is still an impressive engineering feat, even over 100 years later. Twice a year, the state allows visitors to cross the top of the dam, closed for about 20 years. It gives longtime Clintonians a chance to "walk down memory lane," remembering when they used to be able to walk across every day. Others bring their children and sometimes even the grandchildren. The dam opens the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend in the afternoon, and the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend in the morning (this year, to great fall colors).

We stopped at the Wachusett Dam while on our way back home from Tower Hill Botanical Garden. Since the water in the reservoir is for public water supply, most of the area is restricted and inaccessible. However it is a good place to stop by and explain to kids about dams, history and it's purpose while enjoying the cool breeze and the scenery. There are stairs that go down all the way to the bottom (downstream), but it is a low way down and we did not have energy to do it with kids, but I am sure it will be fun and good exercise if you decide to do it. It's a nice stop for 30 mins - 1 hour. Can be combined with your trip to nearby Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton or Tower Hill Botanical Garden in Boylston.