Worcester

Central Massachusetts' largest indoor rock climbing gym with around 14,000 square feet of climbing area, and climbing walls from 15 to over 40 feet. Though many hardcore climbers frequent the gym, the terrain difficulty ranges from beginner to expert, and there is a separate beginners area and a wall just for kids also. Don't worry if you've never climbed before, this place is super welcoming and the staff is great! A small retail shop near the main desk sells climbing accessories and clothing. Upstairs there is a lounge area complete with free wifi, and a yoga room that can be used for stretching when yoga classes are not practicing. Waiver forms are needed for anyone who wants to climb, and minors need a parental signature.

Worcester State College

486 chandler st., (http://www.worcester.edu/).

Becker College

61 sever st., (http://www.beckercollege.edu/).

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

19 foster st., (http://www.mcphs.edu/)

Worcester Sharks

Dcu center, (http://www.sharksahl.com/...). oct-apr. american hockey league. development affiliate of the nhl's san jose sharks.

Worcester Tornadoes

Fitton field, (http://www.worcestertorna...). may-sep. playing baseball in the canadian-american league, they began playing in worcester in 2005 and won the canadian american championship against quebec in just three games. people seem to love the tornadoes.

Quinsigamond State Park

10 north lake av., phone: +1 508-755-6880, (http://www.mass.gov/dcr/p...). swimming, sailing, fishing, picnicking. rest rooms, showers.

Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts

2 southbridge st., phone: +1 877 571-show, (http://www.thehanoverthea...). restored downtown theatre staging professional touring productions and national comedians and musical acts.

ArtsWorcester

660 main st., phone: +1 508-755-5142, (http://www.artsworcester.org/). organization which promotes art programs and exhibitions throughout the city. schedule available.

DCU Center

50 foster st., phone: +1+ 508-755-6800, fax: +1 508-929-0011, (http://www.dcucenter.com/). over 14,000 seat arena. convention facilities, concerts, trade shows, sporting events.

Hanover Theatre

554 main st., phone: +1 508-770-0101, (http://www.hanovertheatre.org/). this 2300 seat theater finished renovations march 2008

Mechanics Hall

321 main st., phone: +1 508-752-5608. (http://www.mechanicshall.org/). pre civil war era concert hall. grand hall seating 1,600. concertsclassical,jazz,popular music,lectures,business meetings.

Palladium

261 main st., phone: +1 508-797-9696, fax:508-791-7101. (http://www.thepalladium.net/). concerts popular,rock.

First Night Worcester

Dec. 31-jan 1. usher in the new year. cultural events throughout downtown. fireworks. childrens parade. international food court (http://www.firstnightworc...)

Worcester St. Patrick's Day Parade

Mid-march. park ave. one of the largest irish parades in the state.

Albanian Festival

Early june, alternating odd numbered years, st. mary's albanian orthodox church. largest albanian festival in the country (http://stmarysalbanianchu...)

Summer Nationals

July 4 weekend, hot rods and fancy cars take over green hill park and downtown worcester (http://www.summernational...)

Italian Festival

Mid-august, mt. carmel church. very popular annual festival in the city which did not happen in 2007.

Latin American Festival

Mid-august, city hall, downtown worcester. one of the largest latin american festivals in new england.

StART on the Street

September, park avenue. huge street festival featuring over 200 local vendors and artists, food, and live music and performance art. according to the organizers, the 2009 festival was attended by 25,000 people. (http://www.startonthestre...) start also holds start in the park spring and start at the station christmas time.