Indian Hill - Worcester, MA

Recognized by the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the area immediately north of Indian Lake in Worcester, Mass., was originally built as a model company town in 1915. Indian Hill has since grown into a healthy residential community within Worcester while maintaining careful consideration for the surrounding natural beauty of the Bay State.

Those in search of afternoon or evening entertainment need go no further than an eight minute drive south on Interstate 190. The Worcester Art Museum showcases more than 35,000 pieces of art from all corners of the globe and spanning 5,000 years of culture. They offer free admission the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon.

North of the Museum, along Sigamore Road, the Worcester Center for Crafts dubs itself "New England's Center for crafts education, advocacy and entrepreneurship." Those in search of unique, handmade gifts and crafting classes need look no further.

Indian Hill provides hungry visitors a wealth of dining options, contrasting the well-known chains and fast food along Boylston Street with more personable restaurants and pubs steeped in character, and just teeming with that small town feel.

If you search long enough, you may notice the three trucks that routinely make their rounds throughout Indian Hill and the greater Worcester area, the quote "I'll make you a hot dog you can't refuse" emblazoned across their sides. The Dogfather food trucks frequently make stops northwest of Indian Lake on the corner of Shore Drive and Holden Street. Known for friendly service, their specialty dogs include "The Don" with chili, mustard and parmesan, and "The Cement Overcoat" which includes three hot dogs and all the works. The specially made chili is a must for chili dog lovers, and particularly famished customers can try eating their way into The Dogfather Hall of Fame.

Featured on Phantom Gourmet, the eponymous Egg Roll Lady of Egg Roll Lady & Fish Shack enjoys chatting up her customers in between serving up baskets of fried food. Great for quick take out or a leisurely dine in, the Egg Roll Lady's Platter comes highly recommended for those with a craving for beer battered shrimp, crab rangoon and, of course, egg rolls. Don't forget to try the homemade cinnamon duck sauce.

Located on the corner of New Bond Street and Boylston, Greendale's Pub offers a taste of Indian Hill night life. Live bands perform every Friday and Saturday, featuring rock, blues and acoustic sets, and an open mic is held every Tuesday. When the music isn't playing, Greendale's can be a great place to catch a Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins or Celtics game, or to play a round of pool or darts with some friends.

Interstate 190 cuts directly through central Indian Hill and connects with I-290, making car travel convenient and easy throughout Worcester. Routes 122A and 122 allow for scenic passage west, displaying the wealth of parks, conservation areas, lakes and rivers of the area. The Worcester Regional Airport, roughly a 20 minute drive south from central Indian Hill, offers travelers flying with Jetblue Airways daily access to and from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla.

The WRTA serves India Hill with stops along Shore Drive, Boylston Street and Cinemas North, allowing bus travel throughout Worcester for residents and tourists alike. College students are allowed a semester UPASS for a discounted rate with appropriate college ID. There are taxi services in Indian Hill, but make sure to call ahead as you won't be able to hail one from the street.

Overlooking Indian Lake, blanketed by Bovenzi Conservation Park and bordering the beach of Shore Park, Indian Hill residents have easy access to much of Massachusetts' natural beauty. A historically central location for the Worcester community, Indian Lake is now a prime recreation site in the summer months. Shore Park is a perfect spot for sailing and fishing enthusiasts, and its 5-acre beach is open to the public from July through late August.

Families will enjoy the 15-acre Kendrick Field in southeast Indian Hill near Boylston Street. Home of the local Worcester Joe Schwartz little league, the park provides the perfect place for older kids to come shoot hoops or play baseball. The playground and swing set are ideal for younger children to have fun outdoors within sight of their parents.

Replete with prime hiking trails and gently rolling hills, the Bovenzi Conservation Area sports over 120 acres of natural land and flowing water. Formerly a dairy farm, the hiking trails are easily accessed off of Maravista Road, allowing an escape from the city without having to leave home.

Being a family-oriented residential area, Indian Hill's cost of living average is slightly higher than other areas of Worcester, though Worcester overall maintains a lower average cost of living than many other cities in Massachusetts. Single apartment rental rates in the Indian Hill neighborhood average out to $900 per month.

A bus ride to reach the Worcester City center using the WRTA costs $1.50, and a day pass is $3.50. You can expect to pay around $6 for a pint at local pubs, and gas prices sit around 2 percent higher than the national average.

The Greendale Mall, directly east of Indian Lake off I-190, provides Worcester with all of the standard shopping center brands and needs in one place, making multi-hour shopping sprees a breeze. Scan Greendale Furniture's assortment of home decor, look for that perfect imported trinket in Oriental Gifts and stop in at Now You Day Spa for a massage before you wrap up your shopping trip.

Boylston Street sports a number of interesting specialty shops for the more adventurous shopper. Elegance By Carbonneau offers bridal and prom dresses, as well as tuxedos. The staff is very friendly, working closely with customers to sort through their wide range of fabrics and cuts to ensure the right choice and a stylish fit.

Both Shaw's Supermarkets and Stop & Shop Supermarkets have strong presences within Worcester. The Stop & Shop Supermarket on West Boylston is conveniently located in eastern Indian Hill, offering both standard brands and organic food, as well as its own pharmacy.