Salisbury Street - Worcester, MA Area Guide

The Salisbury family tradition in Worcester began in 1772, when Stephen Salisbury I came from Boston to establish a branch of the family hardware business. Since that time, several other generations have added to the Salisbury legacy. From the Salisbury Mansion, Store and House to the United Congregational Church, the Worcester Historical Society, Massachusetts National Guard Military Museum and Archives, Worcester Art Museum and more, the buildings on either side of Salisbury Street were all once part of the original Salisbury farm.

Stephen Salisbury III eventually founded Salisbury Park. To honor George Bancroft, a famous local historian and childhood friend, Salisbury built a tower on the hilltop made to look like a miniature feudal castle. Many believe the best views of the city can be found from the top of this tower and from its spiral staircases, stone benches and parapets. Upon Salisbury’s death, he deeded the park and associated lands to the Worcester Art Museum, which in turn gave it to the city of Worcester in 1912.

The Worcester Museum of Art was the first American art museum to purchase work from Claude Monet and Paul Gauguin, and it continues to host some of the major exhibits and treasures from around the world. Youth, teen and adult classes are also appealing to residents looking to explore their creativity.

Though it hasn’t endured any major cultural shifts in its history, Salisbury Street has continued to preserve its green spaces and remains fiercely devoted to preserving its pre-Revolutionary War history.

George Bancroft, historical author, former secretary of the navy and founder of the Naval academy at Annapolis, Ambassador to England and Germany, eulogizer at Abraham Lincoln’s funeral and cultivator of the American Beauty Rose, is remembered with a granite marker near his former home on Massachusetts Avenue. Of further historical interest is the Trumbull Manson. Originally built in 1751, it was the site of Shay’s Rebellion in 1786.

Salisbury Street hosts a variety of arts and preservation organizations, from the American Antiquarian Society to the Italian-American Cultural Center and Worcester Windows, which exhibits the work of local artists in the windows of various businesses. Annual events include Holiday Happenings, with a Festival of Lights during winter, house tours, and Fall into the Fun to check out the colorful foliage in autumn.

Since Salisbury Street is such a central hub of Worcester, it houses many kinds of restaurants. Most are congregated around the city center. One popular spot with locals is Sol of Mexico, which offers a fresh take on traditional Mexican food. Known for its fresh corn and flour tortillas, this place serves up local hits such as chicken tortas and beef sope with warm, handmade tortillas. Flan and churros provide a sweet treat for dessert.

But Salisbury Street isn’t just for meat eaters. Belmont Vegetarian Restaurant offers those eschewing meat several tasty options, including macaroni and soy cheese, and curry “chicken” made from soy protein. Fresh soups also make this place special and worth trying again and again. A local paper, the Worcester Telegram, gives both places an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Lucky Dog Music Hall remains one of Salisbury Street’s most popular music venues. From the cheap drinks to the area’s fierce loyalty to its local bands, there’s little to lose here. Flashback ‘80s nights each Thursday features a very popular local act that’s been covering songs and pleasing crowds for years.

Another people-pleasing venue is The Palladium Nightclub, housed in an old movie theater. Though currently in the process of raising funds to restore the old building, this place brings up the volume with hard rock acts from around the country. Though the noise may be an issue for some, the history of the place charms. An eclectic group of acts such as the Three Stooges, Bob Dylan and My Chemical Romance have all played here at one time.

Beatnik’s provides a variety of entertainment options, from open mics to comedy, bands and DJs. Locals love the Indie Art Market, where people can buy, trade or sell locally handmade pieces, and Ukelele Tuesdays, where everyone’s encouraged to bring their own uke and jam as a group.

Most Salisbury Street residents and visitors use cars to get around, because the heart of Worcester is easily accessible from I-290, I-190 and Route 146. The Massachusetts Turnpike, I-90 and I-84 are also accessible via these highways.

But public transportation such as trains, buses and taxis are available, too. Union Station serves as a hub of train and bus service from outlying areas, while the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) runs buses from Worcester to Boston several times a day. Peter Pan and Greyhound also offer bus service between the two cities, as well as other local destinations.

Local buses are run by the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA), and there are many routes to choose from. Red and Yellow Cabs are readily available, and Uber serves the Salisbury Street area as well.

Visitors choosing to drive will find parking plentiful and cheap. But this area is also very walkable, providing places to rest, eat and take in nature along the way. Though Salisbury Street can become congested around rush hour, bike lanes are available in many areas, and the streets are considered safe for biking (though a detour through the park would probably be safer and more pleasant).

Salisbury Street has many parks, including Institute Park, where Salisbury Pond is located, the Quad, and Salisbury Park. Patrons visit them for the beautifully preserved natural settings, and historical monuments like Bancroft Tower.

The parks are free, kid-friendly and dog-friendly as long as visitors clean up after their pets. Students from local colleges like Worcester Polytechnic, Xavier Medical School and Faraday Hall use the park for jogging and other fitness activities.

Institute Park hosts numerous concerts during the summer months in the Sneiderman Pavilion band shell.

The cost of living in the Salisbury Street area remains close to the city’s average, with a typical 1-bedroom apartment renting for about $1,000-1,295 per month. This cost of living reflects a slightly higher value than the city of Worcester as a whole.

Because Salisbury Street is considered a higher-income area, with many restored homes and larger, converted apartment and loft spaces, typical costs of living don’t have much of an effect on food and entertainment prices.

Salisbury Street and the surrounding areas feature many boutiques and vintage shops, including Trunk and Disorderly. From clothing to furniture, jewelry and accessories, this carefully edited collection of goods has been lovingly culled from the homes of locals over the years.

The Classic Toy Shop provides visitors with one-of-a-kind gifts for children and the young at heart. Locals cite the helpful staff, which keeps a list of gifts appropriate for all ages, as one reason they keep coming back.

Salisbury Street features mainly smaller stores and restaurants and does not have high-end shopping opportunities to speak of. Food shopping takes place at local chains like Price Chopper and Pleasant Market located just off Salisbury Road, or at smaller local deli's such as Boomers Sub & Deli.

The Worcester Art Museum hosts a local farmers market on Saturdays, with Art, craft, food, music and activities for kids.