On any half day Friday, a passerby would think the town was being taken over by teenagers. However, many middle schoolers don’t know what to do when they descend upon the town, which causes even more chaos. Downtown has many things to offer such as food, hangout spots, stores, etc.
Food Options
Without lunch at school, many students going downtown find themselves ravenous for food. Luckily, Westborough has some amazing culinary delights.
Surrounded by the mesmerizing smell of bubble waffles and boba, Cha Cha N Beans is the perfect place to hang out and grab a drink or light snack. The atmosphere is exemplary, and it is the perfect place to go after school. The menu includes a wide variety of drinks, (everyone can find something they like!) and there are also options of bubble waffles with ice cream and onigiri triangles for those who came for food.
Panera is the classic spot for food on a half day. Although it gets quite busy, the fun of it is definitely worth the wait and crowding. Panera can get a little bit expensive, but there are many menu items, and it is near Bay State Commons, the perfect place to take the food and eat.
Although Dairy Queen is a seasonal option, it is still the perfect place to get something sweet at a place that isn’t quite as busy as the other food options. Dairy Queen only has outdoor seating, so it is a better option for a nice day. Dairy Queen is also on the cheaper side for ice cream, so it can be a better budgetary decision.
Going downtown with friends who are picky eaters? At Roche Brothers, there are many options of drinks, pre-made food, and other basics. It doesn’t have seating at the facility, but there are many good places to eat and hang out around it.
7-Eleven is the perfect convenience store to grab a quick snack and continue walking around town. 7-Eleven is the perfect place to stop by if in a hurry or if the crowds at many of the other places are too much.
Wayback Burgers is a new establishment by Panera that is known for their burgers (as their name implies) and their delicious shakes. Wayback Burgers also has vegetarian burger options and for those who don’t like burgers, as well as many different appetizers and sides to choose from. See a review here.
Although it is a little bit further away from school, Westborough House of Pizza is a great place to stop by for a pizza or calzone. It is less busy on half days, however, their pricing can sometimes be high.
The Boro Sugar Shack is a great place to stop by with friends for a quick snack of candy, and it is also a great way to support a local business and a great cause. Their decorations are phenomenal, and there are a few comfortable chairs to sit in.
The Coop is a great place for those who enjoy sit-down meals. It has an extensive menu featuring a variety of barbeque options. It takes much longer than other restaurants and can get quite expensive.
Sake Hana is a lovely sit-down restaurant that serves a variety of sushi options and other fried rice and noodles. They are more expensive and a sit down restaurant, but they are delicious.
South Street Diner has fabulous diner food options. They have a selection of breakfast and lunch food, and their waffles are amazing. The staff is friendly and it is often less crowded than some other restaurants downtown.
For those who are willing to walk further, Cumberland Farms has many cheaper food options plus a very large convenience store. They also have many flavors of slushies and shakes.
Yummy Mummy Bakery is also further away from school, however, it has delicious pastry and dessert options. They have many different options, and it provides the perfect atmosphere for a celebration.
Hang-out spots
Westborough also boasts many hang-out spots for teens after school. These places are the perfect place to chill with friends or accomplish school projects.
With a cozy and comfortable feel, the Westborough Library is the perfect place for an afternoon hang out. It has a dedicated teen room in which there are many interesting books, activities, and even seating.
With grass stretching as far as the eye can see, Bay State Commons is the perfect place to be active with friends. The playground provides a perfect area to hang out and play, and the large field is always full of people playing games. Bay State Commons is also a fantastic place to bring lunch to if it is too busy at the restaurants.
How to convince your parents to let you go downtown:
Many students face the issue of having to convince their parents to allow them to go downtown. Many parents are worried for their children’s safety, however, downtown is actually very safe. There are constant sidewalks from Gibbons to the center of town, and the crosswalks have flashing signs. Additionally, there is safety in numbers, as there are many hundreds of other kids looking out for each other, especially on Fridays and half days. If a phone or wallet is lost, many other students will be there to assist in the search, and it will likely be found. Additionally, going downtown supports the local businesses and provides a good cause for money to go to. Therefore, going downtown is very safe and it is the perfect opportunity for students to hang out with their friends.
