Located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Brookline has a lot to offer whether you're visiting for business or pleasure. There are many points of interest such as historical sites and beautiful parks to spend time at. Visitors can enjoy the urban life, and cultural institutions. One of the best parts of this city is that it's very walking-friendly, allowing you to get some great exercise while you get to explore everything it has to offer.

Lodging

Before taking your trip to Brookline, it's good to have an idea of where you want to lodge and then book ahead of time. Whether you're going with an Airbnb or a hotel, you'll want to plan to make sure there will be a room available for the time you're planning on traveling. Hotels such as the Arcadian Hotel Brookline have a range of amenities available such as a fitness center, restaurant, laundry facilities, and room service. It's good to weigh the pros and the cons of each type of lodging to make sure you're getting exactly what you're looking for.

Historic Sites

Brookline is home to various historical sites, including the infamous John F. Kennedy National Historic Site. Located at 83 Beals Street, this is where John F. Kennedy was born and lived for the first three years of his life. Some other cool historic places to check out include:

  • Larz Anderson Auto Museum

  • Federick Law Olmstead National Historic Site

  • Longyear Museum

  • Mount Auburn Cemetary

  • Allandale Farm

A great way to see the best historic sites in Brookline while learning everything you can is by taking Guided Walking Tours. These are offered throughout the year in the most historical districts in the city. If you're coming during a time when there are no guided tours available, there's educational material you can download so you can enjoy your self-guided tour.

Parks

Brookline is home to many amazing parks you'll want to check out. The good thing about parks is they're free to visit, so you can stretch your money as far as you can. One of the most popular parks Brookline has to offer is Larz Anderson Park. This park is very kid-friendly and offers a playground, picnic tables, ponds, walkways, barbeque grills, a baseball and softball field, a green dog park, and an outdoor skating rink. Look for these other parks to check out.

  • Griggs Park

  • Coolidge Park

  • Brookline Avenue Playground

  • Brookline Reservoir Park

  • Winthrop Square

  • Billy Ward Playground

  • Linden Park

  • Clark Playground

  • Emerson Garden

If you plan on visiting Brookline during warmer seasons, you'll want to spend some time at some of these well-loved local parks.

Popular Local Shops

Brookline is home to many popular stores. Brookline Booksmith is a hot spot for booklovers of all ages. In the basement of Brookline Booksmith, there's home to over 25,000 used books, so you're sure to find something for the whole family at a reasonable price. Brookline's other most popular stores include:

  • Olive Connection

  • Eureka Puzzles and Games

  • Gateway Arts

  • Village Vintly & Hi-Fi

  • Netcare

  • The Picture Place

  • Wild Goose Chase

  • Israel Book Shop

There are many specialty shops to enjoy, and you'll get the satisfaction of supporting local businesses when you shop these.

Puppet Showplace Theater

The Puppet Showplace Theater lets you enjoy the world of puppetry with family shows and youth workshops. You're able to see all the upcoming puppet shows, as well as what age group those shows are geared for so you can find the perfect one. The workshops are a great way to get children engaged and use their imagination to be as creative as they want.

Brookline is a destination with a lot to offer. You can make a day out of visiting the local parks and historic sites without breaking the bank, and you can find comfortable lodging for the whole family.