It’s hard to imagine something historic as the Old Belfry could be hidden right in Lexington Center, but it’s true. Thousands each week walk, bike and drive past the unassuming wooden sign on Massachusetts Avenue that announces the Old Belfry is located just up the hill. While the belfry, a rebuilt version of the one that contained the bell that rang out on April 19, 1775, is largely overlooked by locals, it is fairly popular among tourists – especially European visitors who come equipped with backpacks, sturdy sneakers and plans to hike to Concord, said Mary Jo Bohart, director of Lexington’…

Queen Bead and Gifts: Originally located across the street (before it burned to the ground along with several other businesses, the result of arson), Queen Bead at 300 West Main St. is a unique little gem — pun intended — in town. The store features classes and parties, but more importantly, an unusual selection of jewelry, Russian nesting dolls, cell phone charms, rare gems and plenty of beaded items. It's a great place to host your child's birthday party, as the partygoers can create their own jewelry. Obviously this is just a suggested hidden gem in town, and we know there are many. Surely…

We had a lot of places to consider before selecting our Hidden Gem. But when we put the list together, few items stood out as beautifully as the Westborough Charm Bracelet Trail System. Since 2000, work has been underway to connect a series of trails that wind and weave through some of the most scenic land in town. In addition to over 20 miles of trail that graces land around Westborough, additional trails have been developed to connect to open space and recreation areas within the community. Others extend to surrounding communities. Plan a daylong hike or a series of short excursions. …

Marlborough is not the first place you you would expect to find a desert, but just about halfway up Concord Road, you'll find one nonetheless. This conservation land in Marlborough, set on 615 acres, "has been known historically as 'The Desert' due to well-drained sandy soil in parts of the land and several old sand pits," says the city's website. "Here is abundant wildlife to witness, the trees are full of birds to listen to and watch and the beavers on the property have made a dam that has blocked the area between trail B and trail C and flooded trail K on the Sudbury side (see map). If you…

Despite being tucked between residential neighborhoods, a walk through Whitney Hill can take you away from the hustle-bustle of Watertown Square. The park shows up on Google Maps, but there are no signs to mark the beginning of the park. Paths stretch through the trees and provide a place for people to take a quiet stroll or give their dogs some exercise. On the south end of the park, the paths start at the end of Marion Road and where Oliver and Marshall streets come together in a "U." From the north, the path comes out on Marlboro Terrace, a small street off Springfield Street. (EDITOR'S …

We all know the Charles River runs through Waltham, but what you may not be aware of is that it has a beautiful path to run, walk or bicycle. Check out our photos of the walkway.

Artists flock to this eclectic, unique and intimate venue which has contracted to lease the firehouse for a period of 50 years for $1 per year. Under the direction of Executive Director Michael Moran, The Amazing Things Arts Center brings together a “diverse community of artists, arts supporters and arts appreciators of all ages, cultures and interests in a supportive and nurturing environment.” At Amazing Things, patrons are treated to visual arts, music (everything from pop to rock to blues to folk to jazz to cabaret to blues to acapella) theater, comedy and spoken word events. There are …

One of Westford’s Hidden Gems is nestled on the very edge of Westford itself, just before the Tyngsboro line. The Butterfly Place, open seven days a week, holds a vast garden of butterflies, continuously kept just over 80 degrees, the optimum temperature for butterflies to fly. Everywhere within the garden, there are hundreds of butterflies sitting on flowers, shrubs and trees, and even more fly around like tiny airplanes. Along with the many varieties of butterflies, one can also find caterpillars, cocoons, koi fish and even a few birds. Gouldian finches fly among the butterflies and Chinese…

Tucked away in the northwest corner of Weston is a quiet, unassuming building that is part of a global network tracking changes and movements below the Earth's surface. The Weston Observatory does not, contrary to first impressions, track the stars in the sky.  "Our primary focus today, here at Weston Observatory, is earthquake monitoring, with an emphasis on earthquake monitoring in New England and surrounding areas," said Director John Ebel during a recent visit to the site. The New England area gets about 20 to 30 earthquakes per year, with about three to six of them felt somewhere in New …

Rock climbing, watching outdoor movies and enjoying a little-known orchard meadow are among the hidden joys of Nira Rock. The urban wild, snuggled behind the Hennigan School, has seen a rebirth in recent years. According to the Friends of Nira Rock Web site, 300 million years ago (when Jamaica Plain was on the Earth's equator and connected to what is now Western Africa) conditions were ripe for a very particular brand of stone. When early Americans settled Jamaica Plain they noted it looked like a fruit-infused Christmas pudding popular in England, and as a result dubbed it puddingstone. The …

Behind the Ropes Mansion, at 318 Essex St., is one of the more beautiful and well maintained gardens in Salem.  The garden is open to the public free of charge. Ropes Mansion dates back to the 1720s. Built by merchant Samuel Barnard, it was purchased by Judge Nathaniel Ropes II in 1768. The Ropes family went into exile during the Revolutionary War, but returned to reclaim their home when the war ended. In 1907, the family converted it to the Ropes Memorial. Today, it is owned and operated by the Peabody Essex Museum. The garden was designed by John Robinson in 1912 in the Colonial revival …

15 minutes: Nara Park, Acton — http://patch.com/A-kqfZ 30 minutes: South Natick waterfalls — http://patch.com/A-kpCd 60 minutes: Peabody Essex Museum — http://patch.com/A-ky2W

Do you want to get out of the kitchen, but are bored of the same old places you always go to? Want some fresh ideas for tasty meals? Then the Patch Passport can help. We have assembled a list of local places with international flavors. Try one out and let us know what you think. Bon Appetit! Asian Lotus Blossom Chili Basil Thai Restaurant Lavender Asian Cuisine & Bar Fugakyu Cafe Oishii Sushi Bar American Bistro 20 Longfellow's Wayside Inn Friendly's Bullfinch's Restaurant Bakeries / Coffee Dunkin' Donuts Karma Coffee Roasters Sudbury Coffee Works Honey Dew Donuts Coffee Hut Starbucks Coffee …

Ask owner Tamara Donaghey about In Vogue Spa and she’ll tell you it’s the best kept spa secret in Sudbury. Located along Boston Post Road on the second floor of the building that also houses Bullfinch’s restaurant, the spa is unassuming from the street. But new clients who step inside will be delighted to discover a cozy and relaxing atmosphere that immediately presages a high level of personal service. Donaghey opened In Vogue nine years ago, and it was the only spa in Sudbury at that time. Having previously worked in business management and human resources in the corporate world, Donaghey …

What is it about Goodnow Library that makes it one of the most beloved buildings in Sudbury? The library, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 22, 2002, has been a staple in the community since it was built in 1863. Back then, it was a modest two-story octagon-shaped building named for Sudbury-native John Goodnow II. Goodnow died in 1851 but left the town of Sudbury a 3-acre site for the library, $2,500 to build it and $20,000 to buy books and to maintain it. "I was immediately attracted to Sudbury and the library for its beauty," said Esme Green, the library's …

Whether you're new to town or want to explore the city you've loved for years, we're here to show you what there is to see. Check back to Sudbury Patch daily to see what excursion is next. We will feature stories, photos and videos showing off the best of Sudbury. And you can tell us what you love about Sudbury, and we'll include it as part of our project. We hope this project encourages you to shop local, eat local and be local. Patch wants to show you how much your own town has to offer. And although everything will appear this week, it's not going anywhere. This page will remain a …