Gore Place is a charming mansion and estate tucked away on a tree-lined street on the Waltham–Watertown line. The Gore Place Society maintains the house and grounds of former Massachusetts Governor Christopher Gore and offers many historically and seasonally themed events throughout the year.
Parking and public transportation at Gore Place
There is ample parking provided in the parking lot near the house at Gore Place. The estate is also easily accessible via MBTA buses 70 and 70A, which stop at Warren Street, less than a 5-minute walk away.
Best and worst time to go to Gore Place
One house tour per day is offered Monday–Friday, while four are offered throughout the afternoon on Saturdays. A Friday or Saturday visit is your best bet for catching one of Gore Place's themed events, which may feature guides in period dress catering their tour to a specific interest or historical event. Visiting during the warmer months will allow you to experience the grounds as well as the house. Special concerts and events are offered on a regular basis throughout the year, so check the website for the most up-to-date listings.
Admission to Gore Place
Tours and most concerts and special events at Gore Place will cost $10-$20 for adults, and about half that price for children.
Must see/do at Gore Place
After a tour of the house, check out the working farm that is part of the Gore Place estate. Enter the farm from the Grove Street entrance in Watertown, and visit the farm stand to try some fresh-grown produce. If you visit in December, the weekend Holiday Teas, though a little pricey, are a delightful and indulgent experience of a long-standing tradition.
Other places to visit near Gore Place
Gore Place is about two miles from downtown Waltham and Moody Street, which is renowned for its wealth and variety of shops and restaurants. Moody Street also offers access to a charming river walk along the Charles River.
Insider tip for visitors to Gore Place
One of the special tours offered throughout the year is a Jane Austen tour of Gore Place, in which a guide dons Regency dress and accompanies his or her tour remarks with passages from various Austen novels. After the tour, you can often bring your ticket to the Tea Leaf on Moody Street to receive a discount on tea and some of the most delicious scones and jam you've ever had, for a full Jane Austen experience.
Author's bio: Julia O'Connor is a full-time editor and part-time freelance writer transplanted from Boston to Denver. She is thriving on the transition and has enjoyed the exploration of both cities and everything in between.
