Maynard, MA – Back in the mid-1990s, when I was working as events editor for The Worcester Phoenix, one of my favorite venues to cover and visit was Art in the Heart of Maynard, an artist collective from which we never failed to leave with a small creation. While the collective may be long gone, the collective spirit of this town of 10,000 people located approximately 30 miles north-west of Boston is alive and well, with downtown Maynard having recently received official designation as a cultural district — officially known as the Assabet Valley Cultural District — by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The compact, highly walkable area is a collection of galleries, a movie theater (the Fine Arts Theatre Place at 19 Summer St.), the L.L. Beanesque Outdoor Store (24 Nason St.) and a surprisingly large number of dining options. The Maynard Municipal Parking Lot on Naylor Court sits in the middle of the shopping district and meters dot the main streets; remember to bring a handful of quarters for your stay.

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