Hello! My name is Kevin, and I’m currently an intern at Puppet Showplace Theater, a popular family-friendly theater located in Brookline, MA. Having lived here my entire life, I’m proud to call this lively town my home. In this blog post, I’m excited to share my personal recommendations for things to do and places to visit in the area. I hope this guide gives you some insider information and tips to help you make the most of your time here in Brookline!
10 Best Things To Do in Brookline
Coolidge Corner Theatre
The Coolidge Corner Theatre is a nonprofit, independent movie theater and also a cultural hub in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood. The theater presents both new and old films, specializing in documentary, animated, and independent film sections.
When I visited, I noticed that it really gives you the feel and atmosphere of classical theaters, especially in the main halls. The seats are clean and comfortable and the staff are helpful. It’s the best theater if you want a huge variety of films and an old-timey movie theater feel.
Photo: Gateway Arts artists visiting Puppet Showplace as as part of a multi-week marionette building workshop taught by Resident Artist Sarah Nolen in 2024.
Gateway Arts
This nonprofit studio for adult artists with disabilities features a great variety of unique art for sale, and also helps the disabled through art. I have been there only once to look around but I found myself looking at these pieces of art for over half an hour. Although I didn’t have money to buy items, I would have bought some artistically designed t-shirts and a cute cat sculpture. It is overall an amazing place to pick up some outstanding art for a good price.
Photo: Carriage House Paper Website
International Paper Museum
The International Paper Museum located in Brookline, displays dynamic exhibitions about the history of paper making from all over the world, modern and ancient. Their permanent collection consists of rare papermaking books, handmade papers representing almost every part of the world, and tools that have been used for making paper, dating back centuries. I have wanted to visit this museum for a while now because I feel that even now, in the age of technology and AI usage, more people are using electronic devices and not appreciating the worth of writing things on paper. I find that interesting and hope to visit when I have free time.
Photo: Cristina R. on Yelp
Feet of Clay Pottery
The Feet of Clay Pottery offers pottery classes for all skill levels in a friendly pottery studio. There are classes for kids and some for adults as well, an opportunity to use your creativity but also to have fun with the class. I personally have never been there but I have good friends who signed up for the beginner classes and told me that it was a really kind environment and they hope to come back. This really intrigued me to sign up one day and enjoy learning how to throw pottery.
Photo: Fivos on Tripadvisor
Larz Anderson Park
The largest park in Brookline, formerly the Larz Anderson estate, highlights all the exceptional views of the city and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Some features include an outdoor ice skating rink, picnic areas with grills, located near the newly restored ponds, athletic fields and a playground. It’s a great place to walk your dog or play sports with all the super green grass and variety of trees. I really enjoyed coming here with my father and brother after school to play soccer because the fields are not only soft enough to fall down and not get hurt, but it's suitable for kicking a ball and running around. This is a really fun activity to do with your family or even pets.
Brookline Farmers’ Market
This diverse market located in a parking lot has many choices of local farm stands, meat stands, and all the fresh produce you can think of! The pricing is reasonable and offers easy payment options. It’s amazing that there is a local farmers market with many family businesses to support. I remember first visiting the market with my mother and brother to buy groceries. All of the stands we got food from were very welcoming and what especially caught my eye was the ice cream truck, so of course we had to buy a pint. So if you’re looking for fresh food, good deals, and quality ice cream, be sure to check out the farmers’ market.
Maruichi Select
Maruichi is a Japanese cafe providing meals from onigiri, to curry and ramen. The inside of the cafe is incredibly authentic and the attention to detail in the decor paired well with atmosphere. All the food on the menu is a little on the pricier side but the fresh food itself makes up for the cost. I personally enjoyed the fresh spicy karaage onigiri and their tonkatsu chicken curry. Even though Maruichi is a bit expensive, I believe it is worth visiting if you have never been.
Brookline Booksmith
The Brookline Booksmith is an independent bookshop offering new and used titles, plus it has a gift section and 2 different floors of items. Walking into the store, your gaze instantly settles upon a vast selection of books, ranging from bestsellers to children's coloring books. They are also known for their beautiful gifts and souvenirs. As a local resident, I have visited the bookshop quite a few times and it always amazes me how many different items there are besides books such as a detailed mini green line trolley car or a bamboo cutting board. I also really recommend checking out this place even if you’re not a book person, because I think you will find something that speaks to you.
JFK National Historic Site
The John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site is the birthplace and childhood of JFK, the 35th president of the United States, and is located in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood of Brookline. It is free for all but is closed November through May. This site is a great piece of history because you don’t get many opportunities to visit the birthplace of a U.S. president very often. When I was a child, I went on a field trip with my class to go see this historic site and now, whenever I walk past it, I feel as if the house kept its elegance all these years. I especially recommend this to people who enjoy history and even if you don’t, it will still be a very enjoyable experience.
Puppet Showplace Theater
Puppet Showplace Theater is a nonprofit puppet theater in Brookline. The theater showcases performances by local and traveling professional puppet companies. The theater also offers both kids and adults puppetry classes, vacation week programs, and a puppetry library. I have never seen a puppet show, but I plan to bring my little brother along to see one as he loves monsters and dragons. This is a must-do experience for younger audiences, but they also offer select shows for adults. All-in-all, Puppet Showplace provides great entertainment and is a wonderful addition to your day.
Puppet Showplace’s Summer 2025 Interns, From Left: Amarachi Okeke, Calla Paragiri, and Kevin Zhou
Editors Note: This blog post was written by Kevin Zhou, a Summer 2025 Intern at Puppet Showplace Theater. Read other posts authored by the Summer 2025 intern team on our blog →
