Today's Patch Passport heads to In Style Hair Designs on Littleton Road.

Just a month away from its 300th anniversary, the Samuel Fitch House on Power Road holds a long and rich history.  Here are some highlights on the timeline between now and the house's founding, as told by Lynne Smithwood, the House's current innkeeper. 1711 - The house was built by Walter Powers, a minister from what is today Chelmsford. Technically, he was still in Chelmsford as Westford would remain as the "western precinct of Chelmsford" until 1729.  Today the road the house lies on, Powers Road, bears his name. It is believed that during this time, the house was a frequent target for …

Patch is your guide as you become a tourist in your town. 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. Here is your seven-day itinerary: MONDAY: For the Monday Passport, Patch sets out to discover a Hidden Gem in your community. Whether you've never heard of this place or simply haven't stopped by in years, we want to help you find the best of your town! Hidden Gem: The Butterfly Place TUESDAY: The Tuesday Patch Passport gives you options for great local spots for Kid-Friendly Fun. Take advantage of time with your …

Lowell National Historic Park isn't like other national parks, where you expect to come across nature, creeks and wildlife.  It's an urban park emblazoned in the middle of a city. Its nature is found within old buildings that were once used as factories and boarding rooms for mill workers.  With a network of waterways, boats make their way across the canal waters and tour guides give participants a look into Lowell's past.  Joann Marcos, a park ranger, said the canal tours are one of the most informative experiences the city has to offer.  "We have many different sites throughout our city …

Craving some shrimp tempura, pad thai, or kung pao chicken? There’s no need to hop in your car and drive 45 minutes to Boston to satisfy your taste buds. Westford is home to three restaurants specializing in authentic Asian cuisine. So brush up on your chopstick skills and get ready to chow down!  Bamboo, located on One Lan Drive, has been a local favorite since 2001. It offers fine Asian cuisine including authentic Chinese and Japanese. Bamboo’s menu is exquisite. Diners can feast upon Hamachi-Kama, Shanghai Boneless Duck and even Hunan Spicy Chilean Sea Bass. Their popular lunch buffet …

If you're looking to take your tastebuds on a trip around the world, here's a list of some places where you can go right here in Westford.    Asian Cuisine Karma - Located in the Westford Valley Marketplace, Karma offers Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes as well as an assortment of alcoholic beverages at their bar.  Bamboo - A part of a chain with half a dozen locations across Massachusetts, Bamboo offers high end Japanese and Chinese delicacies. Ginger Tree - Located just off Route 3 on Groton Road near the Chelmsford and Tyngsboro lines, Ginger Tree provides Chinese take out service. Other …

If you lived in Westford back in the mid-1800s, you might shop at one of the general stores located in the center of town such as the Wright and Fletcher general store. Today, one can still shop in the same building as the legacy of retail there continues in the form of Le Gourmet Jardin.   Le Gourmet Jardin opened its doors in 2007 in the same space that once was the Wright and Fletcher general store. Although it’s not a general store today, the walls are decorated with photos of the old general store and other historic Westford landmarks to remind us of a time that once was. The store …

Getting away for a day pampering need not be a long distance excursion. Elite Hair Salon and Day Spa right here in Westford offers the complete day spa experience. Elite Hair Salon and Day Spa focuses on pampering the individual.   “We specialize in customer service,” said manager Darcy Clements. “We believe in the enrichment of others and encourage the renewal of mind, body, and spirit.” Spa services offered include European facials, moisture rich hydrating treatments as well as the ultimate stress reducer treatment. The ultimate pedicure is the hot stone pedicure, which is a deep tissue …

There are very few places in Westford that are more of a landmark to the town than the Westford Museum on Boston Road. Just a few hundred feet away from the town common, the Westford Museum, or for that matter, the building that hosts the Westford Museum, is a building whose history is indelibly interwoven with the growth of Westford from a sleepy collection of villages to a prosperous suburb along the 495 corridor. The Westford Museum building was first built in 1794 as the original home of Westford Academy, which would be its purpose until 1897 at its original location on the corner of …

If there's any one place where people think of fun in Westford, Kimball Farm is it. It has bumper boats, mini-golf, a driving range, pitch and putt, animal adventures, picnic tables, grills, batting cages, an arcade, group events, and of course ice cream.  On a sunny July day, one will find the grounds buzzing with kids, teens, parents and grandparents. Recently, the bumper boats have been the busiest attraction, due in large part to sweltering temperatures.  However, the Animal Adventures shows have also been popular as of late, with shows starting every hour and a half in the daytime …

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…