A long lunch on Restaurant Row, a slow drive west, and the long-awaited walk across the stage.
Arrival window 3:00 — 4:15 pm. Drive Marblehead → Worcester is roughly 1h 20m on a clear day; figure 1h 45m through Boston metro at midday. Better early and seated than late.
You'll be on your feet through the ceremony — Mary in particular shouldn't burn legs in the morning.
Route 1A → I-95 south → I-90 (the Pike) west → exit downtown Worcester. Buffer the traffic. Better to arrive early and sit than be stressed.
Park near Via Italian Table at 89 Shrewsbury St. There's plenty of street parking and small lots in the Shrewsbury "Restaurant Row" stretch.
Worcester's best Italian. Easy on the wine — it's a long afternoon ahead. A celebration starter. Menu & reservations.
50 Foster St, Worcester. Five to ten minutes from Shrewsbury St. Drop Mary at the entrance first if the garage walk is a concern, then park.
Parking, in priority order:
Check guest seating arrangements; ushers help with accessible seating. Hit the restrooms before things start — the line gets brutal once families pour in. The graduate heads to the staging area per his school's instructions.
Typically 1.5 — 2 hours. Graduates process, speeches happen, the conferral, the recess. Stage photos usually after.
Find the graduate, hugs and tears, get the photos with the diploma. Don't rush, but try to be on the road by 7:30 — kitchens in Marblehead don't run all night.
Mass Pike east, then either I-95 north + Route 1A or I-93 + Route 1 — Waze will pick. Evening traffic is lighter heading away from Boston. You'll roll into the Hawke House around 8:50 PM.
Late-arrival celebration. Book the table Thursday morning from the inn — tell them it's a master's graduation, ask for ~9 PM, and confirm the kitchen will hold.