15 Best Things to Do in Abington (MA)

Located on the southern coast, this city has a special connection to the Civil War. For nearly 20 years, Abington has been the site of an annual abolitionist meeting in what is now Island Grove Park, a charming public space with a pond.

Mass production of wrought iron began in Abington in the 1810s and laid the foundation for the shoe and boot industry.

About half of the boots made for the Union Army in the Civil War came from factories here in Abington.

This aspect of Abington's heritage can be appreciated at the Civil War Camp in Island Grove Park during the city's Founding Day celebrations.

For half a century since 1941, a massive naval airfield has occupied much of Abington, and you can find much of the site on the preserved lands of Thompson's Pond.

1. Ames Nowell State Park

This 700-acre state park is located in a residential neighborhood, away from major arteries, and is easy to miss if you're just passing through.

Ames Nowell State Park is a delight, with ten miles of paved and unpaved trails bordering man-made pond forests (pine, oak, and beech) dating back to the 18th century.

In the 1920s, it was maintained as a bird sanctuary and hunting ground before a member of the wealthy Ames family bought and donated it.

Along the trails, you'll encounter wetlands crisscrossed by lakeside boardwalks and boardwalks, with interesting historical relics in the ancient stone walls that jut out through the forest.

The Cleveland Pond area is a great place for fishing and is known for its largemouth bass, pickerel, black crappie and bluegill.

2. Island Grove Park

Abington's finest public gardens cover more than 50 acres and were donated to the city in 1882. From 1846 to 1865, they were the site of an annual meeting of abolitionists led by William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879).

The location of the "First of August" assemblies is now marked by a bronze plaque in a large stone. Island Grove Pond was first closed to industry in the late 18th century and has been an amusement park anchor since the mid-19th century.

There is a sandy swimming area, open to residents and non-residents from late June to late August, while the park's evergreen forests are ideal for leisurely strolls. A bridge across the pond leads to the city's Civil War Memorial, which consists of the Arc de Triomphe.

3. Founders’ Day

The Abington Festival Committee is responsible for a handful of annual events in town, most notably the action-packed weekend in early June to kick off the summer season.

In celebration of Abington's 310th birthday, Founder's Day includes a cookout, city cake cutting, a 5K road race, a fishing derby, and a spectacular fireworks display, sponsored by a number of local businesses.

A highlight is the traditional Civil War camp at Island Grove Park, which features demonstrations of historical skills including ancient folk music, cooking and medicine.

4. Dyer Memorial Library

The wealthy Dyer family had been an integral part of Abington life since the early 1700s, long before the town was founded. In the 1890s, Marietta White Dyer (1853-1918) inherited the property from her uncle, the banker Samuel Brown Dyer (1809-1894).

When he died, he left a bequest to a fund to build and maintain a historical and biographical library. Housed in a Georgian building, completed in 1932. Dyer Memorial Library remains privately funded.

It serves as an exceptional resource for the history of Abington, Rockland, and Whitman, with curated exhibits and genealogical records dating back to the Mayflower. Visits are welcome during business hours, and you are free to take a self-guided tour.

5. Fuller Craft Museum

The only museum in New England dedicated exclusively to crafts is located a 10-minute drive west in Brockton. Founded in 1946, the Fuller Craft Museum deals with contemporary decorative arts, from ceramics to jewelry, woodwork, textiles, furniture, mosaics and glass.

There are also 22 acres of beautiful grounds at Upper Porter Pond, and just outside you'll find gorgeous stone and wood carvings.

The galleries feature up to five simultaneous exhibitions at once, and the gift shop should be stocked with works by local and regional artists. Look for regular art-making activities, talks, performances, film screenings and open studios.

6. Hanover Branch Trail (Abington Rail Trail)

Opened in 1868, the 7.8-mile Hanover Branch Railroad connects the main line of the Old Colony Railroad in Abington with the town of Hanover.

It later became part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, and since the 2000s the right-of-way has been gradually converted into rail track.

While we're putting this article together, you can visit the Hanover Branch Trail at the corner of Birch and Monroe Streets, and walk or ride the 2.6 miles to West Hanover. In 2022, funding was awarded to extend the route eastwards towards Hanover.

The trail passes through mostly quiet residential areas, is ten feet wide, and users have right-of-way at road crossings. At the intersection with Union Street in Rockland, you can see a section of the original rails, combined with an interpretive kiosk.

7. J.P. Ryan’s Tavern

With live music, satisfying pub food, and plenty of beers on tap, quaint neighborhood hotels like these are staples of South Shore communities.

If there's one item on the menu you have to try, it's the bar pizza that is South Beach's culinary signature.

Does it come in 10? Personal fryer, with a crispy crust and a wide range of toppings and specialty options. There is live music most weekends, and you can find out who's playing on the website.

8. 10th District Brewing Company

10th District Brewing Co. was founded. Created by two childhood friends who grew up here in Upington, and opened in 2014, it is now available in many pubs and restaurants from the Hill to Holbrook.

You can visit Abington's Source, which has a dining room with a large outdoor area for dogs.

Among the beers available at the time of writing were a selection of IPAs, Gose, Kolsch, peanut stout and some less traditional creations such as jalapeño ale and lemon sour.

You can buy cans or fill growlers here, while flights are available if you want to sample four beers in manageable quantities.

9. Naval Air Station Weymouth (Control Tower)

From 1941 to 1997, a US Navy airfield occupied Abington, Weymouth and much of Rockland. Naval Air Station Weymouth was an airship base during World War II, then became part of the Naval Air Reserve Training Command.

Land has been gradually handed over to the respective towns since the mid-1990s, partly for redevelopment projects such as Union Point.

Other areas have been left open, and you can visit the Woodlands Trust Preserve to appreciate the incredible size of the airport, where runways once reached 7,000 feet.

We'll talk about the Thompson Trail below, but a little north of there, off Adams Street, you can go to the old observation tower, which is still intact although it's showing its age now, and there are also some dilapidated hangars.

10. Thompson Pond Trail

The former site of South Weymouth Naval Air Station is huge, traversable along this track system.

The Thompson Pond Trail is managed by the Wildlands Trust and is accessible from Spruce St. On the Abington-Rock land line.

Round trip, the Thompson Pond Trail is just over two miles long, crosses the perennial French River, and takes you to the beautiful north shore of the pond where you'll find a section of boardwalks and benches.

At the trailhead, you can head into Rockland along the Twin Ponds Trail, while south of Spruce St. At over 40 acres, the Rockland Town Forest is waiting to be explored.

11. Oktoberfest

Since mid-2010, Abington has held a family celebration on the second weekend in October.

Oktoberfest combines German and Halloween-themed events and activities, including light entertainment such as a dog costume contest, pumpkin pie, open house at Dyer Memorial Library, and a children's costume show.

There's a market on Saturday, featuring vendors, crafts and music, as well as a family celebration on Sunday, with plenty of activities for kids, a beer garden for adults, and a performance by German band Double Eagle Oktoberfest.

12. Barrett's Haunted Mansion

One of the most haunted houses in the area, Abington is now in its fourth decade.

Barrett's Haunted Mansion has two attractions in one, with a haunted trail through the main house, and Condemned (at the time of writing), where you enter an old alchemy laboratory, locked and filled with mutants.

There are many special events throughout the season in September and October, including Saturday soft visits, where you can enjoy the artistry and love that goes into the decorations, props, costumes and makeup.

13. Abington Summer Concerts

Summer in Abington wouldn't be the same without this annual series of concerts in July and August.

The stage is the Catherine and Joseph Nisby Stand next to Upington Town Hall, where the spacious arena accommodates surprisingly large crowds for these shows.

Concerts take place on Sunday evenings, featuring artists from a variety of musical genres, whether you're in the mood for soul, classic rock, country, doo-wop, jazz, or '80s pop songs.

During the season there is a special night for children, which includes balloon art, educational displays of exotic animals and face painting.

14. High voltage paintball

High Voltage Paintball is located in over 20 wooded acres near Holbrook, and welcomes visits on Saturdays and Sundays.

From deep cover wood ball courts to open fastball courts, there is plenty of terrain available.

It's also designed for all types of game modes, whether you're attacking or defending a hilltop or strategic bunker, bombing a base, or capturing the flag.

All the equipment you need to get started is here, and the attentive staff ensures the game stays safe.

15. Strawberry Valley Golf Course

For a no-nonsense round of golf, Abington has a municipal course in mostly open parkland on the south side of town.

Strawberry Valley Golf Course is a 9-hole course that plays relatively short, so it's ideal if you're just starting out, or want to work on your iron game and short game.

The course is well maintained, has a good pace of play, and represents amazing value for money. In winter, the course's rolling layout becomes an ideal ski area for local children.