15 Best Things to Do in Carver (MA)

This rural town west of Plymouth in southeastern Massachusetts is located in the middle of a natural swamp area. In fact, 50% of Carver's area consists of wetlands.

Since the 18th century, this has made the town an important site for bog iron, which is extracted from ponds and shaped into ironworks.

When this industry declined, the city's wetlands became cranberry bogs. By the end of the 20th century, one-fifth of the cranberries grown in the United States were harvested here.

Cranberries are still a part of life in Carver. The town's main attraction is the extensive cranberry bogs on the shore, and there are a few commercial operations in the area that you can visit at harvest time.

Carver's extensive pine forests and abundant wetlands prevent development, allowing the town to retain its rural character—even a summer farmer's market in a grove of tall pines.

1. Edaville Family Theme Park

One of the oldest heritage railroads in the United States is still going strong in Carver. It is the main attraction of Edaville Family Theme Park, founded by Alice D. Atwood in 1947 on her sprawling cranberry farm.

Steam-powered trains travel along two-foot-tall railroad tracks that meander through a landscape of cranberry bogs, which turn red as the season progresses.

Over time many other attractions were added besides the railway. There is a large Dinoland, where you will visit forests inhabited by more than 20 life-sized dinosaurs.

The theme park also holds a Thomas the Train license, and Thomas Land USA has 11 rides based on the classic children's TV show.

Alice's Playhouse features indoor entertainment as well as an arcade, a large indoor model railroad, and a museum that takes a look at the history and culture of cranberry farming.

2. Myles Standish State Forest

At the southeast corner of Carver and extending into Plymouth is the largest public open space in southeastern Massachusetts.

Named after the Mayflower traveler and military advisor to the Plymouth Colony, Myles Standish State Forest consists of more than 12,000 acres of pine and oak forests, hidden lakes, kettle ponds, and cranberry bogs.

It's a vast natural playground where you can hike, swim, fish, canoe, hunt, camp and horseback ride. Perhaps the best way to experience the forest is by bike, as there are 15 miles of easy paved trails surrounding these beautiful ponds.

3. Cranberry bogs

Stick a pin into the Carver's Map, and there's a good chance you'll land on a Cranberry Swamp. One way you can get to know the city better and understand the unique process of growing cranberries is to visit one of these farms.

There are two in Carver that are open to the public depending on the season. You've got Red Meadow, which we'll talk about in a moment.

There is also Edgewood Bogs/Cape Cod Select, where you can purchase fresh and frozen cranberries as well as gift boxes from the store.

Across the line in Middleboro, Benson's Pond allows visitors to try their hand at cranberry picking, and you can wear a pair of waders to be your "cranberry snot for the day" in the fall.

4. King Richard’s Faire

The largest and longest-running Renaissance fair in New England is held in Carver. First erected in 1982, King Richard’s Faire is set on a permanent estate, set in 80 acres of pine woodland.

Typically held on weekends and Mondays in September and October, the festival centers around a 16th-century-style bazaar featuring minstrels, magicians, fire eaters, puppeteers, jousting knights, planeswalkers and much more.

There are eight performance stages with something new to see throughout the day, along with artisans selling handcrafted pottery, unique jewelry, leather goods and more. Food is at the heart of the experience, including classics like roasted turkey leg.

5. Red Meadow Farm

Over the past few years, the farm in Carver, along with seven acres of cranberry bog, has been taken over by a couple formerly working in Boston's technology industry.

Cranberries are the main crop at Red Meadow Farm, but there are also a pumpkin patch, miniature painted deserts, and a herd of Katahdin sheep.

You can call into the farm stand, which will open in spring 2023, for many cranberry-related items and a large selection of local and regional produce. Eventually, Red Meadow Farm will also have a wine, vermouth and cider operation.

6. Sampson's Pond

Adwell Family Amusement Park is located next to the 310-acre Great Pond, a popular spot for water activities in the warmer months.

Sampson's Pond off Lake View Street has a free paved launch ramp, and is a great place to do some paddling with its interesting coves, islets, and rock outcroppings.

The boat launch is a popular hangout on hot summer days, and the pond is one of two designated swimming spots in the city.

You may be interested to know that Sampson's Pond was a swamp until the early 1800s when it was drained by a swamp iron. Even today, the water is still rusty in color due to the presence of iron in the soil.

7. Savery Avenue

Something worth checking out near the King Richards Gallery is a preserved stretch of historic road, known as America's oldest divided highway.

It was opened in 1860 by William Savery, who planned roadside trees and median trees to provide "shade and ornament to man and beast."

At the turn of the century, Savery Avenue was cobblestone—paved with compact layers of crushed stone—and today a long stretch of the street is preserved on a protected city-owned parcel of land.

Off the street is a set of paths leading into a gorgeous mature pine forest. The high canopy is an excellent nesting site for birds such as black-capped chickadees, pine warblers and blue jays.

8. Shurtleff Park

In the center of Carver there is a public park in front of the city hall in a beautiful stand of tall pine trees. In the summer, Shurtleff Park is the venue for the Carver Farmers Market, which we'll cover in more detail below.

It's a nice place at any time to stop for a moment and perhaps enjoy a coffee or a stroll at one of the nearby establishments.

Take a moment to admire the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, built in 1910. The park was introduced to the city in 1908, and has always been a venue for outdoor events, many of which coincide with the market.

9. Johns Pond

Another place where families can relax during the summer months is the natural pool, which is just over 20 acres in size.

John's Pond has a mix of residential developments and cranberry bogs lining its shores, as well as a beach on the south side. The water is relatively clear and surprisingly warm in July and August.

In terms of fishing, the pond has good numbers of bass and panfish despite its relatively small size. There is a gravel ramp along the beach where you can launch your boat or toboggan.

10. Carver Farmers Market

There can't be many farmers markets with a nicer location than Carver's. It takes place in a grove of tall pine trees in Shurtleff Park in the city's municipal centre.

Held on Sundays, from mid-June through October, the Carver Farmers Market is a fun-loving community event that adds live music and family activities to the experience.

In a typical week, you can buy fresh produce, fresh bread and pastries, spice blends, preserves, sauces and a wide range of handicrafts. The best time to visit is in the fall during cranberry season.

11. Erickson’s Ice Cream Cafe

Open from May to mid-September, this ice cream shop at 287 Tremont Street has been in business since 1969 and is a summertime staple in Carver.

Away from the side of the road, Erickson's Ice Cream Cafe has a beautiful outdoor area where you can enjoy frozen treats with rows of picnic tables on the grass and tall trees.

The ice cream served here is award-winning Richardson's Ice Cream, made far away in Middleton, Massachusetts. More than 50 flavors are available at any given time, with late-season fall varieties like pumpkin and cranberry.

There's a selection of frappes, fries, ice cream, lemon rickey, tonic floats and banana slices to mix things up.

12. Off the Wall Kidz

Carver has a branch of this regional chain of indoor playgrounds. Off the Wall Kidz is like a children's museum, combining age-appropriate play structures with experiential exhibits.

In this series you have a pretend city, where children can navigate the streets and role-play facilities such as supermarkets and clinics.

The arcade features all sorts of old carnival rides alongside new video games, while the custom-designed play complex includes a maze of bridges, slides, climbing equipment and a trampoline.

There is also a large ball park containing around 25,000 balls, and a separate play area for younger children, surrounded by a soft barrier for peace of mind.

13. The Cole Property Trails and Bog Roads

Explore this protected property on the Plympton-Carver city line to see more of the area's signature wetlands and cranberry bogs.

Cole's estate is deceptively large, covering more than 240 acres of former farmland. The winding blue trail takes you through this beautiful expanse of pine forest, surrounding an active cranberry bog.

If you want to spend more time outside, you can continue east, where the white trail soon connects with the orange trail, following the back of a residential subdivision and some marshes, back to the cranberry bogs.

14. Carver Community Playground

Another great little attraction in downtown Carver is the recently unveiled state-of-the-art stadium on the King property behind Town Hall.

The Carver Community Playground with fencing is rated as one of the best playgrounds for miles around.

The space is divided into areas for children aged 2-5 and 5-12, and there are all kinds of extra fun in the expected climbing structures, slides and swings.

Kids can play with the interactive musical installations, or make the most of the trucks and excavators in the sandbox. There are benches everywhere for parents, as well as a covered picnic area where everyone can hang out while having a good time.

15. Camden Trail – Indian Brook Conservation Land

There is a recurring city-owned parcel of land acquired in 2003 near Sampson Pond and Edwell Family Theme Park.

The entrance to Indian Brook Conservation Land is easy to miss from the side of the road on Indian Street. At the start of Camden Road there is a small information kiosk.

It heads north into the forest, before several branches are joined by a new path, so you can spend about half an hour having a nice walk. Along the way you'll pass Vernal Pools and the scenic stretch of Indian Brook.