15 Best Things to Do in Lakeville (MA)

Lakeville is located in Massachusetts' cranberry country, and about one-fifth of its land area is covered by water.

Along with dozens of cranberry bogs, Lakeville is home to Assawomset Pond, the largest natural lake in Massachusetts.

The pond is part of a larger complex that serves as a source of drinking water for New Bedford, and is protected by about 10,000 acres of land.

In Lakeville, you can hike for miles along these gorgeous bodies of water, spot abundant birdlife, launch a kayak, fish, play golf on three courses, or you can visit the area's commercial cranberry farms.

1. Assawompset Pond

The largest natural lake in Massachusetts, at approximately four square miles, is a prominent part of the Lakeville landscape.

Assawompset Pond gives its name to a complex of interconnected bodies of water to the southwest and southeast, and is a source of drinking water for the city of New Bedford.

The body of murdered "Praying Indian" John Sassamon was found on these shores in 1675, sparking King Philip's War (1675-1678).

Every spring, the lake's outlet, the Nemasket River, turns black as some herring swim upstream to their spawning grounds.

Asawombst Lake has a 10,000-acre nature preserve, including open water, marshes, and pine and oak forests, most of which can be explored on foot or by boat.

The complex is designated as an Important Bird Area by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, and is a winter nesting site for bald eagles.

2. Cranberry bogs

As the headquarters of the Ocean Spray Cranberry Growers Cooperative, Lakeville is a good starting point if you want to stay connected to cranberry farming, which is still going strong in southeastern Massachusetts.

You're never far from an active marsh here, but there are several commercial marshes open to the public within a 15-minute radius.

Spring Rain Farm in East Taunton welcomes visitors to see the cranberry harvest in the fall, but is also open for PYO strawberries in June.

Stonebridge Farm in Acushnet offers bog tours in October, when harvest is in full swing, while at Benson's Pond in Middleboro, you can become a cranberry grower with a couple to learn about cranberry farming. . .

3. Long Pond

Located 1,780 acres southwest of Assawomset Pond, Long Pond is the largest natural pond in Massachusetts and is completely open for recreation.

Despite its size, the pool is remarkably shallow with a maximum depth of 15 feet and an average of just 6 feet.

At the north end is Long Pond Conservation Area, which has a small boat ramp that gives you access to a wide expanse of salt marsh.

There is also a concrete boat ramp on the southeast corner of Route 18. In the fishing community, Long Pond is known for its large population of largemouth bass, and is a favorite location for fishing competitions.

4. Great Quittacas Pond

To the southeast of this network of lakes is the Great Quittacas Pond, which shares its waters with the Boksha Pond to the north and the Little Cuitacas Pond to the southwest.

There is a beautiful waterfront trail on the east side of Great Quittacas Pond, which crosses south from Long Point Road for a 3.6-mile round trip. Come later in the day and the sunset rides across the water are magical.

Another beautiful spot among the lakes is on the west side of the bridge on Long Point Road, where you can enjoy miles-long views of Great Quittacas Pond and Poksha Pond, and follow trails to active cranberry bogs.

5. Betty’s Neck

This large tract of land on the southeast shore of Lake Assawompset was purchased by Lakeville in the early 2000s and is a great place to visit.

Betty's Neck is also rich in history, as a summer camp for the Wampanoag Native Americans.

Here they were crossing the Nemasket River, which was finally dammed in 1894, raising the pond level by five feet.

In the heart of thousands of acres of protected land, Betty's Neck features nearly three miles of trails, which weave through fields, forests and picturesque lakeshores.

Here the blue blazed trail connects to the white blazed trail, which takes you to Jeremy's Point for a great view of the pond.

6. Massasoit State Park

More than 1,200 acres of forest on the Lakeville-Taunton line are dotted with lakes, ponds and cranberry bogs.

The scene at Massasoit State Park is stunning in the fall, when ripe berries appear in the cranberry bogs against a backdrop of evergreen trees.

If you're looking for an easy hike, there's a long, paved trail that goes deep into the forest. It has a whole network of side trails, leading to ponds, swamps, and hiking trails for mountain bikers.

The largest body of water is Rico Lake, with a shoreline that kayakers can explore for days at a time.

7. Tamarack Park

Between Assawompset Pond and Long Pond is a park that the city acquired with the purchase of Betty's Neck in the early 2000s.

Tamarack Park is the site of a restaurant that was deemed unsafe and was demolished, while the surrounding forests and fields were cleared of invasive species.

One element of the park is The Meadow, a conservation project that has allowed native grasses to flourish again, producing wildflowers in the spring and early summer.

Birdhouses have helped transform it into a thriving habitat, and as you walk you'll catch glimpses of Long Pond through the trees.

8. Poquoy Brook Golf Club

This exceptional parkland-style course in Lakeville is considered one of the best public golf courses in the area.

Poquoy Brook Golf Club first opened in the 1950s and was designed by famed Massachusetts-based architect Jeff Cornish (1914-2012).

As a testament to its quality, the course hosted the US Open three times between 2004 and 2010, as well as qualifying for the Massachusetts Open.

The course is 6,762 yards long from the ends, with fairways and several water hazards that can punish fairway shots. Along the trail is a driving range with 25 stations, as well as a short game area and putting green.

9. Baldie’s Craft Pizzeria

Few things go together like beer and pizza, and that's exactly what you get at Baldie’s Craft Pizzeria.

The pizza is Italian-style thin crust, handmade and baked in the authentic brick oven that dominates the center of the restaurant.

These pies range from simple margarita pies to more adventurous pies like prosciutto en pear, crab rangoon, General Tso's, and Nashville hot chicken.

Baldie’s Craft Pizzeria also has at least 40 beers on tap, sourced from New England craft breweries and poured in a custom-made copper bar.

10. Lakeville Historical Museum

The Lakeville Historical Society operates a lovely little museum in a former chapel near the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Lakeside Avenue.

This building, formerly known as Grove Chapel, was constructed in 1875. An interesting detail is that the dome houses a bell that was salvaged from a long-demolished school building in the early 1800s.

The museum is open on weekends and is filled with curiosities from Lakeville's 300-plus year history.

Wampanoag arrowheads, Victorian doll wagons, clothing purses, military and agricultural tools, pieces of furniture, and more are on display. The interesting exhibition includes two kitchens, one from the 19th century and the other from the 1920s and 1940s.

11. The Back Nine Club

This 18-hole executive course is ideal for golfers working on their shots, but also provides a great introduction for younger, less experienced players.

The back nine clubhouse is set among a landscape of tall pine trees with a choice of three loading points. If you're an experienced golfer who plays from the edges, you'll face a real challenge, with tricky bunkers and running water on more than half the holes.

You can relax after your round with lunch or dinner at the pub, and there is also a driving range and fully stocked pro shop.

12. Lakeville Public Library

Located in the city's municipal center (opened 2005), the state-of-the-art Lakeville Public Library serves as a community and cultural hub, with a wide range of programs and events accompanying its large collection and range of services.

The library's inventory is enhanced by the SAILS Library Network, a consortium of 70 libraries in southeastern Massachusetts.

One good reason to visit is the Great Ponds Gallery, which provides exhibition space for a wide range of Lakeville artists. Displays here are updated every few weeks, and there is an annual juried exhibition in the summer.

13. Ted Williams Camp

Ted Williams (1918-2002), legendary Red Sox outfielder, Baseball Hall of Famer and 19-time All-Star, ran a baseball camp in Lakeville between 1958 and 1986.

Especially in the camp's early years, Williams gave successful clinics and game tips, and was often seen fishing in the camp pond.

The city later purchased land near the center of Lakeville, and several camp buildings remain there.

There is an inn that maintains a display of Williams memorabilia. The building is rented out for special events like weddings, while the campground hosts many events throughout the year, like the Cranberry Trapfest, which we'll talk about later.

14. Lakeville Arts & Music Festival

A fall highlight in Lakeville is the diverse community arts event in the park next to Town Hall.

The Lakeville Arts & Music Festival has been around for nearly two decades, offering a little bit of everything.

Live music performances take place throughout the day, with more than 50 juried artisans selling a wide range of handcrafted goods, from pottery to candles, organic soaps, leather goods, jewelry and glass.

The younger members of the family are sure to have a good time, with entertainment for the kids, face painting, s'mores, and more.

15. Cranberry Trifest

Based at Camp Ted Williams in late August, there is a weekend competition based on the Cranberry Trifest Triathlon.

The event now dates back more than two decades, and has been selected as the USA Triathlon Championships in 2022.

There is a sprint distance triathlon with splash and dash over two days, as well as an Olympic distance triathlon with a jet ski on Sunday.

Both events are open to different categories of competitors, from para-athletes and open/elite athletes to relay teams and beginners.

A fun atmosphere surrounds the Cranberry Trifest, with giveaways, post-race food, vendors, DJs and live music.