15 Best Things to Do in Raynham (MA)

In southeastern Massachusetts, the town of Raynham was originally part of the Plymouth Colony, the first permanent colony in New England, and the second in North America.

In the 1670s, it was the site of the colony's first successful iron works, using iron deposits quarried along the Forge River.

Today the Forge River flows through many of Raynham's public spaces, such as Johnson Pond, quiet Hewitts Pond, and the Borden Colony complex, which is filled with recreational facilities and hosts the city's major annual events.

Most of Raynham's commerce can be found along Broadway (Route 138), with mostly independent businesses. To the south, Route 44 is home to department stores, shopping centers and the upscale Raynham Flea Market.

1. Raynham Flea Market

Near the intersection of Routes 24 and 44 you'll find New England's largest flea market. The Raynham Flea Market is held on Sundays year-round, and on Saturdays, Thanksgiving through Christmas.

You'll need to allow plenty of time to get attracted as there are more than 500 vendors in the 60,000-square-foot aircraft hangar-like building.

The market continues outside, with hundreds of other vendors, especially in the warmer months, all spread out over ten acres of land.

People visit Raynham Flea Market from all over the region to get deals on furniture, appliances, clothing, antiques, prints, collectibles and everything in between.

Inside there are clean communal facilities, as well as a restaurant for comfort foods like pizza, hot dogs, hot pretzels, nachos and funnel cakes.

2. Johnson’s Pond Recreational Park

Bordering the southeast corner of Rainham is this 1,200-acre state recreation area, on the densely forested shores of six lakes and ponds.

To explore Massasoit State Park, you can hike, bike or ride along shaded loops, skirting hidden ponds and crossing a network of cranberry bogs.

But the park also has a long, bumpy paved road, perfect for easy walking and biking.

Rico Lake, which makes up the western half of the park, is a destination for water activities, with boat launching on its northern shore.

This Massachusetts state park has more than 120 campsites, all in a cool, forested setting, complete with a small, secluded beach on Bear Pond.

3. Johnson Pond Amusement Park

This small waterfront is one of the few beautiful public spaces along the Forge River in Raynham.

Johnson Pond was first stocked with trout in 2009, and has been a fishing hub ever since, hosting the town's annual youth fishing derby in May.

Other times you can stop here to enjoy the views of the edge of the forest and the small island in the centre.

There are benches throughout the western and southern beaches, as well as picnic tables for a quiet meal in nature. If you're here in the winter, the pond becomes a popular outdoor skating rink for the city.

4. Borden Colony Complex

This 300-acre site, crossed by the Forge River, is home to the city's Parks and Recreation Department and is ready for all types of active and passive recreation.

The land has an interesting past, having served as a former shelter for traumatized World War I veterans. You can go for a walk in the Borden Colony complex, following woodland paths and paths through sheltered fields.

Sports facilities here include baseball, softball, and soccer fields as well as tennis and volleyball courts.

The complex is equipped with a gazebo that hosts many public events during the summer months. Finally, the Jared C. Monte Memorial Playground, designed for children under the age of five, is fenced and well-maintained.

5. Crue Brew Brewery

Tucked away in a quiet industrial area off Broadway, the craft brewery has a dedicated local following. Crue Brew Brewery is jointly owned by a husband, wife and brother team, and has been growing rapidly since 2014.

The taproom is open Thursday through Sunday, serving more than 20 different beers, lagers and hard seltzers at a time.

When we went to print, a few on the list were The Equalizer (IPA), Schlager (Golden Ale), Kegger (Lager), Fall In Love (Blonde Ale), The Equalizer (IPA), and Seasons of Change (Farmhouse). Ali) They were together. Along with a fleet of seasonal spiced beers.

There's usually a food truck outside, for the likes of lobster rolls, pizza and subs, and the calendar is packed with events from live music to trivia nights.

6. Hannant House

The headquarters of the Raynham Historical Society are located in this historic residence located on the corner of Pleasant Street and North Main Street.

Built around 1773, Hannant House had been in the Hannett family for over 70 years when it was bequeathed to the Society in 1999.

It was Avery K. One prominent resident is Gleason, who moved here in 1904 when he was minister of the First Congregational Church on the south side of the intersection.

Of note during the restoration work is a wonderful fresco in the dining room, painted at the turn of the 20th century.

Beit Hannat is open by appointment, and during one of the association's five annual meetings, which are free to attend.

7. Old Colony History Museum

For more information about the Plymouth Colony and its heritage, this large museum is located less than ten minutes away in Taunton, and has over 13,000 objects in its collection.

The Old Colony History Museum is open year-round and is located in an old building built in 1852 in the Italianate style.

Exhibits go into detail on a variety of topics, from settlement to immigration, society, industry, transportation, the military and fashion. The collection contains a rare collection of photographs, about 30 of which are on display on the first floor at any given time.

Recent temporary exhibitions cover a variety of topics from the labor movement and culinary history, and the museum hosts a number of historical talks, festivals, tours and exhibitions throughout the year.

8. Stoneforge Tavern & Publick House

Hearty New England pub fare is served with an international twist at this place, built in 1998 in a rustic style.

The name was inspired in part by Raynham's early ironworks, and the hotel, with its wood-beamed ceilings and wheeled chandeliers, evokes the hospitality of New England inns and old-time taverns.

Stoneforge Tavern & Publick House features clam chowder, clams on the halves, lobster rolls, fish and chips, and breaded and fried seafood dishes on the menu.

There are also steaks, burgers, brick-oven pizza, and a menu of comfort food staples like macaroni and cheese, chicken parm, and chicken pot pie.

In the summer, you'll enjoy live music on the patio, while the beer list features craft breweries from Massachusetts and New England.

9. Ryan Family Amusements

Located in the retail corridor along Route 44, this bowling alley is part of a regional chain of family entertainment centers.

The unique thing about the Raynham branch of Ryan Family Amusements is that there are lanes for both ten-pin bowling and candle bowling.

The latter is a regional style that arrived in Worcester in the 1880s with smaller balls and narrow pins.

Along these streets, you also have a games room with ticket machines and a prize office, as well as The Jockey Club for authentic pub meals, specialty cocktails and a long list of wines and beers.

10. Hewitts Pond Conservation Area

Just off North Main Street lies a beautiful piece of city-owned land, preserved by the local Conservation Commission. The 40-acre site is located on the shores of Lake Hewitts, which the city acquired in the late 1970s.

The pond has a long industrial past, having been built to power a mill along the Forge River, and today it is a good place to catch and release fish.

A walking trail wraps around much of the pond's edge, and there is a boat launch if you want to get up close to the painted turtles and great blue herons that typically appear on the water here.

The forest is a summer delight, dotted with wildflowers such as pink lady's slipper and native iris.

11. The Milk Bottle

Broadway in Rainham has a long line of restaurants and other businesses, with a mix of chains and independent businesses.

It's impossible to miss the Milk Bottle, a Raynham landmark since 1925. This 50-foot-tall tourist attraction is one of many giant new bottles made by Fritts Dairy in the area in the 1920s and 1930s.

Although the building has not changed, the food inside has evolved with each new owner. What started as an ice cream stand is now a popular breakfast spot, known for its generous portions and specialties like the famous bottle omelet.

It's made with linguica, sausage, ham, bacon, peppers, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese and comes with French fries and toast.

12. Raynham IcePlex

This single-rink facility is located just a short drive north of I-495 on Broadway. Amenities at Raynham IcePlex include an NHL regulation ice surface, pro shop, skate rentals, skate sharpening, seating for 250 spectators, free Wi-Fi, and a snack bar.

There are several public skating sessions each week, with a schedule on the rink's website.

Raynham IcePlex serves as home ice for the New England Knights, and hosts a wide range of programs, from skating basics for young children to a variety of skills for budding hockey stars and figure skaters.

13. Olde Scotland Links

An 18-hole links-style public course just minutes from the center of Raynham, designed to balance playability and strategy.

Opened in 1997, Olde Scotland Links caters to players of all standards across five pars, measuring 6,800 yards from the ends.

The trail is ranked among the best public access courses in New England and is accredited by the National Audubon Society.

There's a public driving range if you need a warm-up or just want to hit a few balls, while the Pro Shop stocks all the major brands from Titleist to Nike.

14. Bay Circuit Trail

This 230-mile trail runs through Boston's outer suburbs, forming a wide arc between Newburyport to the north and Duxbury to the south.

The Bay Circuit trails have evolved since the 1990s, taking full advantage of Greater Boston's countless parks, preserves, and conservation areas.

The trail passes through the north end of Raynham, where the Hocomoke Swamp is a large part of the Wildlife Management Area.

For a longer hike, you can head east, along the city's Green River to West Bridgewater, or travel northwest through Easton, starting at Wheaton Ranch and eventually ending at Borderland State Park.

15. Raynham Community Day

One of the annual events held at the Borden Colony complex is this newly created festival on the third Sunday in September.

Organized by the Raynham Association of Volunteers for Education (RAVE), Raynham Community Day features dozens of vendors, exhibits, a food hall and several open houses around the complex.

There's plenty of entertainment with demos by local groups, concerts by local bands and a Pats game broadcast live on the big screen. Children won't be left out, as there are plenty of activities such as face painting, a magic show, pony rides and a live animal show.