15 Best Things to Do in Wrentham (MA)

In Norfolk County, the city of Wrentham has a population of 12,200 and is located approximately halfway between Boston and Providence.

Wrentham is a short drive from both cities, but is also crossed by I-495 for easy access to Cape Cod, while Gillette Stadium is less than a ten minute drive away.

The Wrentham area bordering Rhode Island contains large tracts of mountain forest, protected by a mosaic of protected lands, the likes of Wrentham State Forest and F. Gilbert Hills State Forest.

There are two large lakes downtown, the largest of which, Pearl Lake, is open to visitors with a beach area and trails leading west to forested and bird-rich wetlands.

1. Wrentham Village Premium Outlets

At the time we wrote this article, the intersection of I-495 and Route 1A was an upscale regional mall with more than 170 retailers.

Opened in 1997, Wrentham Village Premium Outlets was designed like a small town, with parking on one side and a grid of walking streets on the other.

Here there are exquisitely designed storefronts of premium brands such as Karl Lagerfeld, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Guess, Hugo Boss, Armani, Polo Ralph Lauren, and many more.

There are also a number of activewear and sportswear brands, from Timberland to Columbia, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Reebok and Puma.

You can expect discounts ranging from 10% to 75%, and while food options are limited, there are food trucks, a children's playground, and small plazas where you can take a break. .

2. The Big Apple Farm

Across Wrentham there are pastoral views, but the south-west side of the town is lovely, with rolling gardens and patches of vegetation.

This is where you'll find Big Apple Farm, which sits on 200 acres and uses integrated pest management (IPM) and organic farming methods.

In summer and fall, you can pick your own blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and apples, while the farm stand here is not to be missed.

In addition to offering a wide range of fruits and vegetables harvested from the farm, the pavilion has its own bakery, with delicious pies, donuts, pastries, cakes and cakes. The shelves are also stocked with locally produced goodies, from maple syrup to honey, jams and jellies.

3. Supercharged Entertainment

Certainly a change of pace from Wrentham's rustic ideals, Supercharged Entertainment has action-packed activities in a cavernous 125,000 square foot venue.

The highlight of the event is the world's largest multi-level indoor karting track, which consists of two uniquely designed courses that can be combined into one stunning 'super track'.

The karts have zero-emission electric motors, and you can participate in single races or save money with multi-race packages.

There are a selection of other attractions to see, such as the state-of-the-art Ninja Wipeout Arena, an indoor trampoline park, “electronic” bumper cars, and a large arcade with over 90 player stations.

4. Lake Pearl

One of the two large lakes in the heart of Wrentham is Pearl Lake, a 245-acre lake fronted by seasonal homes and conservation land.

Since the mid-19th century, the East Coast has been developed for tourism. Initially known as George Park, this venue has evolved over time from a small resort at the turn of the 20th century into an event venue today, most popular for weddings.

On the northwest shore, Pearl Lake is also home to Wrentham's main public beach. This is Sweet Beach, which is open to residents and non-residents during Memorial Day weekend.

There is a small but well-maintained sand patch, a forest picnic grove, and a boating center offering kayak/stand-up paddleboard rentals and lessons.

5. F. Gilbert Hills State Forest

East of Wrentham you can venture through over 1,000 acres of pine and oak forests, and visit Foxborough.

The F. Gilbert Hills State Forest has 23 miles of trails, and the park is also on the Warner Trail, so you can combine it with Wrentham State Forest for a hike in the forest.

For casual hikers, there is a system of extensive fire roads that take you past several granite rock formations that require further exploration. With challenging and technical singletrack, this forest is also a place for mountain bikers.

6. Wrentham State Forest

Much of Wrentham straddles I-495, and is occupied by more than 1,000 acres of temperate mountain forest sprinkled with interesting granite formations.

One of the best things to do in Wrentham State Forest is hiking the Pinnacle Trail, which takes you along a ridge with several peaks, and occasional views of the Boston skyline, the Blue Hills, and Gillette Stadium.

For vistas, it's a good idea to make the trip in early spring before there is a lot of leaf cover. The forest is also crossed by the Warner Trail, which runs 30 miles from Sharon, MA to Diamond Hill State Park in Cumberland, RI.

There's plenty for mountain bikers to enjoy, including a long single-track trail that connects the two parts of the forest, running under I-495.

7. Gillette Stadium

The 65,900-seat home of the New England Patriots is located just over five minutes from Wrentham.

Gillette Stadium was completed in 2002 and coincided with an incredible period in the team's history, as Bill Belichick won six Super Bowls and Tom Brady broke field records.

Since 2007 the stadium has been surrounded by an outdoor shopping centre, Patriot Place, which includes a wide range of food and some shops and entertainment venues such as Showcase Cinema de Luxe.

When we compiled this list, the stadium was undergoing a $225 million renovation project. One of the new additions is a 218-foot-tall beacon that provides a sweeping survey of the stadium, the perimeter of Patriot Place and the area.

Beginning in the fall, Gillette Stadium is also the home stadium for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer.

8. Joe Rock

Southwest of Wrentham, this 60-acre conservation area lies on the shores of a former cranberry bog, bounded by cliffs that rise 150 feet above the water. At 490 feet, Joe’s Rock is the highest point in town.

From the parking lot, the trail passes through a freshwater marsh, passes a beaver dam and crosses a footbridge. Crossroads allow you to explore the shores of the pond/swamp or climb to the top of the cliffs.

The climb is worth the effort, as you'll be rewarded with views far out toward Boston or toward Rhode Island.

9. Wollomonopoag Conservation Area

Another special thing about Pearl Lake is that the forest on the west side is connected to another city-owned conservation area, so it can be a starting point for a hike in a very quiet corner of town.

Winding paths in the Wollomonopoag Conservation Area lead you to a hidden pond followed by wetlands that you will cross on footbridges and boardwalks.

It is a particularly important habitat for birdlife, with great blue herons nesting in the dead trees of the pond.

The forest is stunning in spring and early summer, when there is a colorful display of wildflowers, including the pink lady's slipper.

10. Cook’s Valley Farm

A familiar sight at farmers markets throughout the region, Cook's Valley Farm is a productive farm located in picturesque southwest Wrentham.

Housed in a beautiful old barn, it is a no-nonsense operation, focusing on juicy fruits and vegetables straight from the fields.

The farm stand is open from mid-June through Thanksgiving, and depending on when you visit, you can find cut flowers, corn, apples, blueberries, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, garlic or butternut squash, and can be mixed with local honey and preserves. 

11. Birchwold Farm

A decent partner for a hike at Joe's Rock, this sheltered property is practically across the street to the south.

The 129-acre Birchwold Farm is set amidst a mountainous landscape, criss-crossed by informal trails marked by colorful arrows and lined with interesting interpretive signs.

There are a variety of habitats on the property, including forests, large open fields and marshes, along with some impressive rock formations such as glaciers and hills.

In the middle of the largest field you will find a large group of hardwood trees concealing a small stream, providing a beautiful view, especially in the spring.

12. The Patriots Hall of Fame

You don't have to be a Pats fan to be impressed by the Brady Belichick era, which is remembered as one of the greatest dynasties in professional sports.

You can relive defining moments in the team's history and pay tribute to many key figures in the high-tech Patriots Hall of Fame, which opened in 2008 at Patriots Place.

The display features uniforms worn by greats like Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Wes Welker, Randy Moss and Ty Lue, along with other memorabilia.

This attraction is also home to the Patriots' six Super Bowl Trophies and Lamar Hunt Trophies.

13. Knuckup Hill (Sweatt Hill)

Not far south of the center of Wrentham is a prominent hill with stunning panoramic views from its summit.

From the 1960s to the early 1980s, Neck Up Hill was a ski area, and today you can still see where the ski runs once stood.

The way up is relatively easy as it is on an old fire road with a steady incline, so you can take it easy and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the forest.

Try to choose a clear day for this hike, because if conditions are right, you can see the Boston skyline, about 30 miles to the northeast.

14. Cracker Barrel Fair

A local tradition for over 40 years, the Cracker Barrel Fair is held in mid-September on the grounds of the Wrentham Developmental Center.

This is an opportunity for 4-H members from all over Norfolk County to show off their skills with animal shows, flower arrangements, dog shows and more.

There is plenty going on throughout the weekend for the public, from hayrides to rides, pony rides for the kids, club shows, carnival rides, food trucks, and a host of other vendors. The Cracker Barrel Fair takes place rain or shine, and free parking is available.

15. Wrentham Artisan Market

The American Legion Post, located at 592 South St. Site of a monthly outdoor market in the summer.

The Wrentham Artisan Market takes place on the fourth Sunday of the month, from May to October, and features over 70 talented makers from across the region. The assortment changes by month, but in general you can expect to find candles, jewelry, fashion accessories, organic soaps, ethical cosmetics, home decor, pet accessories, and more.

Many produce farms also participate in the market, and there are always interesting prepared food options.