15 Best Things to Do in Spencer (MA)

Located a few miles west of Worcester in central Massachusetts, the city was not permanently settled until about 300 years ago, but came to prominence in the 19th century as a mill town supported by the wire and shoemaking industries.

Spencer's undulating countryside is full of interesting bits of industry large and small, including several man-made ponds that once powered mills, while the Spencer State Forest is home to the estate and birthplace of Elijah Howe. Who invented the sewing machine?

Spencer's greatest assets are its many acres of forests, meadows, ponds and wetlands, protected by city-owned conservation areas, state forests and the Mass Audubon Burncott Pond Wildlife Refuge.

Many of these sites are connected by the Midstate Trail, which passes through the city on its 92-mile route through Worcester County.

1. Saint Joseph’s Abbey

Founded in the 1950s, the Trappist monastery is located on a wooded hill in the far north of Spencer.

The roots of Saint Joseph’s Abbey can be traced back to a community of monks who arrived in Tracadie, Nova Scotia in 1825, moved to Rhode Island in 1900, and then to Spencer after a fire.

Several parts of the Cistercian-style abbey are open to the public, including the Guest Chapel where services and prayers are held for Lauds, Mass, Sext, None, Vespers and Complaints.

There is also a gift shop that sells a variety of handicrafts made by the monks. Until recently, the monastery brewed Trappist beer, but today the highlights are the preserved fruit, honey and fine liturgical vestments.

2. Spencer State Forest

Divided into three sections, this Massachusetts state forest spans over 900 acres in Spencer.

The largest and most prominent of these is located a few minutes south of downtown Spencer, on the former grand estate of inventor Elias Howe (1819-1867), whose design is remembered for the modern sewing machine.

There is a fieldstone memorial marking Spencer's birthplace, and the original stone threshold has been preserved.

The park has a network of trails through woods and streams, while Howe Pond is very scenic, and has a cascading drainage channel at its northern end with a picnic grove nearby.

3. Spencer Town Center Historic District

In historic downtown Spencer, along the winding stretch of Main Street, you can see many buildings constructed during the city's industrial heyday in the late 19th century.

Spencer's main products at that time were shoes and wire, and the success of these industries led to rapid growth in the center.

One impressive building from this period is the Sugden Building (circa 1890) at 117 Main Street, named after Richard Sugden, an English-born wire manufacturer.

The same man was also responsible for founding the town's library, which still bears his name. The Richard Sugden Public Library was completed in 1889 in the Romanesque Revival style.

In addition to the stained glass windows and carved oak fixtures, the building also houses the collections of the Spencer Historical Society, so if you want to learn more about the city's past, you should visit.

4. Depot Rail Trail

In Spencer, you can walk along the abandoned tracks of a railway that was laid in 1878.

The Spencer Railroad connects downtown Spencer to the Boston and Albany Railroad, which still runs through South Spencer and is used by CSX for freight.

The trail was completed in phases in the 2000s and takes you from Chestnut Street on the southwest edge of downtown to S Spencer Rd to Spencer State Forest.

Traveling south, you'll quickly leave the city behind as you pass through a landscape of forests, former farms, ponds and wetlands. The trail has a stone dust surface, and there is parking and a kiosk at the south trailhead.

5. Midstate Trail

Worcester County is traversed by 92 miles of scenic footpaths, extending from the Rhode Island border in the south to the MA/NH line in the north.

Spencer is one of 14 cities on the MidState Trail, most of which extend east of the city.

Marked by yellow triangles, the route passes through several parks and protected properties, including Moore State Park, Spencer State Forest, and Burncote Pond Wildlife Refuge.

Away from these places, you'll drive along quiet back roads, without much traffic. There is a trail shelter near the summit of Buck Hill, and you'll find several places around Spencer where you can park your car and hike a short distance.

6. Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary

This Massachusetts Audubon Society preserve, a short drive east of the Spencer Center, is located on the edge of a pond that provides important habitat for resident and migratory wildlife.

Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary has two miles of trails, through a landscape of fields, mixed hardwoods, pine forests, wetlands and streams.

One trail, the Flat Rock Trail, takes you to Richards Overlook, which offers a stunning north view of the pond.

The refuge also has a large collection of mountain laurel trees, which produce stunning pink and white flowers in late spring.

7. Luther Hill Park

Located near downtown Spencer on the south shore of Lake Whitmore, the city's only natural lake, this attractive public park covers just 50 acres.

Luther Hill Park traces its roots back to 1888 with a donation from a prominent businessman, judge, and civic leader.

The park is 14 acres and has a beautiful pine grove, a golf course, a playground, a skate park, and several picnic tables.

Although the park is located on a lake, swimming was not permitted when we wrote this article, although the car-top boat launch was open to the public.

8. Sibley-Warner Farm

Another thing to love about Barncote Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is how it connects to large city-owned properties to the north and west, allowing you to ride for miles through nature, and never see the same sights twice.

The more than 300-acre Sibley-Warner Farm was purchased by the city in 2011 and is now managed by the Greater Worcester Land Trust.

One of the trails that runs through the property is the Mid-State Trail, while this wooded area is traversed in the winter by the Spencer Snowbirds Snowmobile Trail.

9. Oakwood Farm Christmas Barn

Not far from the Spencer Centre, there is a quaint 19th-century warehouse that has served as a destination for handcrafted Christmas gifts and gifts for half a century.

The Oakwood Farm Christmas Barn is usually open from midsummer until Christmas Eve, and is stocked with everything you might need to decorate your home for Christmas, from linens to bows and centerpieces.

The ideal time to visit is during the holiday season when it is impossible not to get into the Christmas spirit.

10. Bayberry Bowling Center

In Spencer you are close to where the sport of Kendall Penn Bowling was born. This variation on ten-pin bowling was first played in Worcester in the 1880s, and the tradition continues in New England and the Canadian Navy.

Candle bowling is less forgiving, as the ball is smaller, while strikes are rare due to the long, narrow pins. For a game, head to the Bayberry Bowling Center, which has been open in some form since 1966 and has 16 lanes and a billiards room with eight tables.

11. Moore State Park

Across the city line in Paxton, picturesque Moore State Park is the site of a bustling cottage industry in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Here, Turkey Hill Brook operated a series of mills and mills when it toppled a 400-foot mill.

During your visit to the park, you'll see interesting remnants of the settlement that formed here in the mid-1700s, including a hotel, schoolhouse, mine, restored sawmill, and trefoil.

The Mill Race descends over 90 feet along its way, with a series of beautiful man-made waterfalls. There are also various plants to admire, including azalea trees, rhododendrons and mountain laurel.

12. Thompson Pond

Located northeast of Spencer, it is a 116-acre pond in part of the Spencer State Forest.

Thompson Dam was built to power the sawmill, and was the last dam built to power most of the wire mills along Turkey Hill Brook.

There is a bridge along Thompson Pond Road that separates the small lower part of the pond from the upper area.

Here you'll find an unofficial launching point for non-motorized boats, and a small area where you can cast a line for bass, perch, bluegill, bullhead, black crappie and the like.

13. Buck Hill Conservation Area

Trails to the section of Spencer State Park around Thompson Pond also lead west to this city-managed protected area.

Buck Hill Conservation Area borders the state forest and is also crossed by the Mid-State Trail.

It leads to the summit of Buck Hill, which is about 1,000 feet high. There is a shelter near the summit that is placed as part of the trail.

To the north, the trail takes you to the shores of the 10-acre Buckhill Lake, with spurs leading to the eastern and southern shores.

At the far north end, near Thompson Pond, is Camp Marshall, open since 1952 and operated by the Worcester County 4-H organization.

14. Bemis Farms Nursery

A thriving family business dating back to 1947, Bemis Farms Nursery is known locally for its plants, plant-related products and friendly advice on all aspects of gardening.

The greenhouses are open spring through mid-December, and there are many seasonal events, such as an Easter egg hunt and a pumpkin patch in the fall.

Unlike large farms, these celebrations are usually intimate and small in scale. Beams Farms is also known for its workshops, holding dozens each year, on everything from container gardening to hanging baskets and Christmas decorations.

15. The Spencer Fair

The Spencer Fairgrounds are located about a mile west of downtown and host many events throughout the year, from dog shows to business conferences and concerts.

The big date on the calendar is the Spencer Fair on Labor Day weekend. It is a traditional, old-fashioned agricultural programme, centered around exhibitions and demonstrations of livestock and ancient rural skills.

The Midway is open on Thursday evenings, with rides, classic fair games and a wide variety of food. Also check the schedule for tractor pulling, bull and horse pulling, live music and demolition derbies.

15 Best Things to Do in Dudley (MA)

Located about 30 minutes south of Worcester, Dudley is a quiet town on the border with Connecticut.

In the early 19th century, the site was at the heart of the American Industrial Revolution as a center for the textile industry.

It is interesting to think that the textile industry existed in Dudley well into the 21st century, and there is a stunning mill complex dating from the mid-19th century that is now protected as a National Historic District.

Dudley is a small city with a population of less than 12,000, but it occupies a large portion of central Massachusetts.

Much of this land, from granite-covered hills to wetlands teeming with birdlife, is protected by local conservation trusts, giving you endless options for walking and nature study.

1. Black Tavern

On Dudley Town Common, Dudley's main point of historical interest is a Federal-style hotel, built in the late 19th century.

At the time, the Black Tavern was a stop, about halfway along the stagecoach route between Boston and Hartford, Connecticut.

This building is five bays wide, two and a half storeys high, and has belonged to the same family for almost all of its existence, ensuring an amazing state of preservation.

All have been preserved by the Black Tavern Historical Society, which turned over the building in 1980.

Delving into a wide range of history-based topics, visit the association's website to find out opening hours and upcoming events. There is also an annual craft fair in October on the hotel, grounds and commons.

2. Pierpont Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary.

Dotted with ponds, woodland and wetlands, the northern reaches of Dudley can feel very remote. This spectacle can be enjoyed in protected areas and protected properties such as Mass Audubon's Pierpont Meadow.

This is 211 former farmland, completely cleared for agriculture, although you would hardly recognize it today. The biggest reminder of the good old days are the venerable stone walls hiding on the edge of meadows and in pine groves.

The meadows are magical on summer days when the fireflies are out, and that's when you can see the beavers doing their thing in the small pond along Marsh Road.

3. Quinebaug River Valley Rail Trail

The South Bridge Spur of the Providence and Worcester Railroad was built through Dudley in the 1850s, providing a passenger connection with Boston until 1921, and freight service continued into the 1990s.

Since the mid-2000s, there has been a long-term plan to transform the spur into an 11-mile multi-use rail trail running through Southbridge, Dudley and Webster.

When we compiled this list, there were two complete sections, the longest of which runs 4.1 miles in Dudley and Southbridge. The route begins near the MA/CT line and is a scenic route, winding through a wooded river valley, via Route 131 to Soutbridge on the edge of downtown.

4. Tufts Branch Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Located west of the Nicholls College campus, Tufts Branch is a city-owned conservation area that was acquired by Dudley in 2008 to protect it from development.

With two miles of trails, you can explore more than 80 acres of forests, wetlands, and grasslands along the picturesque banks of Tufts Branch.

There are sections of the boardwalk above the Damper Ground, and you can find a kiosk with maps and brochures from the Dudley Conservation Land Trust at the main trailhead. A nice time to be here is in the spring when the apple trees are in bloom.

5. Dudley Public Library (Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library)

In 2010, the city's public library moved into a permanently designed building on the site of the former City Hall at 40 Schofield Street.

The Dudley Public Library has a long history, having been founded in 1896 and moving to One Street Village in 1901, where it has remained for more than a century.

The current building was the result of more than a decade of planning, collaboration, and fundraising, and is a source of pride for the community.

It's a great local resource, with services, groups, and programs for all ages and interests.

There are well-designed rooms for children and teens to play, read and study, and large comfortable chairs where you can lose track of time with a book. The library also hosts art exhibitions from time to time in the Fells Community Room.

6. Walnut Lane Farm

Now in its fourth and fifth generations, the Kopke family has operated the 230-acre cattle ranch in Dudley since 1910.

Walnut Lane Farm has a booth at many area farmers markets, but you can also go directly to the source where the farm store is located.

The specialty here is grass-fed beef, which is raised on a 100% grass-fed diet and sold by the piece. You can also find milk-fed veal, pasture-raised pork, pasture-raised chicken, raw milk bottled fresh every day, locally made pantry goods, and goat milk soap.

7. Stevens Linen Works Historic District

Dating back to before the Civil War, this massive mill complex in Dudley was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

At 8-10 Mill Street, Stevens Linen Works has produced linen and linen fabrics since the mid-19th century.

The first mill was established on the site in 1812, and the surviving main (third) granite building was constructed in the early 1860s.

At the time, linen was expected to overtake cotton as the fabric of choice in the United States, but then cotton production increased after the war.

Although the linen industry is now extinct, Stevens Mill had the longest lifespan of any linen mill in the country, operating until 2003.

Known for its elegant Italianate towers, the complex is in exceptional condition, with buildings built in the 1910s and 1920s.

8. Dudley Hill Golf Club

Famed golf architect Devereux Emmett (1861-1934) designed this 9-hole course in the rolling Dudley countryside.

An interesting detail about Emmett is that he was such a talented amateur golfer that in 1916 the United States Golf Association introduced a rule prohibiting architects from competing in tournaments.

Opened in 1926, Dudley Hill Golf Club was praised for its reasonable green fees, with prices for 18 holes ranging from $53 on weekdays to $60 on weekends when we wrote this article.

The level of maintenance is also top notch, with tee boxes, greens and fairways generally being in top condition all season long.

The big challenge comes from the rough, which is long and can be very rough, so precision is essential here.

9. Webster Memorial Beach

The best freshwater public beach for miles awaits you in neighboring Webster. It is located on a lake with the mysterious name Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, which received this new title in the early 1920s.

Webster Memorial Beach, patrolled by numerous lifeguards during the summer season, is located in a crescent of sand at the base of a small peninsula jutting into the lake.

You can lie on the sand, swim in the clear waters, and take a look around the park with its wonderful forests and beautiful sea views.

10. Samuel Slater Experience

You can learn more about Dudley's story in the 19th century by visiting this new experimental museum located just minutes away in Webster.

The Samuel Slater Experience tells you all about the English-born manufacturing pioneer, Samuel Slater (1768-1835). He was responsible for appropriating British textile manufacturing technology to spark the American Industrial Revolution at the end of the 19th century.

The museum has a series of multi-sensory rooms, where you will learn about the workings of a textile mill, the lifestyle of a factory worker, and what it was like to cross the Atlantic in the 18th century.

The museum also documents other periods of the Webster area's past, such as Prohibition, downtown life in the 1910s, streetcars, newspapers, and the beginning of cinema.

11. Ardlock Acres

In Dudley, you're never far from a place to spend an hour or two in nature on the road. A less frequented site on the MA/CT border is Ardlock Acres, which consists of more than 90 acres donated to the city in 1991.

The trail in this protected area takes you through lush deciduous forests on the banks of two ponds flowing from the same stream.

The loop is just under two miles long and includes a beautiful patch of marshy land near the water. In terms of wildlife, you'll see blue herons, cormorants, banded kingfishers and a wide range of amphibians.

12. Hiland Park/Slater Woods

One of the Dudley Conservation Land Trust's recent acquisitions is a pair of adjacent forest areas that have grown to more than 140 acres.

The main trail here takes you through the rugged landscape over hills and under canopies of pines, safras, maples, chestnuts and oaks.

In the upper reaches of the refuge you'll find impressive rock formations, while the path is carpeted with tiny hollow ferns.

The destination of this round-trip route is the magnificent Peter Lake, teeming with fish, amphibians, reptiles and bird life. You should allow about three hours for the round trip.

13. Shepherd Hill Festival of Crafts

A large annual event was held in Dudley at Shepherd Hill Regional High School on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Over two floors you'll find more than 200 quality craft vendors from all over New England.

To check out what's in store, you'll find handmade holiday gifts, home decor, fashion items, art, garden ornaments, jewelry, candles, small furniture pieces, artisanal cosmetics, and there's ceramics, glassware, pet gifts and more.

A variety of foods are prepared each year, along with performances by members of the high school's music programs.

14. The Dudley Grange Annual Strawberry Festival

Dudley Grange is a non-profit fraternal organization founded in the city in 1888.

The Grange raises money through annual events, such as the Apple Festival in the fall, and these strawberries herald the arrival of summer each June.

Located on the lawn at 139 Center Road, this event has been a fixture on the calendar for over 60 years.

The agenda includes live music, craft vendors, plenty of activities for kids, and the Grange's famous strawberry shortcake made with fresh strawberries. The festival begins at 4 p.m. and continues until the berries run out.

15. Indian Ranch

People have flocked to the shores of Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg in search of entertainment for the better part of 150 years.

The lake has been an important destination for live music since the 1940s, thanks to the Indian Ranch located to the east.

The venue made its name as a country venue, hosting Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson and Charlie Daniels.

Some more recent acts include "Weird Al" Yankovic, The Outlaws, The Mavericks, Ziggy Marley, Ann Wilson and Three Dog Night.

The site has a restaurant and campground, as well as the Indian Princess, a paddle-wheel riverboat, which departs on excursions throughout the summer.

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.

15 Best Things to Do in Tyngsborough (MA)

Straddling the Merrimack River, Tyngsborough is a city located along the MA/NH border and is recognized by the Green Arch Bridge.

It dates back to the 1930s and is adjacent to the old town centre, and is the only crossing over the river in both directions for several miles.

Located on Route 3, Tyngsborough - also spelled Tyngsboro - is the center of a commercial corridor with shops, tourist attractions, restaurants, an AMC Theater and Pheasant Lane Mall, New Hampshire's largest mall, a shopping mall.

Leave Route 3 a long way off, on peaceful city-owned preserve lands, and on more than 1,000 acres of forest and wetlands in the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest.

1. The Butterfly Place

This unique experience is located on the Tyngsborough-Westford town line. Housed in an elevated greenhouse, The Butterfly Place is an indoor garden featuring hundreds of New England's exotic and native butterflies.

In a kaleidoscope of colors, these insects can be seen flying, basking on tree leaves, or drinking nectar from many flowers.

There is a 15-minute introductory video for an informative primer on butterflies and their famous life cycle, and you can see the eggs and caterpillars up close in the terrarium.

The butterflies share their habitat with koi fish and quail, and there is also a gift shop that sells books, butterfly gifts, and special opening and releasing equipment.

2. Parlee Farms

Located on 100 acres near the Merrimack River, this family farm began growing in 1987 and specializes in U-Pick fruits and flowers.

Parlee Farms has a long picking season for its fruit, starting with strawberries in mid-June and ending with pumpkins in late October.

Along with midsummer blueberries, peak times are August, September and October, when apple picking is in full swing.

There are more than 20 varieties available, from Honey Crisp to Golden Delicious. Just check the website to see what's ready before you arrive.

The farm stand is filled with farm-grown produce, desserts such as cider cakes, and homemade or locally made gourmet items, including maple syrup, honey, jams, sauces and dressings.

3. Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest

Southeast of Tyngsborough you can enter over 1,100 acres of woodland, consisting of moors, ponds, streams and vernal pools.

Spanning two neighboring towns, Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest has miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, as well as winter snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

A network of fire roads and double track makes it a great place for easy mountain biking, while the single track system thrives on three hours of serious mountain biking.

The largest single body of water, Althea Lake, is located in the Tyngsborough section of the forest, with a car-roof boat launch on Althea Street.

4. Old Town Hall

Tyngsborough's most valuable historic building is the Old Town Hall, a magnificent wooden structure constructed in 1834.

As you can see, it was originally a church, built for the city's Baptist denomination, in a transitional phase between Federal and Greek Revival architecture.

The building was sold to the city in 1857, and served as the city's administrative headquarters until the 1990s.

These functions were moved after a termite infestation was discovered, and the structure underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in early 2010, reopening in 2014.

On the National Register of Historic Places since 2005, Old City Hall now has a ceremonial role, hosting civic events and private hearings.

5. Sullivan Farms Homemade Ice Cream

Located along the Merrimack River, with a beautiful grassy expanse out back, this bustling ice cream shop has been in business for more than a quarter century.

Sullivan Farms Homemade Ice Cream has more than 50 permanent flavors, supported by more than 30 other seasonal flavors, so there's always something new to try when you come by.

If there's one flavor you definitely need to try it's the vanilla fudge brownie, made with chunks of chewy brownie.

You can order a cup, cone, frappe, flute, sundae or banana split, and there's also a selection of frozen yogurts (95% fat-free) from blackberry to cookie dough.

6. Mascuppic Lake (Town Beach)

Just north of Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest, 209-acre Mascuppic Lake is a hive of fun during the summer months.

At this time of year, Town Beach is open on the west bank. The beach is located within a park and has more than 250 feet of sandy shoreline, as well as many amenities including a boat launch, a playground, picnic tables, a restroom, and tetherball.

Off the coast, the park hosts competitive youth baseball games, including three Cal Ripken youth baseball games.

7. Pheasant Lane Mall

There is a trade corridor along the Middlesex Road parallel to the Merrimack River where the line crosses into Nashua, New Hampshire.

At the top of the line is one of the largest malls in New Hampshire, with nearly 140 stores and services.

Pheasant Lane Mall opened in 1986, and an interesting challenge was making sure the entire mall faced the New Hampshire Line, where there was no sales tax.

When they discovered that the state line had been drawn incorrectly in their plans, the developers were forced to redesign the portion of JCPenney that crossed the border.

Among the many national and international chains in existence at the time of writing were Target, Apple, Toured, Foot Locker, Forever 21, Victoria's Secret, Sephora, Lush, Lego, and Build-A-Bear Workshop.

On the food side, you always have food halls like Subaru, Sarco Japan, and Auntie Ann's along with branches of Chick-fil-A, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dairy Queen, and Red Robin.

8. Sherburne Nature Center

Located just west of Lake Moscob, this city-owned conservation area is named after the local Sherburne family, who in 1999 created 80 acres of lush hardwood forest, meadows, vernal pools and a beaver pond.

Sherburne Nature Center has four distinct hiking trails, with parts of the boardwalk over damp terrain.

None of the trails are long or over steep terrain, so this is one of the few places in Tyngsborough where you can get a little dose of nature before heading back to your day.

There are plenty of benches and picnic tables, and the nature center hosts many educational programs and events throughout the year.

9. Max’s Country Golf

Located just a short drive south of Pheasant Lane Mall, Max Country Golf is a family entertainment center dedicated to golf.

The main attraction here is the 18-hole miniature golf course, in a theme park setting, with artificial rock formations, small country buildings, a river, and what is claimed to be the tallest man-made structure in the Northeast. waterfall.

To go along with it, you have bumper boats, baseball and softball cages, and a driving range with 50 teeing stations. For a sweet treat, Max Country Golf also has an ice cream stand serving homemade Richardson ice cream, not far away in Middleton, Massachusetts.

10. Long Pond Shores

The city owns another beautiful property on the west bank of Long Pond. From 1950 to 1994, the camp was called Kiwanis, a Girl Scout camp that was defunct until Tyngsborough acquired it in 2003.

Long Pond Shores is a pleasant, nearly 50-acre expanse of deciduous forest, with hiking and biking trails.

A newly developed accessible trail from Alden Road to the lakeshore, the property is also open for the disabled. There is a boat launch on the water as well as a selection of swimming areas.

11. Haystack Observatory

Tucked away on the Tyngsborough-Westford line is an interdisciplinary research facility of international importance run by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Founded in 1960, the Haystack Observatory consists of a radio science center, an ionospheric observatory, and a microwave astronomical observatory.

In her own words, Haystack's mission is "to develop technology for radio science applications, thereby studying the structure of our Galaxy and the larger universe, advancing scientific knowledge about our planet and its space environment, and educating scientists. I get to contribute to this." And future engineers.”

If you want to learn more about how MIT scientists and engineers explore the universe by studying radio waves, the Haystack Observatory hosts exciting open house events on the third Thursday of May and October each year.

12. Bell Trail

There is a 16-acre forest next to Tyngsborough Town Hall and the Public Library for a quick escape into nature.

The land was donated to the town in 1996 by Edward Bell, and is located next to a former mink farm. Occasionally, you may see a mink in the wild, descended from an escapee.

Under a canopy of hardwoods and evergreens, the mile-long trail meets original stone walls dating back centuries. The path is well marked, and is just the right length for a lunch break or family walk with young children.

13. AMC Tyngsborough 12

Adjacent to Pheasant Lane Mall, in a shopping center on the Massachusetts side, is an AMC complex that has been here since 1991.

The number of AMC Tyngsboro 12 screens was increased from six to twelve screens in 1996, and has evolved over time. Recent upgrades have outfitted all 12 halls with giant floor-to-ceiling screens, state-of-the-art audio technology and giant ergonomic chairs.

It has armrests that lift up to form a loveseat, so you can watch the latest movies from the comfort of your home. Tyngsboro is also home to a 30% discount on all apprentices every day before 4pm.

14. Tyngsborough Bridge

First completed in 1930 and then rebuilt in 1975, the cable-stayed steel bridge that crosses the Merrimack River at Tyngsborough deserves your attention, especially if you're interested in engineering.

It replaced the wooden Whipple Truss Bridge, which dated back to the 19th century and still has the longest span of any through-arch ribbed steel bridge in Massachusetts (547 feet).

The Tyngsborough Bridge is also the second oldest crossing of its kind in the state, and underwent a $19 million renovation in 2009, in part to re-engineer the steel girders, and replace the original lead paint.

15. Tyngsborough Block Party-by-the-Bridge

The city's love for its record-breaking bridge is clear to all at this annual event held at the end of summer.

On the last Saturday in August, nearby Tyngsborough Common is taken over by an entire village of craft vendors, food and drink and various stalls of other local businesses.

Children can meet the pets at the petting zoo, ride a pony, while there is an afternoon full of competitions and fun games for all ages.

You can enjoy hours of live music on the main stage, and the day ends with a fireworks display on the bridge at dusk.

15 Best Things to Do in Palmer (MA)

This rural town of 12,500 is located on the eastern edge of the Pioneer Valley, where the Quappoag and Ware Rivers meet to form the Chicopee River.

In the past, Palmer was known as the Seven Railroad City, and although active lines ran through the city, no trains have stopped at the once-busy Union Station since 1971.

This impressive 1884 Richardsonian Romanesque building has become a family train-themed restaurant, with a stunning interior and stunning railway artifacts in the courtyard.

Palmer has one of the best public libraries in Western Massachusetts, with an entire room dedicated to the city's 19th-century railroad history.

1. Steaming Tender

If there's one thing that attracts people from all over the area to Palmer, it's this family restaurant located in the beautiful Palmer Railway Station (Union Station).

At a major intersection, this distinctive building was designed by H.H. Richardson in his distinctive Romanesque Revival style and includes two stations.

The station opened in 1884, and was originally built on land built by Richardson's great colleague Frederick Law Olmsted, famous for New York's Central Park.

Everything about the Steaming Tender is steeped in railway heritage, from the trains running along the active lines, to the rolling stock on display in the restaurant's outdoor museum, a harking back to the golden days of rail travel.

The menu here is hearty New England fare, like braised pot roast, Maine lobster rolls, fried haddock, lobster macaroni and cheese, jumbo scallops, New York sirloin steaks, and a comforting half-pound cheeseburger.

2. Palmer Public Library

For many, the Palmer Public Library is one of the best libraries in western Massachusetts. Located at 1455 N Main St, the library was originally housed in the historic Palmer Memorial Hall (1890), designed by New York architect R.H. Robertson in the Romanesque Revival style.

In addition to providing a wide range of services, programs, and collections for residents and visitors, the Palmer Public Library contains individual rooms that focus on aspects of local history.

There is a Railroad Research Center filled with books, photographs, and memorabilia documenting Palmer's rich railroad heritage.

On a larger level, the Quabog Valley Historical Center is located on the third floor and is filled with books, photos, maps and many other documents that tell the story of Palmer and its surrounding towns.

3. Yankee Flea Market

We will find that there is a large concentration of antique markets in Palmer and the surrounding communities.

The largest of them all is the Yankee Flea Market, and it's on an impressive scale, with more than 200 vendor booths, over 16,000 square feet.

Up to 35 of these vendors visit the market daily to update their inventory, while checkout is easy thanks to sophisticated computer records.

To get an idea of what you might find, think antique decor, paintings, furniture, antique signs, clocks, jewelry, vinyl, antique license plates, mirrors, lighting, dolls, figurines, and more than we can find. Enter here.

4. Alvin Rondeau’s Dairy Bar

Like any respectable Massachusetts town, Palmer has a long-standing ice cream parlor, serving delicious homemade ice cream with toppings like hot dogs, fried oysters, sandwiches, and more.

Alvin Rondeau's Dairy Bar is also one of the oldest bars in the area, founded in 1940 by the current owner's grandfather. You are greeted by Alvina, a life-sized plastic cow surrounded by a picket fence.

The ice cream is made fresh by Mike Rondo, the Monkey Bit (banana ice cream with brownies, walnuts and chocolate swirls), and the orange pineapple is a must-try.

5. Midura Conservation Area

In a quiet part of East Palmer, near the banks of the Quapaugh River, 222 acres welcome nature, with activities like hiking, dog walking, nature study, photography, hunting (with permission) and cross-country skiing. Snowshoeing in winter.

There are many interesting things about this area of grasslands and mixed forests. There is Old McMaster Road, which traverses the property for approximately one mile.

This road was laid out by the city as early as 1754, and runs from Old Warren Street to Boston Road.

6. Burleigh Park

Located in a less populated part of the city, this attractive park has a mix of recreational facilities and woodlands for hiking, cycling and picnicking.

Burleigh Park is 160 acres and is accessed by a trail on the north side about a mile long that connects Center St. to the west to Old Warren Road to the east.

Sports facilities here include five baseball fields, two soccer fields and 12 horseshoe holes. You can explore the rest of the property through five different trails, served by trail kiosks with maps and other information.

7. Depot Park

Located in the heart of Depot Village, this small park is inspired by Palmer's fascinating railroad history.

Adjacent to the grass, the paths meet here in a small square with flower beds and benches. It's a great place for a snack on a warm day, but it's also the site of outdoor events year-round.

Light Up Palmer, the city's celebration of holiday lights, begins here. In the summer, the city's recreation department holds a season of outdoor concerts here in the warehouse-themed gazebo, which continues on Wednesday evenings through mid-August.

8. Palmer Antiques Co-Op

In Palmer and surrounding towns you can spend an entire day shopping for antiques.

A great starting point is Palmer Antiques Co-Op at 1249 S Main St, where you'll find more than 100 dealers in a clean, well-lit space.

Take your time here to browse furniture, musical instruments, kitchen utensils, ephemera of all kinds, outdoor jewelry, toys, historical instruments, jewelry, baseball cards, and newly manufactured home decor.

The co-op's inventory can change every week, so it's a good idea to make regular visits to find new finds.

9. Endelson Playground

Bondsville has a beautifully landscaped course on the banks of the Swift River with many amenities.

The biggest one in the summer is the splash pad, which gives kids a chance to cool off and burn off some energy on hot days.

Along with these sprinklers, there are play structures for toddlers and older children, which are jets and buckets filled with various interactive stations.

Parents can relax at one of the picnic tables surrounded by landscaping, while the south end features a basketball court.

10. Palmer Historical and Cultural Center

Palmer has a vibrant cultural center housed in a magnificent church building. The Palmer Historical and Cultural Center is located in the Old Evangelical Union Church, built in the 1830s in the Greek Revival style.

The centerpiece inside is the 160-seat Harmony Hall, which hosts an exciting schedule of live music performances, film screenings, lectures and many other cultural events.

There is also a Village Room for more intimate events and gatherings. When we wrote this article, there were plans to add museum space to highlight local history. The center can be rented for a variety of special events, from weddings to meetings and showers.

11. Pulaski Park Picnic Shelter

The village of Three Rivers west of Palmer holds the unofficial title of the Polka Capital of New England. This has much to do with the wave of immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which gave the region a strong Polish character.

To this day, the Picnic Pavilion in Polski Park is a regional center for traditional polka music, with a full season of "Polka Picnics" on Sunday afternoons.

For an admission fee, the soundtrack to these events is played by some of the Northeast's best polka bands, and includes Polish meals like pierogi and kielbasa, and classic car rides.

12. Silver Bell Farm

Moments away in Monson is a working farm set in a bucolic landscape, open to the public for seasonal events.

For example, in October, you'll find fall celebrations with tractor-drawn wagon rides, barrel rides, friendly goat feeding, a bounce house, and a scavenger hunt for the kids.

These activities are complemented by a farm shop, produce stand, and a wide selection of pumpkins as well as homemade cider donuts, fresh roasted coffee, hot cider, and more.

Come during the holiday season to enjoy freshly cut Fraser and Balsam Fir trees, visits with Santa, handmade Christmas decorations, and cups of hot chocolate.

13. Crane Hill Disc Golf Course

Above the town line in Wilbraham is a disc golf course that attracts players from all over New England.

Built in 2008, the Crane Hill Disc Golf Course faces a variety of challenges, including woods, open fields and even a section of rocky gorge.

The course is maintained by the City of Wilbraham, and is open to all, with no fees or tee times required.

There are A and B pin positions on each hole, depending on your level, and although there is a beautiful landscape of mature forests all around, they never interfere with your shot – as long as you are accurate.

14. Keep Homestead Museum

Another great attraction near Monson is the Historic House Museum, which is open to the public from April to early December.

Dating back to the mid-1700s, the Cape Homestead was expanded and redesigned over the next 100 years, with an update in 1863 to reach its present form.

The Kipp family first moved here in 1854, and Myra Kipp lived until Lowell Moulton died (d. 1988) and bequeathed the house and its impressive collection to the city.

This inventory contains one of the largest collections of antique and vintage buttons in the United States. Only a small portion of the collection can be displayed at a time, so the screen rotates frequently.

The house sits on more than 70 acres, including farmland, a pond and a small granite quarry, which has become a formal vernal pool.

15. Palmer Motorsports Park

Located in the densely wooded hills just northeast of Palmer, it is a 2.3-mile scenic road course used by sports car and motorcycle clubs during the season, which runs from April to October.

The winding trail is located on Whiskey Hill Mountain, which is over 500 feet high. Palmer Motorsports Park is managed by a private club, but members of the public who want to try the track have a few options.

There's a drive-thru experience, where you'll take to the track in a race car with a certified instructor.

There are also Open Track Lap Days where you'll learn the basics of race car driving, and Ride Along, where you'll be in the passenger seat while an experienced race car performs high-speed laps.

15 Best Things to Do in North Adams (MA)

Located in the Hoosick River Valley, surrounded by mountains, Massachusetts' smallest city flourished as an industrial base for the region in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Over time, the North Adams area has reinvented itself as a hotbed of creativity, beginning in 1999 with the opening of the world-class Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).

In this enterprise, grand industrial buildings were given a new lease of life, a story repeated in North Adams, where water-powered mills now house artists' studios, markets, restaurants, distilleries, and other small buildings. a job

While the city is a cultural fiesta, North Adams is surrounded by stunning nature, with waterfalls, a unique natural marble bridge, the highest peak in Massachusetts, and many more nearby.

1. MASS MoCA

A historic industrial complex in North Adams has been transformed into the largest contemporary art museum in the United States.

These factory buildings and courtyards became towering galleries and performing arts venues, a nexus of painting, music, sculpture, dance, photography, film, theatre, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

MASS MoCA's signature is the kind of large-scale, transformative installation that would be impossible in a traditional museum.

A notable ongoing exhibition is the Sol LeWitt Wall Painting Retrospective, which features more than 100 memorable drawings created by the artist throughout his career, from 1969 to 2007.

Performances are also central, with more than 70 performances annually, ranging from contemporary dance to avant-garde theater and silent film screenings with live music.

2. Natural Bridge State Park

Just east of downtown Adams, Hudson Brook passes through a rocky terrain rich in marble and minerals, including quartz, pyrite and calcite.

Here, storms of glacial meltwater that tumbled down the hills at the end of the last ice age created a unique natural bridge of 550 million-year-old marble rock.

At Natural Bridge State Park, you can admire this formation as well as the gentle canyon walls that lie 60 feet below.

Partly located on the site of a former mine, the park contains something else quite unique in North America: a man-made dam composed entirely of white marble.

3. North Adams Downtown Cultural District

In addition to Mass MOCA, North Adams is full of arts, both stationary and live, with a calendar of live performances throughout the year.

The downtown area is a unique outdoor gallery, featuring historic brick walls decorated with stunning murals by international artists.

Along Main Street, see installations like the bus shelter designed by Victoria Palermo, and the park designed by Keith Line Carr.

Much of that creative flair comes from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, which is responsible for the Downtown Arts Initiative, while also hosting its own gallery.

One thing that makes North Adams a cultural destination in every season is the sheer amount of public events, of which there are more than a dozen, from the fall foliage festival and parade in October to the raucous downtown celebration in August.

4. Windsor Lake

The city has this picture-perfect lake and surrounding wooded parks, just a few miles from downtown North Adams.

Windsor Lake is an easy place for outdoor recreation without going to the mountains. In summer, you can come for hiking, swimming, fishing and boating, and west of the beach there is a popular 18-hole golf course in the woods.

On Wednesday evenings from early June to late August, Windsor Lake hosts a free concert next to the lake's cascade, and you're invited to bring a picnic blanket, lawn chairs, and something to eat. In winter, the park's trails are groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

5. Mount Greylock State Reservation

Most of the northwestern corner of Massachusetts is occupied by the 12,000-acre Mount Greylock State Reservation.

When it was established in 1898, it became the first forest reserve in the commonwealth, extending over six different towns, including North Adams.

The target for most visitors is Mount Greylock itself, the highest peak in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet. On a clear day you can see for almost miles, in five different states.

The summit is traversed via the Appalachian Trail, and you can hike along the trail from Phelps Street in North Adams to the summit.

If you're driving to the summit, you can stop at Adams Overlook, to get a sweeping view east of the town of Adams surrounded by the Hoosack Range.

6. Mohawk Trail

North Adams lies on a traditional Native American trade route that now crosses much of northwestern Massachusetts, connecting tribes on the coast with those living in present-day upstate New York.

Now, honors are mostly given to Trail Routes 2 and 2A, which wind their way along the Hoosac Mountain Range and along the Deerfield and Millers Rivers.

With stunning views of the Berkshires, a wealth of history and roadside attractions, it's one of the best drives in the area.

North Adams is located near the western end of the trail, and you can take a short trip to Williamstown, home of the world-famous Theater Festival.

Head east and you'll soon reach Whitcomb Peak, the trail's highest point at 2,173 feet, with views extending as far as Vermont and New Hampshire.

7. Hoosac Range Trail

Heading east from North Adams on the Mohawk Trail, you'll find the main trailhead for an unforgettable hike along the edge of the Hoosac Range, a branch of the Berkshire Mountains.

Heading south, it's a three-mile round-trip, with the final destination being Spruce Hill, which offers great views of Mount Greylock and North Adams to the west.

Along the way are natural banks, with exotic plants, eroded by years of wind and snow, so you don't have to walk the full three miles.

Less than a mile away, Sunset Rock is also stunning and, like Spruce Hill, covered in cranberries in the summer.

On the Mohawk Trail, near the trailhead, you can stop at Top 'O the World', overlooking the East Florida State Forest and beyond for a great view.

8. Cascade Waterfall

Another great piece of natural beauty on the city's doorstep is the waterfall and gorge, which can be accessed by a trail starting a mile west of downtown North Adams.

Cascade Waterfall is located in Notch Brook, and the trail follows the stream south near its mouth on the Hoosk River on a 90-minute round trip. It leads to the foot of the waterfall under the powerful walls of the gorge.

The waterfall drops 45 feet high and is a curtain of water or a torrent, depending on the season and rainfall.

Much work has gone into keeping this wonderful spot free of road traffic and development, and today the site is managed by the Trustees of Western Massachusetts Reservations.

9. Western Gateway Heritage State Park

Nomenclature aside, the Hoosac Tunnel took nearly 25 years to build, from 1851 to 1875, and remains the longest active transportation tunnel east of the Rocky Mountains to this day.

To say it was a difficult project is an understatement, as there were four sections of the tunnel that needed to be aligned.

Over time, the initial cost of $2 million rose to $25 million. The history of the tunnel is chronicled at Western Gateway Heritage Park, which is located in the former rail yard in North Adams.

Here you will discover the enormous impact of the project as well as the significant human cost, as 200 lives were lost during construction.

10. Appalachian Trail

America's greatest hiking trail, the North Adams Appalachian Trail traverses its epic 2,200-mile route from Georgia's Springer Mountain to Maine's Mount Katahdin.

The trail winds its way along Phelps Street and Massachusetts Avenue on the west side of town and emerges from the valley into Vermont's Green Mountain Forest to the north or Mount Graylock State Reserve to the south.

North Adams is the northernmost settlement on the Massachusetts section of the trail, and hikers have the opportunity to take a hot shower, sleep in a real bed, stock up on gear, or eat out before spending several days in the Green's wilderness.

11. Bright Ideas Brewing

This craft brewery opened in 2016 in the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. What started as a local operation for museum goers and North Adams residents has evolved into a regional operation, distributing to packaging stores and restaurants throughout western Massachusetts.

The taproom has dozens of beers on tap at any given time, with an emphasis on hoppy IPAs, but it also has plenty to offer those who prefer malt and ales.

There is always some type of event going on, whether it's live music, trivia nights, movie screenings, or televised sporting events. In terms of food, you are free to order from one of the many restaurants throughout the North Adams area.

12. Berkshire Art Museum

A recurring theme in North Adams is that historic buildings are taking on new roles, often as platforms for the arts. Such is the case with the Berkshire Art Museum, which was founded by the Barbara and Eric Rudd Art Foundation in 2012.

Main Building June-October, 156 E Main St. features a range of temporary and permanent exhibitions, including Eric Rudd's lexan/iceberg sculptures and robotic sculptures.

Also part of the museum is a historic Gothic-style church building, which houses a large, integrated work of contemporary sculpture that includes 150 life-size figures, 250 relief figures, and a September 11 memorial.

The museum has a calendar of public events, receptions, lectures, and guided exhibition tours.

13. Greylock Works

Against the backdrop of Mount Greylock, this 19th-century textile mill complex has been redesigned into a mixed-use campus with a collegiate feel.

Greylock Works offers 50 loft rooms with mountain views, a co-working space, a craft distillery, a culinary laboratory, and stunning event space in the engine room and display shed.

A good time to check this place out is on the weekends when you can call in to the distillery, and make small batches of gin and rum using ingredients sourced from the Berkshire region.

Meanwhile, Breakroom Restaurant can be described as a working living room, with a sustainable and seasonal menu, based on local agriculture.

14. Norad Mill

Another imposing remodeled mill in North Adams is the Bretonville Norad Mill, which is unique in that its 1860s Italianate exterior has been virtually unchanged in the past 150-plus years.

At the height of production in the 1870s, the factory had 50 looms and employed about 300 people. In 2010, the building was purchased by a commercial developer, and a wide range of tenants moved in.

At the time of writing, there are artist studios, an independent publisher, a coffee roaster, a yarn shop, a recording studio, beauty studios, Nord Café, plus a huge event space for pastries, breads, sandwiches and more.

15. Downtown Celebration

North Adams has a social calendar that would put most towns to shame, and there's a good chance you'll catch a public festival or performance whenever you visit.

One event held in the height of summer is the Downtown Celebration, when the vibrant heart of downtown North Adams is closed to street traffic for an evening gala.

Many local organizations, businesses and other groups participate, offering live music, great food, contests and giveaways amidst the city's stunning mountain scenery.

15 Best Things to Do in Rehoboth (MA)

Rehoboth is one of the oldest towns in Massachusetts, founded in 1643 as part of the Plymouth Colony.

The defining events of the final days of King Philip's War took place at Rehoboth in the 1670s, and at Anwan Rock you can see the site where a Wampanoag war chief was captured, ending the conflict.

Spread over a fairly large area, Rehoboth is a rural community, with no shortage of centuries-old mill ponds, farmland, conservation areas, quiet villages, and private golf courses.

The Rehoboth Archaeological Society maintains an interesting city museum as well as the city's public library, while the local historical commission has named sites around town from sawmills to dams and 17th-century textile mills.

1. Carpenter Museum

In celebration of America's bicentennial, the Rehoboth Archaeological Society (founded 1884) has created a new space to house its impressive collections.

The Carpenter Museum is a Colonial-style house with a gable roof and a wood-beamed barn in the style of the mid-18th century.

The museum is named after Elsie and E. Winsor Carpenter, who donated the land and seed money, came from a family that had been in the city for centuries.

The collection includes 400-year-old appliances, maps, furniture, clothing items, and much of the Carpenter family heirloom.

When we wrote this article, there was an enlightening presentation about the Rehoboth Milkmaids, the women's softball team formed in the 1930s.

2. Anawan Rock

In this rock formation at Puddingstone, you can see one of the few surviving sites from King Philip's War (1675-1676).

Here on August 28, 1676, Annawan, a Wampanoag war chief, was captured by colonial forces under Captain Benjamin Church.

This event ended the controversy two weeks after Sachem Metacomet (King Philip) was captured and executed in Bristol, Rhode Island.

King Philip's War was a devastating conflict in the region, claiming more lives locally than the civil war that followed nearly two centuries later.

The site can easily be missed along Winthrop Street, but there is a small parking lot and a kiosk at the head of a short trail that leads to the rock.

3. Rehoboth Village & Dam

The rural village center at the intersection of Locust Street and Bay State Road developed as a site of small industry since the early 18th century, is protected as a historic district, and looks much as it did in the late 19th century.

Besides the Carpenter Museum and Goff Memorial Hall (more on that later), there are a few things to check out around this attractive area.

The Rehoboth Historical Commission developed markers identifying businesses that operated here at the beginning of the American Revolution.

The village pond was the site of a grist mill for approximately 180 years from 1690, and other local businesses in the mid-19th century included a tannery, slaughterhouse, sawmill and fulling mill.

The most striking landmark is the First Collegiate Church, built in 1838 in the Greek Revival style.

4. Rehoboth State Forest

At the 138-acre Rehoboth State Forest, you can explore a habitat that once covered much of eastern Massachusetts.

Here an outcropping takes you into a swamp of Atlantic white pine, with a boardwalk helping you cross the wetlands.

The rest of the Rehoboth State Forest is mostly pine forest, interspersed with some large snowfields and a mile-long loop.

Most of the forests can be traversed in less than an hour, making it a worthwhile route if you need a dose of nature.

5. Ephraim Hunt Ministerial Land

You can spend more time around the center of Old Rehoboth Village, in this peaceful landscape surrounded by pine forests, forested wetlands and streams, on highly productive waters.

At just 60 acres, the Ephraim Hunt Ministry Land is managed by the Rehoboth Land Trust, which purchased the property from First Congregational Church, to help it raise money for repairs.

Not only is this protected area beautiful, it is also ecologically important, as it is home to the wood turtle, a species of special concern in Massachusetts, and it also contains the Esker River, the last glacier. age

6. Anawan Farm

This small, family-run farm near Rehoboth State Forest has a stand selling a wide range of produce in the summer and fall.

Depending on the season, you can order fresh onions, peppers, corn, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, summer squash, and squash.

Anawan Farm also sells fresh cut flowers that are grown without herbicides, fungicides or pesticides, and in late summer you can pick your own sunflowers.

The farm holds special seasonal events with hayrides during the fall and holiday seasons.

7. Shad Factory Fish Ladder

Also on city-owned conservation land is the old Shad Factory Pond, southwest of Rehoboth.

From the Water Street parking area, you can follow an unmarked trail along the Palmer River to the edge of the pond surrounded by a dam built in 1911.

There are benches along the water's edge, as well as the remains of the 19th-century Orleans Mill.

Now part of the Bristol County Water Authority's supply system, the pond has had a 300-foot fish ladder since 2007, allowing herring and American shad to move upstream to spawn.

8. Goff Memorial Hall

The Rehoboth Archaeological Society also operates a public mixing library, housed in the society's former headquarters and museum.

This is Gough Memorial Hall, named after Darius Gough (1809-1891), the prominent textile manufacturer who financed the original building.

The current Tudor-style hall dates from 1915, and was rebuilt in brick in 1886 after the original wooden structure burned down in 1911.

The Rehoboth Archaeological Society's collections were moved from Goff Memorial Hall to the Carpenter Museum after its construction in the 1970s.

This impressive building is home to the Village Arts Concert Series, with regular performances by classical soloists and small ensembles.

9. Hornbine School

At the quiet intersection of Hornbein Road and Baker Road, you'll find an elegant, well-preserved one-room schoolhouse open seasonally as a history museum.

On the grounds adjacent to the old stone walls, the Hornbine School was built in 1862 and has siding and a gable roof at the front and a brick chimney at the rear.

It is the best preserved one-room schoolhouse in the city, and served as a place of learning until 1937 and as a museum since the 1960s.

You can visit on the second and fourth Sundays, from June to September, for a glimpse into school life in days gone by. The Hornbine School contains original 19th-century desks and blackboards, as well as old photographs, teaching aids, books and toys.

10. Redway Plain

This open space in the village cemetery has been owned by the town since 1992, and has an interesting history.

The Redway Plain has been used as farmland for centuries, dating back to Native American times, where timothy grass, alfalfa, corn, and other vegetables grew.

The land was later used as a training field for the Rehoboth militia, and was then adjacent to the village cemetery and the adjacent Faxonfield Farm.

Today, Redway Plain remains the town's gathering place, and from mid-July to late August, there is a season of outdoor concerts on Sunday evenings on the bandstand.

11. Perryville Dam

A few miles north of the center of Old Rehoboth Village is a pond dating back to the late 1600s. Perryville Dam, along with Butterworth Falls, was originally built around 1680 for a sawmill.

For the next 250 years, it was a hive of activity. One of the factories located here was a lathe mill, which until the late 19th century produced tool handles as well as pulleys for the textile industry.

Sawmill and grist mill operations continued into the 1930s, and Perryville Pond is now a remote place with echoes of its past.

12. Hazelton Golf Club

Exclusive country clubs cover large portions of the Rehoboth countryside. If you are a casual golfer looking for a course with a daily fee, Hazelton Golf Club is the place to go.

It was also a country club, recently restored to its original design by noted Massachusetts golf architect Geoffrey Cornish (1914-2012).

Other updates include a new irrigation system, new storage, new trash cans and a complete overhaul of all 18 greens.

The course, on a tributary of the Palmer River, takes place over nine holes, including the long par-4 18th, a dogleg right.

13. The Ice Cream Barn

This adorable ice cream stand started in 2012 as a collaboration between two creative ice cream makers and a sixth generation dairy farmer.

One of the many things to love about Ice Cream Barn is its dedication to sustainability, and in 2020, the company changed all of its packaging to compostable products.

Plus, many of the 20-plus flavors are made with local produce, and there's a map on the stand that shows strawberries, maple syrup, apples, cranberries, oats, mint, and even salt, such as where the ingredients come from. .

Some of the signature flavors are Apple Crisp, Kahlua Brownie, S'Mores, Green Tea, and Cranberry Jubilee, while the homemade waffle cones are a thing of beauty.

14. Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary

There is a shelter minutes away in Norton that provides homes and care for abandoned, neglected and abused animals.

Located on a quiet, wooded campus, Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary opened in 1997 and is home to about 200 residents.

In the spacious, healthy pastures, with winding footpaths, you'll see goats, alpacas, peacocks, cats, horses, chickens, donkeys, pigs, and more, all living their best lives.

Many of the animals are free to roam as they please, and there is a small playground for children and a shaded picnic area.

15. Seekonk Speedway

Also within easy reach is Rehoboth, the oldest family-owned racetrack in the United States in continuous operation.

First opened in 1946, Seekonk Speedway seats nearly 10,000 people and remains a thriving venue for high-speed action.

This mile-long asphalt oval hosts the NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Weekly racing series, every Saturday throughout the season.

You can catch Pro Stock (Division 1), Late Models (Division 2), Sportsman (Division 3), and Sports Trucks (Division 4), while Friday nights are low-budget races, for drivers with daily hopes of graduating to the top Shows .

Check the schedule for one-off events like Open Wheel Racing, Demolition Derby, and Monster Truck.

15 Best Things to Do in Charlton (MA)

Charlton is a small town first settled by Europeans in the 1730s, located near the transition point between central and western Massachusetts.

Originally part of neighboring Oxford, the land includes two wonderfully preserved historic districts in the city's urban core on Main Street and the Northside Village Center.

Since 2017, Charlton has been featured as home to Treehouse Brewing Company, considered one of the best craft breweries in the world, with IPAs that rank among the best you can find anywhere.

Charlton is also just a few miles from the famous residential history museum, Old Stourbridge Village, and has its own delightful town farm at Fay Mountain Farm, where you can wander the lanes and buy fresh, seasonal produce.

1. Tree House Brewing Company

Ranked as one of the country's top breweries and known for its IPAs, Tree House Brewing Company was founded near Broomfield in 2011 and now operates five facilities.

It is a non-distribution enterprise, which means you have to go to the source to get the cans or pours.

Located in the Charlton countryside, the main brewery, distillery and coffee roaster is an understandable venue for craft beer enthusiasts, attracting lines on busy days.

The 53,000-square-foot facility opened in 2017 at a cost of $18.5 million, and has sparked a local debate about how best to manage the influx of visitors to the city.

As for the ales, you can make them for the main bar, which has more than 40 beers on tap at any given time, while cans must be ordered in advance.

2. Old Sturbridge Village

New England's largest museum is located minutes from Charlton in Sturbridge. Spanning more than 200 acres, this living historical attraction recreates rural New England at the turn of the 19th century.

Old Sturbridge Village features nearly 60 historic buildings, transported from around the area, while a number of costumed actors help bring ancient customs, crafts and crafts to life.

In the village you can visit beautiful old residences and businesses such as a law office, a tin shop, a hotel, a bank and a cider mill.

There are also working grist mills, carding mills, saw mills and a beautiful countryside with traditional agricultural and rural livelihoods.

You'll never have to wait long for the seasonal program from Fourth of July to Christmas Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village.

3. Fay Mountain Farm

The city acquired the 65-acre Fay Mountain Farm in Charlton's historic Northside Village in 2002.

About half of this charming estate consists of apple orchards, plus a pond, a 19th-century barn, blueberry and blueberry farms, and peaceful woods.

You can stop by the farm stand to purchase an array of seasonal fresh produce, including a wide variety of apples in late summer and fall. Also on sale are farm-raised meats, cheeses, and baked goods such as pies, turnovers, apple pies, and apple cakes.

Part of the fun of Fay Mountain Farm is enjoying the rural views on the trails along part of the Mid-State Trail.

4. Buffumville Lake

On the east bank of Charlton is a system of flood control projects developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the mid-20th century.

USACE still manages the 200-acre Buffumville Lake and the nearby Hodges Village Dam, opening up much of the Charlton and Oxford area for people to enjoy.

One thing you can do here is walk the bright blue paved trail around the edge of the lake, which is 7.2 miles long and has some great landmarks.

The day use area also has a 300-foot beach and picnic area with shelters and grills. You can boat on both sides of the lake, and if you fish here, largemouth bass and stripers are often biting.

5. Midstate Trail

Much of eastern and northern Charlton is traversed by a 92-mile hiking trail, which winds its way from the state line with Rhode Island in the south to the New Hampshire border in the north.

The thing that makes the Midstate Trail so accessible is that it uses footpaths on pre-existing public lands and country roads, so what better way to explore the area's famous rolling hills. There is no way.

The track enters Charlton just north of Lake Buffomville, skirts several ponds and passes Fay Mountain Farm on the Spencer Track.

6. Northside Village Historic District

You may want to take some time to explore this historic village center in Charlton, which first appeared in the 1730s at the junction of Stafford, Northside and Cemetery Roads.

Northside Village is protected as a historic district with just over a dozen buildings, and is rich in 18th and early 19th century residential architecture.

A prime example is the Ryder Tavern (ca. 1797), a stop on the Stagecoach Route between Worcester and Hartford, CT, known for hosting the Marquis de Lafayette, among others.

The building belongs to the Charlton Historical Society, and is open for guided tours on select days in the summer.

The oldest building in the area is Wheelock House (1735), while Waters-Morton House (mid-18th century) was the childhood home of William T. G. Morton, who is remembered for introducing ether as an anesthetic.

7. Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary

Adjacent to Treehouse Brewing Company is an 86-acre nature preserve, managed by a non-profit organization and open to the public for free.

Cabin Hill has a network of well-marked trails, on boardwalks through forests, meadows, and past ponds and wetlands. The shelter is community-focused, and hosts a number of educational programs throughout the year.

The nature exhibits, mineral exhibits, library, gift shop, and visitor center featuring live animals are not to be missed. Look for the annual Fall Festival in September with food, arts, and crafts in this beautiful setting.

8. Ronnie’s Seafood

Usually open from Good Friday to Columbus Day, Ronnie's Seafood is a summer institution in Charton, now dating back more than half a century.

This family business is all about New England-style seafood, whether grilled or fried. You have clam strips, fried clams, scallops, clam cakes, clam chowder, haddock, lobster rolls, popcorn shrimp, the list goes on.

Ronnie's Seafood also shines as an ice cream stand, offering over 30 flavors of hard ice cream with a wide variety of toppings if you want to create your own.

9. Charlton Center Historic District

Charlton's second historic district is the city's municipal core along Main Street.

Rather than being a commercial district, it is typically the center of a New England town, with municipal functions such as City Hall and Public Library, and an impressive collection of historic residences.

Most notable is the John Speer House (1798), built for Major General John Speer (1759-1816), who served in the Continental Army at the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Bunker Hill.

The Overlook Hotel, built in the shingle style in the late 19th century, was the first architect-designed building in the center, and has been a retirement community for more than a century.

The Town Hall (1905) is designed in the Colonial Revival style, fronting Narrow Common, with a beautiful bandstand.

10. Buffumville Lake Disc Golf Course

Something that brings people from miles around Lake Buffomville is the East Shore Golf Course, considered one of the best in the area.

Starting on the right side of the dam, the course's 18 main holes test your accuracy with several water hazards, sharp elevation changes and some dense forests.

Everything is carefully maintained, from the concrete tees to the baskets, and signs indicating shots and hazards to avoid. The course also has a nine-hole loop option, ideal for less experienced players.

11. Wells State Park

Just outside the western limits of Charlton in Sturbridge lies a 1,400-acre state park that preserves the rugged landscape along the shores of Walker Pond.

One of the best things to do in Wells State Park is to hike the trail to the peaks of Carpenter Rocks, named after John Carpenter, who owned and operated a nearby sawmill. From here you can see the pond and valley to the east.

In the summer, Walker Pond is popular for paddle sports, while chain pickerel, yellow perch, largemouth bass and bluegill are species regularly caught in the lake.

The campground at Wells State Park has 60 sites and has beach access on the lakeshore.

12. Charlton Arts & Activities Center (CAAC)

Charlton Center houses a multi-faceted community center in a beautifully restored farm and barn. The Charlton Arts and Activities Center offers programs and classes for all ages, from drama to art and crafts, dance and music.

CAAC is also known locally for its annual events. The most anticipated of these is the Blueberry Festival, held in late July, which features more than 50 artisan vendors and non-profit booths, as well as children's activities and blueberry treats like shortcakes, ice cream, and cupcakes.

13. Bay Path Cemetery

A visit to Charlton Center is worth taking some time to see Bay Path Cemetery, which dates back to 1764.

Extended in 1812, it is the burial place of many of Charlton's prominent ancient families, and you'll frequently see names such as McIntyre, Weld, Towne, Ward and Harwood.

Among the most important burials are John Spurr (1748-1822), a participant in the Boston Tea Party, and John "Grizzly" Adams (1812-1860), a famous California mountain man known for training grizzly bears.

To the north are the stone walls of the old town pound which dates from 1837 and was used to house sheep.

14. Prindle Pond

One of the most beautiful small lakes in Massachusetts, Prindle Pond is a 76-acre man-made body of water southwest of Charlton.

The lakefront is open to the public on the eastern shore, where there is a park on a grassy slope, with parking and a boat dock.

The site is relatively undeveloped, and has some lovely mature trees for shade, while the view across the water at sunset is magical.

Located on more than 600 wooded acres on the West Coast, Prindle Pond Conference Center is designed to host numerous weeknight and weekend events focused on team building and learning about nature.

15. Heritage Country Club

Located in the rolling countryside of Charlton, it is one of the best public golf courses in central Massachusetts.

Founded in 1963, Heritage Country Club prides itself on offering the amenities and conditions of a private club, but with the affordability of a daily fee course.

The holes on this trail meander through a hardwood forest with natural terrain for sweeping views and challenging elevation changes.

This variation requires every club in the bag, and the greens are praised for being sharp and true, even in the spring.

15 Best Things to Do in Medfield (MA)

In the MetroWest area, Medfield is roughly equivalent to Boston, Providence and Worcester, all of which can be reached in about 45 minutes.

The town was first settled by Europeans in the 1640s, and the Peak House on the main street is a fine example of early period architecture, which has recently become a heritage center of the town.

For more than a century since 1801, Medfield's largest employer has been the second-largest straw hat maker in the United States, and you can learn more at the local historical society during the summer.

Another great thing about the city is its enormous natural scenery. Thousands of acres are cared for by conservation organizations such as the Trustees of Reservations, and you can hike to the banks of the Charles River, or survey a large swath of Greater Boston from Nunn Hill.

1. Medfield State Hospital

The most prominent site in Medfield is the 300-acre campus of the old Medfield State Hospital.

Founded in 1892 as Medfield Insane Asylum, the facility took shape as a beautiful, college-like campus over the next 20 years.

By the 21st century, the hospital had become too expensive to operate, and it was purchased by the City of Medfield in the early 2000s.

With its abandoned turn-of-the-century architecture (although it is closed to the public), it is a charming place to explore on foot.

It's easy to see why so many Hollywood productions have chosen the place as a filming location, including Scorsese's Shutter Island in 2008.

Today, Medfield has big plans for the campus, and the Belforge Center for the Arts hosts a packed program of outdoor events on the central green in the summer.

2. Noon Hill

Middlefield has a rare abundance of scenic spots, and this 370-foot mountain is located in a 200-acre preserve in the woods along the Charles River.

Noon Hill is an element of the city-owned patchwork of preserves and protected areas, and you'll peak on trails lined with forests of pine, hemlock, birch and beech, along with wildflowers on the forest floor in spring and summer.

At the top, you'll be amazed by the southern views of Walpole, Norfolk, Foxboro, and Gillette Stadium — home of the New England Patriots — rising above the tree line.

3. Medfield Center

Downtown Medfield is protected as a historic district, and the city has a few listings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Furthermore, Medfield Center is a leafy and lively center of the city, with a good range of places to eat and drink, along with local institutions such as the Medfield Historical Society and Zulu Gallery - Arts Centre.

Among the must-see buildings are the 1872 City Hall, the First Baptist Church (1822) and the First Unitarian Universalist Parish Church, which dates from 1789 and stands on the site of Middlefield's first meeting house since 1660.

Of interest nearby is the studio where the famous landscape painter George Inness (1825-1894) worked in the 1860s, located at 406 Main Street and now a private residence.

4. Peak House

Since 2019, this historic First Period home located at 347 Main St. has been transformed. To Medfield Heritage Centre.

The first upper house was built in 1651 but burned down during King Philip's War (1675-1676). The current building is actually a beerhouse that was adjacent to the built house, dating back to 1711.

Notable details include an unusually steep roof and leaded glass panels that were manufactured in England more than 300 years ago.

The Peak House is open on Saturdays in the summer and hosts self-guided tours and interactive displays. When we compiled this article, there were plans to plant a colonial-style botanical garden on the grounds.

5. Medfield Historical Society

The city's Historical Society, founded in 1891, is headquartered in a small Georgian building located behind the library at 6 Pleasant Street. Dating from 1922, it is a former bank building, purchased by the city in 1968.

If you want to learn more about Medfield's story, you can come on the first and third Saturday of the month.

The Medfield Historical Society has extensive collections covering various aspects of the city's past, including the straw hat industry, which fueled the local economy for more than 150 years.

There are a variety of medical artifacts, century-old tools and instruments, and preserved 19th-century maps relating to Medfield State Hospital.

6. Zullo Gallery – Center for the Arts

A cultural center in downtown Medfield, Zulu Gallery is a volunteer-led, non-profit arts organization in operation since 1988.

The center has since hosted nearly 200 art exhibitions, featuring works by members of such prominent groups as The Boston Printmakers, the New England Watercolor Society, and the Copley Society of Boston.

It is also a venue for educational programmes, featuring classes for all ages and levels, as well as live performances. The exhibition season begins in September with an annual show open to all artists.

7. Rocky Woods

The Craigie Granite Hills in north-east Medfield have been left undeveloped and are protected by a few conservancy trustees.

The largest is Rocky Woods, which spans nearly 500 acres and features rocky ridges, mesas, ponds, dramatic outcroppings, a former mine site, rock caves, and ravines.

A notable peak here is Cedar Hill, which you can scale for miles of views across the forest.

If you're up for an adventure, you can hike the Mine Hill Loop, which circles the 420-foot-tall Mine Hill Ridge. Rocky Woods has 15 campsites available on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Columbus Day weekends.

8. Vine Lake Cemetery

The only public burial in Medfield dates back to 1651. This makes Vine Lake Cemetery a one-of-a-kind outdoor museum, with a full colonial burial ground, a sprawling 19th-century-style country cemetery, and a modern cemetery. In the 20th century.

The oldest marker with a clear date dates back to 1661, and if you're curious, you can trace the graves of some Medfield notables, including artist John Austen Sands Monks (1849-1917).

The Medfield Historical Society has published a free mobile app to help you make the most of this wonderful place.

9. Rocky Narrows

When the parcel of land on the Charles River was turned over to the Trustees of the Reservations by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. in 1897, it became the Trustees' first reservation.

Rocky Narrows is a stunning site, with 50-foot-tall rock walls dating back to the Ice Age 650 million years ago.

Over 270 acres, this long trail system takes you through conifer and hardwood forests on steep slopes.

You can hike to two great vantage points at Rocky Narrows Overlook, and at King Philip's Overlook in Sherborn Town Forest, where you can catch a glimpse of Medfield and Millis.

10. 7th Wave Brewing

Located in an industrial area west of Medfield, this unusual craft brewery is open Friday through Sunday.

As a member of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston, 7th Wave Brewing Company has the distinction of being one of the few breweries in New England that uses solar energy.

The featured beers here are IPAs like Adventures in Denkins, WHDEJA VU and Lunar Sunrise, but when we put this list together there were a variety of other brews available, including Pilsner, Lager, Porter, Stout and Fruted Sour.

The brewery also makes its own wood-fired pizza, traditional Neapolitan style, made with two-day-aged Baja, for a soft, chewy crust.

11. Gazebo Players of Medfield

Founded in 2001, this theater group began when an aspiring actor found a director working on a production plan for a Tennessee Williams play in the unlikely setting of King Philip on the Charles River.

For more than 20 years since then, Gazebo Players of Medfield have presented summer performances of Shakespeare's plays in nearby communities like Medfield and Walpole.

Over the years, the local venue has been Medfield State Hospital, and recent productions include A Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello, All's Well That Ends Well, Hamlet and Julius Caesar.

12. Fork Factory Brook Reservation

The Trustees of the Reserve Estate in northeast Medfield takes its name from a thriving pitchfork mill established here in the 19th century.

At just over 130 acres, Fork Factory Brook Reservation features a variety of landscapes, including tall forests, wetlands and Long Acre Farm meadows, with an agricultural history dating back more than three centuries.

The most attractive on these 1.5 miles of trails is the site of the old Pitchfork Factory, where the foundations are still clearly visible.

13. Shattuck Reservation

The preserve's trustees also manage this stretch of forest on the Charles River adjacent to Noon Hill Reserve.

There is an extension of the path via Causeway St. Which connects the two properties. It's hard to know today, but by the 20th century, this riverside landscape had been cleared for pasture, as evidenced by stone walls dating back at least 200 years.

The reserve consists of mixed oak and pine forests in the upper areas, with red maple swamp and wet grasslands in the lower areas.

14. Medfield Rhododendron Reservation

This is a noteworthy detour near Nunhill, where the trustees of the small reservations on Woodridge Road maintain a rare stand of Great Laurel or Rose Bay Rhododendrons.

This species is abundant in the southern Appalachian Mountains, is one of only three species of rhododendron native to North America, and is almost non-existent in New England.

This decline is due in part to overpopulation in the early 1900s, when the plant became popular in gardens. Rhododendrons are kept by fencing to keep deer out, and usually flower from mid-July.

15. Summer Sounds Festival

The Belforge Arts Center is responsible for numerous public arts events throughout the year, from concerts to live comedy, poetry readings, children's entertainment, dance, drama and seasonal festivals.

One thing to note in the diary is the Summer Sounds Festival, held on the grounds of Medfield State Hospital at the end of June.

The all-day event is a showcase of local talent across genres. The festival is free, though registration is encouraged, while food trucks and beverage vendors will be on hand.