Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Kingston, MA

Situated at the confluence of the Jones River and adjacent to Plymouth, Kingston is a coastal town with historical significance rooted in its shipbuilding industry.

The shipyards flourished along the riverbanks from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century, constructing vessels for both the Old China Trade and the whaling industry.

Presently, much of the riverfront is accessible through the town’s conservation lands, which intersect the Bay Circuit Trail, located near the southern trailhead in Duxbury.

Within these areas, one can find retired cranberry bogs, a notable characteristic of rural southeastern Massachusetts.

1. Gray’s Beach Park

The sole public beach in Kingston features a small sandy cove bordered by a substantial grassy area that gently slopes toward the bay.

This location boasts a rich history, having likely served as a Wampanoag encampment long before the establishment of the Plymouth Colony.

In the early 19th century, ships completed their final preparations here before being deemed seaworthy.

The park’s land was acquired by the town in the 1930s, evolving into a popular summer retreat, with parking stickers required from April through October.

Amenities include a short boardwalk, tennis courts, a basketball court, and a large lawn featuring a stage that hosts a summer concert series every Tuesday evening from mid-May through August.

2. Bay Circuit Trail

Kingston benefits from an extensive amount of conservation land that has been secured by the town since the mid-20th century.

Much of this land runs alongside the Jones River and its watershed, which coincidentally serves as the route for the 230-mile Bay Circuit Trail as it traverses Kingston.

This trail meanders from Duxbury in the south to Newburyport in the north, forming a semicircular path through Boston’s suburban expanse, primarily utilizing existing trails in parks and conservation areas.

In Kingston, the trail guides visitors through various natural areas including the Bay Farm Conservation Area, the Sampson Forest & Memorial Park, the Hathaway Preserve, the Cranberry Watershed Preserve, and the Silver Lake Sanctuary, several of which are discussed later in this article.

3. Major John Bradford Homestead

Located at 50 Landing Road, this historic house overlooking the Jones River is managed by the Jones River Village Historical Society and is accessible to the public during the summer months.

The Bradford Homestead was constructed around 1714 by Major John Bradford (1652-1736), whose grandfather, William Bradford (1590-1657), was a passenger on the Mayflower and served as Governor of the Plymouth Colony.

Visitors can examine a collection of 17th and 18th-century artifacts, including pottery, furniture, tools, and textiles displayed within the house.

The newly restored barn on the property features an animated film chronicling three generations of the Bradfords.

4. Plymouth

Known as “America’s Hometown,” Plymouth is located less than ten minutes down the coast from Kingston and is an essential addition to your itinerary if visiting the area.

This location is historically significant as the landing site of the Mayflower in 1620, representing the establishment of the second successful colony founded by the English in what is now the United States.

Plymouth is the oldest municipality in New England and among the oldest in the country. Numerous attractions await visitors, including Burial Hill, where the meetinghouse and fort once stood.

One can view artifacts from the crossing at Pilgrim Hall Museum, tour a reconstruction of 17th-century Plymouth at Plimouth Patuxet Museums, board the replica Mayflower II in the harbor, and visit the famously modest landing site at Plymouth Rock.

5. Cretinon’s Farm Stand

Situated on Loring Street near the Bay Circuit Trail’s trailhead, this charming rural farm stand has been operating since 1959.

Cretinon’s Farm Stand typically opens from March to mid-October, starting with annuals, perennials, and vegetable plants.

As summer unfolds, visitors can find an array of fresh produce, beginning with asparagus and fiddleheads.

Seasonal offerings may include lettuce, strawberries, peaches, blueberries, corn, beets, peas, tomatoes, pumpkins, and much more. Additionally, the farm stand sells fresh chicken and duck eggs, along with homemade jams and preserves.

6. Cranberry Watershed Preserve

Within Kingston’s interior, several town-owned conservation areas are accessible, some of which align with the Bay Circuit Trail.

Among them, the Cranberry Watershed Preserve encompasses 240 acres within the Jones River watershed, featuring a diverse landscape of wetlands, ponds, and former cranberry bogs.

The retired bogs, characterized by wide sandy roads and cart paths, evoke the countryside of Cape Cod. With over five miles of trails, ample time should be allocated for exploration of these scenic areas.

7. Silver Lake Sanctuary

Adjacent to the Cranberry Watershed Preserve, this 100-acre conservation area lies on the eastern shore of Silver Lake. Historically, Silver Lake served as a significant source of bog iron during the 18th century.

Approximately 3,000 tons of ore were extracted from its waters, and in the 19th century, the lake was named for an ice harvesting business that emerged.

The town acquired much of this land in the mid-1990s, creating a network of trails that wind through both pine and hardwood forests.

Visitors can ascend to a high ridge offering stunning views of the water, as well as traverse trails past ponds and wetlands along the shoreline.

8. Kingston Farmers’ Market

During the summer, the grassy area at Gray’s Beach Park hosts a vibrant monthly farmers’ market. This market occurs on the first Sunday of each month and consistently attracts a large number of attendees.

Visitors can expect seasonal fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, honey, freshly roasted coffee, farm-raised meats, salsas, seafood sourced from the Atlantic, homemade candies, baked goods, oils, vinegars, kombucha, and an abundance of other offerings.

Craft vendors are also prominent at the Kingston Farmers’ Market, selling products such as ceramics, organic soaps, face creams, pet accessories, and soy candles.

9. Jones River Trading Post

Among the most picturesque sites in Kingston is this 1890s mill building located along the Jones River, available for private events such as weddings.

The Jones River Trading Post is positioned adjacent to a former dam site, which has been replaced by a fish ladder for alewife herring during their spring migration.

Stepping out of the vehicle here offers an opportunity to capture photographs of the lush riverbanks, the fish ladder, and the historic water department building located across the river.

A short distance further along Elm Street leads to the Sampson Forest & Memorial Park, which features over a mile of woodland trails and additional scenic views of the Jones River.

10. Duxbury

Adjacent to a sheltered bay and historically known as a shipbuilding hub in the 19th century, Kingston’s neighbor to the north, Duxbury, merits closer examination.

Duxbury is located only ten minutes away and features a stunning stretch of beach (Duxbury Beach Park) on the barrier island safeguarding the harbor.

For history enthusiasts, Washington Street showcases the mansions built by the town’s shipbuilders and merchants, with the historic district preserving over 140 buildings, predominantly constructed in Federal style during the first two decades of the 19th century.

In proximity to Duxbury stands the 116-foot Myles Standish Monument, located near the former residence of the military leader of the Plymouth Colony, Myles Standish (1586-1656).

11. Alley Kat Lane

This well-loved bowling alley has been a staple in Kingston for approximately 40 years. Alley Kat Lane features 26 lanes dedicated to candlepin bowling.

For those unfamiliar with this variation, invented in Worcester during the 1880s, the pins are taller and narrower, and a smaller ball is used, designed to fit in the palm of one’s hand.

While strikes can be quite rare, this adds to the enjoyment and challenge of the game.

The facility includes a snack bar and an arcade with 45 games. Additionally, Alley Kat Lane is part of a complex that includes Kingston Ten Pin, which features 16 traditional ten-pin bowling lanes for those who prefer more conventional bowling experiences.

12. Island Creek Oysters

Located just a couple of miles away in Duxbury Bay, one of the few shellfish hatcheries in the Northeastern United States welcomes visitors for tours.

In the 1990s, founder Skip Bennett recognized that the cold, saline, and vigorous waters of Duxbury Bay produce world-class oysters.

What began as a struggling one-man operation has since evolved into a substantial enterprise, supplying approximately 700 chefs across the country.

Tours are conducted during the summer, guiding participants from the hatchery to the nursery and eventually to the farm using a 27-foot Carolina skiff. Naturally, tastings of oysters are an integral component of the experience, along with lessons on how to shuck oysters professionally.

13. The Bog Ice Arena

For those interested in ice skating, this rink in Kingston offers multiple public sessions each week.

The Bog Ice Arena initially opened as a single NHL-size rink in 2006, adding a second full-size rink and a mini rink in 2012. Amenities include a snack bar known as the Red Line Cafe and a fully-stocked pro shop.

The arena serves as the home ice for the Bay State Breakers hockey club and hosts youth hockey games within the Bay State Hockey League (BSHL).

Additionally, there are programs available for individuals or families looking to learn skating techniques, enhance freestyle skills, or play hockey.

14. Regal Independence Mall & RPX

As of the compilation of this list, the former Independence Mall, now operating as the “Kingston Collection,” has lost most of its national retailers excluding Macy’s and Target.

However, it still features several attractions, including a 14-screen multiplex theater that debuted alongside the mall in 1990 as Hoyt’s Cinemas.

When visiting, consider experiencing a film at the new RPX (Regal Premium Experience) screen, recognized for its advanced projection technology and superior sound quality, particularly suitable for visually impressive films.

Crown Club members enjoy various benefits, including discounted popcorn and ticket prices on Tuesdays.

15. Sky Zone Trampoline Park

This national chain of indoor trampoline parks has a location at the Kingston Collection mall. It is an appealing option for parents seeking a venue for children’s birthday parties or a place to drop in for fun.

The park offers a variety of engaging attractions, including a freestyle zone with trampolines throughout, a dodgeball court, a foam pit, a warped wall, a battle beam, a Ninja Warrior-style course, and a basketball court for high-flying dunks.

During the evenings, Sky Zone features “Glow,” transforming the entire venue into a family-friendly club environment complete with black lights, lasers, and music.