Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Medway, MA

In Norfolk County, situated approximately midway between Boston and Providence, Medway is a tranquil commuter town with a population exceeding 13,000 residents.

To the south, the Charles River forms the boundary of Medway, having historically served as a source of hydraulic power for textile and paper manufacturing during the 19th century.

A tributary of this river, Chicken Brook, flows in a north-south direction through Medway, evolving into a public green corridor featuring a continuous trail system leading towards the Charles River Rail Trail in Holliston.

Route 109 serves as the primary thoroughfare traversing Medway from east to west, intersecting with I-495, with major commercial centers located just minutes away in Bellingham and Milford.

1. Choate Park

Medway boasts a community park that any town would be proud to have. Choate Park is situated along the banks of a picturesque pond, featuring a crushed stone trail that encircles the water and includes bridges with observation points on both the southern and northern edges.

Recent enhancements to Choate Park’s facilities have also improved the beach area at the water’s edge.

Although swimming is prohibited, the expansive playground complex features a splash pad, ideal for the warm summer months.

Adjacent to the playground, visitors will find an elegantly designed wooden picnic pavilion featuring Gothic architectural elements. Within the confines of Choate Park, the Thayer Homestead, which dates back to the 19th century, is now available for rental as an event space.

2. Idylbrook Recreation Area and Conservation Land

As previously noted, Chicken Brook, flowing from north to south through Medway, serves as a foundation for an accessible green corridor extending over three miles.

Along this route lies the Idylbrook Recreation Area, which can serve as your entry point for an extended walk in nature. Once a strawberry farm, this area was acquired by the town in the 1990s.

The eastern side features sports fields for soccer and baseball, while the western portion has surrendered to natural growth, where trees, shrubs, and wildflowers now thrive, offering a habitat for beavers, cottontail rabbits, salamanders, and more.

From this point, the woodland trail system leads into the Betania II Spiritual Retreat & Conference Center, and subsequently into Holliston’s Wenakeening Woods, closely followed by the Upper Charles Rail Trail.

3. Medway Community Farm

Founded in 2009, Medway Community Farm encompasses nearly 20 acres adjacent to Chicken Brook. The property consists of a combination of growing fields and woodlands, interspersed with walking trails.

These trails are part of an extended pathway along Chicken Brook, connecting Idylbrook Recreation Area and Choate Park.

The farm employs organic and sustainable farming techniques, cultivating a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It also provides educational experiences for the public.

The farmstand operates into Thanksgiving, offering produce cultivated on-site, along with local honey, maple syrup, homemade sauces, and more.

4. Muffin House Cafe

Individuals from a certain generation fondly remember the department store Jordan Marsh, which ceased operations in 1996.

The flagship store at Downtown Crossing in Boston was particularly cherished for its bakery, renowned for producing what many consider the finest blueberry muffins ever.

This legacy has now been embraced by the Muffin House Cafe, which opened in 2014 and quickly became famous for its blueberry muffins above all else.

These muffins are generously filled with blueberries, ensuring that each bite contains a berry. Additionally, Muffin House Cafe is well-regarded for its breakfast sandwiches, particularly the Egg, Cheese & Meat variety.

5. Fairmount Fruit Farm

Located across the Charles River in Franklin, Fairmount Fruit Farm is a fifth-generation establishment, founded by a Greek immigrant in 1920.

The orchard spans over 20 acres, primarily dedicated to apple cultivation, yielding ten distinct varieties, including Honey Crisp and Macoun.

During the late summer and fall seasons, visitors are welcomed for apple picking and may purchase homemade treats, such as pies and apple cider donuts from the farm stand.

The farm also provides various activities and attractions for children, including hayrides, a hay bale maze, and friendly goats that can be fed.

The farm stand remains operational year-round, featuring produce cultivated on-site, dairy products, free-range eggs, and an assortment of local goods.

6. Tangerini’s Spring Street Farm

The long-term viability of this fruit and vegetable farm in Millis was guaranteed during the 1980s when owner Louis DeAngelis signed an Agricultural Preservation Restriction, ensuring that the property would remain dedicated to farming.

Spanning over 60 acres, Tangerini’s Spring Street Farm invites visitors to engage in picking their own produce during the summer and fall months.

This seasonal experience includes strawberries in June and continues with blueberries, sunflowers, wildflowers, tomatoes, apples, and pumpkins.

Additionally, homegrown produce is available for purchase at the farmstand, alongside tempting baked goods such as apple cider donuts.

The Farmer’s Porch serves as a farm-to-fork restaurant for breakfast and lunch, featuring a diverse menu comprising seasonal ingredients sourced from the farm.

7. The Little Gym of Medway

Aimed at children from four months to 12 years old, The Little Gym of Medway offers a range of gymnastics-focused classes designed to help children develop essential skills, boost their confidence, and channel their energy.

These offerings include parent/child activities, dance classes, and gymnastics courses for preschool and grade school children.

The gym also accommodates regular drop-in sessions and celebratory birthday parties, featuring a variety of instructor-led games and activities.

During the summer, The Little Gym offers a day camp that incorporates physical activities, arts and crafts, and games to engage and entertain children throughout their school break.

8. Happy Goats Farm

Situated just five minutes away in Holliston, there exists a quaint organic farm dedicated to raising layers of hens and Alpine goats.

Visitors can stop by at their convenience to buy raw goat milk or freshly laid organic eggs. The farm also hosts a variety of events, particularly during the summer months.

During this season, individuals can participate in baby goat yoga sessions, where playful kid goats may engage playfully with attendees.

A cherished annual event is the Holiday Market, wherein visitors can meet and interact with friendly goats while purchasing a selection of artisanal products, such as alpaca wool clothing and goat milk soap.

9. Lake Winthrop

Located just beyond the border into Holliston, Lake Winthrop is a 137-acre pond with historical ties to the Native American Nipmuc tribe, which resided along its southwestern shore.

In ancient times, the lake was referred to as Wennakeening, a term translating to “pleasant smile” or “smile of the great spirit.” In the summer months, the lake becomes a hub for outdoor recreational activities, with beachfront parks situated on both its eastern and western shores.

On the western side, Pleasure Point Beach is reserved for Holliston residents, whereas Stoddard Park to the east is open to the public (access requires a day pass fee at the entrance). The latter features a sandy beach, a generous picnic area, a playground, a boat launch, and two volleyball courts.

10. Cassidy’s Clubhouse

If you seek to refresh your golfing skills, Cassidy’s Clubhouse in Medway offers a family-run driving range maintained in excellent condition throughout the spring to fall seasons.

This facility is straightforward and practical, equipped with artificial mats, rubber tees, and a combination of open and covered hitting bays.

The golf balls are consistently well-kept, and during our last review, a jumbo bucket was available for as little as $13.

The presence of slush—a delightful frozen treat available in eight flavors, including root beer, strawberry lemonade, and orange cream—enhances Cassidy’s Clubhouse’s appeal as a family destination.

11. Oakland Park

Another park that Medway takes pride in is Oakland Park, a stunning green space framed by towering pines and hardwood trees.

Renovations completed in 2018 significantly enhanced Oakland Park, improving the playground and constructing new walkways and a pavilion.

The sports facilities include expansive multi-purpose fields, illuminated basketball courts, and a jogging track, though the playground remains the main attraction.

Completely enclosed with soft rubber flooring, the playground features high-quality equipment. Older children can enjoy giant twisting slides and castle-like climbing structures, while younger children benefit from interactive elements such as a playable xylophone and sandbox.

12. Chicken Brook Corridor

Situated south of the Idylbrook Recreation Area, a newly completed trail runs from Adams Street in the south to Lovering Street in the north.

This path transforms former farm routes into walkways, with plans to open this land to the public dating back to the 1990s.

In the late 2010s, significant improvements were made just north of Medway High School, including the construction of footbridges and a boardwalk that extends over Chicken Brook and its floodplain.

This trail is a vital part of a system that follows the banks of Chicken Brook, connecting Choate Park to the Upper Charles Rail Trail in neighboring Holliston.

13. Our Lady of Fatima Shrine

Established in 1946 by the Xaverian Missionaries, one of their three American mission centers is located in Holliston, directly on the town line with Medway.

The grounds feature a replica of the renowned pilgrimage site in Fatima, Portugal, which includes a chapel and a gift shop offering Catholic-themed items, from rosaries to nativity scenes. The highlight of the calendar is the holiday season, when a captivating light and music display is presented, accompanied by mugs of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream.

14. Ryan Family Amusements

Accessible within a couple of minutes from Medway, Ryan Family Amusements is a family entertainment center situated in Millis, featuring a 22-lane candlepin bowling alley equipped with automatic scoring and bumpers for younger players.

For those unfamiliar, candlepin bowling utilizes taller and narrower pins, making it more challenging to knock them down.

The ball adds another layer of difficulty, as it can be comfortably held in one hand. Along with the bowling alley, Ryan Family Amusements also has a game room with a prize redemption counter, as well as a private party room for special occasions.

15. Charles River Center

Just beyond the southwestern edge of Medway lies a commercial area where I-495 meets Route 126. This vicinity includes notable retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Home Depot, Walmart, Staples, and Market Basket.

The Charles River Center hosts a range of establishments including Michaels, Old Navy, Whole Foods, Ulta Beauty, and the Paper Store, in addition to the 14-screen Regal Bellingham multiplex.

The cinema, which opened in 1998 at the site of a previous Hoyt’s theater, features luxurious leather reclining seats, stadium-style seating, and an RPX auditorium equipped with cutting-edge projection and sound technology.