Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Medfield, MA

Situated in the MetroWest region, the town of Medfield is approximately equidistant to Boston, Providence, and Worcester, each reachable in around 45 minutes.

Founded by European settlers in the 1640s, Medfield features a remarkable example of First Period architecture known as Peak House, located on Main Street, which has recently been established as a heritage center for the community.

For over a century, starting in 1801, Medfield’s primary employer was the second-largest straw hat manufacturer in the United States. Additional information can be acquired at the local historical society during the summer months.

A significant asset for the town is its expansive natural beauty. Numerous acres are managed by conservation organizations such as the Trustees of Reservations, allowing ample opportunities for hiking, including visiting the dramatic ledges on the Charles River or enjoying panoramic views of Greater Boston from Noon Hill.

1. Medfield State Hospital

The most iconic site in Medfield is the extensive, 300-acre campus of the former Medfield State Hospital.

This facility was established as the Medfield Insane Asylum in 1892, and the sophisticated campus, resembling an academic institution, developed over the following two decades.

By the 21st century, the hospital became financially unsustainable and was acquired by the Town of Medfield in the early 2000s.

With much of its historic architecture still intact (albeit closed to the public), this area presents an intriguing opportunity for exploration.

It is evident why several film productions, including Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island in 2008, have selected this location for filming.

Currently, Medfield has ambitious plans for the site, with the Bellforge Arts Center organizing an active schedule of outdoor events on the main green during the summer.

2. Noon Hill

Medfield boasts a unique abundance of scenic natural areas, with Noon Hill being the highlight—a 370-foot hill set within a 200-acre woodland reserve adjacent to the Charles River.

Noon Hill is a significant component of a mosaic of protected areas and town-owned conservation lands, accessible via a trail that meanders through a diverse array of trees, including pine, hemlock, birch, and beech, adorned with wildflowers during the spring and summer.

At the summit, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking views towards the south, spanning Walpole, Norfolk, and Foxborough, with Gillette Stadium—home to the New England Patriots—visible above the treetops.

3. Medfield Center

Downtown Medfield is designated as a historic district, featuring several listings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Furthermore, Medfield Center serves as a green and lively hub for the town, offering a range of dining and drinking establishments, alongside cultural institutions such as the Medfield Historical Society and the Zullo Gallery – Center for the Arts.

Notable structures to visit include the Town Hall built in 1872, the First Baptist Church constructed in 1822, and the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, dating back to 1789, located at the site of Medfield’s first meetinghouse established in 1660.

An interesting nearby curiosity is the studio where the celebrated landscape artist George Inness (1825-1894) worked during the 1860s, situated at 406 Main Street and now a private residence.

4. Peak House

Since 2019, this historic First Period residence located at 347 Main St has been transformed into a heritage center for Medfield.

The original Peak House was constructed in 1651 but was destroyed during King Philip’s War (1675-1676). The current structure actually represents an ell that once adjoined the rebuilt house and is dated back to 1711.

Remarkable features include an extraordinarily steep roof and panes of leaded glass manufactured in England over 300 years ago.

Peak House is open for self-guided tours and interactive exhibits on Saturdays in the summer. As of the time of writing, plans are underway to cultivate a Colonial-style vegetable garden on the property.

5. Medfield Historical Society

The historical society of the town, established in 1891, is located downtown in a charming Georgian Revival building at 6 Pleasant St, situated behind the library. This former bank building dates back to 1922 and was purchased by the town in 1968.

For those interested in exploring Medfield’s history, the society welcomes visitors on the first and third Saturday of each month.

The Medfield Historical Society features extensive collections reflecting various aspects of the town’s history, including the straw hat industry that supported the local economy for over 150 years.

Additionally, the museum houses medical artifacts related to the Medfield State Hospital, a variety of tools and gadgets from past centuries, as well as an assortment of preserved 19th-century maps.

6. Zullo Gallery – Center for the Arts

A cultural cornerstone of downtown Medfield, the Zullo Gallery is a non-profit organization run by volunteers, established in 1988.

Throughout its history, the center has hosted nearly 200 art exhibitions featuring the work of distinguished groups such as The Boston Printmakers, The New England Watercolor Society, and The Copley Society of Boston.

Additionally, this venue offers educational programs, providing classes suitable for individuals of all ages and skill levels, as well as live performances. The exhibition season begins in September with an annual juried show open to all artists.

7. Rocky Woods

The rugged granite hills in the northeastern part of Medfield remain undeveloped and are protected by various Trustees of Reservations preserves.

The larger of these preserves is Rocky Woods, encompassing nearly 500 acres and featuring rocky summits, knolls, ponds, notable outcroppings, an old quarry site, boulder caves, and steep ravines.

Cedar Hill offers a prominent summit where visitors can ascend to enjoy vistas stretching for miles across the forest.

For those seeking adventure, the Mine Hill Loop Trail circles the 420-foot Mine Hill Ridge. Campsites are available during weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day.

8. Vine Lake Cemetery

Medfield’s only public cemetery traces its origins back to 1651, making Vine Lake Cemetery a unique outdoor museum that consists of a stark Colonial burial ground, a vast rural cemetery from the 1800s, and a modern cemetery established in the 20th century.

The oldest gravestone with an identifiable date dates back to 1661. Visitors can also discover the resting places of notable figures from Medfield, such as the artist John Austin Sands Monks (1849-1917).

The Medfield Historical Society has developed a free mobile application to enhance the experience of exploring this fascinating site.

9. Rocky Narrows

This tract of land along the Charles River was conveyed to the Trustees of Reservations by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. in 1897, marking the organization’s inaugural reservation.

Rocky Narrows is a stunning area featuring rock walls that rise 50 feet and date back to the Cryogenian period, approximately 650 million years ago.

Extensive trail systems across these 270+ acres lead visitors through coniferous and hardwood forests with steep inclines.

Two prominent viewpoints can be accessed, the Rocky Narrows Overlook and King Philip’s Overlook in Sherborn Town Forest, where stunning vistas of Medfield and Millis can be admired.

10. 7th Wave Brewing

Situated within an industrial park to the west of Medfield, this distinctive craft brewery welcomes visitors from Friday to Sunday.

Affiliated with the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston, 7th Wave Brewing is noted for being among the few breweries in New England utilizing solar energy.

The brewery specializes in IPAs such as Adventures in Dankness, WHDEJA VU, and Lunar Sunrise, while also offering a selection of other beers like Pilsners, Lagers, Porters, Stouts, and Fruited Sours during our compilation of this list.

Additionally, the brewery prepares wood-fired pizzas in the classic Neapolitan style, featuring a soft, chewy crust made with a two-day biga.

11. Gazebo Players of Medfield

Founded in 2001, this theater company originated when an aspiring actor encountered a director working on plans for a Tennessee Williams play at King Philip’s Overlook along the Charles River.

For over 20 years, the Gazebo Players of Medfield have staged summer performances of Shakespeare plays, both in Medfield and neighboring towns such as Walpole.

In recent years, Medfield State Hospital has served as their primary venue, with recent productions including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, All’s Well that Ends Well, Hamlet, and Julius Caesar.

12. Fork Factory Brook Reservation

This property, managed by the Trustees of Reservations in northeastern Medfield, derives its name from a once-thriving pitchfork mill that flourished here during the 19th century.

Fork Factory Brook Reservation spans just over 130 acres and showcases a fascinating variety of landscapes, including upland woods, wetlands, and hayfields of Long Acre Farm, which have agricultural roots extending back over 300 years.

The most compelling feature of this area is the historical site of the former pitchfork factory, where the foundations remain discernible to this day.

13. Shattuck Reservation

This woodland area along the Charles River, managed by the Trustees of Reservations, is linked to Noon Hill Reservation via a trail extending across Causeway St. Unbeknownst to many, this picturesque riverside setting was previously cleared for pasture until the 20th century, a fact evidenced by the historical stone walls crisscrossing the landscape, which date back at least 200 years.

The reservation consists of a mixture of upland oak and pine woods, with its lower sections featuring red maple swamps and wet meadows.

14. Medfield Rhododendron Reservation

A notable detour near Noon Hill, this compact Trustees of Reservations property on Woodridge Road preserves a rare population of great laurel or rosebay rhododendrons.

Although abundant in the southern Appalachian Mountains, this species—one of only three rhododendron species native to North America—has become quite rare in New England.

This scarcity stems partly from excessive collection practices in the early 20th century, when rhododendrons gained popularity in gardens. To protect them, the rhododendrons are enclosed by a fence to deter deer, and typically bloom from mid-July.

15. Summer Sounds Festival

The Bellforge Arts Center organizes a wide array of public arts events throughout the year, ranging from concerts to live comedy, poetry readings, children’s entertainment, dance, drama, and seasonal festivals.

One highly anticipated event is the Summer Sounds Festival, held on the grounds of the Medfield State Hospital in late June.

This all-day event serves as a platform for emerging local talent across various music genres. Attendance is free, though registration is encouraged, and food trucks along with beverage vendors will be present.