Top 15 Activities in Bridgewater, MA for Unforgettable Experiences

Roughly equidistant to Boston and Providence, which are approximately thirty minutes away, Bridgewater is a town of roughly 30,000 residents located in Plymouth County.

The town’s primary commercial area is situated around a historic square, distinguished by mature trees and a lively series of outdoor concerts every Thursday evening, known as Bridgewater Music Alley.

Adjacent to the downtown area is the expansive campus of Bridgewater State University, which merits exploration for its architectural beauty and verdant pathways.

During the early 20th century, Bridgewater served as a manufacturing hub, with intriguing remnants of these factories, devastated by the 1938 New England Hurricane, preserved in various parks and conservation areas.

1. Bridgewater Center

Bridgewater boasts a charming downtown area, anchored by Central Square, a narrow stretch of tree-shaded grass, bordered by elegant historic buildings.

Take a moment to appreciate the Greek Revival Old Town Hall (1843), the New Jerusalem Church (1871), Central Square Congregational (1821), and the impressive former Bridgewater Academy building (1868), which is now the new town hall, highlighted by a fountain.

In Central Square, along Broad Street and Summer Street, there exists a compact yet vibrant collection of cafes and eateries offering a variety of options such as sandwiches, pizza, Chinese cuisine, breakfast items, pub fare, and dessert.

During Thursday evenings in the summer months, do not miss Bridgewater Music Alley, featuring family-friendly live performances, children’s entertainment, and food vendors.

2. Prisco’s Market & Deli

Situated off Route 18 in Bridgewater, Prisco’s Market & Deli has a name that underrepresents the extensive offerings available.

The establishment features an enticing menu of hot and cold sandwiches (notably the meatball sub), alongside salads, wings, pizzas, calzones, and fried dough, all complemented by a roadside ice cream stand offering soft serve, hard serve, floats, and Italian ice.

This location also serves as a family-friendly attraction, featuring 18 holes of mini golf, batting cages, basketball courts, and a delightful gift shop.

3. Bridgewater State University

On its eastern side, Bridgewater Center merges with Bridgewater University, allowing for a seamless exploration of the campus during walks around town.

The largest among nine state universities in Massachusetts, this institution was established in 1840. Among its distinguished alumni are WWE wrestler T-Bar (Christopher Dijack), television conservationist Jeff Corwin, and actor Robert Stack (1919-2003).

The campus is pedestrian-friendly and showcases quaint charm with its brick architecture, abundant greenery, and tree-lined pathways.

Visitors can explore an exhibit at the Anderson Art Gallery located in the Art Center building from 1904, while a small museum dedicated to Abraham Lincoln is situated in the Clement C. Maxwell Library.

4. Wildlands Trust – Great River Preserve

Located along the northern bank of the upper Taunton River is a 125-acre preserve that was acquired by the Wildlands Trust in 2009.

The Great River Preserve borders two properties managed by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), resulting in a total of 230 acres of protected riverside habitat.

The Wildlands Trust section offers over a mile of untouched riverfront, featuring pine/oak woodlands, wetlands, vernal pools, and open fields.

This preserve serves as a crucial habitat for the threatened eastern box turtle, providing an atmosphere of tranquility, notably enhanced by the closure of the adjacent Auburn Street Bridge in 1995.

5. Olde Scotland Links

The municipal golf course in Bridgewater has been recognized by New England Golf Monthly as one of the 25 Best Public Access Courses in the region.

As suggested by the name, Olde Scotland Links emulates a traditional links course with an open design, minimal tree cover, and ample areas affected by wind challenges.

The greens are consistently fast, demanding thoughtful shot planning. For practice, there is a driving range equipped with mats for the public and grass tee boxes for members.

Visitors can enjoy comforting tavern fare at Barrett’s Ale House located in the clubhouse, complemented by a small yet well-stocked pro shop for any necessary equipment.

6. Black Hat Brew Works

In Bridgewater’s Scotland Industrial Park, there is a small yet well-regarded craft brewery that was established in 2015.

Initially starting as a homebrewing venture, Black Hat Brew Works is operated by a trio composed of brothers Paul and Scott, alongside their friend, Jason.

The inviting taproom offers ten beers on draft, which during the writing of this article included blonde ales, pale ales (notably Fuzzy Bunny Slippers), a Belgian-style Tripel, a Witbier, a Stout, and a Belgian Saison.

While Black Hat Brew Works does not have a kitchen, local food trucks are available on weekends, providing a variety of options from nachos to wraps and pizzas.

7. Lake Nippenicket

Situated in western Bridgewater, a sprawling 375-acre Great Pond is drained by the Town River.

The northern section of Lake Nippenicket is enveloped by wetlands belonging to the Hockomock Swamp, the largest freshwater swamp in Massachusetts, encompassing nearly 17,000 acres.

Due to these wetlands, only the southern half of Lake Nippenicket features any development.

A car-top boat launch is available at Black Mallard Road on the west side, while a boat ramp is located on the southeastern shore at 99 Lakeside Drive.

Both locations provide stunning views during sunrise and sunset. The lake is home to ten recorded fish species, including largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and black crappie.

8. Legion Field

Located less than half a mile south of downtown Bridgewater, this expansive park is designated for active recreation and also serves as a venue for community events.

Legion Field hosts the town’s Fourth of July celebrations, featuring an afternoon and evening filled with live entertainment, carnival rides, food trucks, inflatable attractions for children, and a fireworks display.

The park is equipped with modern amenities for basketball, baseball/softball, football, and soccer, alongside a children’s playground and a skate park.

9. Stanley Iron Works Park

Located along the Town River in the northern area of Bridgewater, this intriguing public park occupies a site steeped in 300 years of iron and steel manufacturing history.

Founded as early as 1691, the Bridgewater Iron Works became the second-largest producer of iron in the United States by the mid-19th century.

During the Civil War, this facility manufactured ammunition and numerous heavy castings and forgings for the United States Navy, followed by production for Stanley Works.

The park bears the remnants of these historical buildings and provides insight into the methods employed to harness the Town River’s power for industrial production, especially after the site suffered considerable damage from the 1938 hurricane.

10. Stiles & Hart Conservation Area

Further downstream along the Town River lies another former industrial site whose activities were disrupted by the 1938 hurricane.

For over fifty years until 1875, this location functioned as an agricultural fairground featuring a substantial exhibition hall.

By the turn of the 20th century, the land was acquired by the Bridgewater Brick Company, continuing operations under various proprietors until the hurricane inflicted irreversible damage upon the structures there.

While walking along this riverfront stretch, visitors can still observe the clay pits, now encircled by oak and maple trees, along with the telltale mounds of defective brick remnants discarded a century ago, some rising as high as eight feet.

11. East Bridgewater Cinema

Located a mere five minutes from Bridgewater Center, this small five-screen multiplex is managed by the local chain, South Shore Cinemas.

This venue offers a cozy and friendly alternative to the larger, more impersonal theater complexes, with affable prices.

During the writing of this article, adult prices were set at a flat rate of $10, with admission available for as low as $8 for matinees and on all-day Tuesdays.

Keep an eye out for special events such as National Cinema Day in September, when tickets are offered at a reduced price. This theater screens first-run films and boasts a significant selection of reasonably priced snacks.

12. Bridgewater Ice Arena

This dual ice facility, featuring two rinks measuring 200′ x 85′, was inaugurated in the town in 1995. The Bridgewater Ice Arena serves as the home venue for the junior hockey team, the Bridgewater Bandits, competing in the United States Hockey League.

Additionally, Stonehill College’s Skyhawks utilize this facility, having recently joined NCAA’s Division I Northeast Conference at the time of writing.

The arena offers programs for both hockey and figure skating, with the Silver Lining Skate School providing classes for various age groups and skill levels.

Visitors can check the calendar for scheduled stick time and public skate sessions throughout the week, complemented by a café and a pro shop equipped with the Blackstone Stealth Skate Sharpening System.

13. Marathon Park

Parents of children up to the age of 12 will appreciate this park located just west of Legion Field. Marathon Park is highly regarded for its unusually large, enclosed playground.

The playground equipment was recently updated in 2022 and features an extensive variety of climbing structures, swings, and slides, as well as a sandbox, music area, and seating pavilion.

Designated areas for toddlers, children aged 2-5, and children aged 5-12 are thoughtfully included, all surrounded by a perimeter path. Parents interested in exercise can note that six laps around the park equate to one mile.

14. Reverend James Keith Parsonage

Nearby at 199 River Street stands a 17th-century structure believed to be the oldest surviving parsonage in the United States.

Under the stewardship of the Old Bridgewater Historical Society (OBHS), the Reverend James Keith Parsonage is thought to have been constructed in the early 1660s and became the residence of the newly ordained minister, James Keith, who immigrated from Scotland.

Acquired by OBHS in 1961, the property has been restored to reflect its early 18th-century appearance when it was owned by Edward Fobes, a longtime deacon of the Bridgewater Congregationalist Church.

For further details regarding visiting hours, please refer to the society’s website. The headquarters and primary exhibition space is located in the purpose-built Memorial Building (1900) at 162 Howard Street, West Bridgewater, which also hosts the society’s research library.

15. Bridgewater Arts & Music Festival

While the Fourth of July fireworks at Legion Field were previously mentioned, another festival takes place earlier in the day just west of downtown at Bridgewater Middle School.

From 10 am to 3 pm, this event showcases skilled local crafters and artists displaying and selling their creations, ranging from jewelry to textiles, ceramics, glassworks, and paintings.

Notable local authors are also present for signings and sales. Continuous live entertainment includes musical performances and a magic show, while children can engage in activities such as face painting, sand art, balloon animals, and a railroad ride.