Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Sharon, MA

Situated along the MBTA’s Providence/Stoughton Line, Sharon embodies a commuter town characterized by the quintessential features of a rural New England community.

An abundance of public outdoor spaces enhances its charm, including a state park, conservation areas, a historic Mass Audubon sanctuary, and the spring-fed Lake Massapoag, which serves as a backdrop for numerous community events.

Sharon is also the site of significant stories about two extraordinary women. One such figure is Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to serve in the Revolutionary War, where she fought for nearly 18 months in the Continental Army before settling in Sharon with a pension post-war.

Another prominent figure is Blanche Ames Ames, who lived at the Borderland Estate, which is now a state park. She was a vocal advocate for women’s suffrage, creating influential political cartoons, and made notable contributions across various fields through her inventions.

1. Borderland State Park

Associated with neighboring Easton, the Ames family acquired wealth through the Ames Shovel Works, founded in 1802, which produced the shovels instrumental in constructing the Union Pacific Railroad, facilitating western expansion.

In the early 1900s, Harvard botanist Oakes Eames and his wife, the talented Blanche Ames Ames, established their estate in the southern part of Sharon, extending into Easton.

The 1,843-acre estate was purchased by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1971 and now offers 20 miles of trails amidst lush parkland, suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Additionally, Borderland State Park features various recreational amenities, including a popular 18-hole disc golf course and tennis courts.

2. Ames Mansion

The eclectic home of the Ameses is accessible for guided tours—an experience well worth undertaking.

The interior is preserved to reflect the couple’s life, vividly portraying the legacy of Blanche Ames Ames (1878-1969).

Blanche, an accomplished artist and color theorist, was a prominent suffragist during the 1910s and an inventor with patents related to warfare, lumber processing, and water pollution management.

A notable feature within the mansion is the splendid two-story library, where it is said Blanche celebrated by dancing after the election of Democrat David I. Walsh to the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Republican John W. Weeks.

The mansion has served as a filming location for various Hollywood productions, including the recent film Knives Out (2019). Tours can be arranged via the DCR and the Friends of Borderland, which offers specialized three-floor tours on select Sundays.

3. Ward’s Berry Farm

Operated by two brothers for over four decades, Ward’s Berry Farm welcomes visitors year-round, seven days a week. From May to November, patrons can engage in fruit and vegetable picking, starting with tulips in spring and concluding with popcorn in late summer.

Strawberry picking season in mid-June is particularly popular, featuring hayrides, as well as pumpkin picking in the fall months.

The farm provides picnic areas and children’s play zones while the farm store remains a highlight in every season. Offering a bakery, deli, smoothie bar, seasonal fresh produce, and gourmet food products, it caters to diverse tastes.

4. Mass Audubon’s Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary

In Sharon, you can explore the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s oldest wildlife sanctuary, which was established in 1916.

This expansive property encompasses nearly 2,000 acres and offers a diverse range of habitats, including upland forest, meadows, eskers, red maple swamps, and kettle hole ponds.

Approximately 160 bird species have been documented here, including nesting tree swallows and eastern bluebirds.

At 466 feet, Moose Hill ranks as the second-highest summit between Boston and Providence, providing breathtaking views.

The Bluff Trail leads to a scenic overlook, while the Billings Loop meanders through the red maple swamp, showcasing vibrant foliage in autumn. For families, Cookie’s Garden offers a nature play area with natural musical instruments.

5. Lake Massapoag

The most treasured natural feature in Sharon is the 353-acre spring-fed Lake Massapoag, which served as the focal point of a summer resort during the late 19th century.

The north shore is home to Memorial Park Beach, a cherished amenity for residents, staffed with lifeguards during the summer season, and offers swimming lessons, a bathhouse, restrooms, a picnic area, and a concession stand.

The bandstand, facing a vast lawn, hosts several community events during the summer, including an outdoor concert series and Independence Day celebrations. Additionally, a boat ramp is available at this park, as well as at the southern end of the lake.

6. Moose Hill Farm

Located north of the Mass Audubon property, the Trustees of Reservations oversee 350 acres of historical farmland on the picturesque slopes of Moose Hill.

Visitors can traverse six miles of trails that wind through pastures, expansive hayfields, and beautifully restored woodlands, revealing artifacts from over three centuries of human habitation, including stone walls, foundations, and cellar holes.

In the forest, one may encounter rare American chestnut trees, a species nearly decimated by blight in the early 20th century.

Honoring the land’s agricultural heritage, the Trustees manage a small farm at Moose Hill, raising chickens, pigs, and a herd of cattle for grass-fed beef.

7. Warner Trail

Maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Warner Trail traverses Sharon on its 34-mile journey through Norfolk County, stretching from Canton to Diamond Hill, RI.

While Sharon and its neighboring areas may be perceived as suburban, the Warner Trail presents an excellent opportunity to explore the vast rural landscapes that envelop them.

The trail links various state parks and conservation areas, featuring hilly terrain with rocky ledges and dense oak-hickory forests.

If you wish to remain local, you can hike seven miles of the trail within Sharon itself, with detailed trail guides available for download from the town’s official website.

8. Sharon Historic District

Explore the historic core of Sharon at the intersection of Depot St and Main St, designated an historic district in 1975.

The Unitarian Church of Sharon at this intersection is designed in the Greek Revival style and dates back to 1842, located on the original site of Sharon’s first meetinghouse, built circa 1740.

North of it lies the Morse House (1805), the first brick structure in Sharon, while across the road stands the First Congregational Church (1839), also in the Greek Revival style.

The Morse House marks the southernmost point of a series of historic and significant residences, with the oldest being the Georgian Dennett House, constructed in 1753.

The public library, situated across from the Unitarian Church, is a Carnegie library dating back to 1914, featuring a statue of town heroine Deborah Sampson at its entrance.

9. Deborah Sampson Grave (Rock Ridge Cemetery)

Rock Ridge Cemetery houses the final resting place of Deborah Sampson (1760-1827), who is notable for disguising herself as a man and serving in the Continental Army under the alias Robert Shirtliff.

It wasn’t until 1783, after a span of 17 months when her true identity was revealed by a doctor, that she received an honorable discharge and subsequently a military pension.

Earlier in her service, Sampson suffered two musket wounds to her leg during a skirmish near Tarryton, New York, and she removed one with a penknife and sewing needle to maintain her disguise.

Her grave can be found in the southeast section of the cemetery, marked by a historic headstone adorned with a flag and a nearby monument detailing her story.

10. Crescent Ridge Dairy

Crescent Ridge Dairy, a prominent ice cream establishment in Sharon, has garnered numerous accolades and frequently features in top-ten lists by esteemed publications such as People Magazine and National Geographic.

The Dairy Bar operates from the Parrish family farm, which has been in existence since 1932, supplying milk and various products to families and businesses across Massachusetts.

In the late 1960s, the Parrish family began creating ice cream from surplus milk, and the resulting dairy bar quickly became a beloved destination for residents and visitors alike.

Crescent Ridge ice cream continues to be crafted using local ingredients in small batches, adhering to the original family recipe.

Among the 40 flavors offered, notable mentions include the Black Bear (raspberry ice cream with chocolate chips and raspberry truffles) and Mississippi Mud (coffee ice cream with almonds and chocolate sandwich cookies).

11. King Philip’s Rock Trail

A modest public parking facility located at 81 and 95 Mansfield St in the southern part of Sharon provides access to an extensive network of trails.

These trails extend west and northwest into Foxborough conservation land. Specifically on Sharon’s side, a 1.5-mile hike along narrow paths leads to a striking collection of glacial erratics known as King Philip’s Rock.

Along with the nearby King Philip’s Cave, this site is believed to have been significant for Paleo-Indians as a meeting location for solstices and other astronomical events.

For those eager to explore further, the trails venture to various impressive boulders in the area, including Two-Story Rock, Split-Top Boulder, Bathing Boulder, and Kurt’s Sitting Rock, to name a few.

12. Sharon Dog Park

For dog owners seeking a safe and engaging environment for their pets, the Sharon Dog Park stands out as an excellent option.

Established in the 2000s on the northwest shore of Lake Massapoag, the dog park is located within Deborah Sampson Park.

This spacious, fenced area is surrounded by tranquil wooded trails and includes two designated sections: one for larger dogs and a separate area for smaller or younger animals.

The larger section features a newly constructed gazebo, complemented by ample seating, water bowls, waste disposal bags, and an assortment of toys and obstacles for canine enjoyment.

The park’s maintenance is managed by a non-profit organization, providing a donation box to support the continual upkeep of this valuable facility.

13. Beaver Brook Trail

If you seek an encounter with nature, disembarking at Sharon station allows for an immediate peaceful hike through the groundwater aquifers that supply the town’s water.

Winding southwest into the wooded drainage of Beaver Brook, this trail was established in 2007, in part to provide a connection to the 200+ mile Bay Circuit Trail that traverses Sharon.

Following along the perimeter of Mass Audubon’s Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, the pathway has been extended to connect with the end of Berkshire Ave.

14. Gillette Stadium

Located just ten minutes from the center of Sharon, Gillette Stadium accommodates 65,878 spectators and serves as the home ground for the New England Patriots.

Opened in 2002, the stadium was undergoing a $225 million renovation at the time of this article’s composition.

The achievements of the Patriots during the 2000s and 2010s are widely recognized, and fans can celebrate their Super Bowl victories and honor athletes such as Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Ty Law, and Richard Seymour at the interactive Patriots Hall of Fame situated on the stadium’s north side.

The parking lots at Gillette Stadium are integrated into a large outdoor lifestyle center known as Patriot Place, which features a Showcase Cinema de Lux multiplex, along with numerous retail establishments and chain restaurants.

15. Sharon Independence Day Celebration

Every year, an afternoon filled with family-friendly activities and delicious food takes place at Memorial Park Beach to commemorate the Fourth of July.

Typically scheduled on the Sunday before the 4th, the Sharon Independence Day Celebration offers a program featuring live musical performances and artistic displays at the bandstand, along with a delightful bicycle and doll carriage parade, carnival games, train rides on the historic Roaming Railroad, and an exciting pie-eating contest.

The day culminates in a spectacular fireworks display, launched from a barge on Lake Massapoag.

Throughout the afternoon, a variety of food trucks are available, presenting a choice of New England seafood, tacos, grilled cheese, Middle Eastern cuisine, chicken fingers, and various sweet treats.