Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Weymouth, MA

The second-oldest city in Massachusetts, Weymouth has a history dating back to 1622 when it served as the location of a failed colony, later establishing itself as a settlement in subsequent years.

Abigail Adams (1744-1818), the spouse of the second US President John Adams and the mother of the sixth US President John Quincy Adams, was born in Weymouth, and her historic residence is accessible for tours during the summer season.

The city’s eastern border is defined by the ecologically significant Weymouth Back River, shaped by glacial activity 12,000 years ago and currently a migration route for herring and a nesting area for ospreys.

This waterway was formerly an industrial site, and its banks are now delineated by parkland, which conserves marshes and features the tallest esker in the United States.

1. Webb Memorial State Park

At the end of a verdant peninsula approximately half a mile long, Weymouth offers the only mainland portion of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.

With scenic views of nearby islands in the archipelago, such as Grape Island and Slate Island, Webb Park serves as an ideal location to appreciate Boston Harbor, the Boston skyline, and the bustling mouth of the Weymouth Back River.

Along the ridge of the peninsula lie two drumlins, formed by glacial movement 12,000 years ago. The mussel flats just offshore attract common eiders as well as a diverse array of shorebirds during the spring and fall migration periods.

2. Abigail Adams Birthplace

Significant for the early history of the United States, the birthplace of Abigail Adams is located at 180 Norton Street in Weymouth.

This preserved four-bay house, which dates back to 1685, was Adams’ residence for the first 20 years of her life.

Beyond being merely a First Lady, Abigail Adams served as a perceptive advisor to John Adams, as evidenced by their extensive correspondence, which provides invaluable insights from the home front during the Revolutionary War.

The birthplace is open for tours on Sundays from May through November, showcasing period furnishings, insights about her childhood, and excerpts from her notable letters.

3. Great Esker Park

Weymouth’s most expansive outdoor area is situated on the esker (gravel ridge) that meanders along the west bank of the estuarine Weymouth Back River.

Similar to the river, the esker has glacial origins and was formed approximately 12,000 years ago at the conclusion of the last Ice Age.

This wooded feature is regarded as the highest ridge in North America, reaching a maximum of 90 feet. Great Esker Park offers six miles of both paved and unpaved trails, with two miles traversing the top of the esker ridge, while others meander alongside the marsh.

Keep an eye out for egrets, nesting ospreys (during summer), and the migrating herring that serve as a primary food source for these birds.

4. United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum & USS Salem

Located on the opposite bank of the Weymouth Fore River is the historic Fore River Shipyard, which commenced operations in 1901 and was acquired by Bethlehem Steel in 1913.

Most of the ships constructed at the shipyard were intended for the United States Navy, substantially contributing to the war effort during World War II. Following the closure of the shipyard in 1986, the dock became a fitting location for a naval shipbuilding museum.

In 1994, the heavy cruiser USS Salem (CA-139), originally built in 1945, returned to its place of construction and is preserved as the last of its class.

You may be impressed by the sheer scale of this 700-foot vessel, exploring each section from the boilers to the battery turrets, while discovering a collection of naval and shipbuilding artifacts throughout your tour.

5. Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

After visiting Webb Memorial State Park, you may wish to explore further into the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.

With the exception of a few locations, this collection of over 30 islands can primarily be accessed via water, making the journey itself a part of the experience.

From the nearby port of Hingham, one can board a ferry to Peddocks Island. This island is a delight to explore, featuring rich biodiversity and extensive remnants of early 20th-century harbor defense, specifically Fort Andrews.

Camping is permitted on this island (with arrangements made via ReserveAmerica prior to your visit), one of only four locations in the national recreation area where overnight stays are allowed.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that Peddocks Island served as a filming location for Martin Scorsese’s film *Shutter Island* (2008).

6. Weymouth Back River Trail

The riverside trail that runs through Great Esker Park is only a segment of an ambitious plan for a continuous multi-use pathway extending from Webb Memorial State Park in the north, alongside the west bank of the Weymouth Back River, all the way down to Whitman Pond.

At the time this content was created, approximately two miles of this wide paved trail had been completed, commencing from Bridge Street on the northern side of Great Esker Park and continuing through another appealing waterside area at Osprey Overlook Park.

The latter, which used to serve as a landfill, is bordered by the river and salt marsh, and functions as an essential habitat for nesting ospreys, observable during the spring through early fall.

These magnificent birds can be seen diving into the Back River for herring, and there is also a specially designed fish ladder that facilitates herring navigation on the way to Whitman Pond.

7. Wessagusset Beach and George Lane Beach

Where the Weymouth Fore River meets Boston Harbor in the northern part of the city, a scenic stretch of coastline features sandy beaches and views extending across the water to Germantown and Rock Island Cove.

To the west lies Wessagusset Beach, while a short walk to the east leads to the slightly more extensive George Lane Beach.

Both locations provide excellent perspectives for viewing Weymouth’s Fourth of July fireworks, typically accompanied by food trucks, live music, and a farmers’ market.

Situated between the two beaches is Great Hill Park, where the grassy summit offers a spectacular panorama of the harbor and the Boston skyline in the distance.

8. Weymouth Farmers’ Market

Every Sunday from mid-June to early October, a farmers’ market takes place in the parking lot of Weymouth High School.

Initially launched in 2009, this market continues to thrive, featuring more than 20 vendors each week.

The farmers’ market represents an excellent opportunity to support local small businesses while acquiring groceries and prepared foods that are sourced nearby.

Seasonal options include fruits and vegetables, herbs, flowers, eggs, honey, meats, seafood, sauces, breads, cakes, cookies, preserves, frozen desserts, cheeses, granola, teas, toffee, pet treats, and much more.

Additionally, visitors can browse a variety of craft vendors offering candles, jewelry, home decorations, and artisanal soaps.

9. Weymouth Civic District

The area surrounding the Town Hall is designated a U.S. Historic District and is of notable interest. If the Town Hall appears familiar, it closely resembles the Old State House in Boston, albeit on a somewhat smaller scale.

Constructed in 1928 to replace a previous town hall that was destroyed by fire in 1914, this impressive Colonial Revival building features a sundial in the gable at the southern end and the city’s seal at the northern end.

The lawn on the south side of the Town Hall, often frequented by geese, includes the Memorial Wall, with plaques honoring military veterans, including local Medal of Honor recipients.

10. Abigail Adams State Park

Another location offering captivating waterfront views along the Weymouth Back River is Abigail Adams State Park, situated across Bridge Street from Great Esker Park.

While strolling the paved pathway, one can encounter a series of plaques adorning the park’s granite boulders.

These plaques feature extensive quotes from Abigail Adams, revealing her as an intelligent, cultured, and principled individual, drawn from her personal correspondence with John Adams.

The park is more extensive than it initially appears, granting access to a vast beach and marsh area. Bring a picnic to enjoy an outdoor meal amidst breathtaking views.

11. Stodder’s Neck

Until recently, this park, located across the Weymouth Back River in Hingham, served as a sand and gravel pit.

Situated on a peninsula with a narrow base and ample shoreline to explore, Stodder’s Neck has progressively restored its vegetation, featuring cedars, pines, sumac, and oak trees amidst a broad grassy area.

The peninsula rises to a small summit, the McCarthy Hummock, providing 360-degree views of the river and harbor. Additionally, this park is particularly well-known as a venue for dogs to run off-leash, including small rocky beach areas for pets eager to play in the water.

12. Weathervane Golf Club

Weymouth did not have a golf course until the establishment of this 9-hole facility in the southern part of the city in 2010.

Weathervane Golf Club enjoys a strong reputation for its maintenance, featuring fast, challenging greens and pristine fairways flanked by mature trees.

A round concludes with the signature 9th hole, a 240-yard par 4 with an island green. The newly constructed clubhouse boasts fine stone details and a 100-seat patio overlooking the 9th hole.

The Tavern offers seasonal menus, featuring a blend of rustic comfort food such as a buttermilk-fried chicken sandwich and refined entrées like scallop risotto or baked haddock.

13. Fore River Bridge

A remarkable feat of engineering, the Fore River Bridge spans the river between Weymouth and Quincy. Opened in 2018 at a cost of $270 million after six years of construction, the Fore River Bridge is a vertical lift bridge measuring 2,216 feet in length and providing over 220 feet of clearance when raised.

Even when closed, it offers a clearance of 60 feet, allowing it to remain shut except for larger vessels.

The Fore River, historically linked with shipbuilding, has consistently been a busy port, and this bridge traverses the heavily trafficked navigable waterway.

The original Fore River Bridge, a bascule design from 1936, was deemed structurally unsound in 2004 and replaced by a temporary bridge from 2006 until the construction of the current structure.

14. Barrel House Z

On the South Shore, various craft breweries can be found, including a couple in Weymouth.

Our highlighted selection, Barrel House Z, opened in 2015 and focuses on small-batch beers aged in barrels previously used for spirits like bourbon, whiskey, gin, tequila, and madeira.

Some options available on draft at the taproom included Townie (Irish Ale), Sunny and 79° (Pilsner), Dolphins on Parade (NE IPA), Bam Bam (Double IPA), Bluest Sky (Pale Ale), and Cape Codder (Hard Seltzer).

These vintage barrels are part of the décor and have even been repurposed as seating in the taproom. Food trucks often frequent the location, particularly on Friday and Saturday, along with board games and a cornhole league on Thursdays.

15. Union Point Sports Complex

Until 2021, this state-of-the-art field sports complex in Weymouth served as the home field for the professional Major League Rugby (MLR) team, the New England Free Jacks, who have since relocated next door to Quincy.

If you are interested in attending a rugby match, the Union Point Sports Complex still hosts the amateur Boston Rugby Football Club, which was established in 1960.

The facility features four synthetic fields for sports such as football, soccer, rugby, and lacrosse. In winter, two of these fields utilize large enclosed domes to protect against weather conditions.

For those wishing to participate, leagues are available for 7v7 soccer and flag football, alongside a high school summer soccer league.