Summary
A historic manufacturing hub in the Blackstone Valley, Milford is acclaimed for its pink granite, which was identified in 1870 and utilized in prestigious buildings such as the Boston Public Library (1895) and Worcester City Hall (1898).
Situated close to the origin of the famous Charles River, Milford features a developing rail trail along the CSX corridor, tracing the streams and ponds that constitute the river’s headwaters.
With a resilient character, Milford Center is a welcoming community characterized by traditional taverns, stunning 19th-century architecture, and numerous local shops.
Notably, one of the three remaining drive-in theaters in Massachusetts is located just a couple of miles from Milford, alongside one of New England’s premier mountain biking areas within the town’s vicinity.
1. Upper Charles Trail
If plans proceed accordingly, this rail trail will connect several towns, including Ashland, Sherborn, Holliston, and Hopkinton, all along repurposed CSX rail beds.
Milford currently enjoys an advantage over its neighboring towns with over 6.5 miles of completed trails. One can access the Upper Charles Trail from the town center, walking or biking north towards Hopkinton, east towards Holliston, and south to the Milford Senior Center.
Traveling north to Hopkinton, the trail traverses the headwaters of the Charles River, meandering between Milford Pond and Louisa Lake, while crossing the stream multiple times.
2. Memorial Hall
A noteworthy landmark in Milford Center is the Romanesque Revival Memorial Hall (1884), erected to honor Civil War veterans.
This structure, designed by local architect Frederick Swasey, is made from Milford granite and features Longmeadow brownstone for its cornice, windows, and expansive main entrance.
Visitors can access the inside on Thursday afternoons to explore the museum operated by the Milford Historical Commission.
The museum showcases an impressive collection of Civil War artifacts and musical instruments, along with an extensive assortment of memorabilia representing various aspects of local history.
3. NEMBA Trails at Milford (Vietnam)
In 2003, the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) undertook the significant initiative of acquiring nearly 50 acres of land along the boundary between Milford and Holliston.
This acquisition aimed to safeguard a well-known network of trails, colloquially recognized as “Vietnam,” which connects various conservation lands in both towns (including the Upper Charles Bike Trail), totaling approximately 1,000 acres of open spaces.
You could spend hours navigating the rocky woods, crossing streams, and skirting ponds, encountering a unique landscape each time due to the technical nature of these demanding trails.
4. Main Street Milford
Crossed by the Upper Charles Trail in the north, Milford’s main commercial district is vibrant with small businesses, and features a charming green area in the south at Draper Memorial Park.
Along with a selection of traditional taverns, Main Street showcases a Brazilian influence, complete with several restaurants, a bakery, and stores catering to Brazilian residents.
On the main thoroughfare, one can discover numerous locally-operated shops, specializing in musical instruments, home brewing supplies, clothing, crafts, jewelry, and much more.
In conjunction with Memorial Hall, a notable building downtown is the Town Hall at No. 52, constructed in the Italianate style in 1854, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
At 189 Main Street, be sure to visit the four-story Gillon Block (1888), featuring intricate brickwork on its façade.
5. CraftRoots Brewing
Milford’s inaugural brewery emerged in 2014 when this craft brewery commenced operations in an industrial park on the eastern side of town.
Not only that, CraftRoots Brewing boasts the distinction of being Massachusetts’ first 100% woman-owned brewery.
The taproom, featuring a 24-foot bar, provides a transparent view of the brewing tanks and serves as a venue for live music events on weekends. Signature offerings include a Blonde Ale, Irish Dry Stout, and several NEIPAs, complemented by rotating selections such as Sours and an Irish Red Ale.
Although there is no kitchen, food trucks frequent the brewery on weekends, offering wings, lobster rolls, empanadas, Caribbean cuisine, and more.
6. Depot St Tavern
CraftRoots Brewing is included among a plethora of regional craft beer suppliers featured at this beloved local tavern, situated just east of Milford Center.
Furthermore, Depot St Tavern sources many ingredients for its menu from local providers, while the interior conveys a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, adorned with vintage street signs and license plates.
The establishment occupies the former site of Crivillo’s Crossing diner, which operated from 1938 until 2013; the tavern quickly became popular upon its opening in 2014, with crowds lining up on weekend nights.
The menu features beloved pub dishes such as fish and chips, baked mac and cheese, chicken parmesan, along with a variety of paninis, burgers, and subs. For those arriving early, a selection of breakfast options includes omelets, benedicts, waffles, and pancakes.
7. Peppercorn Hill Conservation Area
Located on the town border with Milford, this 283-acre expanse of rugged woodland is managed by the Upton Conservation Commission.
A diverse array of habitats characterizes the Peppercorn Hill Conservation, featuring pine, oak, and maple forests, vernal pools, streams, and wetlands.
The primary loop trail spans approximately 2.5 miles and leads hikers to a remarkable overlook, adorned with stone walls and scattered glacial erratics deposited during the last Ice Age over 10,000 years ago on the western slope of Peppercorn Hill.
8. PiNZ Bowl Milford
This family entertainment center marries multiple attractions within a single extensive complex. The primary bowling area features 16 lanes equipped with modern scoring systems, food service, and an advanced entertainment setup with a unique light display.
For private gatherings, the Kingpin Suite is available, containing four lanes and accommodating up to 70 individuals. Additionally, the facility includes a laser tag arena, an arcade, axe throwing, a VR attraction, and various social games such as billiards, giant Jenga, cornhole, and ping pong.
9. Casey Pool
Adjacent to Hopedale, near the Milford Regional Medical Center, a public outdoor pool is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation.
This facility may be modest in size, yet it offers ample activities to engage children during the summer school break, along with swimming lessons provided throughout the season.
The pool includes a training area for lap swimming, a zero-depth entry wading area, and basic facilities such as restrooms, showers, and lockers.
10. Plains Park
This well-maintained park features a picturesque location on the eastern shore of Milford Pond, situated within a mile or so from the town center.
Around the Fourth of July, Plains Park becomes the preferred site for Milford’s annual fireworks display and hosts a variety of other Lions Club events throughout the year, including a car and truck show in September that has been a tradition since the 1980s.
During the warmer months, Plains Park offers visitors a chance to observe waterfowl and enjoy picnics at a sizable shelter. A winding path leads near the water’s edge and past several fields utilized by Milford Youth Baseball.
11. Basic Batch Donuts
Another exciting independent business to discover in Milford is this specialty donut shop, conveniently located off the Upper Charles Trail at 206 E Main St.
Basic Batch Donuts prepares its dough prior to sunrise to guarantee that each batch is as fresh as possible, offering scratch-made pastries and serving coffee sourced from Red Barn Coffee Roasters in Upton, MA.
The donut selection comprises both cake and yeast varieties, featuring traditional choices like honey glazed as well as unique creations such as maple bacon and fruity pebbles.
12. Little Red Shop Museum
To the southwest, the town of Hopedale borders Milford and was the site of the Draper Corporation, the largest manufacturer of power looms for the textile industry in the United States until the 1980s.
The industrial heritage of Hopedale and the overall history of the Blackstone Valley are chronicled in this lakeside museum, situated in the oldest industrial building in town.
The Little Red Shop (circa 1845) is the modest old machine shop where Ebenezer D. Draper produced loom temples in the mid-1800s. By the end of the century, the Draper family was a major player in the loom manufacturing industry.
The exhibits delve into those early days, the history of the Draper Corporation, and Hopedale’s development, funded by Draper following its incorporation in 1886.
13. Mendon Twin Drive-In
As of the compilation of this list, only three drive-in theaters remain operational in Massachusetts, and one of these is located less than ten minutes from Milford Center.
The Mendon Twin Drive-In enjoys a stellar reputation and has adeptly adapted over the years, indicating it may endure for generations to come. With capacity for 800 vehicles, the theater opened in 1954 and added a second screen in 1998.
Audio is streamed via FM radio rather than traditional speakers, and both screens feature contemporary digital projection and Dolby Digital sound.
The popcorn is freshly made on-site, and a comprehensive menu of comfort foods is available, ranging from pizza to soft serve. A recent addition is Pop’s Beer Garden, a 5,000-square-foot patio overlooking Screen One, which serves craft beer and wine by the glass.
14. The Pumpkin Farm
Situated just outside Medford on Route 109 (Milford St), a diversified farm is celebrated for its pumpkins and also cultivates a variety of other crops while raising beef, lamb, pork, chevon, and chicken.
This produce is sold at a small unstaffed stand at 72 Milford St, operating on an honor system; the farm has recently upgraded its freezer system, allowing payment by credit card.
The farm practices sustainable agriculture, avoiding synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides, while livestock enjoys considerable outdoor access in open fields or woods.
15. Echo Lake
This reservoir, located adjacent to the Nemba property, lies just over the boundary in Hopkinton and serves as Milford’s primary water supply. Echo Lake is also vital as the source of the Charles River.
Due to its role as an active reservoir, recreational activities on the lake are prohibited. However, a recently constructed trail invites visitors to approach the shore and relish the stunning views.
