Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Bellingham, MA

Situated on the Massachusetts/Rhode Island border, Bellingham is an expanding town intersected by I-495.

This location places Bellingham on the Metropolitan Boston’s outer belt, facilitating a commercial corridor that includes a recently renovated Regal Cinemas, alongside branches of Barnes & Noble and Whole Foods.

Bellingham shares its borders with the city of Woonsocket, RI, granting access to significant cultural attractions such as the Stadium Theatre, an ornate movie palace transformed into a performing arts center.

Beyond the highway, Bellingham presents a rural sanctuary, featuring the region’s largest bonsai nursery and various farms offering premium fresh produce and specialty items, including alpaca yarn.

1. Silver Lake Park

Originally created for industry approximately 200 years ago, the beautiful Silver Lake evolved into a resort at the beginning of the 20th century. Trolleys transported visitors to enjoy relaxation on the shores, boating, and entertainment from band concerts and vaudeville performances.

With the decline of trolley services, Silver Lake diminished as a tourist location, regaining vitality only after its acquisition by the town in the 1990s.

The park is situated on the southern shore, where lifeguards are on duty from late June through Labor Day.

In addition, there is a substantial grassy area for picnics, along with playgrounds for both younger and older children, and a splash pad.

2. New England Bonsai Gardens

The largest bonsai nursery on the East Coast is located in Bellingham. Established in 1987, the New England Bonsai Gardens spans eight acres and features eight individual greenhouses, one of which showcases the oldest bonsai in the Northeast.

This destination is ideal for exploring what is potentially the finest selection of bonsai trees in the country, accompanied by an extensive array of pots, tools, and other horticultural supplies.

An assortment of educational programs is also available, ranging from introductory sessions for beginners to the two-year Kaikou School of Bonsai.

3. Stadium Theatre

Located just minutes away in Woonsocket is a notable performing arts venue housed in a restored vaudeville theater constructed in 1926.

The Stadium Theatre spent the majority of the 20th century functioning as a movie theater before undergoing a restoration in 2001, subsequently emerging as a stage for live performances.

Since this transformation, acclaimed artists such as Cher, Liza Minnelli, and George Winston have performed at the Stadium, which also serves as a significant hub for community arts, hosting dance, theater, and music groups.

The venue’s charm is enhanced by its opulent decor in the lobby and auditorium, which features frescoes and elegantly crafted gilded stucco.

4. The Beef Barn

In recent years, this popular roast beef establishment, originally founded in North Smithfield, RI, in 1969, has opened a second location in Bellingham.

The menu at the Beef Barn has remained largely unchanged over the past 50 years, with the addition of a few poultry items.

The beef is slow-cooked for eight hours, sliced thinly to order throughout the day, and served with au jus.

For first-time visitors, it is essential to try the roast beef sandwich, which is available on either a plain or toasted roll. The pricing is reasonable considering the quality, with the classic sauce being a house BBQ.

5. Quissett Hill Farm

This family-owned and operated farm in nearby Mendon offers a variety of specialties.

At Quissett Hill Farm, a herd of alpacas is maintained for their high-quality fleece, while the farm also produces premium maple syrup and cultivates an assortment of pumpkins, including modern hybrids and heirloom varieties.

During the autumn season, specific days are designated for visitors to observe the charming alpacas up close, or to explore the pumpkin patch which features a splendid assortment of gourds and decorative pumpkins.

6. GlenPharmer Distillery

Located nearby in Franklin, this artisan distillery and restaurant is housed in the historic Brookdale Mill, constructed from granite circa 1883.

For those intrigued by the art of crafting high-quality spirits, a visit to GlenPharmer Distillery for a tour will reveal the impressive two-story copper and stainless-steel steam-jacketed pot stills, stainless steel fermenters, and the 800-gallon combination Mash Tun/Lauter Tun.

The upscale tasting room features these signature spirits, which are also incorporated into a selection of sophisticated cocktails, ranging from a Mai Tai to a Gin Fizz.

The culinary offerings are typically refined, featuring dishes such as lamb shank, duck confit, and seared tuna, alongside flatbreads, a Nashville chicken sandwich, and pulled pork.

7. Cook’s Valley Farm

A frequent participant at farmers’ markets in Attleborough, Woonsocket, and Franklin, this produce farm in Wrentham also features a charming stand open to visitors.

Set in a rolling green landscape along West St, Cook’s operates with a straightforward approach, allowing its exceptional fruits and vegetables to speak for themselves.

Prior to visiting, one can consult the harvest schedule on the farm’s website, detailing the availability of items such as local favorites like corn, blueberries, peppers, apples, pears, and squashes.

The stand additionally offers an assortment of other homemade or locally sourced products, including honey, preserves, cider, corn stalks, and decorative gourds.

8. Franklin State Forest

Along Bellingham’s eastern boundary lies nearly 900 acres of unspoiled forest. A noteworthy feature of Franklin State Forest is the limited development for tourism; visitors can navigate through dense stands of pine along winding trails and fire roads.

This remoteness is particularly appealing to mountain bikers, who can conquer challenging singletrack trails weaving through the woodlands.

At the southern end, the forest is intersected by the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT), a rail trail commencing in Franklin and traversing Bellingham on its 22-mile path to Douglas.

9. Regal Cinemas Bellingham

At the time of writing, this 14-screen multiplex had recently undergone a $6 million renovation.

This renovation included the installation of reclining chairs in several of its stadium auditoriums and the addition of a bar, serving alcoholic beverages for the first time.

Perhaps the most significant change is the RPC Regal Premium Experience screen, equipped with an oversized screen, advanced digital projectors, and uncompressed surround sound.

The theater is situated in a commercial corridor along I-495, adjacent to establishments such as Whole Foods, Old Navy, Michaels, Barnes & Noble, and Home Depot.

10. Walnut Hill Bowl

Just over the state line in Woonsocket lies one of the premier bowling alleys for miles, featuring 32 state-of-the-art lanes.

Walnut Hill Bowl also houses the inviting Back Alley Pub, which offers freshly baked pizza and burgers, and features a lineup of live music.

As is typical for modern bowling alleys, weekend evenings after 9 PM are bustling here, with Cosmic Bowl featuring blacklight and party music. For a more economical game, there are excellent value specials for lane and shoe rentals from Monday to Thursday.

11. Urban Air Trampoline Park

Bellingham is home to a location of this national chain of indoor trampoline parks, making it an excellent place for energetic kids and teenagers.

Urban Air provides a wide array of attractions, including a vast freestyle court, climbing walls, a Gladiators-style battle beam, an indoor ropes course, stunt trampolines, a gymnastics tumble track, a hoop for slam dunks, and an adventure course akin to Ninja Warrior.

Each attraction has specific height requirements; however, there are numerous options available for younger children, particularly within the multi-story Tubes Playground, which aids in developing fine motor skills and self-confidence.

12. The Big Apple Farm

Operating within the same family since 1950, this 200-acre fruit farm and cider mill in Wrentham is just a short yet picturesque drive from Bellingham along scenic country roads.

The Big Apple Farm welcomes visitors from June through December, offering a variety of seasonal activities. Among the highlights are PYO blueberries in summer and apple picking in fall, complete with hayrides up the hill.

The farm cultivates a diverse selection of other fruits, including peaches, apricots, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries, as well as various vegetables.

A visit to the farm stand is essential, featuring freshly baked apple cider donuts, turnovers, cookies, pies, and blueberry muffins, alongside a selection of local delicacies such as honey, maple syrup, jams, and jellies.

13. St Ann Arts and Cultural Center

Referred to as “The Sistine Chapel of America” by one publication, this elaborately decorated Renaissance Revival church was constructed in the 1910s to serve Woonsocket’s French-Canadian community.

The architect, Walter F. Fontaine (1871-1938), was a locally born individual of French descent.

Since its closure in 2000, the church has been transformed into a cultural center aimed at financing long-term preservation efforts. Visitors should not miss the chance to explore this building and appreciate what is believed to be the largest single collection of frescoes in North America.

Adorned with intricate moldings, these breathtaking paintings embellish the walls, the barrel-roofed ceiling of the nave, as well as the crossing, transepts, and apse.

Featuring 475 individual faces portrayed using local individuals as models, the artwork was completed by Italian-Canadian artist Guido Nincheri (1885-1973).

14. Southwick’s Zoo

Located approximately 15 minutes west of Bellingham, Southwick’s Zoo is the largest zoo in Massachusetts, nestled within over 250 acres of oak woodlands.

Established in 1963, Southwick’s Zoo remains operated by the Southwick and Brewer families, housing more than 750 animals from over 100 species in naturalistic enclosures.

This zoo is particularly noted for its collection of exotic species, including cheetahs, African leopards, Bengal tigers, lions, Brazilian tapirs, capybaras, white rhinos, and ostriches.

In addition to these marvels, Southwick’s Zoo boasts the largest collection of primates in the region, featuring squirrel monkeys, chimpanzees, ring-tailed lemurs, white-handed gibbons, and numerous others.

Moreover, Southwick’s Zoo offers a splendid family outing, featuring pony rides, camel rides, a petting farm, a 12-minute train journey, a maze, and various children’s rides.

15. New England Country Club

Right on the Massachusetts-Rhode Island border, New England Country Club boasts a reputation that suggests exclusivity; however, it is a public course that has attracted golfers from across the region since opening in 1990.

Designed by Hale Irwin, this 18-hole championship course is nestled in a rolling landscape characterized by undulating fairways bordered by dense woodlands. In keeping with the rural setting, it is common to encounter deer or foxes while playing.

The course features four tee boxes at each hole, providing diverse challenges to accommodate a broad range of skill levels. The stunning scenery throughout the course is particularly captivating during the fall months.