Top 15 Attractions and Activities in East Bridgewater, MA

Summary:

A residential community in Plymouth County, East Bridgewater encompasses many characteristics of a Southeastern Massachusetts town, featuring cranberry bogs as well as dairy and fruit farms.

In 1649, Sachem Rock in East Bridgewater hosted a meeting between settlers from the Plymouth Colony and Wampanoag sachem Massasoit.

The land surrounding this granite outcropping is managed by the town, with historical markers commemorating this significant event in the European settlement of Southeastern Massachusetts.

Nestled among residential neighborhoods, East Bridgewater and surrounding areas boast numerous farms offering activities such as fruit picking, pony rides, homemade ice cream, and various seasonal events.

1. Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area

Located east of the town, this area encompasses more than 2,000 acres of public land, maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Visitors to the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area will find a water-rich ecosystem, featuring ponds, reservoirs, Atlantic white cedar and red maple swamps, along with remnants of former cranberry bogs.

This region serves as an oasis for avian species, particularly ospreys, wood ducks, and Virginia rails, with a notable colony of night herons residing here.

In the upland sections, one can explore pine, oak, and birch forests while the primary designated trail is part of the 230-mile Bay Circuit Trail.

2. C. N. Smith Farm

Initially established as a potato farm in the 1920s, C. N. Smith Farm has evolved into a popular U-Pick destination, cultivating more than 90 acres of fruits and vegetables.

The picking season commences with strawberries in June, followed by blueberries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins.

Open as early as April, visitors can find a garden center stocked with vegetable plants, annuals, fruit trees, perennials, and various gardening supplies.

The farmstand operates from April through December, offering an array of the farm’s own preserves, honey, fresh and hard cider, and even a dedicated donut barn for apple cider donuts.

No matter the time of visit, guests can interact with the farm’s barnyard animals, including goats, chickens, rabbits, and horses.

3. Sachem Rock Farm

The historical significance of this 30-acre site along the Satucket River, managed by the town of East Bridgewater, is profound.

Sachem Rock, a granite formation on the farm’s highest point, was vital to the Wampanoag people, situated at the intersection of two ancient trails and adjacent to an essential canoe route on the Satucket River.

It was here in 1649 that a pivotal meeting occurred between Wampanoag sachem Massasoit and English settlers from the Plymouth Colony, including Myles Standish.

This meeting led to the colonists purchasing a significant tract of the South Shore’s interior, extending from Brockton to Bridgewater.

The main house on the farm, accompanied by 19th-century outbuildings, was constructed in the late 1920s after its predecessor was destroyed by fire in 1926.

4. Satucket River Frontage

The Bay Circuit Trail traverses East Bridgewater from east to west, primarily along tranquil sidewalks while also passing through several town-owned conservation areas.

The largest of these areas is located along the Satucket River, where visitors can walk approximately ¾ of a mile through peaceful riparian forests, occasionally glimpsing cranberry bogs on adjacent properties.

The Satucket River Frontage features multiple spurs, small wooden bridges for crossing, and scenic spots along the river where visitors can take a moment to sit on a bench and enjoy the tranquility.

5. Ashland Farm Dairy

One of the delights of rural Massachusetts is the availability of ice cream, with dairy farms and individual ice cream stands situated in nearly every town.

In East Bridgewater, Ashland Farm Dairy provides an extensive menu of hard ice cream, including sugar-free options and dairy-free sorbets.

However, the highlight here is the soft serve, available in coffee, vanilla, chocolate, and vanilla/chocolate twist flavors, alongside an array of flavor burst options from tropical orange to watermelon.

Visitors can select any hard or soft ice cream flavor to create a frappe, while the soft serve McFlurry-style Tornadoes, featuring toppings like Reeses Pieces, Snickers, Oreo, and cookie dough, are a unique treat.

6. Pony Town Parties

The Ford Farm in East Bridgewater has been family-owned for over a century and began offering a broad range of equestrian services in 2016.

These services include pony rentals and hosting pony-themed parties for children in the Party Barn, where activities encompass pony rides and crafts. Nevertheless, a special occasion is not required to visit the farm.

Private trail rides can be arranged in the adjacent Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area, allowing for a picnic or an enchanting sunset journey through picturesque scenery.

7. East Bridgewater Cinemas

Offering a first-run movie theater experience, East Bridgewater Cinemas presents a unique ambiance compared to major theater chains. Nestled in the Carriage Crossing Shopping Center, this five-screen multiplex is part of a smaller South Shore Cinemas chain.

One of the first aspects you will notice is the significantly lower ticket prices, with matinees costing $8 and a special all-day price of $6.50 on Tuesdays.

Despite the affordable pricing, guests can expect personal service, high-quality sound and visuals, along with stadium seating that ensures unobstructed views.

8. East Bridgewater Common Historic District

Centered around Central Street, East Bridgewater’s original town center is located slightly southeast of the commercial area. Characteristically New England, this historic district features a quaint little common, established in 1721.

This triangular area is adorned with a charming bandstand and surrounded by historic residences and public structures dating back to the 18th century.

The principal landmark is the First Parish Church, constructed in 1794, which acquired its Greek Revival style in the mid-19th century.

To the west lies the Old Graveyard, housing burials that extend over 300 years, situated across from the town hall. This Italianate mansion, built in the 1850s, was once the residence of Aaron Hobart (1787-1858), a U.S. Representative in the 1820s.

9. West Bridgewater Country Club

Situated along the Town River, this esteemed public golf course is located just a few miles from East Bridgewater Center.

The 18-hole layout of West Bridgewater Country Club presents a challenge even for seasoned golfers, with various factors to consider throughout the course.

The front nine features an open layout with wind and water hazards, while the back nine showcases a very different character, weaving through narrow corridors within wooded areas.

Precision and thoughtful selection of shots are crucial; nonetheless, even on a challenging day, one can appreciate the course’s remarkable maintenance, complete with bent-grass tees, fairways, and greens.

10. Peaceful Meadows Ice Cream

Located just a few minutes up Route 18 in Whitman, another popular ice cream destination eagerly awaits your visit.

The dairy farm at Peaceful Meadows has been operating since 1920, and its ice cream has gained popularity, leading to a second location in Plymouth. Notably, the Whitman site offers an idyllic setting, featuring an old silo and lush fields populated by grazing cows.

With more than two dozen flavors of hard ice cream available, all made fresh daily on the farm, visitors are encouraged to try the highly recommended banana and black raspberry flavors. Additionally, visitors have the option to create their own sundaes by choosing any flavor along with a selection of sauces and toppings, from hot butterscotch to marshmallow.

11. C&C Reading Farm

Seasonally, this farm, located just five minutes from East Bridgewater Center, welcomes visitors. C&C Reading Farm employs both traditional and organic farming methods and features an excellent farmstand.

Here, guests will find homegrown produce, pasture-raised meats, fresh seafood, eggs, baked goods such as apple cider donuts, and an extensive variety of specialty items, most of which are locally sourced.

In addition to offering pre-picked fruits, the farm invites visitors to engage in U-Pick activities for strawberries (around June), blueberries (in July), and pumpkins (September & October), with a variety of U-Pick flowers available throughout the summer months.

12. Lipinski’s Farm Stand

Lipinski’s Farm, located on the East Bridgewater/Hanson line, has been in the same family since 1932, with the third generation managing the land for over 30 years.

Opening in May, this charming little farmstand on Franklin St is set against a lush backdrop of greenhouses and vegetable fields.

During the growing season, visitors can find an array of plants and flowers, as well as a plentiful selection of fresh produce, including strawberries, zucchini, tomatoes, corn, and pumpkins.

13. East Bridgewater Christmas Parade

On the first Saturday in December, regardless of weather conditions, a festive parade meanders through the town center, circling around the Town Common and concluding at the Junior/Senior High School.

This highly attended event features a variety of local services, clubs, teams, businesses, and other organizations participating.

Attendees can expect to see marching bands, creatively decorated floats, an assortment of vehicles, and dancers, all themed according to that year’s annual theme.

The parade commences at 10 AM, followed by family-friendly activities throughout the day at the high school, including visits with Santa, a craft fair, pony rides, and performances by school bands and choirs.

14. ChiliChowdaFest

Every September, the East Bridgewater Commercial Club organizes this annual event, which has become a local tradition over the past 30 years.

The ChiliChowdaFest is a ticketed affair aimed at individuals over the age of 21. True to its name, the festival serves as a cook-off, featuring numerous contestants presenting their chili or chowder, with awards given for the best and runner-up in each category.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to partake in the sampling opportunities, and live music entertains throughout the afternoon, in addition to a shine-and-show bike contest.

15. East Bridgewater Commercial Club SummerFest

The Commercial Club maintains a year-round schedule of ticketed events, most of which welcome public attendance.

One noteworthy event to consider is the SummerFest, occurring in late June and providing an afternoon of live music under the club’s expansive fields.

When this list was compiled, the featured headline act was blues musician James Montgomery, and attendees can look forward to several hours of stellar live performances, complemented by a full pavilion bar, excellent food, and a variety of vendors along with raffle opportunities.