Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Grafton, MA

Southeast of Worcester, Grafton is a town located in the Blackstone Valley, characterized by a collection of historic mill villages.

During the Industrial Revolution, commencing in the late 18th century, Grafton gained recognition for various trades, including shoemaking and furniture manufacturing, and was a significant location for clockmaking in America.

Grafton Common, the historical site of the town’s initial European settlement established in the 1720s, presents a tranquil ambiance, adorned with grand old trees and historical landmarks such as the Grafton Inn, which has welcomed travelers since 1806.

The town features a diverse array of intriguing local businesses, ranging from a beloved lakeside ice cream stand to a specialty cheese shop offering a variety of gourmet items from Europe.

1. The Willard House & Clock Museum

The Willard Farm in North Grafton is recognized as the birthplace of early American clockmaking. It was here that the brothers, Benjamin, Simon, Ephraim, and Aaron Willard produced clocks in their workshop during the late 18th century, prior to relocating production to Roxbury.

Simon Willard (1753-1848), the most prominent of the brothers, is remembered for his banjo clock, which was patented in 1802 and became America’s first commercially successful wall clock.

At the museum located in the former Willard homestead, visitors can explore the only remaining 18th-century clockmaker’s shop in the United States and view galleries filled with exquisite Willard timepieces.

The museum also showcases a variety of other captivating artifacts, including family furniture, portraits, ephemera, and a patent signed by Thomas Jefferson.

2. Grafton Common

It is intriguing to consider that Grafton’s central common maintains the same layout as it did when established by the town’s early settlers in the 1720s.

One cannot envision a scene more quintessentially New England than this oval green space, partially shaded by mature trees and surrounded by elegant architecture.

Notable structures include the Congregational Church (1833), the Grafton Inn (1805), the Unitarian Church (1863), and the Georgian Revival Grafton Public Library (1927).

The granite fence posts delineating the green’s perimeter have stood since 1845, while the recently restored bandstand served as a set piece in the MGM movie Ah, Wilderness (1935) and was gifted to the town after filming concluded.

This area serves as the location for Grafton’s summer concert series, featuring performances held on Wednesdays from mid-June through August.

3. Grafton Historical Society Museum

The Grafton Historical Society operates a well-curated museum, accessible to visitors on Tuesday and Sunday afternoons.

In 2018, the museum was relocated to the formerly vacant South Grafton Library building, which had been repurposed from a schoolhouse established in the 1920s.

Inside, visitors can explore Grafton’s 19th-century industrial achievements, with dioramas depicting old mills and an array of items produced in these factories, including shoes and furniture.

Additional artifacts include fine ladies’ apparel, farming tools, china, military uniforms, and Civil War diaries, providing insight into life in the town over more than 300 years.

4. Silver Lake Beach

Enclosed by woodlands in the southeastern part of Grafton lies a picturesque lake featuring a small sandy beach along its eastern shoreline.

From mid-June to mid-August, Silver Lake Beach serves as an ideal retreat, complete with a lifeguarded swimming area, changing facilities, a concession stand offering hot meals, picnic tables, and charcoal grills.

Visitors can also rent kayaks and tandem kayaks for a leisurely paddling experience around the lake. Throughout the season, Silver Lake Beach is accessible to both residents and non-residents; however, non-residents are required to obtain a season membership to utilize this facility.

5. Grafton Inn

An enduring landmark on the eastern side of Grafton Common, this historic inn dates back to 1806.

The Grafton Inn features Federal architectural design, inspired by the work of Charles Bulfinch (1764-1844), who influenced this style. The inn was expanded approximately 60 years later with the addition of an Italianate porch.

Constructed of a wood frame with brick ends and topped with a stunning cupola/belvedere, this building is noteworthy for maintaining its original function. The inn offers seven rooms as well as a restaurant serving hearty pub fare, craft beer, and fine local wines.

6. Highfields Golf & Country Club

In Grafton, it is possible to enjoy a game at one of the premier public golf courses in the area. Highfields Golf & Country Club, established in 2002 on land that was once part of the Magill dairy farm, offers an exceptional golfing experience.

Owner John Magill, an avid golfer, enlisted Mugeam, a golf design firm, to create an extraordinary golf course layout spanning over 220 acres on the edge of the Blackstone Valley, catering to golfers of all skill levels while still providing challenges for more seasoned players.

The course is characterized by rolling hills and impressive views, comprising 18 holes that traverse open terrain, wetlands, and mature natural woodlands.

After your round, you can unwind at J & J Tavern, which serves delicious pub cuisine and offers views of the 18th green and practice areas.

7. Lake Ripple Dam

Travel north along Worcester St from Grafton Common, and in just a few minutes, the verdant shores of this 70-acre impoundment will come into sight.

The Lake Ripple Dam was constructed in 1982 on the Quinsigamond River, and several access points allow you to reach the water.

A public canoe and kayak launch is located at the scenic Ekblaw Landing, situated at 111 Worcester St in the northern area.

This location features a picnic area and a wealth of birdlife during the summer months, particularly at the tapered north end of the lake.

At the southern end off Brigham Hill Road, there is a gravel ramp owned by Grafton, and nearby, you can access the trails maintained by the Grafton Land Trust, which will be discussed in further detail later.

For fishing enthusiasts, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife reports notable populations of chain pickerel, largemouth bass, and carp in these waters.

8. Pecorino

Grafton hosts numerous local businesses worthy of exploration, and one standout establishment is Pecorino, a cheese shop inspired by European traditions.

This shop features an impressive selection of local and imported cheeses, ranging from gouda to gorgonzola, all expertly cut and packaged to order.

In addition, the shop offers a wealth of complementary specialty foods, including charcuterie, fresh breads, crackers, spreads, honey, jams, olive oil, vinegars, nuts, dried fruits, and a diverse selection of artisanal European candies.

To enhance your selections, a wine boutique provides bottles sourced from small, sustainable producers, along with a premium assortment of craft beers.

9. Swirls & Scoops

Enhancing the summer experience in Grafton is a seasonal ice cream stand located along Worcester St and on the eastern shore of Lake Ripple.

Typically, Swirls & Scoops operates for six months, from April to September, offering an impressive selection of nearly 50 flavors of hard ice cream, in addition to Flavorburst soft serve, sundaes, dairy-free Dole Whip, frappes, ice cream floats, and frozen lemonade.

While many patrons have their preferred hard ice cream flavors, a few that stand out include maple walnut, s’mores, black raspberry, cake batter, chocolate peanut butter, and pistachio.

10. Hassanamesit Woods

Situated in a serene corner of South Grafton, there are over 220 acres of woodland co-managed by the town’s Conservation Commission and Historical Commission.

In this vein, the primary looping trail at Hassanamesit Woods offers a choice of downloadable guides, whether you wish to learn more about the natural environment, the area’s hidden human history, or seek an educational diversion for children.

Evidence of human habitation can be observed in stone walls, granite boulders exhibiting drill marks, cellar holes, cart paths, and multi-trunked, coppiced trees. The nature guide accompanies visitors as the path transitions from oak forests to white pine forests to wetlands.

11. Gummere Woods & Marsters Preserve

Founded in 1958, the Grafton Land Trust is responsible for preserving hundreds of acres of natural landscapes and maintaining numerous miles of trails in the town.

A restorative walk in the woods is always within reach, with one of the finest experiences available on the western shoreline of Lake Ripple, where two adjacent properties offer nearly 90 acres of mixed hardwood and coniferous forests.

There is a parking area located north at 5 Wheeler Rd, off Worcester St, which includes a large information kiosk.

From here, visitors can hike south along the lakeshore and have the option to venture west into the woods via the Aquene trail. Points of interest include a historic stone chimney and one of the oldest black oak trees in Massachusetts, dating back to the early 19th century.

12. Grafton Farmers’ Market

The Grafton Municipal Center at 30 Providence Rd hosts a summer farmers’ market that typically occurs on Wednesday afternoons, from mid-June through mid-October.

Weather permitting, the market may occasionally be relocated indoors to the gymnasium of the Grafton Municipal Building.

Even during quieter weeks, more than a dozen vendors participate, offering local fresh produce, flowers, seafood, honey, gourmet coffee, breads, preserves, pastries, CBD products, and other items.

Most weeks feature live music, along with a variety of craft vendors specializing in various products, from artisanal candles to organic skincare.

13. Off the Common Antiques

In a region like Grafton Common, steeped in history, it is fitting to find an appealing antique shop.

This store is conveniently located within a short walk from the green on Worcester St, housed in an old gas station that dates back over a century.

Larger than it appears from the outside, Off the Common Antiques is a dog-friendly and accessible emporium featuring furniture, decorative arts, vintage clothing, and much more.

In addition to antique treasures, the shop also carries contemporary crafts, including pottery, quilts, stained glass, candles, soaps, and leather goods.

14. Hassanamisco Native American Museum

The Hassanamisco Nipmuc tribe, part of the larger Nipmuc Nation, owns 4.5 acres of state-recognized reservation land in Grafton, located along the southwestern shore of Lake Ripple.

The history of the Nipmuc people extends far beyond written records, but in the mid-17th century, what is now Grafton became a “praying town” when Puritan missionary John Eliot (1604-1690) converted the Hassanamisco people to Christianity.

The reservation can be traced back to 1727 when it was first established by Nipmuc woman Sarah Robins and has since been passed down through generations of women.

The historical homestead represents the oldest known frame dwelling continuously occupied by Native Americans in the region, with the reservation being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

As of the time this article was published, the museum located at this significant site was temporarily closed for renovations.

15. Airport Park

The premier municipal public park with the best amenities is located in the northwest section of Grafton. The playground at Airport Park features a wide range of equipment catering to all abilities, along with separate climbing structures and swings designed for younger children and those aged 5-12.

This park also includes a soccer field, two baseball fields complete with spectator seating, and a basketball court. The entire complex is encircled by a fully paved path.

Just a few minutes north, another option for parents can be found at Perry Hill Park (3 Perry St), which offers a well-maintained playground complemented by picnic facilities.