Taunton
_Panorama_(cropped_banner).jpg)
Taunton is a city in Massachusetts with a population of 59,000 (2020). It is nicknamed the "Silver City" for its tradition as a center of silversmithing, and the "Christmas City" for its festive Christmas displays on Taunton Green. Taunton is the economic and cultural hub and county seat of Bristol County.
Berkley is a town with a population of 7,000 (2020).
Dighton was established in 1668 and has a rich history that reaches back to before America gained its independence. With a population around 8,000 (2020), it's a rural secret off the beaten path. Since it has no major highway access, its growth has been slow compared to the rest of the region.
Raynham is a town with a population of 15,000 (2020). Site of the first iron works in America, a big milk bottle, and produced the anchor for the Civil War-era ironclad USS Monitor.
Understand
Get in
Map of Taunton (Massachusetts)
By car
Taunton is crossed by Interstate 495 and is very near Route 24 which heads north to Boston. Interstate 95 is only about 15 minutes away. A half-hour drive to/from Plymouth and Providence, Rhode Island via US-44. It is about a 40-minute drive away from the Cape Cod Canal via Interstate 495/Route 25, also New Bedford via Route 140. Berkley is crossed by Route 24 and Route 79. Dighton is crossed by US-44 and Route 138.
By bus
- 1 Bloom Bus (H & L Bloom Bus Line), 10 Oak Street (Taunton), ☏ +1 508-822-1991, toll-free: +1 800-323-3009. Fairly inexpensive bus service running between Boston and Taunton. It makes two stops along the way, one at a "park-n-ride" in West Bridgewater and another in Raynham by the dogtrack. The only real bus terminal is in Taunton. In Boston you'll be dropped off curbside near South Station, not within the transit complex itself. $14 one way, discounts for children. Buy tickets from the driver.
- 2 DATTCO, 96 Galleria Mall Dr (Park & Ride), ☏ +1 508-993-5040, toll-free: +1 800-453-5040. M-F 4:50AM-8:45PM, Su 6:50AM-8:40PM. Connecting Boston's South Station to Taunton, New Bedford, and Fairhaven. DATTCO offers a small handful of weekday buses and one Sunday bus. Buses usually leave before 7AM in the south, and depart Boston later in the afternoon or evenings. Boston $13, New Bedford $11.
By plane
- 3 Myricks Airport, 168 Padelford St, ☏ +1 508-822-2457. Sunrise-sunset daily. Tiny and historic airport with one very short turf runway. Free.
- 4 Taunton Municipal Airport (TAN IATA), 4 Westcoat Drive (East Taunton), ☏ +1 508-821-2973. M-F 8AM-1PM. Small regional general aviation airport with two runways. The larger is 3,500ft of asphalt, and the other is 2,500 ft of turf. Self-service fuel pumps were installed in 2018. Tie-downs available for rent.
By boat
- Public Boat Launch, Pleasant Street (Dighton). 24 hours daily. Access to the Taunton River. Free.
Get around
- GATRA (Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority), 10 Oak Street, ☏ +1 508-823-8828, +1 508-824-7439 (TTD), toll-free: +1 800-483-2500. Varies, 7AM-7PM daily. GATRA central offers about a half-dozen or so routes stitching together Taunton, Attleborough and points between. The routes join various bus stations and parking lots with town centers, and will require some planning to make use of. One bus per hour from 6AM-6PM. $1.50, Day pass: $4, 10-day ride pass: $13, free transfers.
See
- Boyden Refuge, 1298 Cohannet St, ☏ +1 508-821-1676. 9AM-sunset daily. A small heavily-wooded wildlife sanctuary by Three Mile River with unmaintained hiking trails and a botanical garden. Great for birdwatching, you'll also find beautiful wooden bridges, picnic grounds, and bathrooms. Free.
- 1 Dighton Rock State Park (Berkley), ☏ +1 508-822-7537. This mysterious Dighton Rock is covered in strange engravings of unknown origin.
- 2 Old Colony History Museum, 66 Church Green, ☏ +1 508-822-1622. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. $5, children and seniors $3.
Small parks
- Taunton Green, 1 Taunton Green. Sunrise-sunset daily. Taunton town square and city center features walking paths, war memorial statues, benches, a water fountain, and scenic downtown views. Townsfolk gather here throughout the year to celebrate various events, like the grand Christmas display of lights.
- Weir Riverfront Park, E Water St. A small riverfront park that offers a bandstand, events, and a scenic view of old Weir Village and the Taunton River.
- Memorial Park, Somerset Ave. Sunrise-sunset daily. A city park that features a pond, benches, memorial statues, hills, playgrounds, walking paths, and some seasonal activities.
Do
- Aleixo Arena, 150 Gordon Owen Riverway, ☏ +1 508-824-4987. An indoor ice skating rink, with ice skate rentals. $6, rentals $6.
- John F. Parker Golf Course, 17 Fisher Street, ☏ +1 508 822-1797. Apr 1-Nov 30; 7AM-6PM daily. A 9-hole public golf course that features 3,034 yards of golf, competitions & leagues, and golf cart rentals. $10-35.
- Segregansett Country Club, 85 Gulliver St, ☏ +1 508-824-9110. A private country club facility that features an 18-hole golf course with 6,632 yards of golf, golf cart rentals, tournaments, banquet facilities, etc. Public tee times. $60 with cart.
Parks
- Hockomock Swamp. 24 hours daily. Ranging to almost 17,000 acres at its greatest extent, the Great Hockomock Swamp has significant historic and natural significance. Used by the Wampanoag for at least 10,000 years, it has long held a revered and sacred status. The swamp functioned as a stronghold and defensive position against the English during King Phillip's War. European arrivals would later deem the land worthless, attempting to drain it with limited success. Today, over 5,000 acres remain preserved, with over a dozen rare and endangered species calling it home. Hundreds of miles of unmarked trails are available for the adventurous to explore. Come well prepared, the swamp can be disorienting, footing can be insecure and overgrowth can be dense, impeding progress. Perhaps the best time to visit is high winter, when bogs freeze over and mosquitos become silent. The swamp remains a place of mystery for some, associated with The Bridgewater Triangle, a place where the paranormal becomes normal. Free.
- Hopewell Park, 70 Hamilton St. A large city park that offers woodlands, a river, walking paths, sports facilities, and a public swimming pool.
- 1 Massasoit State Park, 1361 Middleboro Ave (East Taunton), ☏ +1 508-828-4231. Sunrise-sunset daily. Featuring over 1200 acres of thickly wooded forests, many visitors arrive here to view the autumnal fireworks. The rich colors of evergreen pines and backdrop of vivid red cranberry bogs provide an uncommon contrast to the annual changing of the leaves. The primary activities here are hiking, mountain biking, and camping. Many other amenities abound; however, such as: canoeing, fishing, restricted hunting, picnicking, swimming, and cross-country skiing. Free.
- Raynham Park, 1958 Broadway (Raynham), ☏ +1 508-824-4071, info@rtgp.com. An entertainment facility that features live greyhound and simulcast racing, live bands, a clubhouse, lounge, and function hosting.
- 2 Watson Pond State Park, 1644 Bay St, ☏ +1 508-884-8280. 10AM-6PM seasonally. This 10-acre park is open during the warmer months and is great for families. It offers a playground, picnic facility, small freshwater beach, bathrooms, and a wide range of seasonal recreational activities. Free, parking $8, non-resident $30.
Buy
- Taunton Depot, 65 Taunton Depot Dr (East Taunton). 8AM-10PM daily. A shopping center featuring the following stores: Home Depot, Kohl's, PETCO, Target, and other lesser-known stores.
Eat
Budget
- Joe's Diner, 51 Broadway, ☏ +1 508-823-2193. A popular diner scene experience within a retro-50s silver-tinted trailer.
- Mimi's Diner, 19 Taunton Green, ☏ +1 508-880-7700. W-M 7AM-1PM.
- Dighton Country Diner, 238 Main St, ☏ +1 508-669-5507. 6AM-11AM daily. A really tiny place with a classic diner atmosphere, and you usually get the same waitress if you go there often. They serve standard diner fare, which includes eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, waffles, French toast, and cornbread. Their prices are very reasonable, and you can get a decent breakfast with coffee here. $10.
Mid-range
- 1712 Restaurant and Bar, 1881 County St, ☏ +1 774-872-0226. W Th 4-9PM, F Sa 4PM-midnight. Small steakhouse with good bar food and seafood. Sit down and eat a real dinner.
- La Familia, 431 Winthrop St, ☏ +1 508-823-8664. noon-8PM daily. Tiny chain serving Italian and American cuisine.
- The Pearl, 76 Weir Street, ☏ +1 508-409-7356. 11AM-midnight, closed Tu. Portuguese classics and American favorites.
Splurge
- Riverhouse, 260 W Water Street, ☏ +1 774-501-2003. M Tu 4:30-10PM, W-Su 11:30AM-10PM. Seafood in historic Weir Village. Kids menu. Reservations recommended. $20-30.
Drink
- Smitty's Pub & Pizza, 445 Bay St, ☏ +1 508-822-1208. W-Su noon-9PM. A bar that serves pizza.
- Willy J's Pub, 599 Winthrop Street, ☏ +1 508-880-5877. 3-11PM. Cheap drinks, loud music and a pool table.
Sleep
Also try nearby Middleborough for lodging choices.
- Clarion Hotel, 700 Myles Standish Blvd, ☏ +1 508-823-0430. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and restaurant. $120.
- Courtyard Boston Raynham, 37 Paramount Dr (Raynham), ☏ +1 508-822-8383. From $200.
- Quality Inn Raynham-Taunton, 164 New State Hwy (Raynham), ☏ +1 508-824-8647. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. From $140.
- Hampton Inn Raynham-Taunton, 600 New State Hwy (Raynham), ☏ +1 508-822-6222. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. From $180.
Go next
Taunton is an excellent starting point for any tour of southern New England, as most of the region's major roads cross near Taunton center. You're about a 45 minute drive from destinations like Boston, Plymouth, Cape Cod, Providence, and Newport (Rhode Island).
| Routes through Taunton |
| Marlborough ← Norton ← | N  S |
→ Raynham → Bourne |
| Boston ← Raynham ← | N  S |
→ Berkley → Fall River |
| Boston ← Raynham ← | N  S |
→ Dighton → Fall River |
| Foxborough ← Norton ← | N  S |
→ Lakeville → New Bedford |
| Providence ← Rehoboth ← | W  E |
→ Middleborough → Plymouth |