Seekonk
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Seekonk[dead link] is a town of 16,000 people (2020) in the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts. Though much of the town primarily serves as a residential suburb of nearby cities (Providence, Boston, Taunton, Fall River), its relative wealth of shopping locales and destinations like the Seekonk Speedway combine with an all-around dose of Swamp Yankee charm to make Seekonk an interesting place to visit, or perhaps work. In any case, you'll probably drive through it at some point if you frequently travel around Southern New England (especially Massachusetts and Rhode Island), so knowing where to stop could come in handy.
Understand
[edit]Seekonk traces its name to a Wampanoag (Native American) word for Canada geese ("Seaconcke"), which can frequently be seen migrating over Seekonk or living, for a time, in the Seekonk Reservoir (the original pond/lake was another possible meaning for the word Seekonk) or other locations. Indeed, many species of migratory birds can be seen in an area which has preserved many wetlands and natural resources while also developing a sprawl of suburban infrastructure, best epitomized in the endless stores of Route 6. In early winter, large mobs of birds have been known to inhabit the power lines on Route 6 as well as they prepare for the long journey south. More about the area-at-large's birding can be found from Mass Audubon.
It borders East Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode Island to the west, Attleboro to the north, Rehoboth to the east, and Swansea (Massachusetts) and Barrington (Rhode Island) to the south.
Get in
[edit]
By car
[edit]Seekonk is most easily accessed by car.
- Interstate 195 runs east-west from Providence to Cape Cod. Exit 1.
- US Route 6, a 3000-mi connection from Cape Cod to California, is the town's main thoroughfare (here, named Fall River Ave).
- US Route 44 from Plymouth and Taunton via Rehoboth connects to East Providence and then Providence. Known here as Taunton Ave.
- MA Route 152 connects to Attleboro, Plainville, and East Providence.
- Route 114A runs from East Providence in the south to... East Providence again in the north, vertically slicing Seekonk in half along the way.
By bike
[edit]The adventurous Providence biker can cross a bridge and journey through East Providence, which has notorious potholes in places but generally good sidewalks. Many cyclists can be seen in Seekonk on fair weather days.
By train
[edit]- From Boston: take the Providence Commuter Rail to Providence or Attleboro (not South Attleboro), then follow bus instructions below. Assuming the schedules line up, Attleboro would be the easiest connection, since the bus and train go to the same transportation center.
By bus
[edit]- From Providence: Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) Routes 32 and 34 connect Providence's Kennedy Plaza with Seekonk.
- From Attleboro: GATRA Bus Route 19 connects Attleboro Transit Center to Seekonk.
By plane
[edit]Get around
[edit]Seekonk is most easily traveled by car. Most businesses and attractions are on one of the town's main highways, which are not very friendly to pedestrians and cyclists.
See and do
[edit]
- 1 Seekonk Speedway, 1710 Fall River Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-9959. Apr-Sep: F Sa nights. The Speedway, family owned and operated since 1946 (the oldest of its kind in the USA), is perhaps the town's most widely-known destination. Advertised as "The Action Track of the East" and "Southern New England's premier NASCAR track", the crowds can get large and rowdy for big races (not to mention for the July 4th fireworks!)
- 2 Showcase Cinemas Seekonk Route 6, 100 Commerce Way, toll-free: +1 800-315-4000.
Family entertainment centers
[edit]Somehow, some way, Seekonk manages to support three similar, mini golf-anchored family fun venues.
- 3 Seekonk Grand Prix, 1098 Fall River Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-8307. Go karts, an arcade, mini golf, and bumper boats provide fun for kids of all ages.
- 4 FantasyLand, 1300 Fall River Ave. Mini golf and an indoor arcade with kiddieland rides. The center is mostly suitable for young children.
- 5 Monster Mini Golf, 140 Taunton Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-8004. Blacklight-lit indoor venue featuring giant animatronic monsters decorated with neon UV paint. Golf and arcade machines. Geared toward adolescents. $9-$10 per person.
Outdoors
[edit]- 6 Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, ☏ +1 401 245 7500 ext 3201. 7AM-5PM. Somewhat off the beaten path, this 200-acre Audubon Society reserve offers 3.5 mi (5.6 km) of hiking trails, opportunities for seeing birds and other wildlife, and camp sessions for kids.
- 7 James V. Turner Reservoir (Seekonk Reservoir), Route 152 (Unimproved fishing access site on Newman Ave, on the Seekonk side of the reservoir.). Great spot for largemouth bass fishing. The bulk of the reservoir is part of the Rumford neighborhood of East Providence.
- 8 Seacunke Sanctuary (Charles Maraian Farm), Dexter Ave. Once a working farm owned by Armenian immigrant Charles V. Mararian (1872-1971), the town of Seekonk has owned this 27 acres (11 hectares) of nature preserve since 1975. The sanctuary provides great hikes along the eastern bank of Central Reservoir, abutting a tiny portion of East Providence. Free.
Buy
[edit]
- 1 Leonards New England, 600 Taunton Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-8585. Beautiful antique beds and reproduction furniture. These handcrafted heirloom pieces fetch thousands of dollars.
Malls
[edit]Seekonk's strip of US Route 6 is a mile-long string of retail park after retail park. Some of the larger parks include:
- 2 King Philip's Crossing, 201 Highland Ave. Michael's Arts and Crafts, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Panera Bread.
- 3 Seekonk Square, 101 Commerce Way, ☏ +1 617 232-8900. Retailers include Target, Best Buy, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, and Ulta. Next door, a neighboring retail park features Walmart, Dunkin', and Starbucks.
Farm stands
[edit]- 4 Belwing Turkey Farm, 773 Taunton Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-9142. Sells farm-fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving.
- 5 Four Town Farm, 90 George St, ☏ +1 508 336-5587. Seasonal. Pick your own farm-fresh berries, peas, and pumpkins seasonally between June and October. Tours of the farm are offered, particularly for groups of children.
- 6 Osamequin Farm, 80 Walnut St. This woman-led farm seasonally sells bouquets, sunflowers, and blueberries.
Groceries
[edit]- 7 The Good Seed, 138 Central Avenue, ☏ +1 508 399-7333. Health food shop selling vitamins, supplements, and organic ingredients.
Eat
[edit]Diners
[edit]- 1 Country Kitchen, 469 Taunton Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-9807. To get a taste of old Seekonk, have breakfast at this humble red house across from the Y on Route 44. Filled with sports memorabilia and old-school kitsch, this family-run joint serves basic, filling diner fare with a lot of heart (and coffee milk!). Locally famous for their sky-high Thanksgiving pies.
- 2 Eats, 1395 Fall River Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-4384. Another old school diner open for breakfast and lunch. It's all decent, but the N.Y. System hot dogs are a highlight for many.
- 3 Micheletti's, 1053 Newman Avenue, ☏ +1 508 761-6370. One more worthwhile diner, this time in North Seekonk. Known for their homemade ice cream.
Dinner
[edit]- 4 Boneyard BBQ & Saloon, 540 Central Avenue, ☏ +1 508 761-6855. Straddling the Attleboro border, this biker bar takes pride in its jumbo chicken wings with dozens of available sauces.
- 5 Chardonnay's, 393 Taunton Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-0967. Fresh and flavorful seafood paired with inventive cocktails make this restaurant the star of Seekonk's dining options. Lighter fare is available, including grilled pizzas, salads, and sandwiches.
- 6 The Old Grist Mill Tavern, 390 Fall River Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-8460. Su-Th 11:30AM-9PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM. Emphasis on steaks, seafood, and salad bar in a reconstruction of an old, picturesque mill.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Ramada by Wyndham Seekonk, 213 Taunton Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-8700.
- 2 Motel 6 Providence - Seekonk, 821 Fall River Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-7800, fax: +1 508 336-0977.
- 3 Shangri-La Motel, 1495 Fall River Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-8540.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Seekonk |
| Providence ← East Providence ← | W  E |
→ Swansea → New Bedford |
| Providence ← East Providence ← | W  E |
→ Swansea → New Bedford |
| Providence ← East Providence ← | W  E |
→ Rehoboth → Plymouth |