Dartmouth is one of Massachusetts' most beautiful coastal towns, located along New England's Farm Coast. The historic town is one of Massachusetts' largest towns by land area, located along the banks of the beautiful Buzzards Bay and offering ferry shuttle service to nearby Martha's Vineyard. Visitors can explore gorgeous preserved working farmsteads, along with some of the state's most beautiful natural preserves and nature areas. The city is also part of the Coastal Wine Tour, showcasing splendid boutique vineyards such as Coastal Vineyards.
1. Cornell Farm, Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Cornell Farm is a beautiful historic farmstead property that is overseen by the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, maintained as an ecological and educational resource for the greater Massachusetts community. The family farmstead was maintained by the same family for more than 150 years, located within an area of stunning natural beauty that contains mixed forest, cultivated upland, and pristine salt marsh environments along the southern coast of Buzzards Bay. Visitors can explore the farmstead's preserved grounds and hike along gorgeous nature trails that meander through pine and oak woodlands and serene salt marsh habitats. The farmstead is open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk.
520 Smith Neck Rd, South Dartmouth, MA 02748, Phone: 508-636-4693
2. Parsons Reserve
Covering 32 scenic acres in Russell’s Mills Village, Parsons Reserve is a nature-lovers paradise. The reserve is the place to go to admire a startling display of beautiful daffodils from mid-April to early May each year. Provided you plan your visit outside of peak times, Parsons Reserve is a serene place to explore on foot. You may be lucky enough to catch sight of the wild turkeys which roost in the oak trees and a grove of beech trees provides a shady spot for a picnic. It is a very beautiful green space and is attractive all year round – besides the magnificent spring show of daffodils you can also enjoy the beautiful rhododendrons which were planted at the southern end of the property back in the 1960’s.
Horseneck Road, Dartmouth, MA 02748, 508 991 2289
3. Lloyd Center for the Environment
Lloyd Center for the Environment is a lovely 82-acre nature reserve preserving native estuary and maritime forest habitats in the South Dartmouth area, originally opened in 1978 as a donation to the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust by Karen Lloyd. The beautiful natural facility has been named as one of Massachusetts' top 15 special places by the state's Office of Environmental Affairs, noted for its unparalleled natural beauty and unique educational programming. Visitors can view habitats from the center's gorgeous observation deck, which showcases panoramas as far away as Demarest Lloyd State Park and Martha's Vineyard. Permanent exhibits within the center's converted homestead building include aquarium exhibits showcasing the region's native marine life.
430 Potomska Rd, South Dartmouth, MA 02748, Phone: 508-990-0505
4. The Frank Knowles-Little River Reserve
The Frank Knowles/Little River Reserve is a section of a 500-acre block of preserved lands surrounding the headwaters of the Little River, located along five parcels of land donated to the Dartmouth Natural Reserve Trust between 1996 and 2010. Nine miles of lovely hiking trails are showcased throughout the reserve, which wind through fern-covered wetland areas, beech glades, salt marsh expanses, and spacious wildflower fields. A wide variety of native bird species can be observed from sites such as the Boardwalk Trail, which features three segments of lovely boardwalk overlooking a red maple swamp. Historic homestead remains are also showcased throughout the property in its wooded areas.
Potomska Rd, Dartmouth, MA 02748, Phone: 508-991-2289
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5. The Dartmouth Mall, Dartmouth, Massachusetts
The Dartmouth Mall is a single-level indoor shopping mall in North Dartmouth that was originally constructed in 1971 on the site of the former Paskamansett Links golf course. The mall, which was completely renovated in 2000, is home to a plethora of year-round shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including anchor store locations such as JCPenney, and Macy's. A wide variety of specialty retailers sell women's, men's, and children's clothing, including trendy retailers such as H&M, Francesca's and Express. Food court and restaurant options at the mall include national chain favorites such as Olive Garden, Taco Bell, Panera Bread, and Buffalo Wild Wings.
200 N Dartmouth Mall, Dartmouth, MA 02747, Phone: 508-999-4535
6. Cape Quality Seafood Restaurant and Market
Cape Quality Seafood Restaurant and Market is a delicious boat-to-table restaurant in Dartmouth, originally opened in 1997 by restaurateurs and fishers Mark Bergeron and Sonny Stanley. The restaurant serves fresh fish and seafood entrees caught daily on the duo's boats in the historic neighboring port of New Bedford. Traditional family recipes are given modern creative twists, available for full-service dining or takeout throughout the week. Excellent seafood options include teriyaki swordfish tips, baked stuffed haddock, and fried clam, scallop, oyster, and calamari platters. Diners can also choose from a selection of award-winning burgers, soups, and pastas, complemented by beers and wines from the restaurant's full-service bar.
657 Dartmouth St, South Dartmouth, MA 02748, Phone: 508-996-6724
7. Fay's Restaurant and Catering, Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Fay's Restaurant and Catering was originally opened in Dartmouth in 1961 by Fay Costa DiPiro. Since 1998, the restaurant has been operated by DiPrio's grandchildren Evelyn, Matt, and Elizabeth, paying homage to their grandmother's original restaurant Fay's Knotty Pine, which closed in 2000. Delicious Italian-style entrees are served up throughout the week at lunch and dinner, including classics like eggplant parmesan, chicken marsala, and traditional baked lasagna. Diners can also enjoy favorites like honey-almond salmon or Greek-style shrimp scampi, served up alongside creative thin-crust pizzas that can be prepared traditional or gluten-free. A full children's menu is served, along with a selection of delicious Italian desserts like tiramisu.
613 Dartmouth St, South Dartmouth, MA 02748, Phone: 508-997-8000
8. Ayur-Shri Indian Cuisine, Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Ayur-Shri Indian Cuisine is Southern Massachusetts' only Indian restaurant, located in North Dartmouth near the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth campus. The restaurant, which was opened to the public in 2009, serves up authentic Indian and Himalayan dishes throughout the week, featuring favorites from both North and South Indian cuisine. It is named for the Indian words for "life" and "goddess," emphasizing the rejuvenating, life-giving power of nutrition. Lunch buffets highlight favorites like chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, chana masala, and navratan korma, served up alongside delicious naan breads and appetizers like samosas and pakoras. At dinner, diners can select from extensive menus of meat and vegetarian favorites, including signature curries, kebabs, and chaat specialties. More MA wineries
387 State Rd, Dartmouth, MA 02747, Phone: 508-999-0070
9. Running Brook Vineyard and Winery
Championing new methods of vineyard cultivating and management for cooler climates, Running Brook Vineyard was established in 1998. It has always been their intention to produce premium wines that will please palates and prove that viticulture is alive and well in New England. Visitors are encouraged to visit the winery any day of the week (all year round) to enjoy a tasting of their wines and their home-distilled brandy, grappa and flavored liqueurs. You are welcome to bring along a picnic basket to enjoy with your tasting or you can enjoy the winery menu which is served on weekends, spring through autumn.
335 Old Fall River Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, 508 935 1998
