Overview
Carver is a town of 12,000 (2020) in the South Shore of Massachusetts. Carver once produced more cranberries than any other town in the world and still has extensive cranberry farming.
Plympton is a small town of 3,000 (2020).
2 sights · 3 things to do · 5 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Carver
Myles Standish State Forest
State park with 26 square miles of pitch pine and scrub oak forests, and dotted with kettle ponds. 13 miles of great hiking trails and 35 miles of equestrian trails. College Pond is a great place for a swim. Over 350 cam…
Edaville USA
This functioning heritage railroad is most popular for playing host to Thomasland. Featuring a life-size Thomas the Tank Engine, Tidmouth Sheds, and other Sodor-related ephemera. Dinoland is also a big draw for the kids;…
King Richard's Faire
The largest and longest-running Renaissance Faire in New England takes place each weekend in September and October, rain or shine. Explore fantasy themed grounds spread over 80 acres of woods. Yes ale is sold by the flag…
Savory Historical Highway
This half-mile road was built in 1861 and was the first divided highway in America. Worth checking out if you're going to the Faire anyway.
Cranberry Harvest
Agricultural tourism at its finest! Massachusetts cranberry growers offer bus tours of various bogs in season. You'll learn all about growing seasons and cranberry history, before watching a wet harvest in action. If you…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Oct. (climate data from nearby Braintree)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EWB New Bedford Regional Airport, New Bedford — 17 mi away. Directions
- HYA Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Hyannis — 29 mi away. Directions
- BOS Boston Logan International Airport, Boston — 35 mi away (major hub). Directions
Carver lies sandwiched between I-495 to the west, and MA-3 to the east. US-44 runs along the northern border, and you'll likely need MA-58 to reach your destination. Routes 106 and 58 both run through Plympton.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $18 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Myles Standish State Forest, Savory Historical Highway, King Richard's Faire
- Lunch Moore Dogs
- Afternoon Edaville USA, Cranberry Harvest
- Dinner Dandy Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Deborah Sampson was born in Plympton in 1760. She dressed as a man and fought in the Revolutionary War. When her leg was injured, she tended to it herself so her gender was not discovered. Later, the leg became infected and she was hospitalized. Her gender was discovered and she was honorably discharged.
Get in
Carver lies sandwiched between I-495 to the west, and MA-3 to the east. US-44 runs along the northern border, and you'll likely need MA-58 to reach your destination. Routes 106 and 58 both run through Plympton.
Get around
A car will be necessary, these small towns are car dependent and have no public transportation. There are few sidewalks so walking from point to point may not be possible.
See
See Myles Standish State Forest
State park with 26 square miles of pitch pine and scrub oak forests, and dotted with kettle ponds. 13 miles of great hiking trails and 35 miles of equestrian trails. College Pond is a great place for a swim. Over 350 camping spots are scattered across five areas and available from mid April through mid October.
See Savory Historical Highway
This half-mile road was built in 1861 and was the first divided highway in America. Worth checking out if you're going to the Faire anyway.
Do
Do Edaville USA
This functioning heritage railroad is most popular for playing host to Thomasland. Featuring a life-size Thomas the Tank Engine, Tidmouth Sheds, and other Sodor-related ephemera. Dinoland is also a big draw for the kids; along with the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, food stalls, and dozens more of the carnival rides you'd expect. In addition the Cranberry Harvest festival is held here in early October, and the Christmas Light Festival from mid-November through December. Free parking.
Do King Richard's Faire
The largest and longest-running Renaissance Faire in New England takes place each weekend in September and October, rain or shine. Explore fantasy themed grounds spread over 80 acres of woods. Yes ale is sold by the flagon and pairs nicely with the mutton. Many attendees dress to impress in their 16th century best. Select artisans may offer hand-made goods to the well-coined. If the jousting tournament isn't your thing, perhaps the fire-eaters will entertain you? Free parking.
Do Cranberry Harvest
Agricultural tourism at its finest! Massachusetts cranberry growers offer bus tours of various bogs in season. You'll learn all about growing seasons and cranberry history, before watching a wet harvest in action. If you like, find a specific farm and arrange a more personal tour. You'll have the chance to put the waders on and walk out into the bog. A bit pricier, but great for social media pics and very kid friendly.
Buy
Shop Flax Pond Cranberry Company
Farm store selling cranberries and a variety of cranberry products.
Eat
Eat Moore Dogs
Down to earth fare with a decent menu, fun staff, and a long history of happy customers. Why do you think all the trucks stop here?
Eat Dandy Cafe
Tiny location with awesome chewy crust pizza.
Eat Fiesta Charra
Classic Mexican dishes.
Eat Mamma Mia's
Small chain of South Shore pizza places.
Eat Crane Brook Restaurant
Steakhouse ambiance overlooking a small scenic pond. Farm to table cuisine.
Sleep
Camping is also available at Myles Standish State Forest, see above.
Stay Cranberry Acres (Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park)
Offering about 200 family friendly campsites for tents and RVs. Prices are super high for a campground, as they offer a wide variety of child-friendly games and entertainment. Options include a trampoline park, playgrounds, arcade, pool, mini-golf, sensory experiences and so on.
Go next
- Plymouth — Famous for its Pilgrim history and Plimoth Plantation.
- Bridgewater — Home of Bridgewater State University.
- New Bedford - "The Whaling City" inspired Moby-Dick and houses a Whaling Museum.
- Woods Hole — Famed oceanographic institute, tons of shopping and dining options, not to mention ferry connections to Martha's Vineyard.
- Taunton — Rich in history, "The Christmas City" is a regional hub and the center of the paranormal "Bridgewater Triangle".
Nearby
Middleborough
City / town · 16 listings · 7 mi away
Plymouth
City / town · 80 listings · 7 mi away
Kingston
City / town · 20 listings · 8 mi away
Wareham
City / town · 21 listings · 9 mi away
Halifax
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
Rochester
City / town · 3 listings · 11 mi away
Duxbury
City / town · 13 listings · 12 mi away
Marion
City / town · 1 listings · 13 mi away
My experience
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