Overview
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). Its church was founded in 1737.
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.
Rehoboth is a mostly rural community with many historic sites, including 53 historic cemeteries, a population of 13,000 (2020).
6 sights · 8 things to do · 7 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Taunton
Dighton Rock State Park
This mysterious Dighton Rock is covered in strange engravings of unknown origin.
Old Colony History Museum
Hockomock Swamp
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 s…
Massasoit State Park
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 t…
Watson Pond State Park
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.
Boyden Refuge
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.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Dec. (climate data from nearby Providence)
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
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $120–$180 a night (typical $160), from 4 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $15 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$160, mid-range ~$220, comfortable ~$320.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Boyden Refuge, Taunton Green, Aleixo Arena
- Lunch Joe's Diner
- Afternoon Hockomock Swamp, Raynham Park
- Dinner Mimi's Diner
- Evening Smitty's Pub & Pizza
Day 2
- Morning Dighton Rock State Park, Watson Pond State Park, Weir Riverfront Park
- Lunch Dighton Country Diner
- Afternoon John F. Parker Golf Course, Hopewell Park
- Dinner 1712 Restaurant and Bar
- Evening Willy J's Pub
Day 3
- Morning Massasoit State Park, Old Colony History Museum
- Lunch La Familia
- Afternoon Memorial Park, Segregansett Country Club
- Dinner The Pearl
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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
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
Go Bloom Bus (H & L Bloom Bus Line)
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.
Go DATTCO
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.
By plane
By boat
Get around
Go GATRA (Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority)
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.
- The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA), (Route #19) designated stop in Rehoboth: Anawan St./Route 118, Toll Free: +1-800-483-2500, Phone: +1 508-823-8828, TDD: +1 508-824-7439. Convenient and relatively inexpensive city bus service to/from Taunton via Providence, including the town of Seekonk. Fares: $2 o/w to/from Providence, $1.75 o/w to/from Taunton.
See
See Boyden Refuge
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.
Small parks
See Taunton Green
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.
See Weir Riverfront Park
A small riverfront park that offers a bandstand, events, and a scenic view of old Weir Village and the Taunton River.
See Memorial Park
A city park that features a pond, benches, memorial statues, hills, playgrounds, walking paths, and some seasonal activities.
Do
Parks
Do Hockomock Swamp
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.
Do Hopewell Park
A large city park that offers woodlands, a river, walking paths, sports facilities, and a public swimming pool.
Do Massasoit State Park
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.
Buy
Shop Taunton Depot
A shopping center featuring the following stores: Home Depot, Kohl's, PETCO, Target, and other lesser-known stores.
Eat
Budget
Eat Joe's Diner
A popular diner scene experience within a retro-50s silver-tinted trailer.
Eat Dighton Country Diner
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.
Mid-range
Eat 1712 Restaurant and Bar
Small steakhouse with good bar food and seafood. Sit down and eat a real dinner.
Eat La Familia
Tiny chain serving Italian and American cuisine.
Eat The Pearl
Portuguese classics and American favorites.
Splurge
Eat Riverhouse
Seafood in historic Weir Village. Kids menu. Reservations recommended.
Drink
Drink Smitty's Pub & Pizza
A bar that serves pizza.
Drink Willy J's Pub
Cheap drinks, loud music and a pool table.
Sleep
Also try nearby Middleborough for lodging choices.
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).
Nearby
Bridgewater
City / town · 14 listings · 9 mi away
Somerset
City / town · 13 listings · 9 mi away
Freetown
City / town · 2 listings · 9 mi away
Middleborough
City / town · 16 listings · 10 mi away
Attleboro
City / town · 16 listings · 11 mi away
Mansfield
City / town · 20 listings · 11 mi away
Swansea
City / town · 20 listings · 12 mi away
Brockton
City / town · 13 listings · 13 mi away
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