fun and unusual
PLACES TREASURED BY LOCALS
Hilliards House of Candy
316 Main St., North Easton, and 333 School St., Mansfield
There is no bigger treat than a stop at Hilliards House of Candy, where kids can scoop out their own assortment of goodies into bags while adults check out their delicious boxes of salted caramel chocolates, roasted-on-site nuts, or adorable holiday chocolate lollipops. It's a great spot to stop in the summer for a scoop of their own yummy ice cream too.
Franklin Sculpture Park
Panther Way, Franklin
A hidden-gem outdoor sculpture park featuring 13 sculptures, artwork, walkways around a pond, and local wildlife. Many pieces of artwork were created by students from the Franklin Art Center and elsewhere, so it is a great place to bring the kiddos to spark some creativity.
Ace Archers
131 Morse St., Foxboro
774-215-5292
Their trained and certified staff is ready to help you learn archery, from the basics to advanced. They offer shooting classes, parties, and have equipment in stock available for purchase.
Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog
Bass Pro Shop, 1 Bass Pro Dr., Foxboro
Home to the last remaining active cranberry bog in Foxboro, this 32-acre cranberry wetland system has paved trails through a protected habitat with native wildlife. There is a beautiful fire pit and lots of signs throughout the bog describing the local history.
Fab Finds Foxboro
34 School St., Foxboro
508-543-1948
Over 25 vintage vendors are in this charming store with an excellent mix of furniture, artwork, decor, clothing, and signs. Beautiful vintage items and a chic blend of old and new.
American Firearms School
5 John L. Dietsch Sq., North Attleboro
Southern New England’s premier indoor shooting and firearms training facility. Their certified staff will teach you the basics and help you build your skill. They offer courses for beginners to advanced shooters, as well as 20 lanes for pistol and rifle shooting.
Mass Audubon’s Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
108 North St., Norfolk
An easy, 1-mile trail around a pond, ending by a waterfall at the site of a former mill. Includes a boardwalk, bird watching, local wildlife, a wetland habitat, natural history exhibits, nature play area, picnic area, butterfly garden, and a gift shop. Bonus … it is wheelchair accessible.
Mendon Twin Drive-In
35 Milford St., Mendon
508-473-4958
One of the top drive-ins in the country, it sits on nearly 16 acres of beautiful, tree-lined land. The projection booth is equipped with the latest digital projection, ensuring a great movie experience. They serve fresh food in the nostalgic decorated snack bar. Adults can also enjoy a movie, as well as beer and wine, in the 5,000-square-foot patio with fire pits.
Flaky Crust Pies
401 Old Colony Rd., Norton
508-455-0607
A family-run business featuring sweet and savory pies made from scratch. They were featured on the Phantom Gourmet and offer monthly seasonal specials.
An Unlikely Story
111 South St., Plainville
508-699-0244
At this quaint bookstore, you can purchase books and enjoy a treat in the cafe. There is a function room available for rent. If you are lucky, you can get a photo and autograph with the owner and author, Jeff Kinney, whose main office is upstairs!
The Walpole Footlighters
2 Scout Rd., East Walpole
508-668-8446
A wonderful community theater with unique plays. Visit their website for upcoming performances and auditions.