Community Corner
Blogger Shares Summer Road Trip Ideas
Selectman Tim Dodd shares a passion for travel.
Have you read our Local Voices columns? Westborough Patch has a bevy of talented bloggers who share thoughts, hobbies and conversation. Each Tuesday, in our "Best of the Blogs" column, we feature one the "Local Voices" blogs that you may have missed. This week, we turn your attention to our newest blogger, Selectman Tim Dodd. He has a passion for travel and shares a plan that will help you to explore some of the best of Massachusetts.
South Coast of Massachusetts
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Featured Towns: Dartmouth, Fairhaven, New Bedford
Approximate Distance from Westborough: 1 hour 20 minutes (Westborough center to New Bedford center, based on Mapquest.)
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Trip Summary:
Who wouldn't want the chance to visit a world-class museum, partake in two scrumptius seafood meals, and spend a few hours relaxing on the beach? And who wouldn't want the chance to do all of these things in one day, traveling less than an hour and a half away from Westborough? In this edition of 1 Day Road Trips, we visit the south coast of Massachusetts.
Places of Note:
Below, find the pertinent information for the museums, points of interest, and restaurants at which we will stop.
- 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford
- Summer hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
- Admission: adults $14, seniors $12, students with ID $9, children $6, children under 5 are free.
- www.whalingmuseum.org
Itinerary:
9:30 a.m. - Depart Westborough
10:50 a.m. - Arrive at the New Beford Whaling Museum
The museum, one of two dedicated to the industry in Masschusetts (the other is on Nantucket), is in the heart of the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park.
1 p.m. - Lunch at Freestone's Grill City
New Bedford's oldest, and self-proclaimed "Most Awesome" restaurant and bar, is located at the corner of William and North Second sreets, a short walk from the Whaling Museum. The lunch menu includes a great selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas, all at reasonable prices.
2 p.m. - Depart for Fairhaven/West Island
2:20 p.m. - Arrive at West Island
West Island is a small (approximately 3 miles by 1 mile) island located off the coast of Fairhaven. The island does not contain any businesses and is home to a few hundred year-round residents and slightly over one thousand summer resdents. Although less than 25 miles from Cape Cod, the island is tranquil and void of traffic jams, even in the height of the summer. The "Town Beach," as the locals call it, is located in the far northeast corner of the island. As the story goes, a hurricane in the 1940's destroyed the bridge to the island. Islanders, desperate for help, asked the town to construct a new bridge to the island. Fairhaven agreed to do so, in return for a beach that would raise revenue for the town. A day pass is $15.00, or $7.00 if you park on the street just outside of the entrance and walk in.
4:30 p.m. - Leave West Island, Make a Few Stops Along the Way!
The trip to our next destination (Padanaram) is 33 minutes away, according to Mapquest. However, plan to leave a little early to give you time to make some stops along the way. On Route 6, there are several interesting shops, and a trip to the area is not complete without a visit to Cox's Candies. Right before you cross into New Bedford, consider making a stop at Fort Phoenix Park, located on the water just south of downtown Fairhaven. Drive by Fairhaven High School to see a school that looks very different from the high school from which you graduated!
5:45 p.m. - Arrive in Padanaram
Arrive in this small, beautiful village a little while before your dinner reservation to give you some time to walk the streets and visit the shops.
6 p.m. - Dinner at Black Bass Grille
The Black Bass Grille is located in the beautiful Padanaram neighborhood in South Darmouth. It features a large selection on its new dinner menu, and includes extensive martini and wine lists.
Head home to Westborough!
Would you like to blog on Westborough Patch? Contact MaryJo Kurtz, editor of Westborough Patch, at maryjo.kurtz@patch.com. Send a sample blog and an email with your ideas.
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