3 Things to do in Fairhaven, Massachusetts
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Fairhaven, Massachusetts, settled in 1659, is a small town located in Bristol County. The town shares a harbor with neighboring New Bedford, which is known for its’ whaling and fishing history. It’s a nice easy daytrip for residents of nearby cities like Providence, so I recommend planning a ride over if you live in the region.
Mike and I planned a quick daytrip from Fall River, primary to bike and enjoy the beach scene. This little town is home to the Phoenix Bike Trail, West Island Town Beach, and Fort Phoenix State Beach and Reservation. We also explored a few historical sites. Take a look at my guide on a few beautiful attractions to check out, whether you are staying the night or just taking a quick daytrip from a nearby city.
1. Take a stroll along West Island Town Beach
This beautiful laid-back beach is often ranked among the best in New England. It’s a popular spot for birdwatching with egrets frequently sighted in the marsh. You can also snorkel if you bring or rent your own equipment. Day passes are available for both residents and non-residents and vary in price based on the time of year.
This is a great beach for a nature walk, relaxing, and taking photographs. As you can see in the photos, we were basically the only ones on the beach which was nice. I am not big on noisy beach crowds and prefer strolling around, looking for seaglass, listening to the waves, and getting in a nice walk.
We found a decent amount of seaglass here. Not as much as some other beaches in the region, but several big pieces like the frosty white piece in the picture here.
The 48 foot tall WWII Lookout Tower can be seen from the beach. It was built by the Army in 1943 to identify enemy submarine movement. You can read more about the history via this Southcoast Today article.
Location: Fir Street Fairhaven, MA 02719
Parking fee: Fees in effect from June-August. The resident season pass is $40. For non residents, the pass is $150.
2. Take a scenic bike ride along the Phoenix Rail Trail
The Phoenix Rail Trail is a scenic 3.5 mile path which passes through forests, marshes, and farms. Most of the path is wooded and desolate, making it a very quiet, green, and enjoyable ride. The trail links to the uncompleted Mattapoisett Rail Trail for an extra mile (this trail will eventually span 26 miles).
Phoenix Rail Trail is a very easy, flat, scenic 7 mile ride. I really loved the woodsy and salt marsh scenery; it felt more like an enjoyable nature activity rather than a hard workout. It beats riding on a boring bike in the gym with no views. Really, all the bike paths we have come across since moving to Fall River have been so beautiful and this one is no exception.
Location: 8 Main St Fairhaven, MA 02719. Free parking
3. Explore the area’s natural history
Fairhaven was established back in 1659, meaning the area is rich in historical significance like most New England communities. We have had a great time exploring old historical sites and especially touring old cemeteries. Willow Park was formerly home to burial ground that dated back to 1771. We definitely had an eerie feeling biking past this area, especially since the graves were moved over to Riverside Cemetery.
The park now retains an eerie vibe and you can feel something strange in the air as you pass the area. As someone who is super sensitive to anything supernatural, I definitely felt an odd vibe in the air. I think spirits are upset that their final resting places have been moved.
Location: South Street & Main Street Fairhaven, MA. Free parking.
More fun in the region
While you are in the area make sure to check out The Pasta House (update: it has been rebranded as Bocca). This is a great local Italian establishment; I really enjoyed the ravioli here.
If you enjoy biking, there are several other great bike paths in the region, including The East Bay Bike Path and the Myles Standish State Forest trail. East Bay, a wonderful 14 mile rail trail, is located in Providence and features wonderful views of the harbor. Myles Standish is a big beautiful forest with lots of pine trees, cranberry bogs, and ponds. Both are great options during the summer and fall season, either for hiking or biking.
Other great attractions in nearby towns include: Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, Buttonwood Park Zoo and the Lizzie Borden Museum (I really love the history tour here and you can also stay over night at the B&B).
