Carver

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).

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

Cranberry bog being "wet harvested"

Cranberry bog being "dry harvested"

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

• 1 Myles Standish State Forest, 194 Cranberry Rd, ☏ +1 508 866-2526. Sunrise-sunset daily. 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. Tent/RV sites from $17 per day, Yurt $45 per day. Parking $8 for Massachusetts residents, $30 for non. Firewood $7. (updated Mar 2022)
• 2 Savory Historical Highway. 24 hours daily. 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. Free. (updated Mar 2022)

Do

• 1 Edaville USA, 5 Pine St, ☏ +1 (508) 866-8190, info@edaville.com. 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. $25-35 per person. (updated Mar 2022)
• 2 King Richard's Faire, 235 Main Street, ☏ +1 (508) 866-5391. Sa Su 10:30AM-6PM. 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. $20-40. (updated Mar 2022)
• Cranberry Harvest, ☏ +1 508-866-7878. Sept 15-Oct 31. 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. $20-50. (updated Nov 2022)

Buy

• Flax Pond Cranberry Company, 1 Robbins Path, ☏ +1 508 866-2162, flaxpond@mindspring.com. Sept 21-Oct 31 M-Th 11AM-4PM, F-Su 10AM-4PM. Farm store selling cranberries and a variety of cranberry products. 
• Sunrise Gardens Farm Stand, 94 Center St (Plympton), ☏ +1 781-585-6035. 9AM-6PM daily. A family-owned farm and business that grown their own flowers and chemical free produce. They also sell mulch, pumpkins, mums, firewood and Christmas trees and wreaths. Open year round! (updated Nov 2022)
• Sauchuk Farm, 53 Palmer Rd (Plympton), ☏ +1 781-585-1522. May-Oct. Sells fresh produce and flowers that is grown on their own farm. Seasonal offerings like: Pick your own, apple cider donuts, corn maze, and a pumpkin patch. (updated Nov 2022)

Eat

• Moore Dogs, 92 N Main St, ☏ +1 508-866-5342. 6AM-3PM daily. 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? $3-8. (updated Mar 2022)
• Dandy Cafe, 114 Main St, ☏ +1 508-866-7422. 10AM-9PM daily. Tiny location with awesome chewy crust pizza. $10-20. (updated Mar 2022)
• Fiesta Charra, 66 Main St, ☏ +1 508-866-1130. 11AM-9:30PM daily. Classic Mexican dishes. $18-25. (updated Nov 2022)
• Mamma Mia's, 73 Main St, ☏ +1 508-866-7900. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-9PM. Small chain of South Shore pizza places. $20-30. (updated Nov 2022)
• Crane Brook Restaurant, 229 Tremont St, ☏ +1 508-465-4959. W-Sa 4-10PM. Steakhouse ambiance overlooking a small scenic pond. Farm to table cuisine. $40-70. (updated Nov 2022)

Sleep

Camping is also available at Myles Standish State Forest, see above.

• Cranberry Acres (Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park), 20 Shoestring Rd, ☏ +1 508-866-4040. 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. $100 average. (updated Nov 2022)

Connect

• Carver Public Library, 2 Meadowbrook Way, ☏ +1 508-866-3415. M W 10AM-6PM, Tu 10AM-8PM, Th F 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Free. (updated Nov 2022)
• Plympton Public Library, 248 Main St (Plympton), ☏ +1 781-585-4551. Tu Th 10AM-7PM, W 10AM-1PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Free. (updated Nov 2022)

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".

Routes through Carver

Providence ← Middleborough ←	W  E	→ Kingston → Plymouth
Weymouth ← Plympton ←	N  S	→ Rochester/Wareham → Ends at