Kingston (Massachusetts)

Kingston was founded as part of Plymouth, Duxbury, and Pembroke, but was carved out and incorporated as a distinct town in 1726. Kingston is also to the longest continuously run boat yard in North America, now named the Jones River Landing. The USS Independence, a ship used during the Revolutionary War, was built by Kingston shipbuilders on the Jones River and appears on the town's seal.

The town was also famous for ice harvesting. Silver Lake, a large freshwater pond and the namesake of the region's school district, was so named as a marketing ploy for the ice harvesting industry. Today, Kingston is quite homogeneous and mainly home to families with adults commuting into Boston for work.

Traveling by car is relatively easy here, though be prepared for a bumpy ride on some older back roads. Easy highway access makes trips across town even faster, and most roads aren't overly crowded or backed up with traffic. Some exceptions are: Main Street near Exit 9 at the beginning and end of the elementary school day, the Independence Mall Way/Exit 8 area, Pembroke Street/Route 27 between Lake Street and Wapping Road at the beginning and end of the high school day, and Summer Street/Route 3A between exits 8 and 9.

• 🌍 Jones River Trading Post, 42 Elm Street (on the Jones River waterfall). Used mostly for private functions, but the grounds surrounding the building are a pretty spot to check out nonetheless. 
• 🌍 Jones River Village Historical Society, 50 Landing Road. View collections and exhibits relating to Kingston's history in the 16th-century Bradford Homestead and gardens, which have been restored. Weekly breakfasts held during the summer season. 

• 🌍 Alley Kat Lane, 7 Tarklin Rd. New England-style candlepin bowling. Great for kids. 
• 🌍 Bog Hollow Farm, 80 Wapping Road. Blueberry and pumpkin picking available seasonally. 
• 🌍 Bog Ice Arena, 188 Summer Street. Ice rink offering public skating, hockey, figure skating, and learn-to-skate programs, and hockey league play. 
• 🌍 Gray's Beach Park. The only public beach in Kingston, Gray's Beach park is located in the picturesque Rocky Nook area. In addition to the beach, facilities include a playground, tennis courts, and a snack shack. Parking is by beach sticker; full passes are sold annually for residents and nonresidents, but you can buy a day pass at the concession stand for $8. 
• 🌍 K1 Speed, 101 Kingston Collection Way. Indoor Go-Kart racing. Sign up for individual races, or take classes. Leagues available to join. 
• 🌍 Sampson Forest and Memorial Park. Hiking trails along the Jones River and great for dog walking. 

• 🌍 Kingston Collection, 101 Kingston Collection Way. Shops, restaurants, activities, and a movie cinema. Formerly known as the Independence Mall. 

• 🌍 Pinz, 101 Kingston Collection Way. Bowling, arcade, laser tag, pool, cocktails, and pub food. 

• 🌍 Ahh...Qua Bed and Breakfast, 164 Wapping Road. Cozy rooms, wrap around porch, fire pit, full breakfast and afternoon treats. 
• 🌍 Baymont Inn & Suites, 149 Main St. Located right off of Route 3 in Kingston. Free breakfast and Wi-Fi access, indoor pool and fitness center. 
• 🌍 1760 Peabody Bradford Homestead, 6 River Street. 1760 Cape House fully renovated and expanded on the Jones River. Continental breakfast. 

• Plymouth, America's Hometown and landing site of the Pilgrims, is right next door to the south along Route 3 an Route 3A. The town contains plenty to see and do; various historical attractions include Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II, and during the summer a visit to Long Beach, a whale watch on the Captain John boats, and taking in a show at the Priscilla Beach Theater are all highly recommended. There are also a variety of restaurants to sample and events run throughout the summer.
• Cape Cod, including the towns of Sandwich, Hyannis, and Provincetown are all a relatively easy drive south from Kingston, especially in off-peak travel hours. The Cape is known for its beaches, and a visit to the Cape Cod National Seashore is highly recommended.
• Duxbury, Marshfield, and Hingham are all fantastic towns along Route 3 North from Kingston. A visit to Duxbury should include a stop at French Memories bakery and a walk along the Powder Point Bridge. Marshfield has many great beaches and if visiting in August, a stop at the Marshfield Fair is a must. Hingham has excellent spots for hiking, including the World's End Reservation.
• Boston is only about 45 minutes away by car or 30 minutes by commuter rail. Massachusetts' capital city has plenty of attractions for history buffs, such as the Freedom Trail and the USS Constitution. It is also a mecca for sports fans, and no trip is complete without a visit to Fenway Park. There are plenty of cultural attractions such as the Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Science, and on a beautiful day a stroll through Boston Public Garden and a ride on the Swan Boats is a must. Boston is also a major transport hub, and you can access both its international airport and train and bus connections to other major cities along the East Coast.