Kingston (Massachusetts)

Kingston is a small residential town on the South Shore of Massachusetts.

Understand

Kingston was originally part of Plymouth, Duxbury, and Pembroke, but was carved out and incorporated as a distinct town in 1726. As a result, there are many historical sites that are associated with the original Plymouth Colony located within its boarders, such as the home of Governor Bradford and battle sites of King Phillip's War. Kingston is also home 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, and 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.

Get in

By car

Kingston is mainly accessed by car from Route 3 via exits 8, 9, and 10. Other state routes are Routes 3A, 27, 80, and 106.

By plane

Travelers arriving by plane usually land at Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS IATA). Coach bus and MBTA rail connections can be made from Boston Logan to the Kingston area. Other travelers may elect to arrive at Rhode Island's T.F. Green Airport (PVD IATA) but there are no direct public transit options to Kingston from Warwick. The Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM IATA), located in nearby Plymouth is a small, regional airport for four to ten seat aircraft.

By train

Commuter Rail service from Boston to Kingston is available Monday-Sunday from South Station terminal via the MBTA's Plymouth/Kingston Line. Note that this train line diverges at its final stop, with some runs ending at the Plymouth terminal, while others end at the Kingston terminal near the Kingston Collection. The Kingston Collection is about a mile away from the commuter rail station, so it is advisable to plan for additional transit such as a taxi prior to departing.

By bus

Motor coach service from Boston's South Station and Logan Airport to the Big Y Grocery parking lot off of exit 10 on Route 3 is available via the Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Co. The bus service continues south after the Kingston stop to Plymouth, and is used often by residents commuting into the city. Parking for the bus at Big Y plaza is free, with bus riders normally parking close to the Rockland Trust part of the lot. The plaza is not a walkable distance to any particular location, however, so it is advisable to plan to take a taxi to your final destination.

Get around

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.

Parking

Parking is convenient to most commercial and residential districts at most times, and is nearly always free.

Public Transit

The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) provides public transportation in town via the Plymouth Area Link bus routes. Regular fare is $1 and buses run every day.

See
  • 🌍 Jones River Trading Post, 42 Elm Street. Used mostly for private functions, but the grounds surrounding the building are a pretty spot to check out nonetheless. Located on the Jones River waterfall. 
  • 🌍 Jones River Village Historical Society, 50 Landing Road. View collections and exhibits relating to Kingston's history. Located in the 16th century Bradford Homestead and gardens, which have been restored. Weekly breakfasts held during the summer season. 
  • 🌍 South Shore Folk Music Club, 222 Main St, ☎ +1 781 871-1052. Supports traditional and contemporary folk and acoustic music on the South Shore. Regular performances in multiple venues. 

Do
Cranberry harvest at Bog Hollow Farm, Rt 106
  • 🌍 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. 

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

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge
  • 🌍 Bar Rustic, 101 Kingston Collection Way. New American-style/urban cuisine. Also contains The Studio Kitchen, which offers chef-hosted dinner shows and classes. 
  • 🌍 Port Bistro, 114 Main Street. American bistro-style meals; specialties include clams, crabcakes, and roasted duck. Excellent wine menu. 
  • 🌍 Solstice, 63 Summer St, ☎ +1 781 585-2221. Nice atmosphere and great cooking in this reclaimed train station. Expensive, but worth the splurge. 

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

Sleep

Go next
  • 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.
Routes through Kingston

Boston ← Duxbury ←  N  S  → Plymouth → Bourne
Providence ← Carver ←  W  E  → Plymouth → Ends at
Boston ← Duxbury ←  N  S  → Plymouth → Ends at
Quincy ← Duxbury ←  N  S  → END
Foxborough ← Plympton ←  W  E  → END
Boston ← Halifax ←  NW  SE  → END


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