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Memorial Baptist Church

Seekonk is a town in the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts. Though much of the town primarily serves as a residential suburb of nearby cities (Providence, Boston, Taunton, Fall River), its relative wealth of shopping locales and destinations like the Seekonk Speedway combine with an all-around dose of Swamp Yankee charm to make Seekonk an interesting place to visit, or perhaps work. In any case, you'll probably drive through it at some point if you frequently travel around Southern New England (especially Massachusetts and Rhode Island), so knowing where to stop could come in handy.

Understand

It borders East Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode Island to the west, Attleboro to the north, Rehoboth to the east, and Swansea (Massachusetts) and Barrington (Rhode Island) to the south.

Get in

By car

A car is somewhat necessary for getting in and around Seekonk. The town can be accessed through one interstate, I-195, as well as Route 6 (Fall River Avenue), Route 44 (Taunton Avenue), Route 152 and Route 114A. Seekonk has its own exit on I-195 (Massachusetts Exit 1, Route 114A), which provides easy access to Route 6 to the south and Route 44 to the north. Route 152, while not connected to any other state route in town, is a major route running between East Providence and Attleboro.

By bike

The adventurous Providence biker can cross a bridge and journey through East Providence, which has notorious potholes in places but generally good sidewalks. Many cyclists can be seen in Seekonk on fair weather days.

By public transport

There is little public transportation from Providence, although one can get very close to the Seekonk Reservoir in North Seekonk by taking the RIPTA bus (Route 35) to Rumford. The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority also has a few stops in Seekonk on the 16 and 19 routes.

By plane

T.F. Green in Warwick and Logan in Boston are the nearest airports.

Understand

See

Martin House

Seekonk traces its name to a Wampanoag (Native American) word for Canada geese ("Seaconcke"), which can frequently be seen migrating over Seekonk or living, for a time, in the Seekonk Reservoir (the original pond/lake was another possible meaning for the word Seekonk) or other locations. Indeed, many species of migratory birds can be seen in an area which has preserved many wetlands and natural resources while also developing a sprawl of suburban infrastructure, best epitomized in the endless stores of Route 6. In early winter, large mobs of birds have been known to inhabit the power lines on Route 6 as well as they prepare for the long journey south. More about the area-at-large's birding can be found from Mass Audubon.

Do

  • 1 Seekonk Speedway, 1710 Fall River Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-9959. The Speedway, family owned and operated since 1946 (making it the oldest in the USA), is perhaps the town's most widely known destination. Advertised as "The Action Track of the East" and "Southern New England's premier NASCAR track", its season of Friday and Saturday night races (with some other scattered events on weeknights) runs from April to September. The crowds can get large and rowdy for big races (not to mention the July 4 fireworks!) Seekonk Speedway (Q7445812) on Wikidata Seekonk Speedway on Wikipedia 
  • Showcase Cinemas Seekonk Route 6, 100 Commerce Way, toll-free: +1-800-315-4000. Chain movie theater tucked away in the huge Route 6 strip, discounts on Tuesdays. 
  • Family Entertainment, self-explanatory.
  • Seekonk Grand Prix, 1098 Fall River Ave, . An arcade and very solid go-karts make this popular with the adolescents.
  • FantasyLand, 1300 Fall River Avenue, +1 508 336-6262, . More on the young side.
  • Monster Mini Golf, 140 Taunton Avenue, +1 508 336-8004. It aims to scare you as you play mini-golf.
  • Seekonk Driving Range, 1977 Fall River Avenue, +1 508 336-8074 [dead link] Also, batting cages.
  • Firefly Golf Course, 320 Fall River Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-6622. Although there are many private country clubs in the area, Firefly provides a cheap, somewhat playable course for the amateur. 
  • [formerly dead link] Tranquil Waters Spa, Café & Salon, 1479 Fall River Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-6676. When it's voted Best in Rhode Island even though it's not in Rhode Island, that's usually a good sign. 
  • [dead link] Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, ☏ +1 508 761-8230. Somewhat off the beaten path, this 200-acre habitat offers lots of hiking trails, opportunities for seeing birds and other wildlife, and camp sessions for kids. 
  • Fish. Many folks go fishing in the Seekonk Reservoir on Route 152 when the weather is right.
  • Farms. There are still a few farms in Seekonk. Belwing Turkey Farm on Route 44 provides many families with turkeys on Thanksgiving. Four Town Farm provides many local restaurants with produce, in addition to offering tours and picking sessions. Osamequin Farm offers blueberry picking in the summer.
  • 2 Seacunke Sanctuary (Charles V. Maraian Farm), Off Reservoir & River Streets (From the North: On Interstate 95, take exit 2A in South Attleboro. Follow Newport Avenue to Route 15 in Pawtucket. Turn left and follow Route 15 to the end at Route 152. Turn right. Follow to West Avenue in Seekonk. Turn right. Follow to West River Street on right. Follow West River Street to River or Reservoir Streets. From Providence: take Interstate 195 to exit 1 in Seekonk (Route 114A/Fall River Avenue). Turn left off of the exit and follow 114A to a fork in the road at The Grist Mill where 114A bears to the left. Bear right onto Arcade Avenue. Follow Arcade Avenue to the end, at Route 152. Turn left and take your first right onto West Avenue. Follow West Avenue until you see West River Street on your left. Take River or Reservoir Streets on your left. From the Southcoast: take Interstate 195 Westbound to exit 1 (Rt.114A/Fall River Avenue) in Seekonk. Take a right, then follow the above directions.). Any time. The Seacunke Sanctuary, also known as the Charles V. Mararian Farm, is owned by the town of Seekonk and was formerly a working farm owned by Armenian immigrant Charles V. Mararian (1872-1971) and passed to his children until they sold it in 1975. This is a nature preserve of 27 acres. Seacunke Sanctuary is located along the eastern bank of Central Reservoir. and abuts a tiny portion of East Providence, Rhode Island. Free. 

Buy

Old Grist Mill Pond

Route 6. Wikipedia calls it a "business route." Some might call it a mile-long mall. Tons of big-name and smaller-name shopping destinations, restaurants, and other businesses dot the Seekonk section of this national road, which, after running parallel to I-195 here, continues all the way out to Provincetown and California.

  • Chains. Wal-Mart, Target, Sam's Club, Best Buy, Kohl's... the list goes on and on. More here [formerly dead link] .

Antiques. Lots of antiques stores to be found.

Health food

Eat

  • Country Kitchen, 469 Taunton Avenue, +1 508 336-9807. To get a taste of old Seekonk, have breakfast at this humble red house across from the Y on Route 44. Filled with sports memorabilia and old-school kitsch, this family-run joint serves basic, filling diner fare with a lot of heart (and coffee milk!). And to be honest, you won't find many "diners" around here that do poached eggs or crab omelets. Open (6AM on weekdays, 8PM on weekends) for breakfast and lunch, as well as Friday night fish & chips. Locally famous for their sky-high Thanksgiving pies.
  • Eats, 1395 Fall River Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-4384. Another old school diner open for breakfast and lunch. It's all decent, but the N.Y. System hot dogs are a highlight for many. 
  • Micheletti's, 1053 Newman Avenue, ☏ +1 508 761-6370. One more worthwhile diner, this time in North Seekonk. Known for their homemade ice cream. 
  • The Old Grist Mill Tavern, 390 Fall River Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-8460. Su-Th 11:30AM-9PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM. Emphasis on steaks, seafood, and salad bar in a reconstruction of an old, picturesque mill. (updated Jun 2019)
  • Boneyard BBQ & Saloon, 540 Central Avenue, ☏ +1 508 761-6855. 
  • Chains! Panera, Starbucks, Ninety Nine, Outback Steakhouse, Old Country Buffet, Taco Bell, Subway, T.G.I. Friday's, Five Guys, Bucca di Beppo, and countless others all have locations on Route 6 (Fall River Ave) and other places in Seekonk. Google 'em if you're that desperate.

Drink

Sleep

Go next

Routes through Seekonk
Providence ← East Providence ←  W  E  → Swansea → New Bedford
Providence ← East Providence ←  W  E  → Swansea → New Bedford
Providence ← East Providence ←  W  E  → Rehoboth → Plymouth


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