# Seekonk

Seekonk$^{[deadlink]}$ is a town of 16,000 people (2020) 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

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.
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

Seekonk is most easily accessed by car.
* Interstate 195 runs east-west from Providence to Cape Cod. Exit 1.
* US Route 6, a 3000-mi connection from Cape Cod to California, is the town's main thoroughfare (here, named Fall River Ave).
* US Route 44 from Plymouth and Taunton via Rehoboth connects to East Providence and then Providence. Known here as Taunton Ave.
* MA Route 152 connects to Attleboro, Plainville, and East Providence.
* Route 114A runs from East Providence in the south to... East Providence again in the north, vertically slicing Seekonk in half along the way.

### 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 train

* From Boston: take the Providence Commuter Rail to Providence or Attleboro (not South Attleboro), then follow bus instructions below. Assuming the schedules line up, Attleboro would be the easiest connection, since the bus and train go to the same transportation center.

### By bus

* From Providence: Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) Routes 32 and 34 connect Providence's Kennedy Plaza with Seekonk.
* From Attleboro: GATRA Bus Route 19 connects Attleboro Transit Center to Seekonk.

### By plane

* Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston is the primary international airport serving the area.
* T.F. Green Airport (PVD) in Warwick (Rhode Island) is the town's nearest major domestic airport.

## Get around

Seekonk is most easily traveled by car. Most businesses and attractions are on one of the town's main highways, which are not very friendly to pedestrians and cyclists.

## See and do

* 41.7845-71.3021 Seekonk Speedway, 1710 Fall River Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-9959. Apr-Sep: F Sa nights. The Speedway, family owned and operated since 1946 (the oldest of its kind 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", the crowds can get large and rowdy for big races (not to mention for the July 4th fireworks!)
* 41.797114-71.3229092 Showcase Cinemas Seekonk Route 6, 100 Commerce Way, toll-free: +1 800-315-4000. (updated Jul 2023)

### Family entertainment centers

Somehow, some way, Seekonk manages to support three similar, mini golf-anchored family fun venues.
* 41.797395-71.3287243 Seekonk Grand Prix, 1098 Fall River Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-8307. Go karts, an arcade, mini golf, and bumper boats provide fun for kids of all ages. (updated Jan 2021)
* 41.791767-71.3212774 FantasyLand, 1300 Fall River Ave. Mini golf and an indoor arcade with kiddieland rides. The center is mostly suitable for young children. (updated Jan 2021)
* 41.826261-71.3409955 Monster Mini Golf, 140 Taunton Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-8004. Blacklight-lit indoor venue featuring giant animatronic monsters decorated with neon UV paint. Golf and arcade machines. Geared toward adolescents. $9-$10 per person. (updated Jan 2021)

### Outdoors

* 41.874283-71.3209556 Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, ☏ +1 401 245 7500 ext 3201. 7AM-5PM. Somewhat off the beaten path, this 200-acre Audubon Society reserve offers 3.5 mi (5.6 km) of hiking trails, opportunities for seeing birds and other wildlife, and camp sessions for kids.
* 41.838051-71.3392157 James V. Turner Reservoir (Seekonk Reservoir), Route 152 (Unimproved fishing access site on Newman Ave, on the Seekonk side of the reservoir.). Great spot for largemouth bass fishing. The bulk of the reservoir is part of the Rumford neighborhood of East Providence. (updated Jan 2021)
* 41.8479-71.348 Seacunke Sanctuary (Charles Maraian Farm), Dexter Ave. Once a working farm owned by Armenian immigrant Charles V. Mararian (1872-1971), the town of Seekonk has owned this 27 acres (11 hectares) of nature preserve since 1975. The sanctuary provides great hikes along the eastern bank of Central Reservoir, abutting a tiny portion of East Providence. Free.

## Buy

* 41.829099-71.3212731 Leonards New England, 600 Taunton Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-8585. Beautiful antique beds and reproduction furniture. These handcrafted heirloom pieces fetch thousands of dollars.

### Malls

Seekonk's strip of US Route 6 is a mile-long string of retail park after retail park. Some of the larger parks include:
* 41.798656-71.3335112 King Philip's Crossing, 201 Highland Ave. Michael's Arts and Crafts, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Panera Bread. (updated Jan 2021)
* 41.793714-71.3230043 Seekonk Square, 101 Commerce Way, ☏ +1 617 232-8900. Retailers include Target, Best Buy, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, and Ulta. Next door, a neighboring retail park features Walmart, Dunkin', and Starbucks. (updated Jan 2021)

### Farm stands

* 41.82981-71.312754 Belwing Turkey Farm, 773 Taunton Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-9142. Sells farm-fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving. (updated Jan 2021)
* 41.777526-71.3133825 Four Town Farm, 90 George St, ☏ +1 508 336-5587. Seasonal. Pick your own farm-fresh berries, peas, and pumpkins seasonally between June and October. Tours of the farm are offered, particularly for groups of children. (updated Jan 2021)
* 41.848074-71.3076316 Osamequin Farm, 80 Walnut St. This woman-led farm seasonally sells bouquets, sunflowers, and blueberries. (updated Jan 2021)

### Groceries

* 41.889959-71.3335187 The Good Seed, 138 Central Avenue, ☏ +1 508 399-7333. Health food shop selling vitamins, supplements, and organic ingredients.

## Eat
### Diners

* 41.827003-71.3263551 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!). Locally famous for their sky-high Thanksgiving pies. (updated Jan 2021)
* 41.788599-71.3200612 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.
* 41.873905-71.3332873 Micheletti's, 1053 Newman Avenue, ☏ +1 508 761-6370. One more worthwhile diner, this time in North Seekonk. Known for their homemade ice cream.

### Dinner

* 41.901097-71.3226984 Boneyard BBQ & Saloon, 540 Central Avenue, ☏ +1 508 761-6855. Straddling the Attleboro border, this biker bar takes pride in its jumbo chicken wings with dozens of available sauces.
* 41.826204-71.3294515 Chardonnay's, 393 Taunton Avenue, ☏ +1 508 336-0967. Fresh and flavorful seafood paired with inventive cocktails make this restaurant the star of Seekonk's dining options. Lighter fare is available, including grilled pizzas, salads, and sandwiches.
* 41.816521-71.3353496 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)

## Sleep

* 41.824446-71.3368021 Ramada by Wyndham Seekonk, 213 Taunton Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-8700.
* 41.854181-71.3231452 Motel 6 Providence - Seekonk, 821 Fall River Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-7800, fax: +1 508 336-0977.
* 41.786449-71.3160673 Shangri-La Motel, 1495 Fall River Ave, ☏ +1 508 336-8540.

## Go next

* Providence
* Newport (Rhode Island)
* Boston
* Fall River (Massachusetts)
* New Bedford
* Cape Cod