A Day Spent in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts

A Day Spent in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Monday, May 18, 2020

Whether you have a vacation rental in South Dartmouth or you're staying in a neighboring community, the area is well worth a visit because of its abundance of activities.

Once here, you'll never run out of fun things to do, and, in fact, you'll likely want to spend multiple days exploring this affluent area on Buzzards Bay.

You can definitely get a taste of South Dartmouth in a single day, however, so here are some choices to give you a start when planning your vacation.

Start With Breakfast

Of course, you should start every day with a hearty meal, but that's especially important when spending your time on the go in South Dartmouth.

Lolly's Café is a popular breakfast spot near Jones Park, just off Dartmouth Street. The restaurant offers diner-style food in a relaxed setting, making it the perfect place to stop for a bite when starting your day.

You could also visit the Farm & Coast Market, which is on the waterfront in South Dartmouth's Padanaram neighborhood. This restaurant and market has an extensive smoothie menu, in addition to classic breakfast offerings. There's also a butcher shop, grocery store, bakery, and beer and wine store on the premises, so you can stock your vacation rental at the same time.

Get Some Exercise

After enjoying an outstanding meal, it's time to enjoy some time in the outdoors.

A few doors down from the Farm & Coast Market is Nauti Jane's, which offers boat rentals. If you'd like to get active for a few hours, you can grab a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to take into Apponagansett Bay while enjoying the sights. You can also rent a powerboat and drive it to Cuttyhunk Island or Woods Hole for the day.

If you'd prefer to spend your day on land, there are plenty of hiking areas in South Dartmouth. The Lloyd Center for the Environment has an indoor area nature center with aquarium displays. There are also woods and wetlands that you can hike as you get to know this beautiful area a little better.

Go For Lunch

Once you've gotten a bit of activity, it's time for another meal. A return to Padanaram will bring you all kinds of dining options, depending on what type of cuisine you prefer.

The Black Bass Grille is worth checking out because it's a farm-to-table restaurant that only uses locally-grown foods. The menu is different every week, depending on what is freshest at that time, so you never know what you'll find. Staples include burgers, beef dips, lobster rolls, and seafood, including a catch of the day.

Padanaram is also home to Chumley's, a diner serving All-American classics like burgers with fries, hot dogs, and sandwiches. Their lobster roll and house-made chili, both of which are available daily, highlight the menu.

Hit the Beach

You've already had a long day, so why not visit one of South Dartmouth's scenic beaches?

The most central beach in the area is at Jones Park, which is on the northeast side of South Dartmouth. This beach overlooks Clarks Cove and has a large parking lot, a playground, and a baseball diamond. There's also a picnic area if you want to skip the restaurant and enjoy a meal on the ocean.

A little further from the action is Demarest Lloyd State Park. This park features a long section of sandy beach, picnic tables, and a large parking lot and is popular with anglers and birdwatchers. The shallow water also makes Demarest Lloyd State Park a good choice if you're bringing kids on your South Dartmouth adventure.

Grab Some Dinner

Hopefully, you don't have too much of a sunburn after spending all that time outside because now you can experience one of Dartmouth's high-end dinner restaurants.

The Sail Loft is right by Nauti Jane's and offers menu items like Atlantic haddock, shrimp Mozambique, pan-seared salmon Portuguese steak tips, and veggie coconut curry. There are also burgers and sandwiches available if you're in the mood for something a little simpler.

Little Moss offers more of a fine dining experience with items like oysters, bluefish pate, garganelli, and spaghetti with clams on the menu. You'll likely want a reservation to ensure that you get a table before visiting this local hot spot.

Stop for Dessert

As long as you aren't too full from dinner, make your next stop one of South Dartmouth's finest ice cream shops.

Dockside Ice Cream is across the street from the Black Bass Grille and offers a wide selection of ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbert flavors. You can also get a root beer float or sundae while enjoying gorgeous ocean views from their outdoor picnic tables.

The Oxford Creamery at the Bucket is a little less central than the Dockside, but it has an outstanding selection of flavors and enjoys a scenic position at Apponagansett Park. Location is critical in this situation because the park has a beach, playground, picnic area, and pier to enjoy. It's also one of South Dartmouth's best places to watch the sunset and is home to a summer music series.

Finishing your day with an ice cream cone, a sunset, and some live music is sure to complete your time in South Dartmouth in the most memorable way possible.

Enjoy Everything South Dartmouth Has to Offer

As you can see, South Dartmouth is an incredible place to take a vacation because it has all of the activities you'll want to experience while away from home.

While you could fit all of these adventures into a single day, you might spend multiple days getting to know South Dartmouth and the wonderful scenes that locals experience every day.

Make the most of your time on the Massachusetts coast by visiting as many of South Dartmouth's top destinations as possible during your vacation.

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