Much of the commerce is along the east-west Union Street, including a diner that has fed generations of locals, and a small but lovable summer farmers’ market.

Although these lands were first settled by Europeans in the early 18th century, Holbrook is a relatively young town by South Shore standards.

Previously part of Braintree, it was incorporated in 1872 and named for benefactor Elisha N. Holbrook (d. 1872), who funded the Town Hall and library.

1. Holbrook Square Historic District

Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia | CC BY 3.0

At the junction of Franklin Street and Plymouth Street, you can visit the civic heart of the town. What sets the Holbrook Square Historic District aside is that the main landmarks were raised within a few years of each other.

This is partly because the town was incorporated in 1872, but also because a fire in December 1877 took out the main church and the first town hall.

In close quarters you’ve got the Gothic Revival Town Hall (1879), the Panel Brick-style Central Fire Station (1881), and the Winthrop Congregational Church (1880), constructed in the Stick style.

The Town Hall is a solemn anchor for the district, built from brick, with granite and sandstone trim, and setting the scene for annual events like the Rockwell-esque Festival of Lights in the holidays.

2. Holbrook Town Forest

Source: Sergey Mironov / shutterstock

Holbrook is blessed with a large swath of woodland, established as a town forest on undeveloped land in the 1950s.

One of many things going for this property is how varied the landscape is, as you make your way over steep granite outcroppings and then down into unspoiled wooded wetlands.

The sharp climbs and rocky terrain provide some challenging singletracks for mountain bikers, and if you want to spend some more time in nature you can cross into Braintree’s Cranberry Pond on the north side.

Stone walls hark back to long forgotten farms, and the woods are dotted with vernal pools that provide an important habitat for amphibians.

3. Lake Holbrook

Source: Sergey Nivens / shutterstock

Possibly the most scenic location in the entire town is the shore of this 31-acre lake. Along N Shore Rd, Lake Holbrook is edged by a small but neatly landscaped park.

This is a fine place to bring a picnic on a sunny day, with a picture-perfect view across the water to houses partly concealed by hardwood trees.

There’s a choice of benches and picnic tables, some in the open, and some in a little grove, and the park serves as a car top boat launch.

Lake Holbrook has big numbers of largemouth bass, as well as some yellow perch, bluegill and black crappie, although you’re advised not to eat anything you catch here.

4. Ames Nowell State Park

Source: Nataliya Zozulya / shutterstock

The center of Holbrook is just a couple of miles from 700 acres of nature on the shores of the large Cleveland Pond.

With more than ten miles of trails in woods and wetlands and along the water’s edge, Ames Nowell State Park is a destination for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and picnicking.

Non-motorized boating and fishing are permitted on the pond, which was impounded in the 1920s as part of a private project to create a bird sanctuary.

There’s always something interesting to see in the park, at the remnants of 17th and 18th-century quarries, historic wagon bridges, giant glacial erratics, or old stonewalls on farmland long reclaimed by the woods.

5. Fuller Craft Museum

Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia | CC BY 3.0

In Holbrook you’re just a matter of minutes from the premier museum for contemporary crafts in New England.

The Fuller Craft Museum is beautifully situated, on one of a chain of ponds landscaped into a park in the 1920s.

Exhibitions here cover every facet of contemporary crafts, with artists representing a wide variety of disciplines, from ceramics to furniture, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, glass and more.

The grounds are stunning, and adorned with sculptures, while there’s a superb gift shop stocked with local and ethically sourced items.

6. Roberts School

Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia | CC BY 3.0

Next door to the popular Stanney’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shoppe on Union Street is a small but compelling piece of Holbrook history.

The Roberts School is a one-room schoolhouse, constructed in 1873 on 1 ½ stories. Something interesting about the facade is that it retains the separate entrances for boys and girls.

These lead to separate vestibules, but still feed into the same room. Also remarkable is the building was in use as a school until 1979 before the Holbrook Historical Society moved here the following year.

7. Nihtila Farm

Source: Arina P Habich / shutterstock

Before it was a residential community, Holbrook did have some agriculture to go with its cottage industries, and this aspect of its history has been revived by a little farm.

Founded in 2001 by a local family who wanted to do something different with their land, Nihtila Farm is on ten acres, and opens to the public as a pumpkin patch in the fall.

You can pick your own pumpkins here, while kids will have a great time on the hayride, seeing the farm animals, and playing in the farm’s playground.

8. Union Street Lanes

Source: Aleksandar Karanov / shutterstock

Another reason to swing by Union Street is for this bowling alley that got a new lease of life under new ownership back in 2008.

At Union Street Lanes you can get acquainted with candlepin bowling. This regional game first took off in Worcester in the 1880s, and is mostly played in this corner of New England and Canada’s Maritimes.

You get three rolls instead of two, and you’ll need them because the pins are narrow and harder to knock down, and the ball is small enough to fit the palm of your hand.

There are 16 newly resurfaced lanes at the alley, along with TVs, a full bar and a menu of comforting bites like pizza and hot dogs.

9. Castle Canyon Playground

Source: noBorders - Brayden Howie / shutterstock

Near the intersection of Franklin Street and Plymouth Street there’s a fantastic playground, backing onto Sumner Field by the grounds of Holbrook Middle-High School.

Although it’s close to the street, Castle Canyon Playground is fully fenced, and has a range of swings, slides and climbing structures for children aged 1-12.

There are benches well-positioned around the playscapes, and a branch of Dunkin’ is right next door for a coffee and a bite. On the opposite side is a gazebo that hosts free concerts on Sunday evenings from late June to late August.

10. Holbrook Farmers’ Market

Source: Javani LLC / shutterstock

Usually held in the parking lot at Union Street Lanes, Holbrook has a seasonal farmers’ market.

On Saturday mornings, June through October, you can stop by to browse a changing assortment of vendors.

On a typical week there’s fresh fruit and vegetables, plants, flowers, honey, preserves, free range eggs, fresh breads, baked goods, and a range of crafts.

At the time of writing there was a faithful community of vendors, and more were being added with each new season.

11. Stanney’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shoppe

Source: elena moiseeva / shutterstock

At 300 Union St, this old-fashioned American diner has been in business for more than 60 years now.

Stanney’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shoppe is a pared-down spot with a simple interior and generous servings of omelets, pancakes, waffles, French toast, breakfast sandwiches, and a big choice of egg combinations.

At lunch, you’ve got overstuffed sandwiches, burgers, salads, and plates like clam strips, fried chicken and steak tips. For dessert, Stanney’s is also still known for its sundaes, with a dozen different options from hot fudge to banana split.

12. High Voltage Paintball

Source: Vanoa2 / shutterstock

On just over 20 acres, there’s a paintball center on the power line corridor in the east of Holbrook.

There’s a variety of terrain at High Voltage Paintball, allowing for different tactics, from the frantic action of the speedball field to the dense cover of the woodball fields.

Among the game options, you can defend or attack a bunker, defend a hilltop, or try to plant a bomb before your opponents can react.

This facility is open on weekends and does allow walk-ins, although it’s always a good idea to book your own session with as many people as possible.

13. Weymouth Great Pond

Source: Mark Lespasio / Facebook

Running along Holbrook’s eastern boundary is a sizable pond, cloaked in woods and drained by Mill River, which eventually feeds the Weymouth Back River.

Weymouth Great Pond is a drinking water supply, so there’s a limit to recreation and dogs are not permitted here.

On the southeastern shore, Negus Park and the Richard E. Gifford Playground are linked by a mile-long walking trail, which meanders through the deciduous woods, with lovely vistas to the undeveloped west shore.

On the route are some imposing granite boulders, as well as sections of boardwalk over streams and damp ground, with several smaller side trails if you want a detour.

14. Cranberry Pond Conservation Land

Source: Song_about_summer / shutterstock

From Holbrook Town Forest you can follow a trail north into this secluded conservation property over the line in Braintree.

Here, Cranberry Pond is in a hollow, walled by surprisingly rocky slopes. Heading from the south, the green blazed trail eventually connects with a blue trail, which winds along the high ground around the pond.

This is a moderate hike with some tricky sections as you traverse rugged outcrops for some impressive views, especially in the winter when the hardwood forest here is bare.

The red trail is also accessed from the south side via Holbrook Town Forest, and snakes along the steep eastern edge of the property, with opportunities to make a loop by cutting back along the orange, yellow, or white trails.

15. Festival of Lights

Source: tache / shutterstock

An integral part of the holiday season in Holbrook since the 1970s, the Festival of Lights is a non-religious event held on the first Saturday in December in the town’s historic center.

With the handsome Town Hall and a beautiful light display as a backdrop, there’s a schedule of performances by local school choirs, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus, with some help from the Holbrook Fire Department.

Attendees can enjoy light refreshments, and children can visit Santa at Winthrop Congregational Church next door.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Holbrook (MA) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

It was founded in 1881 when the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad was built here, and it got its name from the first chief engineer of the railroad.

Even though it’s a small city, there are still plenty of interesting places to visit and cool stuff to do around here. Today we’ll take a look at the 15 best things to do in Holbrook.

1. See the Petrified Forest National Park

Source: Ekaterina Pokrovsky / shutterstock

This park is huge, so if you have the time, feel free to take an entire day and hike through it, as there is a lot of beautiful scenery to see. Not all the trees in this forest are petrified, but you will see plenty of them along the way.

A piece of wood gets petrified when it is buried in minerals, which preserve it for a much longer period of time. It is said that some of the petrified wood dates back from millions of years ago, when Arizona was a forest, not a desert.

Here you will also find petroglyphs dating back hundreds of years and beautiful hills and slopes colored beautifully by the wide variety of rocks and minerals.

So feel free to take an entire day to just hike and explore this beautiful place.

2. Get a Souvenir from Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Co.

Source: DCA88 / shutterstock

Seeing all of that beautiful colored rocks and petrified wood might make you want to take some home. Instead of searching and digging through nature for the perfect souvenir, go and visit the Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Co.

Here you will find hundreds of beautiful and unique pieces, carefully chosen and prepared. You can use them to decorate your home or your garden or just offer them as a gift to someone special.

There are lots of rocks, fossils, sculptures, jewelry items, clocks, toys, dinosaurs and much more. There is definitely a souvenir for anyone here.

3. Visit the Navajo County Historical Museum

Source: Angel DiBilio / shutterstock

When you think of Arizona, you think of its rich history of Native Americans. So when you are in Holbrook you should definitely check out the Navajo County Historical Museum.

The museum is quite large and includes a wide variety of antiques from different eras. It also has some items from the famous Route 66 and even an old jail with some artwork done by inmates.

You will find stuff from the Apache and Navajo cultures, from Hispanic people, from cowboys and sheriffs and even some fossils from millions of years ago.

The staff are friendly and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

4. Get More Souvenirs from the DoBell Ranch

Source: Dobell Curios/ Rhonda's Petrified Wood dig at Dobell Ranch / Facebook

If you visited the Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Co. and still haven’t found the right piece of petrified wood for you, then head over the DoBell Ranch.

Here you will find thousands more other rocks, minerals and unique pieces of petrified wood. Some can be used as decorations, while others can be useful too, for example as bookends, jewelry or paperweights.

The business is family-owned and they are very friendly and helpful people.

5. Get a Dinosaur from the Painted Desert Indian Center

Source: Pixel Doc / shutterstock

Besides a large collection of souvenirs, rugs, jewelry, pottery and sculptures, you will also find some cool dinosaurs and teepees.

They also have a nice café, a picnic area and clean restrooms, making it a nice place to stop by on a long road trip.

6. Get Even More Souvenirs from Geronimo’s Trading Post

Source: Ken Lund / Flickr

Why is this gift shop more special than the others? Well first of all, here you will find the largest petrified log in the world. This place is like a mecca for tourists and those who are driving on Route 66, and it’s no wonder why.

They have thousands of gifts, souvenirs, rocks, petrified wood, clothes, teepees and many more items to choose from. Have fun!

7. Have a Drink at the Empty Pockets Saloon

Source: Robert Gordon / Facebook

After a long day of hiking and shopping for souvenirs, treat yourself to a cold beer at the Empty Pockets Saloon, a family-owned western saloon. Here you will find a wide selection of drinks at fair prices, and the staff are very friendly.

Here you will also find two tables to play pool and if you make it during happy hour, there is also free popcorn. The bar is full of antique furniture and there are plenty of old west relics hanging on the walls.

If you end up having too many drinks to drive, just stop by a nearby motel, or go and have some food at one of the excellent nearby restaurants.

8. Camp at the Crystal Forest Gift Shop Campground

Source: Terry Attridgeshemack / Facebook

We’re sure that by now you are already tired of shopping for crystals and petrified wood, so we won’t mention the fact that they have a large gift shop with thousands of products.

But what makes this place different is its campground. Here you can immerse yourself in the desert and spend a night or two under the Arizona skies, surrounded by the Petrified Forest.

9. Feed an Ostrich at the Stewart’s Petrified Wood

Source: Andreas Lippenberger / shutterstock

Besides selling petrified wood and various other souvenirs, this place is unique because of the creepy mannequins displayed all over the place and also because of the ostriches found here.

Make a quick stop here, buy some petrified wood, take a photo with the dinosaur eating a mannequin, feed an ostrich and then continue your visit to Holbrook.

10. Enjoy the Rock Art Canyon Ranch

Source: cogdogblog / Flickr

Take a hike or a picnic in this splendid canyon, while you enjoy the unique petroglyphs and of course, the petrified wood.

The site is not that large, so take your time and visit all of it. You will be amazed by the art on the rocks and by the beautiful scenery.

There is also a ranch and a museum which displays hundreds of pieces of Native American history. The owners and employees are very knowledgeable of the history and the geology of this place, and will gladly answer all of your questions.

If you visit this place during the summer, make sure to bring plenty of water and clothes that are suitable for a hike on a torrid summer day.

11. Sleep in a Teepee at The Wigwam Village #6 Motel

Source: Cheri Alguire / shutterstock

This place prides itself on offering a clean and affordable place to sleep, but it also celebrates the culture of this area by offering some teepee lookalike accommodations.

It was first opened in 1950 and has been run by the Lewis family ever since. If you are wondering what’s with the #6 in the name, this is because there are a few other similar places in the country.

This village has 15 teepees, each one with its own bathroom, air conditioner and bed, plus a museum.

12. Visit the Bucket of Blood Street

Source: DCA88 / shutterstock

The story behind the creepy name goes like this: many years ago, Holbrook was a place where criminals would hang out, drink, gamble and of course, get involved in gunfights.

In the year 1886 there was a gunfight that caused so many deaths that the floors of the Terrill’s Cottage Saloon were filled with blood. Soon after this tragic event, the bar changed its name into the “Bucket of Blood Saloon”.

The bar stayed open for many years after that, but it eventually closed. Even though the bar is gone, the street still has this name, reminding everyone of the bloody past of this area.

13. See the Ruins of Ella’s Frontier Trading Post

Source: Larry Myhre / Flickr

What used to be a popular attraction of Route 66, is now a rotting building that is worth a quick stop. The place was originally built out of telephone poles by a former clown called Fredrick Rawson.

Later on, he sold it to a couple. After a few years they broke up and the wife, Ella, kept it. She was an eccentric piano player and she would proudly say to everyone that her trading post was the oldest one on Route 66.

Eventually she passed away too, and no one took over the place. It’s now a relic of days gone by, and a great place to spend some time poking around and imagining what once was.

14. Ride a Giant Rabbit at the Rabbit Trading Post

Source: Steve Lagreca / shutterstock

Unlike many gift shops situated along Route 66 that are now closed, the Rabbit Trading Post is still operating to this day, probably because of its major attraction: a huge fiberglass rabbit that you can ride.

It was opened in the ‘40s and went through the hands of multiple owners. The giant rabbit was heavily advertised through billboards across Route 66, and with a final one near the location saying “HERE IT IS”.

This stop has become so popular that it was even parodied in the Disney-Pixar movie “Cars,” bringing even more people to this shop.

15. Have a Good Rest at the Quality Inn

Source: Booking

After all of the above-mentioned activities and places to see, you definitely need a good sleep so you can start the next day fresh and continue your journey across the United States.

If sleeping in a teepee is not really your thing and you want the comfort of a classic hotel, then the Quality Inn is a good place to lay your weary head.

They offer free calls, TV and internet, free coffee, a laundry facility and even a free hot breakfast. The hotel is also pet-friendly, so the entire family can have a good night’s sleep.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Holbrook (AZ) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.