Exploring Dartmouth, Massachusetts

If you’re thinking about making the move to southern Massachusetts, Dartmouth should be high on your list of places to consider. Ok I admit it.... I may be a little biased. I’m born & raised in Dartmouth and have called this my home for many years. I’ve traveled all over the world, studied abroad, and have always love to travel, but there is something so magical about Dartmouth. This town of about 34,000 people is located in Bristol County and was one of the earliest settled locations in New England, so there’s plenty of history to explore. 

FUN FACT!  I was even voted "Most likely to live in Dartmouth" for my class superaltive in high school! At the time I was a little embarassed and now I wear the title like a badge of honor. See below... circa 2007! That's me with the other Dartmouth legend... Ruthie Barry - manager of Folia in Padanaram!   

Dartmouth is an incredible place to live (and visit) for so many reasons.  is right on Buzzards Bay and just half an hour from Cape Cod, providing an unmatched oceanfront lifestyle without the crowds of some of the nearby tourist destinations. Boating, swimming, beaches, and fishing, Dartmouth has everything you would expect in this part of the world, minus the crowds.

A Brief History

Dartmouth has an incredibly long history, as it was first settled in 1652 and incorporated in 1664. In fact, it was the first area settled in southern Massachusetts. The land was acquired by Puritan members of the Plymouth Colony by trading goods like cloth, shoes, and tools to the Wampanoag chiefs. The Puritans later sold the land to the Quakers, who were seeking religious freedom. While the town was mostly agricultural in nature at first, it became a hot spot for the rich in the late 1800s due to its expansive stretch of coastline that opens up onto Buzzards Bay.

Dartmouth once included the towns of Fairhaven, Acushnet, and Westport, in addition to the city of New Bedford, but these other areas separated in 1789, with Fairhaven and Acushnet remaining part of New Bedford.

Geography:

There are two main areas within Dartmouth: north and south. North Dartmouth is the town’s
principal commercial district and home to Dartmouth Towne Center, Dartmouth Mall, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. While this part of the township doesn’t have access to Buzzards Bay, unless you head into New Bedford, it does feature Cornell Pond and Lake Noquochoke, along with the Shingle Island and Paskamansett rivers. The south part of town enjoys its oceanfront location right on Buzzards Bay. As a result, it is a boating and fishing oriented community with a large seasonal population. South Dartmouth is where most of the town’s affluent neighborhoods are located, including Mishaum Point, Round Hill, and Nonquitt. This part of town is also known for its beautiful homes along the coast.  If you’re in search of a house near the ocean, this is where you’ll want to look.

Dartmouth has the third-largest area by land of any town in Massachusetts at 60.9 square miles. In fact, it’s about 16 miles from the town’s furthest point north to its southern tip. As far as neighboring communities go, you’ll find New Bedford to the east, Westport to the west, and Freetown and Fall River to the north. The villages of Russells Mills, Smith Mills, Hixville, Bliss Corner, and Padanaram are found within Dartmouth, as well.

Things to Do in Dartmouth:

If you own a  home in Dartmouth or are visiting for the day, you’ll most likely spend a lot of time outdoors. For starters, South Dartmouth is full of beaches, with the largest being Round Hill Beach, Demarest Lloyd State Park Beach,  Apponagansett Beach , and Little Beach. All of these beaches have sandy areas with Round Hill and Demarest Lloyd State Park having large parking areas, as well. Nonquitt Beach and Anthony Beach are private so you’ll need to become a member or live within the community. 

Even if you aren’t a big fan of the beach, you can still find things to do on the water, especially since the New Bedford Yacht Club is located in South Dartmouth. The club has a full marina that is available for members and guests alike, so you can dock your boat there at any time. South Wharf Yacht Club is right next door, and they also offer transient and permanent slips to boaters.  It’s the type of place where your family can spend an entire day, and it’s rarely busy, so you can enjoy the peace and quiet.  Paskamansett Park  is in South Dartmouth and has a slow-moving stream that is perfect for paddling, along with hiking trails. As you can see, you’ll never run out of outdoor activities in Dartmouth. And since the town borders New Bedford, you’ll remain close to all of the city’s amenities, while living in the serene paradise that only coastal Massachusetts can provide.

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