SouthCoast
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SouthCoast is a region along the southern coast of Massachusetts. The area has a history of whaling and fishing industries, agriculture, and, in the cities, a collapsed textile industry. Its many harbors, offshore islands and features make it a good recreational fishing area, particularly in autumn.
Cities and Towns
- - Original home of the Titleist golf ball.
- - The largest city in the region, home of Battleship Cove.
- - A residential coastal community.
- - A pretty rural town on the Assonet River.
- - Home to University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
- - Classic coastal small town.
- - Famous as a whaling and fishing center, it hosts the Whaling Museum National Park.
- - A rural community.
- - "The Gateway to Cape Cod"
- - Seaside with dramatic Horseneck Beach.
Understand
This diverse and beautiful region runs between Rhode Island on the west and Cape Cod on the east and covers the spectrum from blue collar to wealthy towns. The SouthCoast region is anchored by its two harbor cities of New Bedford and Fall River, both of which have deep roots in fishing and whaling. Fishing brought a large population of Portuguese and Azoreans to the area in the late 19th century, making that a distinctive feature of the area.
Get in
Interstate 195 runs between Providence, Rhode Island and Cape Cod and services most of the SouthCoast towns.
Major airports are in Boston(BOS) and Warwick (Rhode Island)(PVD). New Bedford has a regional airport.
Boats can harbor in many of the towns, including Fall River, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Marion.
Get around
Though there is public transportation, a car is the best way to see the area.
- Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA), 134 Elm Street New Bedford Transportation Center, (508) 997-6767 (email: srtaservice@aol.com), . Bus service between SouthCoast towns.
See
Itineraries
- A nice scenic trip in the eastern end of the SouthCoast area can be had by just following Route 6 along the coast through Wareham, Marion, Mattapoisett and Fairhaven while watching for points of interest and making the occasional side trip toward the shore.
- At the western end of the SouthCoast see Padanaram village in Dartmouth (Route 6 to Tucker Rd to Gulf Rd). Then travel west to Russells Mills village at Russells Mills Rd and Rock O'Dundee Rd. From there head to Hix Bridge Rd across the Wesport River to Westport and Little Compton and Tiverton, Rhode Island. These towns are largely rural, with the attractions being mostly scenery.
Eat
The region has direct access to fresh seafood and the local chefs know what to do with it. Also try some of the Portuguese specialties such as "cacoila", a marinated pork, often served in a sandwich. Visit a Portuguese bakery if only to try the subtle "sweet bread".