From Dunks to Dunks: Middleton, MA's Main Street (by Lindsey Davis)

For Day Trip Travelers Who Need Their Dunkin’ Donuts to Survive...

(Google)

       Middleton is a small town of 8,000 residents tucked on the edge of Massachusetts’ North Shore. Named for being the half way point from Salem and Andover, it is a prime location for flexibility and spontaneity for a family. It is sandwiched in between two major high ways and only 20 minutes from Boston, Salem, the home of the Witch Trials, quaint seaport Newburyport, and to the nearest beach. You may even bump into some past and present Boston sports players including Boston Red Sox Coco Crisp, David Ortiz, John Tudor, and Boston Bruins Tim Thomas. P.J. Axelsson, and Sergei Samsonov who own homes in Middleton. 

    The older residents may not have ‘r’s’ in their speech but the town does hold the key ingredient to a successful trip... Dunkin Donuts. With four Dunkin Donuts to choose from, your travel plans can be calculated without missing your daily (or hourly) fix of caffeine to keep you running. 

      Begin the day at the Danvers-Middleton border Dunkin Donuts on Route 114/ Main Street. May I suggest a caramel latte with a turbo shot and an everything bagel toasted with cream cheese to kick start the day in high gear? You may want to fill up because the first stop is Farnsworth Landing on the Ipswich River, the town’s most popular kayak launch. The river winds through some of the North Shore’s most beautiful wetlands and farms. In some places, it has narrow and shallow waters through grassland so the best time to of year to kayak the Ipswich is spring or early summer to avoid an impronto “land-ho”. 

    To reward yourself after a morning of  physical activity, continue down Main Street to the area’s famous Richardson’s Ice Cream for over 50 flavors like Apple Crisp, Green Monster, and Candy Shop. The Richardson Family has been a vital part of Middleton’s agricultural history since 1695, owning most of the farm land in the town. Today, the family farm has become a favorite destination for ice cream since 1952. Dairy bars, restaurants, and grocery stores throughout New England sell Richardson’s ice cream but the original dairy shop, cow barns, and factory can be found right off of Main Street. 

Once you are done licking you ice cream and visiting the cows, Golf Country is right next door. It is home to two miniature golf courses, a driving range, and outdoor batting cage. If you’re feeling confident after a round of mini-golf, the Middleton Golf Course, a 18 hole Par 3, is down the street. It is a great course for a spontaneous round but it tends to get busy in the summer so if you have your heart set on a round, make a reservation in advance. 

     You really can not visit Middleton without taking in the Richardson’s many pastures which can be found throughout the town, including a few feet from the golf course. Enjoy the rolling hills, vast yellow wild-flower meadows, white wooden fences, and mellow cows from the porch of Sol Bean Cafe with their signature(and deliciously nutritious ) smoothies of nearly any fruit combination you can think of. If you plan on visiting in the fall, this is an enchanting location to view New England’s beloved foliage. This activity may have to be taken inside after a rainy day. Rain +Cow Pasture=Unpleasant Smells

      Looking for some entertainment, history, or caffeine re-fuel before you head out of dodge? Then keep trekking down Main Street to historic downtown where you will find a band stand, the oldest building in Middleton, and a Dunks (if you can't wait for the next one at the end of Main Street). During

the summer months, the Memorial Hall Band Stand hosts weekly evening concerts and daytime festivals, including but not limited, to Middleton Idol and a festival to support Middleton’s environment. During Halloween, the town gathers for the annual Pumpkin Festival that is celebrated with haunted hayrides, pumpkin carving, costume contests, and free apple pie and ice cream from Richardson’s! 

    There is not much to see in the main square but, there are a few consignment shops and salons. If you are hungry, Middleton has 6 pizza shops to choose from and one is right             (Google)

in the square! If you are looking for a nice walk to cap off the day, a trail around the town reservoir sits behind the Flint Public Library in the square. With very few houses surrounding it, the 3 mile walk around the reservoir will be sure to show you the beauty of Massachusetts' woodlands. 

   

    That is Middleton! Now no worries, no matter what direction you decide to head in to get out of town, whether it be to Andover, Topsfield, Danvers, or Lynnfield, you will hit one of the four Dunkin' Donuts to take for the ride.  Finish it off with a soothing french-vanilla ice coffee.