Somerset is a small town in the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts. It is built on the western bank of the Taunton River, connected by bridges with Fall River and sharing a border with Swansea.
Understand
Incorporated in 1790, Somerset is defined by its most prominent geographical feature- the Taunton River. When the town was founded, it was a major port for American goods distribution and shipbuilding. As industry grew in Fall River across the water, Somerset became increasingly suburban. Somerset Village on the town's north shore is a living example of the town's residential development over the past few centuries. The southern tip of Somerset, Brayton Point, was home to the last coal-fired power station in Massachusetts before its closure in 2017 and implosion in 2019. The future of Brayton Point remains uncertain in the early 2020s; development proposals include clean energy generation and commercial zoning.
Somerset's restaurants and businesses are concentrated along its two major roads: US Route 6 (GAR Hwy) and MA Route 138 (County St).
Two bridges cross the river to connect Somerset with Fall River: the Braga Bridge (I-195) and the Veterans Memorial Bridge (Routes 6 and 138). The Brightman St. Bridge closed to traffic in 2011 after over 100 years of service. The local landmark still stands today, its drawbridge always open to boat traffic. Slade's Ferry Ave, which connects the defunct bridge with Route 6, was a major local commercial thoroughfare prior to the 2010s. Today, it is a ghost town of shuttered businesses.
Get in
By car
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Somerset is most easily accessed by car.
Because Somerset's western border is entirely shoreline, most routes in and out go over a bridge.
- Interstate 195 runs east-west between Providence and Cape Cod. Connects to Fall River via the Braga Bridge. Exit 10.
- US Route 6, in length, connects Somerset with bordering Swansea and Fall River (via the Veterans Memorial Bridge). Here, the road is also known as Grand Army of the Republic Highway (GAR Hwy).
Two other, minor numbered roads pass through Somerset:
- MA Route 138 runs concurrently with Route 6 from Fall River, before diverging and running north toward Taunton via Dighton. Known here as County Street.
- MA Route 103 terminates in Somerset. It runs west through Swansea into Warren (Rhode Island), becoming RI Route 103, which connects to East Providence.
By bus
The Southeastern Regional Transportation Authority (SRTA) offers one bus route (Route 14) to Somerset from Swansea and Fall River.
By plane
- T.F. Green Airport (IATA: PVD) in Warwick (Rhode Island) is the nearest major domestic airport.
- Logan International Airport (IATA: BOS) in Boston is the major international airport serving the area.
- Taunton Municipal Airport (FAA: TAN) in East Taunton is a small regional airport.
Get around
Getting around in Somerset is most easily done by car, particularly through the town's main commercial highways. However, the town is small, flat, and residential, making walking feasible. The compact roads are good for jogging, cycling, dog walking, rollerblading, and skateboarding.
See and do
The landscape around most of Somerset is the water. The best example of this is a drive down Riverside Avenue. Riverside Avenue is a long, winding road that travels through the majority of Somerset's border along the riverside of the Taunton River.
- Pierce Beach & Playground, Simbrom Dr, 41.764706015916545°, -71.13315393988236°. Memorial Day to Labor Day: 9AM-5PM. This sandy strip of riverside shoreline is overlooked by a landscaped grassy park, complete with multiple playgrounds and a ball field. $10/day (nonresident) 2021-02-01
- The most iconic feature of this complex is the Big Red Slide, a twisting tube slide over in length reached by of wooden stairs. In 2021, the old fiberglass slide will be replaced by a new stainless steel one (painted red, of course).
- AMF Somerset Lanes, 231 Riverside Ave, 41.72167904242964°, -71.16357929103178°, +1 508 672-3131. Bowling alley renovated in the 2010s with expanded food offerings, a bar, and an arcade. 2021-02-01
Buy
- Auclair's Market, 145 County St, 41.73707843012875°, -71.15012804764842°, +1 508 672-1918. Serving Somerset for over 100 years, this independent market is a local staple for produce, butchered meat, and fresh-baked bread. 2021-02-01
Eat
Somerset's restaurants offer heaping, inexpensive portions of homestyle food.
Breakfast
- Cindy's, 958 County St, 41.74688449581654°, -71.1444920465576°. M & W-Sa, 6AM-1PM, Su: 7AM-1PM, Tu: Closed. Some of the region's best breakfast food is served out of this tiny diner outfit. Crowds of regulars make it difficult to get a seat, even on weekdays, so be prepared for a wait. Be sure to ask for potato "shreds" instead of home fries. 2021-01-31
- Somerset Grille, 3015 County St, 41.77270491501472°, -71.13859862883606°. M-W & Sa: 6AM-2PM, Th & F: 6AM-8PM, Su: 6AM-12:30PM. Sizable dining room serving huge plates of buttery breakfast food, plus daily lunch specials. 2021-01-31
Italian
- Ma Raffa's, 41.75477392587765°, -71.14494127077711°. Local staple for homestyle Italian food. Known best for their huge and budget-friendly party platters, Ma Raffa's cooks similarly-giant meals for individual diners, too, such as the $9 stuffed shells. 2021-01-31
- Magoni's Ferry Landing, 681 Riverside Ave, 41.725272541490284°, -71.1587616867329°, +1 508 674-4335. Italian staples are served alongside local seafood favorites like lobster bisque and clams casino. 2021-01-31
Pubs
- Agoro's, 2756 County St, 41.77023186639238°, -71.13803345265464°, +1 508 730-2356. Portuguese-Italian fusion entrees and pizzas are served in this refined, modern dining room. 2021-02-01
- Jillian's, 1876 Wilbur Ave, 41.72789666777089°, -71.1898911378941°, +1 508 678-1140. 2021-02-01
- Pottersville Pub, 41.74837401757206°, -71.14392784680456°, +1 508 672-9488. 2021-02-01
Ice cream
Somerset Creamery is a local hub for homemade ice cream in dozens of flavors. Family owned and operated since 1937, they offer hand-packed pints, frappes, and sundaes. Operating seasonally at two locations (plus one on Cape Cod):
- Somerset Creamery Route 6, 1931 GAR Hwy, 41.74206355283856°, -71.1871863293867°, +1 508 672-5510. 2021-01-31
- Somerset Creamery County St, 146 County St, 41.7434438161931°, -71.15036369881935°, +1 508 673-0700. 2021-01-31
Sleep
- Fairfield Inn & Suites (by Marriott), 602 GAR Hwy, 41.73250734542634°, -71.16821571601812°, +1 774 322-2370. 2021-02-01
- Orbits Inn, 537 Riverside Ave, 41.728040245633686°, -71.15760909667554°, +1 508-678-7665.
- Riverview Inn & Suites, 1878 Wilbur Ave, 41.728588236436366°, -71.19026222173932°, +1 508 678-4545.