Rockland: Rail Trail, History and Events

Rockland: Rail Trail, History, and Events

Rockland offers three distinct reasons to visit: a paved trail that runs through town, a historic district with defined boundaries, and seasonal cultural and community events. This can help you decide which focus best matches your travel dates. You can plan your stay around the Rockland Rail Trail, the Lower Union Street Historic District, or an event date.

Rockland Rail Trail: Route and Access

The 3.5-mile paved Rockland Rail Trail runs from West Hanover through Rockland to North Abington. It is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The main access point to the trail on Rockland’s east side is a parking lot at 638 Market Street. The trail route extends beyond town, while the named access point is specifically on Rockland’s east side. If the trail is your main reason for visiting, you can take its length, route, and suitability into account when planning your visit.

Lower Union Street Historic District

The Lower Union Street Historic District in Rockland extends from Water Street to Market Street. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and includes 57 buildings. Its boundaries give the historic focus a specific location: the district can be distinguished from the trail, which runs through several towns, as an area between two named streets. The number of buildings and the listing also give the district two clearly defined features. If you want to factor history into your choice of destination, the district offers a clearly bounded area of interest within Rockland.

Seasonal Events and Open Studios

Rockland Day is a June celebration for all ages. The festival includes activities, live performances, music, food trucks, special attractions, and fireworks. Thousands of visitors from across the South Shore come together; attendance can vary from year to year. Individual program items may also change. If you want to plan your stay around Rockland Day, check the specific event dates and program before finalizing your travel dates.

4th Floor Artists holds Open Studios every year in April, in spring, and in November, in fall. Unlike the June celebration, these Open Studios take place during recurring time frames in spring and fall. Gallery 4 is a volunteer-run, membership-based gallery project and is currently moving to its new location on the fourth floor of the Sandpaper Factory in Rockland.

Plan Your Stay Around the Occasion

These are different points of reference when choosing a stay: the trail is a route, the Historic District is a geographically defined historic neighborhood, and the events are tied to a specific date or season. If a festival or Open Studios is the reason for your trip, check your travel dates against the relevant dates. You can then search for a hotel in Rockland based on your actual reason for traveling.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Middleboro, Wareham, Plymouth, Pembroke, Hanover, Brockton, West Bridgewater, Marshfield

Go to the main travel overview: Plymouth.