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Richardson’s, Middleton, Mass., Goes Beyond “Ice Cream Stand”

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Richardson's Ice Cream Stand (photo by Eric)
Richardson’s Ice Cream Stand (photo by Eric)

Richardson’s Ice Cream stand in Middleton, Mass., has “scooped” much of its competition by keeping it’s prices low on ice cream, while also offering two miniature golf courses, a driving range and batting cages.

Additionally, you can can tour the farm, see how milk is bottled (we recommend buying a bottle of fresh milk!) and commune with the many cows, as well as ducks, sheep,  chickens and a rooster around the beautiful farm land. It’s especially pleasant being here at the sun going


down gives way to the stars — so relaxing, friendly and, ultimately, the stuff that summers are made of on a hot New England night.

The Richardson family’s farming business dates back to 1696, with its dairy industry evolving through the years. The ice cream stand became a local household name in the 1960s. That ice cream stand, today, is often packed with multiple lines, waiting eagerly for some delicious ice cream that has a base of 16 percent butterfat. Rarely have we tasted ice cream this fresh and creamy with our favorites being the vanilla ( with pure bourbon vanilla extract imported From Madagascar), peppermint stick, strawberry, cherry vanilla, Toll House Cookie, ginger and pumpkin. A “kiddie” size looks like a medium or large at other ice cream stands, and comes in at $2.82 — a great bargain!

You can eat on a picnic bench in the great outdoors — including the outdoor patio with waterfalls —  or in the modern all season dining room.

Add some mini golf, a well-kept driving range, batting cages and a tour, and you have a low-cost, one-stop morning or afternoon of fun.  Why take the “Rocky Road” of going to many attractions of these kinds when it’s all right here?

Having fun at Richardson’s make for a great “staycation” activity for suburban Boston residents, as well as a destination for those vacationing or taking a day trip in North Shore communities like Newburyport, Ipswich (perfect stop after visiting Crane’s Beach!), Rockport and Gloucester.

Richardson’s is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the summer, and in the fall and spring from 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Sunday – Thursday; and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Richardson’s Ice Cream
156 South Main St. (Rte 114)
Middleton, MA 01949
Tel. (978) 774-5450

Related articles:
Revisiting The Dairy Dome in Stoneham, Mass.
A yummy summer at The Ice Cream Machine in Cumberland, RI
Bubbling Brook, Westwood, Mass.

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