Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.
What Mendon is known for
Mendon is home to Southwick's Zoo, which the town's 2023 Master Plan calls the largest zoo in New England, and the Mendon Twin Drive-In, which bills itself as America's most beloved drive-in. The town is also known for its rural, agricultural character, historic houses and churches, and open fields.
Mendon was established as a town on May 15, 1667, making it the second oldest town in Worcester County. It was rebuilt and resettled after King Philip's War, and early settlers Robert and Sarah Taft arrived from Braintree in 1680. In the 1800s local farmers and merchants shipped goods to distant markets on the Blackstone Canal, and the Taft Public Library opened in 1881. Mendon is a quiet, mostly single-family town where most homes run on private wells and septic systems. Residents value the small-town feel, the historic town center, and miles of conservation trails.
Where to live
The historic town 'Triangle' around Town Hall at 20 Main Street, with antique homes, churches, and landmarks like the Ammidon Tavern. It became a local historic district in 2017, so exterior changes go through the Historic District Commission. (source)
Homes ring this roughly 90-acre Great Pond in west-central Mendon. The Town Beach sits at 45 Taft Ave, and the Taft Homestead Historic District is nearby at Millville Road and Taft Avenue. (source)
A rural corridor north of Mendon Center, listed as the North Avenue Rural Historic District. Farmland such as the 101-acre VanderSluis Farm lines the road, and the Taft Public Library is at 29 North Ave. (source)
A local historic district created to preserve the birch-lined 'Birch Alley.' Modest bungalows and older homes line the street, and nearby farmland keeps its rural character. (source)
Mendon's main commercial spine, zoned as a 280-acre General Business District from Imperial Cars to the Mendon Twin Drive-In. Shops, restaurants, and plazas like 32 Hastings Street sit close to surrounding residential streets. (source)
The Highway Business District along Route 140 near the Bellingham and Hopedale lines, home to spots like Lowell's Restaurant. This is one of the few parts of town with public water service. (source)
A wooded, low-density part of town that holds the Mendon Town Forest and connects to trails at Meadow Brook Woods and Cormier Woods. (source)
Local favorites
Owned by the Quirk family since 1956. Known for slow-roasted prime rib, fresh steamers, and warm cinnamon and onion rolls with every meal. (source)
Upscale New England fare in a rustic setting at Southwick's Zoo, with indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the zoo. (source)
Tapas like crispy shrimp, calamari, and bourbon beef skewers, plus a full dinner menu and private event space. (source)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the Mendon and Bellingham line. Known for fried seafood and shoestring onion rings, and it also has a lounge and ice cream. (source)
Family owned and operated since November 2009, with a cozy, casual dining room and function space. (source)
Part of the PJ's Restaurants group. Classic breakfast plates with home fries or Texas potatoes. (source)
Advertises 'The Best Pizza 25 Years Running' and serves pizzas, specialty subs, and salads. (source)
The Mendon-Hopedale location of Nona's. Customer favorites include steak tips, meatball subs, and gyro platters. (source)
After hours
A family farm at 25 Lovell St that makes small-batch blueberry, raspberry, and cranberry wines. The winery is open Fridays and Sundays, with live music and food trucks. (source)
A cozy tea and coffee shop at 4 Maple St with loose-leaf teas, lattes, and sofa chairs by the window for reading. (source)
Coffee, blueberry muffins, and custom cakes at 32 Hastings St. It is one of the cafe's Massachusetts locations, founded in 2014. (source)
A family farm with 60 ice cream flavors, an 18-hole mini golf course, and a farm-themed adventure area. About 18 minutes from Mendon. (source)
A walking path at Veteran's Park, 29 Millville Street, which also has the town's baseball and Little League fields. (source)
Shopping
A local florist at 32 Hastings St, #103, offering everyday arrangements, sympathy flowers, plants, and wedding work. (source)
A micro flower farm started in 2024 that sells flower CSA subscriptions and tubers. It also hosts cow cuddles with a Highland cow named Humphrey and wool felting workshops. (source)
A licensed dispensary at 103 Uxbridge Rd. Adults 21 and over with valid ID; walk-ins welcome. (source)
A farm stand at 1605 Hill Street with its own strawberries, berries, peaches, apples, sweet corn, and fresh-pressed cider in fall. About 20 minutes away. (source)
Outdoors
Town-owned forest in the southwest corner of Mendon, managed for walking, horseback riding, skiing, and snowshoeing. Part of a 19-mile trail network on 800 acres of protected land. (source)
A Great Pond of about 90 acres with a Town Beach and a small launch for kayaks and canoes. Meadow Brook Uplands conservation land has trails and parking near the end of Kinsley Lane. The Town Beach was closed for the 2026 season. (source)
A 186-acre Trustees property with a 17th-century farmstead, stone walls, a late-summer blueberry patch, and five miles of loop trails. (source)
The nearest state park. It covers 1,000 acres with the historic canal towpath, River Bend Farm visitor center, trails, and a canoe and kayak ramp. Free parking. (source)
2,660 acres with Civilian Conservation Corps structures, the 2-mile Healthy Heart Trail, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. (source)
A granite chasm with rock formations like The Corn Crib and Lovers' Leap, about 2 miles of trails, and rock climbing. The Chasm Trail closes in winter. (source)
A national park telling the story of America's Industrial Revolution along the Blackstone River. Its visitor center is at Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI. (source)
Things to do
More than 900 animals from over 150 species on 200-plus acres at 2 Southwick St. Highlights include hand-feeding in the 35-acre Deer Forest, a petting zoo, a zipline, and a train ride. Currently open daily 10 AM to 5 PM. (source)
A classic drive-in at 35 Milford St with double features and special events. The box office opens Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 PM, rain or shine. (source)
Local history museum at 15 Hastings St, open for tours Tuesdays from 1:30 to 4 PM and by appointment. (source)
Founded in 1881 and moved in June 2016 into the former St. Michael's Catholic Church. Offers museum passes, a Library of Things, and a genealogy room. (source)
A walkable snapshot of more than 300 years of a New England farm town, with Town Hall, historic churches, and the Ammidon Tavern. (source)
On the calendar
Halloween-themed activities at the zoo. (source)
Run by the Mendon Cultural Council. Homes, farms, and businesses around town build scarecrows and residents vote online. (source)
Hosted by the Taft Public Library. The 2025 race marked its 25th anniversary and drew a huge turnout. (source)
Choose-and-cut balsam and Fraser firs. Saws, carts, and twine are provided and leashed dogs are welcome. (source)
Family fall activities at a working farm and creamery about 18 minutes from Mendon. (source)
Schools
Henry P. Clough Elementary, Memorial Elementary
Miscoe Hill Middle School
Nipmuc Regional High School, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School
Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)
Broker notes
Route 16 (Hastings Street and Uxbridge Road) and Route 140 run through town. I-495 is a short drive east, and Route 146 (Worcester-Providence Turnpike) is to the west.
Worcester Regional Airport: about 46 min. T.F. Green (Providence): about 51 min. Boston Logan: about 66 min. Times are without traffic.
Ryan C. Winslow, broker/owner of Winslow Homes. REALTOR® since 2009, 3,000+ homes sold, broker in FL, MA, CT and RI, U.S. Army Retired.
Researched and verified 2026-09-28. Businesses change; call ahead.