Downtown Foxborough, Mass., represents a true New England "village green" downtown

Centers of Attention -- Recognizing the best downtowns in New England

by Eric H.

Foxborough, Mass. is known as the home of the esteemed New England Patriots, but it is so much more than that.

Blessed with one of the nicest village greens in New England, Foxborough seems less like a Boston suburb and more like a quaint Vermont town. Like all classic New England small towns, the village green is the center of attention, a small oasis with park benches, old-fashioned tall lamps, a gazebo, well kept walkways and an always well-manicured lawn and in the spring and summer, flowers in bloom. Foxborough -- located at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 495 -- is 24 miles south of Boston. It seems like a million miles away from the state capital, as well as the football stadium and the anytown, strip mall look of Route 1.

The Foxborough village green serves as a very attractive rotary with steady traffic driving around the circular piece of land. Businesses and stately churches frame the village green. There is the old-fashioned Aubuchon Hardware where service is a priority; the family-oriented Commons Cafe and Eatery (the only full-service privately-owned downtown restaurant) with host Angelo always keeping the locals happy with his great personality; the Orpheum which hosts local theater productions in its old, charming pink building; and specialty shops ready to sell you cheese, bikes and antiques, to name a few. The tree-lined sidestreets offer great, big homes, many Victorians and colonials.

While not downtown, a great way to complement your visit to Foxborough is visiting the Lafayette House on Route 1.One of the most charming restaurants in New England, the Lafayette House dates back to 1784 and has many interesting nooks and crannies en route to the several dining rooms -- crooked and creaky wooden floors, low ceilings, post and beam design, etc. The atmosphere is rustic, but the food is not. The lobster, roast duck breast with ginger marinade, and the perfectly roasted prime rib stand out. It is believed that George Washington once stayed here overnight. Lucky guy!

While certainly not a vacation destination -- but perhaps an ideal town to live if considering making the move to New England -- Foxborough is worth a visit with its great village green and a walkable pleasant downtown. Sit on a village green bench, enjoy the leisurely pace, visit a few local shops and you just might find Foxborough more authentic than the high profile "vacation" towns.

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