Makepeace Farms

Travel nurses on assignment in the South Coast area of Massachusetts will definitely want to add Makepeace Farms in Wareham to their list of must-eats! This café will make you feel as though you’re eating in the kitchen at the local family farm, with locally-sourced, homemade wraps, sandwiches and salads made with house-roasted turkey and chicken and a delightful selection of freshly baked pies and muffins. Plus, they sell a wide selection of delicious, local cranberry products, including jewelry, ornaments, pot holders, candy, candles, soap and honey. During the cranberry harvest between September and November, they even offer tours of the cranberry bog.

Sagres Restaurant

The South Coast area of Massachusetts is home to a large Portuguese population, and you can experience a wide range of culture there, including the delicious food. A favorite of the locals, Sagres Restaurant features a traditional Portuguese menu including steaks, chicken, pork and, of course, seafood. From Sopa Portuguesa, to paella, broiled salted codfish, and steaks sautéed in a variety of sauces and fresh spices, the servings are generous, and the service keeps locals coming back for more. If you search any of the online review sites, you will see a number of people who are from or have lived in Portugal all agreeing that this is probably one of the best Portuguese restaurants in the whole United States!

Pink Bean Organic Coffee and Tea

The small-town characteristics of the South Coast area of Massachusetts mean travel nurses on assignment there won’t find an indie coffee shop on every corner. Fortunately, the few you will find more than make up for the quantity with their quality. Pink Bean Organic Coffee and Tea is just one of those places and was the first coffee shop in the area to offer the pour-over coffee technique. In addition to a variety of coffee specialties, they also make delicious whole fruit and vegetable smoothies, healthy, homemade breakfast and lunch options and a variety of tempting treats. If you go, be sure to try their infamous espresso-based Mojo, which takes two and a half days to make.

Knuckle Heads

If you’re looking for a spot in the South Coast area where you can cheer on your favorite team and enjoy a tasty beverage, give Knuckle Heads in New Bedford a try. What sets this establishment apart from a typical sports bar, though, is its outstanding food menu at prices that will surprise you. They are just blocks from the ocean and when you taste the freshness of their seafood, you’ll wonder if it’s caught to order. Enjoy all your New England favorites, from lobster rolls and cod, to shrimp, scallops and clams. Plus, beer! They often feature live music on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and offer a late-night menu that is so much more than your typical burgers and fries.

Battleship Cove

If you travel on a nursing assignment to the South Coast area of Massachusetts, you will definitely want to check out the Battleship Cove maritime museum. Here you can truly “Discover a Sailor’s Life” as you explore the retired Battleship USS Massachusetts and four other National Historic Landmark ships located there, including the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., the USS Lionfish, PT boats and the Hiddensee. This is a must-do for all lovers of history, and numerous self-guided tours are available. Replica bullets, tee shirts and an educational book are available in the gift shop.

Colt State Park

Although technically Colt State Park is located in Rhode Island, it is less than an hour’s drive from the South Shore area of Massachusetts. This gorgeous state park offers picturesque views of the Upper Narragansett Bay, with plenty to do including, picnicking, biking, hiking, skate boarding and swimming on the public sandy beach. This is a great place to spend a few hours relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty Mother Nature provides throughout the park year-round. This is also a popular place to watch spectacular sunsets over the water.

Lizzie Borden House

Although it may seem a bit macabre to some, the Lizzie Borden House is a favorite local attraction which attracts visitors from around the world. The main suspect in the axe murders of both her parents, Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted for the crime in 1893, and her story has captivated the world ever since. Lively tour guides share Lizzie’s story as you walk through the house, touching the same doorknobs she touched as you move from room to room. There are numerous twists and turns in this murder mystery, and you’ll be surprised how much you didn’t know and how much more curious about it you might become. Be sure to visit the gift shop on your way out, which features tee shirts, books and other souvenirs.

St. Anthony of Padua Church

This beautiful church in New Bedford features breathtaking architecture that will provide you with numerous photo opportunities. The church was founded in 1895 by French Canadian Catholics and its Romanesque style is truly stunning. The spire, which is 256 feet tall, is the third tallest in New England. This magnificent church is also home to a 4 manual pipe organ located on the second balcony approximately 70 feet above the floor, which gives it acoustics that are simply unparalleled.