Mattapoisett is one of the South Coast’s best kept secrets. This small, quaint seaside village is low key in its approach to life. A family oriented town, Mattapoisett boasts a fine school system, recreation department, year round sports activities for children, and a well attended YMCA facility and camp. The YMCA offers sailing and swimming lessons, as well as marine biology classes, among other topics. The library, which was expanded in 2006, has added a wonderful and busy children’s room which hosts activities all year long.

The town is cut by the Mattapoisett River, flowing out into Buzzards Bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Like many area villages, Mattapoisett has its share of small streams, ponds, woodland and meadow, all of which contribute to the natural beauty and wildlife of the area.

Many activities center around Mattapoisett Harbor, known to be one of the safest, easy-access harbors in New England. This waterfront area, including the town beach and Town Wharf area are two reasons this tiny boutique town’s population almost doubles in the summertime as people come to enjoy their cottages in one of the many beach communities of the town. Whether for golfing, fishing, boating, or windsurfing off Ned’s Point Lighthouse, summertime in Mattapoisett is a very special and beautiful season. The annual Fourth of July festivities, 5K road race, and Harbor Days Festival with its food, crafts and music in the Gazebo at Shipyard Park are also well known treasured events in the town. Across the tiny roadway from the Town Wharf sit the rows of historic homes of Mattapoisett Village, including the Kinsale Inn (Mattapoisett Inn), the oldest and longest operating seaside inn in the country. Even on the coldest winter morning, the sight of these beautiful wooden and brick antique homes shimmering in the sun across from the bay is very memorable.

Housing is moderately priced for the most part, with its share of some exquisite oceanfront manses. Mattapoisett has retained its quiet ambience, and there is not too much new development in housing. There are a few condominiums, but mostly single family homes ranging from bungalows and cottages throughout the numerous closely knit beach communities to older capes, colonials and ranches on tree lined side streets, to the historic homes in The Village. There is virtually no industry in Mattapoisett. Small shops and local restaurants serve the townspeople, with larger destination shopping in neighboring Cape Cod or Providence. Many Mattapoisett residents are employed in Boston, commuting by train from the Middleboro MBTA station; others work in the New Bedford/Fall River area, as well as in Providence Rhode Island.