Check out these hidden gems in Greater Gardner as the summer winds down

Emilia Cardona, The Gardner News
·4 min read

Summer is coming to an end, and everyone is squeezing in some family time in the next couple of weeks before the kids start school again.

Finding things to do with the kids is a challenge in itself, especially if you already did the seasonal trip to Red Apple Farms. Instead of taking the kids again to Dunn State Park or grabbing breakfast at Blue Moon Diner again, trying something new with the whole family can be a great way to spend the last days of summer.

The smaller communities in Greater Gardner are filled with family-owned businesses and farms that often go overlooked. Here are five local businesses or places to spend some quality time with the family.

Plain View Farms

Plain View Farms in Hubbardston is the only alpaca farm in the Greater Gardner area. Owners Keith and Debbie Tetreault open their farm to the public every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Plain View Farms in Hubbardston is the only alpaca farm in the Greater Gardner area. Owners Keith and Debbie Tetreault open their farm to the public every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Small family-owned homesteads and farms fill the communities of Greater Gardner. What makes Plain View Farms in Hubbardston stand out is it's the only Alpaca farm in the area. The farm is also home to llamas and chickens.

Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the farm is open to the public. Appointments to visit the farm are available upon request; call (774) 258-1194.

Plain View Farms is consistently invited to showcase their alpacas and llamas at local fairs and events. The farmers and the alpacas are always on the road to a local event so checking their Facebook page is a must to keep updated on their whereabouts. Plain View Farms' next public appearance is at Red Apple Farms during the Sunflower Festival on Saturday, Aug. 12 and 19 and Sunday, Aug. 13 and 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Plain View Farms plans to be at the annual Sunflower Festival at Red Apple Farms on Saturday, Aug. 12, and Aug. 19, and on Sunday, Aug. 13 and Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Plain View Farms plans to be at the annual Sunflower Festival at Red Apple Farms on Saturday, Aug. 12, and Aug. 19, and on Sunday, Aug. 13 and Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The farmers also sell products from alpaca wool, from yarn to dryer balls, to stuffed toy alpacas. Wooly goods can be bought on the farm's website, plainviewfarmalpacas.com.

Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary

A view of both entrances of the Meadow Loop Trail at Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary located at the end of Raymond Street in Gardner.
A view of both entrances of the Meadow Loop Trail at Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary located at the end of Raymond Street in Gardner.

The 378-acre grassland and forest sanctuary managed by Mass Audubon is truly a hidden gem. The Mass Audubon staff said Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary is visited less than any other Audubon wildlife sanctuary, which makes it a perfect place to relax in nature.

Visitors have one mile of trails to explore, and trails are classified as easy to moderate. The forest is filled with red spruce, pines of all kinds, and balsam fir. The grasslands are ecologically managed by Mass Audubon staff. The staff mows the grasslands late in the season to support the Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows population.

There are several trails at the sanctuary that are accessible for nature lovers with disabilities. Mobility devices can be borrowed at the wildlife sanctuary's Welcome Center. The sanctuary is on Raymond Street in Gardner.

Don't forget to grab a trail map from the Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary's informational board when visiting the hiking destination located on Raymond Street in Gardner.
Don't forget to grab a trail map from the Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary's informational board when visiting the hiking destination located on Raymond Street in Gardner.

Deer Creek Farm Bagels & Bread

Deer Creek Farm Bagels & Bread's freshly baked bagels, donuts, scones, bread, and more can turn an ordinary family breakfast into a delicious morning for the whole family. All ingredients used in Deer Creek Farm baked goods are locally sourced from farms in the Greater Gardner area.

Order online or visit the bakery's farmstand to see what they have baked for the day at 343 Otter River Road, Templeton. The daily baked goods menu is posted on the bakery's Facebook page. The farmstand is open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Zoe's on the Green

Zoe's on the Green is a bar and restaurant at the Gardner Municipal Golf Course. The outdoor deck restaurant is open to the public during golf season from March until November. The seasonal menu has a wide variety of items from cheeseburger pizza to Buffalo chicken subs.

The deck overlooks the bright green golf course and is perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner on a sunny clear day. Weekly specials are served, homemade sauce and pizza dough are made daily, and orders are available for takeout. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Zoe's Restaurant at Gardner Municipal Golf Course is a great place for lunch, brunch or dinner during the golf season
Zoe's Restaurant at Gardner Municipal Golf Course is a great place for lunch, brunch or dinner during the golf season

Candlelite Cafe

Parents looking for a night out without the kids can head over to Candlelite Cafe, 712 Patriots Road, Templeton, a bar that has a small-town vibe. The local bar is known for its fairly priced drinks, karaoke, and themed bar parties that range from Hawaiian to black light.

Follow Candlelite Cafe on Facebook to stay updated on weekly events. The bar is open Monday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Friday to Sunday from noon to 2 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Greater Gardner hidden gems: Plain View Farm, Zoe's on the Green