Wayside Inn & Grist Mill

Activity Overview

The Wayside Inn is the oldest operating inn in the United States. The property was built in 1707 and was successfully managed by the Howe family for many years. The property passed into the hands of Henry Ford who preserved the house as a living museum of American history.

Ford also ordered the construction of the Wayside Grist Mill which began producing corn meal and flour on Thanksgiving Day 1929. Both the Inn and the Grist Mill are now managed as a non-profit Massachusetts Historic Landmark and are open for visits from the public.

Things to Do

• The Wayside Inn hosts year round self-guided exhibits which are open to the public seven days a week. These exhibits display artifacts from colonial times and other eras throughout the inn's existence.
• You can eat breakfast lunch and dinner at the inn. Lunch is served Monday to Saturday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm while dinner starts at 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday while on Sunday it lasts from 12 noon until 7:30 pm. Breakfast can be had on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 am to 10:30 am. They have extensive menus including a wine list and a children's menu which you can see here. All of their menus are similarly listed on their website.
• The grounds of the property are an excellent place for relaxation. If you are a fisherman you can catch and release trout in Josephine Pond.

Wayside Inn & Grist Mill Insider Tips

• If you really like the Inn there are lodging options. Check their webpage for rooms and rates.
• There is a general information brochure and a walking tour brochure available on their website.