Mass Pike Service Plazas: Something for Everyone

Those coming into Massachusetts from Interstate 84 and going onto the 138-mile long Massachusetts Turnpike towards Boston first see the Charlton East service plaza, one of many plazas for something for everyone. 

Upon driving into the plaza, travelers will see a visitor information center in a colonial wooden barn featuring a lot of pamphlets and information on all the walls from all parts of Massachusetts alongside two fireplaces with Halloween displays done by the Salem Witch Museum. 

The room is so large, the fireplace is in the middle and brochures include information not just on hotels, bars and restaurants but on museums, things to do and see, state parks, agriculture exhibits, and much more. 

The center is open seven days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is staffed by knowledgeable workers. 

Outside the house is a plaque dedicated to the founder of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and a replica head and hand vice which was used during colonial times. 

In the main service center at Charlton East, visitors will see a food court with Fresh City alongside Papa Gino’s, D’Angelo’s, LAVAZZA coffees, Auntie Anne’s pretzels, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Mc Donald’s with drive-thru, a Bank of America ATM, a Tiger Mart convenience store featuring souvenirs with the Massachusetts and Boston name, an izone Sunglasses kiosk, and outside the center, a large multi-island Exxon gas station with diesel fuel. 

Fresh City has a lot of healthy alternatives and includes sandwiches, soups, and tortillas while Papa Gino’s specializes in pizza and D’Angelos features sandwiches. 

Amazingly, the sandwiches at the D’Angelos I visited at the Ludlow West Service Plaza was quite fresh and not really that much more expensive than the typical D’Angelos at the mall. 

I enjoyed a cup of a Carmel type coffee at LAVAZZA coffees and was impressed by their selection of coffees including the Cheesecake Factory cakes available. 

I could never imagine buying a cheesecake at a service plaza but it really is possible.