Scituate
Scituate (pronounced sit-you-et) is a small seacoast town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts south of Cohasset and north of Marshfield in the South Shore region. Scituate Harbor is the main town center and is where most of the shops and restaurants are located. Scituate includes the villages of North Scituate and Humarock.
Get in
By car
From points north: head south on Route 3, take exit 13 onto Route 53 north. At the first set of lights go right onto Route 123 east. Follow to Scituate.
From points south: head north on Route 3, take exit 14 onto Route 228 east until intersection with route 3A. At the lights, go right onto 3A south and follow through Cohasset and into Scituate. North Scituate village will be the first exit on your left once you cross into Scituate. To get to Scituate Harbor, continue straight along route 3A until you see the town hall on your left (about 2 to 3 miles ahead). Take a left at that lights onto Beaver Dam road and continue all the way into Scituate Harbor.
By train
MBTA Commuter Rail has stops in North Scituate and Greenbush. The fare for adults is $6.75 one way from South Station (Boston), to Greenbush station. Adults pay $6.25 one way from South Station to North Scituate. Children under 12 ride for free with an adult.
Get around
Much of the shopping and dining are within the compact Scituate Harbor area. The action goes down along Front Street from the Satuit Brook bridge to Beverdam road. A municipal parking can be found just behind the main drag. Likely one of the best views from a parking lot you'll ever see. The beaches are a longer walk, maybe 10-15 minutes to Sand Hills or Peggoty beaches.
Near the harbor, bikes can speed you between locations. There's not much cycling infrastructure to speak of, but most roads are quiet and calm enough for even children to bike safely on. There is a scenic bike path along most of the Drift Way. Locals are used to seeing bikes, this is a beach community after all.
If you are leaving the harbor area, you'll need a car to get any real exploring done.
See
The Scituate Historical Society owns a dozen or so historic buildings in town; and has detailed archives of the town history. Plan ahead if you'd like to see the insides of any of these historic buildings. Check their calendar to find the next Society Open House date.
- Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum, 301 Driftway, ☏ +1 781 545-5565. Su 1-4PM. Set in a sea captain's 1739 home, exhibits recount local maritime history including the many Scituate shipwrecks. The Irish mossing trade (red algae scraped from the sea floor and used in many products) is also covered.
- 1 Scituate Lighthouse, ☏ +1 781 545-1083. Cedar Point, An 1810 granite lighthouse with a charming story. Open at times during the summer, including Heritage Days. Nice historical display outside. This is a very popular sight for visitors. The surrounding rocks, calm harbor, and often gorgeous summer weather makes this also a popular spot for wedding photos! There are two jetties off of the lighthouse area, and both are often walked by adults and children alike. Though the parking lot is small, it is free. There is also a small sandy beach in front of the Lighthouse; this is a beautiful place to enjoy the summer sun, and is the only beach in Scituate with a free parking area.
- The Old Oaken Bucket Homestead and Well, 47 Old Oaken Bucket Road. The mill and the pond were made famous in 1817 by Samuel Woodworth in his poem The Old Oaken Bucket. Under renovations. The "ancient ell" on premises dates from 1675. $3.
- 2 The Lawson Tower, 330 First Parish Rd, ☏ +1 781 545-1083. Unusual European style bell-tower which was built to hide a steel water standpipe. Open to climb to the top during Heritage Days. Claimed to be the most beautiful water tower in the world, the Lawson Tower was built in the early 20th century. $3.
- Mann House Museum, 108 Greenfield Lane, ☏ +1 781 545-1083. $3.
- Stockbridge Grist Mill, 1 Country Way. A working 1650-era mill. $3.
- Cudworth House, 331 First Parish Road. A preserved 18th-century house, barn and cattle pound. $3.
- The Schoolhouse (Kathleen Laidlaw Center), 43 Cudworth Road, ☏ +1 781 545-1083. T, Th F 10AM-4PM, Sat 10AM-2PM. Home of the Scituate Historical Society, genealogy experts. Come on a Tuesday if you'd like to meet the archivist.
Do
- 1 Bates Lane Conservation Area (Carl Pipes Memorial Trail), Bates Lane. Sunrise-sunset daily. 335 acres of open space preserved in this 450 acre forest. It is part of the largest remaining unfragmented forest in Scituate, this area contains important headwaters of Scituate's drinking supply. The walking trail capacity is around 2½ miles, covering a variety of ecosystems and habitats for the public to appreciate and enjoy. Teepee rock is a landmark within the park. Trails are well maintained and marked. You'll pass the trailhead on your way to the parking lot at the end of Bates Lane. Free.
- Mill Wharf Cinemas, 1 Mill Wharf Plaza. Owned by South Shore Cinema, these two screens play current films. Temporarily closed.
- Satuit Bowlaway, 1 Cole Parkway, ☏ +1 781 545-9726. This bowling alley and small arcade is home to candle pin bowling. It also has kid friendly lanes with bumpers and is available for birthday parties. Call to inquire about "cosmic bowling" for a fun nite. Temporarily closed.
- Widow's Walk Golf Course, 250 Driftway, ☏ +1 781 544-0032. 7AM-5PM daily. Golf Digest 4-star, voted area's top course. A 6,403-yard, par-72. $15-50.
Beaches
The major beaches of Scituate are Minot, Peggoty, and Egypt Beach, and are all open to the public throughout the year. Lifeguards are usually available from late June through Labor Day. Porta potties are available, and water is saftey tested weekly during this time. Trying to park nearby? You need a Beach Sticker to use a beach parking lot. There are only a reserved number of stickers for non-residents each summer, and they're expensive! Like $300 expensive. Without a sticker, it's probably easier to bike, or make some local friends! Sand Hills and Peggotty beach are the closest to the harbor. About a 10-15 minute walk, less if you bike. Be sure to ask for directions, although it is pretty straight forward trip.
- 2 Egypt Beach. Sunrise-sunset daily. Stony and small. 77 parking spots. Beach sticker required.
- 3 Humarock Beach. Sunrise-sunset daily. One of the largest beaches in Scituate. Over a mile of fine, hard-packed sand. After the storm of 1888, Humarock was cut off from Scituate by the rerouting of the South River. Today the beach is only accessible via Marshfield, which can turn into quite the drive during summer. 120 parking spots. Beach sticker required.
- 4 Minot Beach. Sunrise-sunset daily. Small residential sandy beach with many rock features and tidal pools. Good for kids. Views of Minot Light and Massachusetts Bay. 101 parking spots in three locations, most are found along Bailey's Causeway. Beach sticker required.
- 5 Peggoty Beach. Sunrise-sunset daily. Half a mile of sandy beach. Parking lot with 200 spots on Inner Harbor road just off Peggoty Beach road. Beach sticker required.
- 6 Sand Hills Beach. Sunrise-sunset daily. Sandy but small. Gets even smaller at high tide. 24 parking spots. Closest to Scituate Harbor. Beach sticker required.
Events
- Scituate Heritage Days, ☏ +1 (781) 545-4000. 9AM-6PM. This annual event combines live music and entertainment, artisan crafts, kid’s activities, historical site visits, and vendor booths. Additionally, nearby Scituate Harbor is replete with a wide variety of gift shops, clothing stores, restaurants and other businesses. Some restaurants feature outdoor seating where you can enjoy spectacular views of Scituate Harbor. This festival takes place the first weekend in August.
- Carnival, Cole Parkway. Held in the third week of July, the Scituate carnival provides fun for children of all ages. Rides, games, and food are on offer. Enjoy some cotton candy and a hot dog while walking along the harbor's edge. Fireworks displays on Friday and Saturday nights. The carnival takes place within the main parking lot, so visitors should look to park in several nearby smaller lots; free of charge. Hosted by the Scituate Knights of Columbus since 1953. Free.
Buy
- Native, 51 Front Street, ☏ +1 781 545-9600. Tu-Sat 10AM-6PM Su 11AM-4PM. Scituate Harbor, Indigenous, tribal, and unique folk art and items from around the world.
- Nor'easter Surf Shop, 376 Gannet Road (North Scituate Village), ☏ +1 781 544-9283. Tu-Su noon-6PM. Locally owned surf and skate shop selling surf boards, gear, decks, and apparel. Has local surf reports.
- Out of the Blue, 124 Front Street, ☏ +1 781 544-3800. M-Sa 10AM-5:30PM, Su noon-5PM. Women's clothing.
- Goodies II, 124 Front Street, ☏ +1 781 544-0010. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM, M closed. Antique store featuring cool stuff, consignment, and shabby chic furniture.
- Joye, 196 Front Street, ☏ +1 781 545-7273. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Just next door to the Quarterdeck is a bright and fresh looking shop full of accessories. This shop is one of the most decently priced for gifts among then stores on Front Street.
Eat
Budget
- Coffee Corner, 1 Cole Pkwy, ☏ +1 781 545-8225. 5AM-1PM daily. Scituate Harbor, Locally owned coffee, donut and bagel place that has been here before Dunkin Donuts moved in down the street. Has a small town charm to it.
- Dribble's Ice Cream, 4 Brook Street, ☏ +1 781 544-3600. 11AM-10PM daily. Popular with locals and busy during the summer months. There are 2 walk up windows to order from. They serve large portions and have some picnic tables outside. Closeness to the harbor allows one to walk the waters edge near Cole parkway. $6.
- Dribble's Ice Cream, 367 Gannet Road (North Scituate), ☏ +1 781 545-8118. 11AM-9PM daily. Awesome ice cream place with a large menu including hard and soft serve, milkshakes, ice cream cakes and is home to the one of a kind Wilbur wheel. Also has a sandwich shop and a candy section. Very busy during the summer months and definitely one of the best ice cream places on the south shore. $6-10.
- Nona's Homemade Ice Cream, 1 Mill Wharf Plaza, ☏ +1 (781) 378-1464. W-Su noon-9PM. Next to the movie theater along the shoreline, this stop for ice cream is the perfect place to grab a cone for the show, or a stroll along the water. The parlor also has seating to enjoy their many different flavors with sweet-tooth-happy toppings.
- Maria's Submarine Sandwich Shop, 47 Front Street, ☏ +1 781 545-2323. Tu-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Very casual, very popular among the locals. Around lunch time the line can be out the door since it is a small place, but it moves quickly. Unfortunately, they don't offer lettuce as a sub topping. Call ahead for pizza pickup only; no delivery. Very low prices.
Mid range
- Circe's Grotto, 344 Gannet Road (North Scituate), ☏ +1 781 544-6007. Tu-Sa 11AM-3PM. A great sandwich shop with home made deserts and treats. Very busy around lunch time, but it is worth the wait.
- Satuit Tavern, 39 Jericho Rd, ☏ +1 781 545-2500. 4-8PM daily. Fresh seafood, steaks, sandwiches & pizza. Casual dining room and bar. All menu items available to go. $10-20.
- T.K. O'Malley's, 194 Front Street, ☏ +1 781 545-4012. 11:30AM-1AM daily. Full service indoor dining room, casual lounge and sports bar. Seasonal outdoor full service patio and bar overlooking harbor. Drive up dock for boats. Lunch, dinner and to go. Very popular in the summer months.
Splurge
- Mill Wharf, 146 Front Street, ☏ +1 781 545-3999. W-M 11:30AM-9PM, Tu closed. Outstanding location with views of the harbor, lighthouse and bay. Outside dining in nice weather. Finer dining downstairs, pub located upstairs. More of bar atmosphere upstairs and sometimes they have live music. Local tip: ask to sit outside upstairs for a nice view, but downstairs has a larger outdoor area. $19-27.
- Oro, 227 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy, ☏ +1 781 378-2465. W-Sa noon-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM, M 4-9PM. This restaurant features fine entrees including sophisticated seafood and steak items. Swanky ambiance.
Drink
There are no clubs, lounges or bar only establishments in Scituate. However, the restaurants Mill Wharf, Satuit Tavern, and T.K. O'Malley's are popular on Friday and Saturday nights. Last call is 12:45AM.
Cope
- Library . The Scituate Town Library is part of the Old Colony Library Network. It is a small library with children's, young adult, and adult sections. They also have a decent collection of CDs for borrow, and a small selection of DVDs (and even VHS!). Computer (and internet) use is permitted only to those with a library card.
Sleep
- [dead link] Allen House Bed and Breakfast, 18 Allen Place, ☏ +1 781 545-8221, fax: +1 781 544-3192, allenhousebnb@aol.com. Six rooms. $125-215.
- The Inn at Scituate Harbor, 7 Beaver Dam Road, Scituate Harbor, ☏ +1 781 545-5550, fax: +1 781 545-5576. Many rooms, indoor pool, outside deck, and a beautiful view of Scituate Harbor and the light house.
- Oceanside Inn Bed and Breakfast, 8 Oceanside Drive, ☏ +1 781 544-0002, fax: +1 781 544-7374. Beachfront. Four rooms. $100-230.
Connect
- Scituate Town Council website
Go next
- The city of Boston, about 30 miles to the north, has many attractions. Plymouth and Cape Cod are nearby to the south.
| Routes through Scituate |
| Boston ← Cohasset ← | N  S |
→ Marshfield → Plymouth |
| Brockton ← Norwell ← | W  E |
→ END |
| Boston ← Cohasset ← | NW  SE |
→ END |