Scituate (Massachusetts)

By car

• From Route 3, take exit 13 onto Route 53 North; at first lights go right onto Route 123 East. Follow to Scituate.

Or

• From Route 3, take exit 14 onto route 228 east until intersection with route 3A. At 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.

Note: All weekend commuter rail service to Scituate has been suspended until Summer 2012.

By bike

Most roads are quiet and calm enough for even children to bike safely on. Many roads also have sidewalks, but not all. There is also a scenic bike path along most of the Drift Way.

By boat

• Scituate Harbormaster

  address: 100 Cole Parkway

Unfortunately, there are no taxi services in Scituate. Most of the shops and restaurants are located in Scituate Harbor and they are all within walking distance. The beaches are a little bit longer of a walk but the ones close to the harbor such as Sand Hills and Peggoty are a 10 to 15 minute walk max, and lot quicker on bikes. See the article about beaches below for more information.
Here is itinerary to help making getting around time efficient in the harbor area.
When exploring Scituate on a summer day, the most typical time to visit the scenic town, the busy area can be overwhelming to plan the perfect day in. Based on a two- day visit, here is how to maximize your experience in Scituate with out spending all of your time driving around town. Here is itinerary to help making getting around time efficient in the harbor area.
Scituate Harbor Area
Morning
Breakfast: Morning Glories has a breakfast egg and cheese sandwich and a coffee selection that are raved about by the locals. Visit this bakery for your breakfast fix to get your day rolling.
Activity: Off of The Driftway, just near Morning Glories, take a walk along the marsh at the boat ramp. There are walking trails alongside to make for a nice morning stroll.
Lunch: On Front Street, the heart of Scituate’s downtown, lies one of the town’s busiest sandwich shops, Marias. Oftentimes on a summer afternoon, the line is out the door, so be prepared to wait for about 20 minutes for your lunch. Get it to go as Peggotty beach is right around the corner!
Activity: Peggotty Beach is a popular beach near the harbor. After being sure that you have a beach sticker on your car, prepare to spend the rest of your afternoon here.
Dinner: Satuit tavern is a popular restaurant near the lighthouse and features local seafood and pizza. The prices are reasonable and the menu selection appeals to all appetites.
Activity: Patriot Cinemas in the harbor shows two films at a time. With Harbor Scoops just next door, the movies are a sweet treat to the end of your night in the harbor.
Day two
North Scituate
Breakfast: Marylou's is a very popular coffee shop in North Scituate that also has muffins and pasteries. This stop will help wake your morning up.
Activity: Visit Whittney Woods Trails. There are 3 miles of trails off of Country Way, near Marylous, that provide for a nice walk through the woods.
Lunch: Circe's Grotto is a nice sandwich shop offering an extensive menu of gourmet sandwiches. With Minot Beach just down the street, Circe's makes a lot of sales for beach picnics.
Activity: Minot Beach is one of Scituate's Pulic Beaches that is very family friendly. It features an enormous rock that kids love to play on and jump off of.
Dinner: Riva II is a pizza joint that offers delicious pizzas and salads. For a light dinner after the beach this is an excellent choice.

• Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum301 Driftway, Sa,Su: 1PM-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). Adults $4, seniors $3, under 18 free.

• Scituate Lighthouse

  phone: +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 WellThe mill and the pond were made famous in 1817 by Samuel Woodworth in his poem The Old Oaken Bucket. Under renovations.

• The Lawson TowerFirst Parish Road and Central Park Drive. Unusual European style bell-tower which was built to hide a steel water standpipe. Open to climb to the top during Heritage Days.

• Mann Farmhouse and MuseumStockbridge Rd and Greenfield Ln,

• Stockbridge MillA working 1650 era mill.

• Cudworth House, Barn and Cattle PoundA preserved 18th century house, barn and cattle pound.

• Kathleen Laidlaw Historical Center, "The Little Red School House", . 43 Cudworth Road, Phone: +1 781 545-1083, M-F, 10AM-4PM. Home of the Scituate Historical Society, the experts on Scituate genealogy.

• Lawson TowerArgued as the most beautiful water tower in the world, the Lawson Tower built in the early twentieth century, is worth visiting for a walk around or a photo.

• Maxwell Conservation Trut, LTD

  address: 292 Clapp Road
  225 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 our drinking supply. The walking trail capacity is around 2 ½ miles, covering a variety of ecosystems and habitats for the public to appreciate and enjoy.

• Mill Wharf Cinemas1 Mill Wharf Plaza, Scituate Harbor, Two screens play current films. An ice cream place is next door, in the same building.

• Satuit Bowlaway

  address: 1 Cole Parkway
  Scituate Harbor, this bowling alley and small arcade is home to candle pin bowling. It also has kid friendly lanes with bumbers and is available for birthday parties. Call to inquire about "cosmic bowling" for a fun nite.

• Scituate Heritage DaysEach year, with the help of many volunteers, the Scituate Chamber of Commerce proudly presents Scituate Heritage Days. The annual event combines live music and entertainment, artisan crafts, kid’s activities, historical site visits, and vendor booths for one of the South Shore’s biggest and most anticipated outdoor events of the summer. During the weekend, visitors can enjoy many events, activities, and music venues that Scituate Heritage Days has become famous for. In addition to the many vendors at Heritage Days, Scituate Harbor boasts many retail shops, businesses and restaurants. You can find nautical and whimsical gifts shops along with stylish retail clothing stores. Some of the restaurants feature outdoor casual seating where you can enjoy the spectacular views of Scituate Harbor. This festival takes place the first weekend of August each year.

• Widow's Walk Golf Course250 The Driftway, Golf Digest 4-star, voted area's top course. A 6,403-yard, par-72.

• Carnival. Located in Cole Parkway, in the Harbor. Usually held in the third week of July every summer, the carnival provides fun for children of all ages. If rides are simply not your thing, you can instead enjoy some cotton candy and hot dogs while walking along the harbor's edge. Parking is limited, since the carnival is set up in the major parking lot of the harbor. Visitors can park in nearby smaller harbor lots (free of charge).

• Beach Passes:

The major beaches of Scituate are Minot, Peggoty, and Egypt Beach, and are all open to the public throughout the year. Note that parking in a beach parking lot requires a Beach Sticker. There are only a reserved number of stickers for non-residents each summer. If you are not a resident with a sticker, it is probably easier to bike, or make some local friends! Sand Hills and Pegotty beach are the two closest beaches to the harbor and are a 10 to 15 minute walk max, even less if you have bikes. Be sure to ask for directions although it is pretty straight forward trip.

• Nearby Town Beaches:

The town of Hull, home to Nantasket Beach, phone: +1 617-727-1330, is about a 15 minute ride to the north on route 3A. At this beautiful 3.5 mile long sandy beach there are 1000 car parking lots (for a small fee), lifeguards, public rest rooms, changing rooms and showers. Opposite the beach, there is a long strip of restaurants, arcades, ice cream stands, shops, food vendors and even a carousel. This trip is a must and a fun time for families or couples. The beach is extremely popular on hot summer days and is one of the best on the South Shore. From Scituate, follow route 3A north until you hit the traffic circle in Hingham, then take the first right out of the circle and follow until you reach Hull. Continue until on until you hit the main strip and the beach is on the right. You won't miss it.

• Christopher's Irish & Religious GiftsAlice Brennan, 55 Brook Street, Scituate Harbor, religious and Irish gifts.

• Hennessy News5 Brook Stree, Scituate Harbor, Town themed clothing, paper goods, lottery, gifts.

• Native

  address: 51 Front Street
  Scituate Harbor, Indigenous, tribal, and unique folk art and items from around the world.

• Nor'easter Surf and Skate Shop

  address: 376 Gannet Road
  Scituate (North Scituate Village), Locally owned surf and skate shop selling surf boards, gear, decks, apparel, and more and has local surf reports.

• Out of the BlueNancy Jones, 124 Front Street, Scituate Harbor.

• Sylvia's by the Sea

  address: 131 Front Street
  Scituate Harbor, Ocean themed gifts and clothing.

• The Quarter Deck

  address: 206 Front Street
  Scituate Harbor, Wide assortment of jewelry, trinkets, historical and seacoast memorabilia.

• The Welch Company

  address: 132 Front Street
  Scituate Harbor, Household and sea coast themed gifts.

• Joye

  address: 196 Front Street
  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.

• Morning Glories

  address: 52 Country Way
  Morning Glories offers many cookies, cakes, and sandwiches. Their seasonal items, featuring sugar cookies that have colorful sprinkles are very popular for parties or just for fun. Although you could sit down and enjoy your fresh baked goodies at one of their tables, their take out window makes it convenient to purchase on the go!

• Barker Tavern

  address: 21 Barker Road
  Fine dining, casual dining in the pub, weddings and functions. Restored 17th century local "special occasion" spot and pub. $20-$36.

• Circe's Grotto

  address: 344 Gannet Road
  Scituate (North Scituate Village), A great sandwich shop with home made deserts and treats. Very busy around lunch time, but it is worth the wait.

• Coffee Corner

  address: 1 Cole Pkwy
  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.

• Cosmo's Cafe

  address: 333 Gannet Road
  Scituate (North Scituate Village), Nice little pizza, sub, and fried food place. Also has a limited beer and wine selection. Popular with the locals.

• Dribble's Ice Cream

  address: 4 Brook Street
  Scituate Harbor, 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.

• Harbor House of Pizza

  address: 100 Front Street
  Scituate Harbor, Lunch, Dinner. Downtown Location. Very casual pizza, subs and fried food type menu; popular among locals. Pickup and Delivery. They do not accept personal checks or debit cards.

• Jamie's Grille and Pub

  address: 360 Gannett Road
  Scituate (North Scituate Village), Full service dining room and bar.

• Maria's Pizza And Submarine Sandwich Shop

  address: 47 Front Street
  Scituate Harbor. Lunch, dinner. Downtown Location. 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.

• Mill Wharf Restaurant

  address: 146 Front Street
  Lunch, dinner. Outstanding location with views of the harbor, lighthouse and bay. Outside dining in nice weather. $19-$27 or pub menu. 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.

• Phin's Restaurant

  address: 95 Front Street
  Open Wednesday-Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Casual.

• PJ’s Country HouseGeoffrey O’Brien, 227 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy., P.O. Box 223, Scituate, MA 02040, Casual fine dining. Function facilities, live entertainment Wed.-Sun. nights in the pub.

• Riva Restaurant

  address: 116 Front Street
  Scituate Harbor, Fine Italian Dining. Dinner nightly. They have a nice back bar. $15-$23.

• Satuit TavernJames Mulvee, 39 Jericho Road, Scituate Harbor, Casual. Fresh seafood, steaks, sandwiches & pizza. Dining room and bar. All menu items available to go.

• The Silent ChefTory Fait, 113 Front Street, Scituate Harbor, Full service catering company; to-go foods & lunch.

• The Weinery

  address: 366 Gannet road
  Scituate (North Scituate Village), Cozy boutique wine and gourmet cheese shop.

• T.K.O'Malley's

  address: 194 Front Street
  Scituate Harbor, Casual. Full service indoor dining room, 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.

• Wilbur's North Ice Cream

  address: 367 Gannet Road
  Scituate (North Scituate Village), 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.

• Goodies II

  address: 124 Front Street
  Cool Stuff, Antitques, consignment and Shabby Chic Furniture

• Harbor Scoops

  address: 1 Mill Wharf Plaza
  Located right 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.

• Oro

  address: Oro 162 Front Street
  This restaurant is a recent addition to the harbor and features fine entrees including sophisticated seafood and steak items.

• While there are no clubs, lounges or bar only establishments, the bars in the Mill Wharf, Riva, Satuit Tavern, and T.K.O'Malley's are popular on Friday and Saturday nites. Last call is usually 12:45am due to the MA law that requires all bars to close by 1:00am. However, there are a lot of liquor stores in Scituate Harbor and surrounding areas that sell beer, wine and liquor.

• The zip code for Scituate is 02066. The telephone area code for local residents and businesses is '781'.
• Mail Services:

There are three USPS post offices in Scituate, located on Ford Rd, First Parish Rd, and Gannett Rd. The post office located on First Parish Road is the only one to offer Passport Application Services.
Stamps can be purchased at the post office, or at the CVS/Pharmacy in the harbor.
There are no UPS stores (or similar package delivery services) located in Scituate. If you need to send a package, there are several drop boxes around town. A UPS, FedEx, and USPS box is specifically in Scituate Harbor.

• Rocco’s Barber Shop – Located at 73 Cole Parkway (next to CVS/Pharmacy) in the harbor. Always a line on weekends, but the service is very friendly. They cut men’s and childrens’ hair, and simple cuts for women.
• 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.
• Kid Activities . Year-round, but especially in the summer, the Recreation Department offers activities for kids of all ages (registration for activities is required).

• Allen House Bed and Breakfast

  address: 18 Allen Place
  Six rooms.

• The Inn at Scituate HarborLinda Ferguson, General Manager, 7 Beaver Dam Road, Scituate Harbor. Scituate, MA 02066. Many rooms, indoor pool, outside deck, and a beautiful view of Scituate Harbor and the light house.

• Oceanside Inn Bed and Breakfast

  address: 8 Oceanside Drive
  Beachfront. Four rooms.

• The city of Boston, about 30 miles to the north, has many attractions. Plymouth and Cape Cod are nearby to the south.