By Sandi Barrett
Contributing Writer
SCITUATE – The pretty coastal town of Scituate offers a mix of beautiful beaches, on the water activities, and delicious eats. Visit for the day, or book a rental and enjoy a week or more in this idyllic South Shore town.
Seven beaches to choose from
There are seven public beaches in Scituate. You will surely find one to suit your toes-in-the-sand getaway requirements.
Humarock Beach is a public beach that stretches across a peninsula bordering Scituate and Marshfield. Humarock sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the South River. The gently curving beach front is long, perfect for a stroll in the sand. There is a stretch of pebbles to cross before you can secure a sandy landing spot.
Photo/Sandi Barrett
Peggotty Beach is a classic New England stretch of compact sand making it easy to walk the half-mile long tide line. The wide beach is a favorite for families offering swimmers a somewhat gentle surf.
Minot Beach, on Massachusetts Bay, is the perfect spot to explore during low tide while taking in views of Minot Ledge Light. At high tide, the beach can be narrow, but the Well Rock is fun to climb and the tide pools are filled with ocean life.
Other Scituate beaches include Egypt Beach, Museum Beach, North Scituate Beach, and Sand Hills Beach.
In general, Scituate beaches have some public parking lots and limited on-street parking. The lots typically require a town-issued parking sticker during the summer months. Leashed dogs are allowed on the beaches year round, but are prohibited from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the summer season.
Photo/Sandi Barrett
A range of dining options
The cuisine options in Scituate run the gamut from classic seafood fare to fun and eclectic eateries.
Untold Brewing offers sublimely crafted ales and lagers to taste test your way through the menu. If you prefer a non-hoppy option, try one of their hard seltzers; the strawberry basil (strawberry, basil, lime, seltzer, tajin rim) is summer in a glass. While they don’t have a food menu, you are welcome to bring your own. Stop by one of the on-site food trucks or neighborhood restaurants to round out your evening.
Newly opened, The Salt Marsh Winery offers diners New England-style inspired dishes with a farm/sea to table flare. It’s all about the food, libations, setting, and, of course, a great glass of wine.
Take-away pizza from Polcari’s at the Bridgeway Inn is the perfect family beach dinner. It is just on the Marshfield side of the bridge from Humarock Beach making it the perfect location for a grab-and-go beach dinner. Of course, dining in is always a great take – check out the lazy man’s lobster pie for an iconic coastal treat.
Another take-away gem is the Voyage Irish Pub just steps from the entrance to Humarock Beach. They offer sandwiches and burgers that make a fun and easy beach dinner. The classic Irish pub dine-in concept will transport you to “the old country” quicker than you can recite you dad’s favorite Irish limerick. The Guinness beef pot pie is a standout dish for the Irish stout and beef lover.
In downtown Scituate is the Salt Society, a casual dining restaurant offering delicious upscale dishes. The menu includes a wide variety of beautifully crafted sushi along with an interesting array of appetizers. The menu has a good selection of alternative dishes like the pepita crusted salmon and cod cioppino to round out the choices.
Photo/Sandi Barrett
The Mill Wharf is set on Scituate Harbor and offers iconic coastal New England dishes. The menu is loaded with delicious seafood: oysters, clam chowder, an assortment of delicately fried fish and clam rolls. The Scituate lobster is a seafood lover’s dream dining adventure.
Local adventures
Labrador Fishing Charters has a variety of on-the-water adventures including whale-watching, fishing charters and fishing trips for families. The dog-friendly company specializes in both in-shore and offshore fishing. Imagine chasing after tuna, shark, cod, and haddock. You can even try your hand at lobstering, a true New England fishing experience.
Prefer to sail away? Then Peace ‘N Quiet Sailing Charters is the right company for you. Sail along the Scituate area coastline in the afternoon to catch a summer ocean breeze. Its sunset sail will be the highlight of your South Shore getaway.
Add a little wellness to your coastal adventure at the Scituate Salt Cave. Immerse your body and soul in a cavern filled with Himalayan salt. As you recline in a zero-gravity chair or relax on the crushed salt floor, you can feel your mind clear and your muscles relax. It is a fascinating, meditative wellness experience.
Explore the Massachusetts South Shore in the town of Scituate and soak up all the beach life, minus the crowds after Labor Day, before the summer weather fades to winter.
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