As the town next door to my hometown Scituate, Cohasset cast an intimidating shadow over much of my childhood. Though it lacked a petty moniker like Deluxebury, Cohasset was always believed to be the toniest town on the South Shore. Between the Gatsby-esque Cox Estate overlooking Cohasset Harbor and the oceanside houses along Jerusalem Road, Cohasset has its fair share of wealth. Today, however, almost every town on the South Shore is as nice as the next. And yet, I find myself drawn to the small village of Cohasset more than other towns because it’s somehow retained a very small town feel. Whereas Hingham stinks of new-money tryhards (sorry, not sorry; I hate Hingham), Cohasset just seems more authentic and comfortable in its own skin. The G Wagon crowd tends to stay in Hingham, thank god.
Check In
A commanding presence in downtown Cohasset, the Red Lion Inn has 12 rooms in addition to a tavern, subterranean lounge, event barn and seasonal patio. Ever since Kimball’s by the Sea closed several years ago, the Red Lion remains the only gig in town in terms of hotels.
Eat Like It’s An Olympic Sport
You can’t go wrong with a meal at the Red Lion Inn, whether you’re grabbing a burger at the bar, a full-on meal in the dining room, or weekend brunch on the patio in the summer. Next door to the Red Lion is one of my favorite South Shore spots – Salty Days – where you can grab sushi, burgers and local seafood alongside beer & wine. If it’s summer, pull off on the side of 3A for a soft serve dip cone from JJ’s Dairy Hut. A new spot that recently opened in downtown Cohasset that I haven’t tried yet, but where the menu (beef wellington! caviar! deviled eggs!) looks great is Hooper’s Judge.
Drink Like A Local
There aren’t too many bars in Cohasset (that’s what Hull is for), but there is Split Rock, a seasonal outdoor beer garden that serves beer, wine and canned cocktails alongside oysters and pretzels. You can also grab a drink at one of the restaurants mentioned above.
Where to Caffeinate
You can go in two directions here: Seabird for locally roasted beans and non-dairy options, or Mary Lou’s on 3A for a drive-through for a cinnamon-hazelnut-almond-joy-fluffernutter flavored coffee in that iconic pink cup. There’s also Pour Coffee & Bagel (scenically located inside a gas station on 3A) for all your trendy seasonal coffee and latte options.
Shop Around
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to specialty food shopping: high-quality butcher Teodora’s, local seafood from Mullaney’s, local produce from Holly Hill Farm, and prepared foods from Three Sisters Provisions. There’s also a fair amount of clothing and home shops in the village, like Assembly, Anchor & Sail, Ports & Company and Outside In.
Ew, Music
If tribute bands and decades-past-their-prime acts are your jam, then The Music Circus, an outdoor tented venue with a rotating stage, is for you. The cave at the Red Lion Inn also books live music on the weekends.
Take a Break from Eating & Drinking
Take a drive through Cohasset that starts in Hull, weaves along the beautiful beachfront homes on Jerusalem Road, right through Cohasset Village, out to the harbor and then into Scituate along Border Street. Make a pit stop to see the goats and other animals at Holly Hill Farm or take a swim at Sandy Beach.
Worth a Detour
Though Cohasset has a ton of waterfront, it’s not exactly plush with public access to beaches. Make a detour out to Minot Beach in Scituate for a long stretch of sand.
