Ahh, Scituate: my hometown and the best spot on the South Shore. Last week I was taking the commuter boat home from Boston to Hingham and overheard a family from Texas who were vacationing in Scituate call it their “favorite town in America.” I should have quizzed them about how they had even heard of Scituate, but my New Englander Fear of Friendly Conversation with Someone From the South got the better of me. And then I stumbled onto this TikTok of a couple of Brits living in Boston who dubbed Scituate one of the prettiest suburbs in Massachusetts. I don’t need outside validation to know that Scituate is the tits, but it sure doesn’t hurt, right?
So why does Scituate get all the love? Let’s jump in.
But First, A Little History
The summer before I was a freshman in high school, our family moved to Michigan for one year before moving back to Scituate. It was at this point, roughly 14 years into life, that I realized that learning your town’s history was a very Scituate-specific experience. Not to say East Lansing, Michigan lacks a fascinating origin story, but it’s hard to hold a candle to the “American Army of Two,” Rebecca & Abigail Bates of Scituate. Daughters of the original Scituate Lighthouse lightkeeper, these sisters managed to deter the British from landing their ships in Scituate Harbor (and attacking the town during the War of 1812) by playing a fife and drum so loudly that the Redcoats mistook them for an American regiment and beat a hasty retreat out of the harbor.
Predating the Bates sisters, we learned of the Men of Kent (the original colonists from England who came to Scituate in 1627, joined by Plymouth settlers who came over in the Mayflower) and visited their graves in the Men of Kent Cemetery. Our class trips included visits to Samuel Woodworth’s Old Oaken Bucket to recite the famous poem, recreating how early colonists made flour using the still-operational Stockbridge Grist Mill, and climbing the steps of Lawson Tower, the legacy of the “Copper King of the US,” Thomas Lawson. We learned that Scituate was the Irish sea moss capital of the world at one point, and one of the first towns in the Union to abolish slavery, though recent research shows those abolitionist claims may be more dubious and complicated than we were taught in the 90s. Scituate is an anglicized version of the Native American Wampanoag word, Satuit, which means cold brook to mark the brook running into what is now Scituate Harbor.
Simply drive around and read the Scituate street signs to learn more of the town’s colorful history. The only ‘highway’ in town, Route 3A is known as Chief Justice Cushing Highway, named after Scituate resident Willian Cushing, one of the five original justices on the US Supreme Court. Gridley Bryant Road is named after the builder of the first commercial railroad in the US. Mordecai Lincoln Road is named for the great-great-grandfather of Abraham Lincoln.
Throughout the year, many of these historical sites and homes are open to the public, especially during Scituate Heritage Days every August.
If contemporary history is more your speed, Scituate’s recent claims to fame include singer/songwriter Casey Dienel of White Hinterland, who sued Justin Bieber and Skrillex for using her vocals without permission on the song “Sorry.” Look up “Ring the Bell” by White Hinterland and see for yourself!
Check In
Scituate Harbor Inn: A good option to stay in the harbor, along with an indoor pool.
There are also many good Airbnb options if you’ve got the $$$ to shell out for an entire house on the beach.
Eat Like It’s an Olympic Sport
Circe’s Grotto: The best sandwiches, hands down. I’m partial to the turkey & cheddar on sourdough with extra cranberry mayo, pressed. There is an outpost of Circe’s in Charleston, South Carolina, run by the owner’s son.
Maria’s: Everybody thinks their smalltown sub shop is the best, but does yours famously not offer lettuce in their subs despite stocking lettuce for salads? Diabolical — and delicious.
Casa Verde: Former Dunkin Donuts turned Latin American hotspot in the Harbor. Love the cocktails and small plates.
The Oysterman: Not on the water, but a good option for raw bar and sushi.
Mainstay Bakery: Not a traditional retail shop per se, but if you can join the email list for this backyard barn-turned-bakery, you’re in for a real treat.
Drink Like a Local
Untold Brewery: Great spot for local brews; usually has a food truck.
TK O’Malley’s: On a school trip, we visited TK’s when it was the Grog Shop and learned how to use the soda gun. Not sure how that was relevant to a 3rd grader, but hey. TK’s has the best outdoor bar overlooking the harbor with unobstructed views of the fishing boats pulling into the dock.
Where to Caffeinate
Lucky Finn: Grab a coffee and a breakfast sandwich, then head out back to the deck overlooking the harbor.
Grocery Shop
Board 143: Located in North Scituate, this cute shop has beer, wine & liquor as well as a cheese fridge and locally made sundries.
Mullaney’s: Seafood market owned by a local fisherman.
There’s also a good farm stand in the summer across the street from St. Luke’s on 3A.
Stalk the Stylish Locals
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Take a Break from Eating & Drinking
Scituate 500: This is what it’s called when you do the driving loop around Scituate, starting somewhere around the high school or Greenbush, heading through the harbor, past the lighthouse, along the beaches, out to Minot and then back through North Scituate.
Rivermoor: I’ve yet to recreate an iconic photo of my mom in the late ’60s with long straight hair, middle part, giant glasses and cigarette posed in the Rivermoor but it’s going to happen one day. This marshland is almost impossible to get to by foot, thanks to zero parking, but the viewsssss are worth the effort.
Humarock: Technically Scituate, but you can only get there by driving through Marshfield. To me, Humarock feels other-wordly, like a old-school beach town caught back in time.
Worth a Detour
Roht Marine: Grab some coconut mojitos and some jerk chicken and sit down with a view of the North River. You can also rent a boat from here to visit The Spit, a low-tide sandbar for summer boat hangs.
North Marshfield/Marshfield Hills: Continue on 3A past Roht Marine to explore Highland Street (home to the cutest post office), and the rolling Marshfield Hills, and stop at the general store owned by Steve Carrell’s sister.
