Overview
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.
8 sights · 11 things to do · 10 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Scituate
Scituate Lighthouse
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, …
The Lawson Tower
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 t…
Humarock Beach
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 Marsh…
Peggoty Beach
Half a mile of sandy beach. Parking lot with 200 spots on Inner Harbor road just off Peggoty Beach road.
Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum
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.
The Old Oaken Bucket Homestead and Well
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.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Oct. (climate data from nearby Braintree)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BOS Boston Logan International Airport, Boston — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BED Laurence G Hanscom Field, Bedford — 34 mi away. Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $100–$100 a night (typical $112), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $8 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$210.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Scituate Lighthouse, Peggoty Beach, Humarock Beach
- Lunch Coffee Corner
- Afternoon Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum, Stockbridge Grist Mill
- Dinner Dribble's Ice Cream
Day 2
- Morning The Lawson Tower, Egypt Beach, Sand Hills Beach
- Lunch Nona's Homemade Ice Cream
- Afternoon Minot Beach, Mann House Museum
- Dinner Maria's Submarine Sandwich Shop
Day 3
- Morning Bates Lane Conservation Area, The Old Oaken Bucket Homestead and Well, Cudworth House
- Lunch Circe's Grotto
- Afternoon Satuit Bowlaway, Carnival
- Dinner Satuit Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
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.
Go North Scituate railway station
Go Greenbush railway station
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.
See Scituate Lighthouse
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.
Do
Do Bates Lane Conservation Area (Carl Pipes Memorial Trail)
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.
Do Satuit Bowlaway
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.
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 safety 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.
Do Humarock Beach
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.
Do Minot Beach
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.
Do Peggoty Beach
Half a mile of sandy beach. Parking lot with 200 spots on Inner Harbor road just off Peggoty Beach road.
Do Sand Hills Beach
Sandy but small. Gets even smaller at high tide. 24 parking spots. Closest to Scituate Harbor.
Events
Do Scituate Heritage Days
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.
Do Carnival
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.
Buy
Eat
Budget
Eat Coffee Corner
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.
Eat Dribble's Ice Cream
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.
Eat Dribble's Ice Cream
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.
Eat Nona's Homemade Ice Cream
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.
Eat Maria's Submarine Sandwich Shop
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
Eat Circe's Grotto
A great sandwich shop with home made desserts and treats. Very busy around lunch time, but it is worth the wait.
Eat Satuit Tavern
Fresh seafood, steaks, sandwiches & pizza. Casual dining room and bar. All menu items available to go.
Eat T.K. O'Malley's
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
Eat Mill Wharf
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.
Eat Oro
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.
Sleep
Stay The Inn at Scituate Harbor
Many rooms, indoor pool, outside deck, and a beautiful view of Scituate Harbor and the light house.
Go next
Nearby
Cohasset
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Marshfield
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Hingham
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Duxbury
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Weymouth
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Kingston
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