Summer Rush
55 Ways to Have Fun in the Sun on the South Shore
Alison Caron
Be it cliché or not, the biggest joys in life often exist in the details—the soothing feel of sand between your toes, the sweet gooey taste of toasted marshmallow and chocolate of a campfire-made s’more, and the thrill of catching the perfect wave. There’s no better time of year to check a few things off your “bucket list.” Hit the adventure hard this summer with these 55 exciting ways to celebrate the season.
1 Catch of the Day
Voyage out to sea for a day-trip fishing adventure that won’t leave you going home empty handed! Reel Time Fishing Charters, Plymouth,
(774) 437-1882, www.reel-timefishingcharters.com
2 Jet the Waters
Spend an hour this summer jet skiing and take your need for speed out on the ocean! Plymouth Watersport, 24 Town Wharf Drive, Plymouth, (508) 747-1577, www.plymouthwatersport.com
3 Fly a Kite
Catch the breeze on a windy summer day. Sea Side Kites in Hull sells everything from colorful children’s kites to professional competitive racing kites! 293 Nantasket Avenue, Hull,
(781) 925-3277, www.seasidekites.com
4 Pitch a Tent
With stick in hand, marshmallow at end, gather around the camp fire with old friends and toast away, making new wild memories in the great outdoors. Wompatuck State Park, Union Street, Hingham, (781) 749-7160
5 Take a Dip
Don’t let the hot days of summer keep you tied to an air conditioner. Cool off the natural way with a swim in the salty-fresh waters of the Atlantic Ocean or a calm and peaceful river inlet. Keep in mind that river currents can be swift, so be smart and safe and always abide by town regulations.
6 Yoga on the Beach
There’s no better way to begin a summer day than to roll out a mat and hold your best yoga pose at one of the serene settings along the North and South Rivers. North and South Rivers Watershed Association, Scituate,
(781) 695-8168, www.nsrwa.org
7 Grow a Garden
Bring your own fresh produce directly from garden to table. Get advice from your local garden center and then test out your green thumb.
Kennedy’s Country Gardens,
85 Chief Justice Cushing Highway,
Scituate, (781) 545-1266,
www.kennedyscountrygardens.com
8 Cool Off on Ice
Escape the summer heat with an afternoon of ice-skating. Bring the family to Rockland Ice Rink for public skating and skate rentals.
599 Summer Street, Rockland, (781) 878-7500,
www.rocklandicerink.com
9 Learn to Sail
Shades on, feet planted, hair and sails flapping in the wind—grab your boating buddies or team up with some professionals and set sail on the ocean blue! Duxbury Bay Maritime School, 457 Washington Street, Duxbury, (781) 934-7555, www.dbms.org
10 Row Your Boat
Sign up for an adult rowing session and learn to plow through the waters with your trusty teammates just like the Olympic pros (and get a great workout while you’re at it!). Lincoln Maritime Center,
Route 3A, Hingham, (781) 934-7555, www.lincolnmaritime.org
11 Dive Deep
Scuba isn’t just for the Caribbean. Explore the mysteries that lie in the deep waters of the Atlantic right here on the South Shore at Shore Divers School. 126 Bridge Street, Weymouth, (781) 331-1144, www.southshoredivers.com
12 Rock Climb Outdoors
Hang by your fingertips on the cracks and crevices that the glaciers left behind. Visit the Quincy Quarries for an outdoor climbing
adventure, www.rockclimbing.com; Get your climbing gear at REI in Hingham. REI, 98 Derby Street, Hingham,
(781) 740-9430, www.rei.com.
13 Lie in a Hammock
Enjoy the peace and quiet in your own backyard. Swing, read a good book, or take a nap in a hammock. Pick one up at Pool and Patio Specialists, 375 Providence Highway, Westwood, (781) 329-1222,
www.poolpatiospecialists.com
14 Flag Down the Ice Cream Man
Rent out Nona’s Homemade Ice Cream truck for your own sweet party. Or, track down the truck this summer at Sandy Beach, Minot Beach, Egypt Beach, or Peggotty Beach. Nona’s Homemade Ice Cream Truck (617) 909-0313,
www.nonashomemade.com
15 Beachcombing
Collect treasures along the 120-acres of unique rocky coastline that makes up Spectacle Island. Take a cruise to this secluded spot and discover its hidden charms. Boston Harbor Island Alliance, (617) 223-8666, www.bostonharborislands.com
16 Rock Climb Indoors
For a first time climber, indoor rock walls can be
an easeful way to prepare for the
real thing. With the help of a trained professional, you’ll be able to attack the wall like an extreme sport-goer. The Lighthouse Fitness Center, 430 Court Street, Plymouth, (508) 746-8770,
www.lhfcenters.com
17 Learn to Play Guitar
Don’t waste a rainy day. Find your inner rock god or goddess and explore the hard and soft sounds of the most soulful stringinstrument—the guitar. South
Shore Music Co., 13 Washington Street, Weymouth, (781) 331-3333,
www.justplaymusic.com
18 Watch for Whales
See the signature image of a whale tale splashing up out of the water—in real life! Get a close up look at these beautiful ocean creatures. The South Shore inhabits humpbacks, finback, and minke whales, as well as white-sided dolphins.
Boston Harbor Cruises, (617) 227-4321,
www.bostonharborcruises.com
19 Take Your Mom to Tea
Sample exotic teas and savory sweets and sandwiches, and don’t forget to hold your pinky out! The Windsor Tea Shop and Tea Room, 1 Pleasant Street, Cohasset, (781) 383-6140, www.windsorteashop.com; All Things Tea, 20 Court Street, Plymouth,
(508) 747-1221, www.allthingstea.net
20 Pack a Picnic
Bring your basket and blanket to the grassy hillside beside Hingham Bathing Beach. This location has scenic harbor views and is steps away from Hingham shopping.
21 Walk World’s End
Explore the 231-acre landscape of rocky shoreline, rippling hills, rolling fields and walking trails at World’s End in Hingham. Climb to the top of the highest hill and spy the Boston skyline.
22 Take a Hike
Spend a day outdoors with the family and hike along
a stretch of the 125-miles of trails of Blue Hill’s urban oasis. Don’t forget to bring your map! Blue Hill Reservation,
695 Hillside Street, Milton, (617) 698-1802,
www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/blue
23 Get On Board
Don’t just dip in the ocean this year for a quick cool down.
Hang ten and hitch a wave to the shore, or practice your
balance with some stand-up paddling. East Coast Hui Surf School and Stand Up Paddling Tours (617) 548-7988, www.eastcoasthui.com, or
Luminate Surf and Skate, 1871 Ocean Street, Marshfield, (781) 834-2755, www.luminatesurfandskate.com
24 Horse Around
It’s never too late to learn to ride a horse. Channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl and ride into the sunset. River Wind Farm, 49 Cross Street, Pembroke, (781) 826-8453, www.riverwindfarm.com
25 Brockton Rox
The crowd, the excitement, the peanuts, hot dogs and crackerjacks—baseball is classic summer fun.Come down and cheer on the
South Shore’s Brockton Rox! Campanelli Stadium, 1 Feinberg Way, Brockton,
(508) 559-7000, www.brocktonrox.com
26 Buried Alive
Watch your arms and legs disappear beneath a layer of cool soft sand at Duxbury Beach. Wash the sand off by jumping into the ocean water—the ultimate all-natural exfoliation ritual.
27 Run a Race
Challenge yourself to finish a road race or triathlon this summer! Try out the Marsh Man Sprint Triathlon on Duxbury Beach, Sunday July 31st. Marsh Man Sprint, Duxbury Beach, www.fastforewordrace.com
28 Paint for Pleasure
Pick up a paintbrush and fill a canvas with color. Brush up your art skills by enrolling in an art class taught by a talented local artist. South Shore Arts Center, 119 Ripley Road, Cohasset, www.ssac.org
29 Build a Sandcastle
Practice your sandcastle building skills all summer on Nantasket Beach to be ready for the Endless Summer Festival castle building contest on Sept. 17th, noon–6 p.m. The building for this event begins in front of the Clarion Hotel at Nantasket Beach at 8 a.m.
30 Drive One Home
Challenge your buddies to a round of golf at this popular course and know that it won’t break the bank. Widow’s Walk, 250 The Driftway, Scituate, (781) 544-7777,
www.widowswalkgolf.com
31 Perfect Putting
Relive your childhood memories at your local mini-golf course with the youngsters of the family. After a day at the beach, hop across the street to Nantasket Landing Miniature Golf on Nantasket Avenue in Hull to test their put-put skills.
32 Charming Carousel
Visit the nostalgic Paragon Carousel, the only part of Paragon Park still in operation in Hull. Since 1928 this ride has been delighting visitors of all ages and thanks to restoration efforts, it’s ready for many more! (781) 925,0472, www.paragoncarousel.com
33 Fill Your Basket
Support local farmers by shopping at a farmers’ market. Enjoy fresh from the farm fruits and vegetables as well as homemade jellies and baked goods. www.localharvest.org
34 Meet the Artists
View beautiful paintings, sculptures, and crafts and speak with the talented local artisans who create them. Hull Art Studio
Connection, www.hullartists.com
35 Have a Clambake
Watch the sun set across the Boston skyline while feasting on a traditional New England clambake put on by Jasper White’s Summer Shack. Boston’s Best Cruises, 116 East Howard Street Quincy,
(617) 770-0040, www.harborexpress.com
36 Boogie Board
Slather on the sunblock and head to the Carousels and Ships ‘Beach Store’ to get your gear. Pick out a cool board, sunglasses and any other beach gear you might need before walking across the street to the Mary Jeanette Bath House to change into your swimsuit. 187 Nantasket Avenue, Hull, (781) 925-0030, www.nantasketbeachstuff.com
37 Music Of the Night
The sound of music will astound you as the South Shore Conservatory presents its 15th annual Evening Under the Stars concert
series, held on Saturday evenings throughout the summer. South Shore Conservatory,
www.sscmusic.org
38 Fair in the Air
Savor fried dough and lemonade at the Marshfield Fair. See the animals, get dizzy on a few rides, and play the games at the midway. 144th Annual Marshfield Fair runs Aug. 19th through the 28th. www.marshfieldfair.org
39 Animal Encounter
Kids who visit the petting zoo at this local garden center can feed the goats, miniature donkeys, chicks, roosters, and sheep. Penniman Hill Farm, 273 Whiting Street, South Hingham,
www.pennimanhill.com
40 Rock On
Find your seat under the big tent and watch national musicians and comedians perform in this historic summer music venue. South Shore Music Circus, 130 Sohier Street, Cohasset, (781) 383-9850, www.themusiccircus.com
42 Monumental Visit
Join the leagues of tourists who visit the Plymouth Rock Monument each year. From this famous boulder you can see another landmark, the Mayflower II. Step aboard this fantastic reproduction of the original Mayflower that sailed to Plymouth in 1620. Water Street, Plymouth, www.plimoth.org
43 Go Antiquing
Pick through ancient treasures for that perfect home décor accent piece or attend an antique auction and bid for an item you can’t live without. Check out the North River Antiques Center, 236 Water Street, Pembroke, (781) 826-0220, www.northriverantiques.com, or
Willis Henry Auctions, (781) 834-7774, www.willishenry.com
44 Make it a Movie Night
Watch a surf film while tasting some delightful tapas at the Luminate Surf Movie Night, a benefit for the North River Arts Society. July 24th at 7p.m. at Hola, 10 Library Plaza, Marshfield, www.luminatesurfandskate.com
45 Learn to Dance
Don’t be a wallflower any
longer. Seize the moment and get out onto the dancefloor. Take a class to gain a few moves in a Salsa or West Coast Swing style. Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Cordage Commerce Center, Plymouth,
(508) 732-6790, www.fadsplymouth.com
46 Gather Round a Fire
Make S’mores and get
a woodpile ready for a cozy summer night in your own backyard
with a portable wood fire pit. Check out different designs at August West Chimney and Fireplace, 6 Riverside Drive, Pembroke, (781) 829-9895,
www.augustwestfireplace.com
47 Sailboat Poker Match
Check out this unique Poker Run sailing fundraiser on Friday, July 22nd at the Sunset Bay Marina. Sailors will collect 5 poker cards to complete a poker hand. The proceeds from this event will benefit The Seat Swap. www.theseatswap.com
48 Peaceful Paddle
Launch a kayak and paddle past marshlands, beaches, and spot local wildlife along the way as you travel the scenic North River. For a lesson, join a group tour held by the North and South River Watershed Association. (781) 659-8168, www.nsrwa.org.
49 Dig It
Get a shell fishing permit
so you can get your feet wet and dig up some clams for dinner.
It’s a messy job but the rewards are
delicious. Permits are available at the town hall in Kingston. (781) 585-0519, www.kingstonmass.org
50 Dine By the Sea
Take the family out for some classic New England cuisine. Find a table with a harbor view at the Old Salt House in Cohasset and enjoy the charming beauty of the summer setting.
44 Border Street, Cohasset, (781) 383-2203,
www.cohassetharborresort.com
51 Go For a Drive
Take a ride along Jerusalem Road in Cohasset and Hull to enjoy the breathtaking water views and beautiful homes along the road. Stop by local historic spots and museums along Route 3A. www.southshorebackroads.org
52 Take Flight
Feel the freedom of flying when you take an introductory flight course and enjoy cruising through the sky above the South Shore and Cape Cod coastlines. Alpha One Flight at Plymouth Municipal Airport, 246 South Meadow Road, Plymouth, (508) 746-2020, www.alpha-1.com
53 Tour By Bike
When’s the last time you pulled out the old set of wheels and pedaled around town for some leisurely browsing? Pump up your tires, rid all the squeaks and get cruising! Don’t have a bike? Rent one at Natasket Beach Bikes and explore all the South Shore has to offer.
9 C Street, Hull, (339) 236-1624, www.nantasketbeachbikes.com
54 Paintball Match
Get your blood pumping as you run through 20 acres of terrain filled with hills, foxholes, bunkers, and try to splatter your opponents with paint at Randoph Paintball. Their outdoor fields are located on Route 139, Holbrook, (781) 986-2255, www.randolphpaintball.com
55 Photo Booth
Document your summer party with a fantastic photo booth experience with the photography experts from JiveBooth. Get your friends together behind the curtain and let the hilarity ensue. (781) 733-4652,
www.jivebooth.com
