25+ Things to see and do
1.) Take a drive down Atlantic Avenue onto Jerusalem Road down to through the village to the harbor to see why this part of the country is called "The Gold Coast."
2.) Take a hike (or cross-country ski in colder months) across Wompatuck State Park, Thayer, Wheelright Park or Whitney Woods. (scroll down to bottom of page for a full list of parks and hiking information)
3.) Attend the farmers' market out on the Common. Choose from locally grown produce and crafts, listen to music, and take a pony ride. (Weekly on Thursdays, starting at 2pm, July thru October.)
4.) Since 1932, the South Shore Music Circus has attracted world-class entertainers in a rotating outdoor theater. The South Shore music Circus and its partner, The Melody Tent in Hyannis, are the only two continuously-operated tent theatres in the round in the United States, attracting performers such as; Foreigner, Squeeze and the Little River Band. The Music Circus treats guests and patrons to the relaxed ambiance and intimate theater experience through melodious performances. The shows here are designed and encouraged to support culture, art, and educational organizations in the South Shore and Cape Cod regions.
5.) Don't miss the South Shore Arts Center where there are galleries, exhibitions, classes and events. The Annual South Shore Art Center Festival, held on Father’s Day weekend, is the longest running arts festival in the country with a focus on exhibition and education. It attracts over 9,000 people from the Greater Boston area to the Cohasset Common.
6.) The annual Strawberry and Lobster festival takes place in conjunction with the Arts Festival. Fresh Strawberry Shortcakes, and Lobster rolls at the Second Congregation church and First Parish Unitarian Church on the Common. Get some delicious Shortcake, Lobster rolls and grab a few Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Soda and Water at the grill tent!
7.) The Paul Pratt Memorial Library not only has a wide display of books, computer games, and comfy chairs, but an array of programs and events for all ages. Directly under the library, “Our World” is a small children's museum that offers hands-on learning experiences, an outdoor playground, and an interactive ship.
8.) Indulge at one of the many gourmet shops that serve delicious treats, pastries and specialty coffees such as ;
The Anchor and Sail, French Memories , Seabird Coffee and Atlantic Bagel.
In addition to the many restaurants in Cohasset, there is a wide array of eateries that also offer superb catering services, such as; The Fresh Feast, Lenny’s Hideaway, 5 South Main, Mr. Dooley’s Olde Irish Pub, Bia Bistro, Red Lion Tavern, Atalantica and Olde Salt House .
For a full list of restaurants, click HERE
9.) Rent bikes at Outside In for a jaunt around town. 7-speed cruisers are available in the warmer months.
10.) Take a stroll in the picturesque Cohasset Village and visit the unique local shops while listening to the oldest running Carillon Concert series in North America, a gift from St. Stephens Episcopal Church. Or check out the free summer concert series after the Farmers Market on Cohasset Common on Thursdays, from late June through August.
11.) Get the lead out at Gym Dandy at the South Shore Community Center, MyGym on Chief Justice Cushing Highway or the many programs at Cohasset recreation Center.
12.) Take in a show at the Old Town Hall, where the Cohasset Dramatic Club has been performing since 1921.
13.) Visit Holly Hill Farm, an organic farm for growing and learning. Check out the animals or buy produce when the farm stand is open (from April to November). Holly Hill also hosts field trips and offers a summer camp program.
14.) Give Ghost Cohasset a ring and take a tour of the harbor islands and lighthouses on this fully restored 1934 wooden beauty. Whether her original intent was for use as a ferry or rum runner, she was completed just as Prohibition ended. Grab a Kayak and paddle along Cohasset's beautiful harbor.
15.) Take a walk around Government Island trails where you can climb to the top of the big rock behind the 1863 Light keeper’s House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic places. Check out the replica of the original top of Minot's Light, a lighthouse that has been standing since 1863. Watch as the light signal flashes "1-4-3" locally referred to as "I Love You" (the number of letters in the phrase.)
16.) Learn to sail at the Cohasset Sailing Club at the picturesque Cohasset Harbor.
17.) Cool off at the Cohasset Swim Center, a nonprofit pool for residents of Cohasset and surrounding towns.
18.) Relax on Sandy Beach with a new “Sand Bar” snack shack! Sandy Beach is a private developed barrier beach, owned and managed by the Sandy Beach Association (SBA) as set forth in a trust established in 1917 for the recreational use by Cohasset residents. Under the sound management of the SBA Board, overseen by the Cohasset Conservation Commission, families have enjoyed the splendor of the wonderful white sand at Sandy Beach for decades. The Association manages the beach operations including a large scale annual clean-up, full-time staffing of life-guards, daily cleaning and maintenance as well as legal, administrative and insurance expenses.
19.) Don’t miss this cherished annual family tradition; the Cohasset Village Stroll, presented by the Cohasset Chamber of Commerce. See Santa arrive by Fire Truck and the grand tree lighting ceremony. From there, visit quaint shops with sips & savors and enjoy strolling carolers while taking a hay ride through the village. Ice sculptures, cookie decorating, holiday characters and more surprises! Click HERE for full event calendar.
20.) Visit the rich history that can be found at The Cohasset Historical Society. The society has been collecting, preserving and exhibiting art and artifacts relating to Cohasset's historic past since its incorporation as a non-profit organization in 1928. Headquartered at 106 South Main Street in the town's former 1903 library, the Society also operates three additional museums. The ca. 1754 Bates Ship Chandlery serves as the Society's Maritime Museum, and the 1810 Captain John Wilson House, interprets life in Cohasset during the 1800s, the Beechwood Meetinghouse and Museum houses our fire, police and Beechwood community collections.
21.) The Cohasset Triathlon course begins with a swim at Sandy Beach followed by a fast bike course that winds through historic Cohasset, and concludes with a scenic run along the waterfront on Jerusalem Road.
22.) Thanks-For-Giving 5k road race that benefits Cohasset Recreation and the Clark Chatterton Memorial fund, takes place in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day. The first 750 participants receive t shirts.
23.) Join Cohasset Rotary Road Race by the Sea 10K. This Cohasset Rotary Club fundraiser is one of the most scenic and challenging courses in New England. Participants receive a long sleeve commemorative T-shirt. For those who want to participate, but not run the whole 10k, there is also a family fun walk. The Fran Coffey Memorial Walk by the Sea, which will follow the 10K route, starts and ends at 91 Sohier Street (Cohasset Senior Center/Swim Center) at 10 a.m. that same day.
24.) Soak in the views at Aaron River Reservoir, that sits on a 36-acre (14.5-hectare) piece of land, and it is classified as a Class A water supply source, mainly used as a backup reservoir for Cohasset. The reservoir is mostly suited for relaxation and soaking in the views and though kayaking is allowed, it is always a challenge to get the kayaks or boats up the reservoir. Since wheels are not allowed in the park, it means that you will have to carry the kayaks up to the boat ramps and this is never an easy task. The same challenge is also faced by those who wish to go boating on the reservoir.
25.) Watch the waves crash at Black Rock Beach, which is another beach destination worth checking out when in Cohasset. It is a rocky shoreline that stretches from South of Boston Harbor through South Hull up to North Cohasset. Due to the rocky nature of the shores, the beach may not be suitable for activities such as swimming, but you will love the sight and the sound of the waves as they gently crash on the stones. Then there is also the remains of the Black Rock House – an historic structure that was once a summer resort constructed overlooking the beach. The resort was constructed in the 1800s and was operational until the 1960s when it was demolished. If you happen to be around the area during sunsets and moonrise, you will be treated to the most spectacular views of the beach and the town beyond.
26.) The Community Garden Club of Cohasset was organized in 1959, federated in March of 1960 and is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and the National Garden Club . Every fourth Tuesday of the month, September through November and January through March, we meet at the Second Congregational Church for coffee at nine in the morning and for speaker presentation after our short business meeting at nine-thirty. You are assured of a warm welcome. We also offer horticulture meetings or the second Tuesday of the month and design workshops on the third Tuesday, usually at the Lightkeeper’s Cottage at nine-thirty in the morning. Again, please stop by and meet us!
A separate Garden Club entity is the Cohasset Garden Club. Their community outreach includes the planting and maintenance of several gardens in Cohasset including the garden at the Cohasset Historical Society’s museums in the center of the village. Since 1969, Club members have given thousands of hours and dollars to the care of this garden. Along with two other organizations, the club designed and maintains a garden at the historic Lightkeepers Residence, a building used by the community for meetings and social occasions.
Restaurants
With its roots as a fishing village, Cohasset's dining scene is rich with options for fresh seafood and more. New England classics like clam chowder, whole lobsters , oysters and fried or raw clams are easy to find. Enjoy your freshly caught fish in the laid-back atmosphere of a seafood shack or in more upscale surroundings at a harborside restaurant or in a quaint village setting on a patio or roof deck . If you are not in the mood for seafood, Cohasset has plenty of other options. You can find classic American, French or Irish fare at a local pub or eatery. Step back in time to a circa 1704 tavern and Inn, or for an international flavor, stop into an Italian bistro, a Vietnamese or Mexican restaurant,or an Asian-fusion spot. Take a break and treat yourself at one of the several gourmet pastry or coffee shops. For a guilty pleasure, join some beach-goers at one of the local ice cream shops and enjoy a scoop or two.
For a full list of restaurants and eatery’s, click HERE.
Churches
Cohasset Conservation Trust and other Hiking Trails
Ingram Park
The property is named in honor of Osborne Ingram’s father George Ingram. Together, these properties protect 27.4 acres of densely wooded wildlife habitat and with the Vendanta Center’s land, there is an almost 50 acre reservation and wildlife corridor spanning from the railroad tracks to Route 3A and from Beechwood Street to Brewster Road and Ledgewood Drive.
Sumner Smith Overlook
In November 1997 Martha J. E. Smith, widow of Sumner Smith Jr. a long-time Trustee, granted to the Trust .9 acres of land on the south side of Beach Street that offers a fair view of Little Harbor to the north. To the south this property abuts 1.5 acres of property owned by the Town of Cohasset. The land is somewhat wooded but almost completely occupied by a high ledge that sits on the roadway’s shoulder. There is a short walking path that affords a seasonal view of Little Harbor.
Barnes Wildlife Sanctuary
Together with Wheelright Park, the Cohasset Boy Scout Troop 28 retreat, and the the partially restricted privately-owned White family/Holly Hill Farm property, the Barnes Wildlife Sanctuary is an integral part of a 230 acre rare deep-forest core-habitat stretching from Jerusalem Road to Sohier Street and from Little Harbor to the western side of Forest Avenue.
Brass Kettle Conservation Area
These trails create an interesting network that starts at the parking area at the King Street trailhead, west to Wompatuck Park and then north to Whitney-Thayer Woods and Turkey Hill. The historic path, once called Great Lot Lane, linked Hingham and Cohasset and crosses two tributaries of Brass Kettle Brook which are bridged by rock slabs. A side trail leads to paths near Lily Pond. The many stonewalls seen from the path are reminders that the land was once cleared of trees by the grazing of livestock. Several of these walls follow the 18th century parcels of land along east-west property lines that comprised border when the was the town was divided into precincts. The National Heritage and Endangered Species Program identifies the entire property and much of its surroundings area as core habitat for rare species. There are more than 70 species of trees and plants inhabiting this woodland as well as a wide variety of animals and birds including grouse, partridge and deer.
This park has entrances located on both North Main St and Forest Ave. It contains 232 acres that include the Barnes Wildlife Sanctuary, the Cohasset Boy Scout Retreat and the Cornelia and Richardson White Woods of which are part of the hiking trails of Holly Hill Farm a privately owned organic farm that welcomes visitors on it's land and trails. There are maps of their hiking trails available for a small fee at the farm.
The Great Brewster Woods Trail.
Whitney and Thayer Woods hiking trails are a property of the Trustees of Reservations. These woods are in both towns of Cohasset and Hingham. The Cohasset entrance is on Rt 3A, the portion that is King St across from Sohier Rd. The property backs up to Wompatuck State Park in Hingham and contain the Turkey Hill Reservation (lies in both Cohasset and Hingham) and Weir River Farm of Hingham.
Pape Reservation
10 acre piece of land located off 3A in Cohasset. The conservation area is accessible from the Cohasset Water Treatment Facility parking lot. This is a very basic trail but does include access to Lily Pond and some quiet moments in the woods. Like many Cohasset and South Shore trails, you can expect to see some significant rock formations and stone walls criss-crossing the forest.
Map of Cohasset Conservation Trust Properties