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Scituate, Mass:
A hidden New England travel gem by the sea
 by
Eric H.
Scituate, Mass., has no row of inns,
motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts or guest houses lined up against
the sea. This is quite odd, as the appealing South Shore seaside
community looks every bit as nice as any quaint Cape Cod village
where lodging choices seemingly extend right into the Atlantic
Ocean.
Scituate doesn't bill itself as a resort
community, so there are few lodging choices to make this a place
to vacation -- unless you own an expensive summer home, sleep
in the back of your car, or beg a Scituate homeowner to let you
use their sixth bedroom.
Scituate is primarily a highly desirable
suburb of Boston. The town center is lined with independently
owned specialty shops with the harbor peaking behind the commercial
district. Recreational opportunities abound here including swimming,
boating and fishing. Scituate Lighthouse provides a rocky, scenic
setting making it one of Massachusetts' more appealing lighthouses.
The harbor is pure New England with a relaxing, picturesque view
that ranks up there as one of the best scenic views in the region.
Sunsets in Scituate Harbor hold a special
place in a New Englander's heart. The way the light reflects
on the water offers residents and visitors one of those great
moments that will always be remembered -- a feeling of tranquility
and romance. Not every night affords these sunsets due to the
unpredictable New England weather, but when it happens the moment
is one to treasure.
Why Scituate hasn't bowed to blatant
tourism is a testament to its commitment to excellence in making
the town of 18,000 a great place to live. The school system is
terrific and the neighborhoods chock full of seaside and colonial
New England character. This does a tourist absolutely no good
if it is lodging they want. For those who want to spend a day
in Scituate, however, there are few better places that represent
the Massachusetts scenic seaside better. It is a great New England
summer vacation stop, if only for a day.
A great way to enjoy the day in Scituate
is finding a spot by the ocean, listening to the ocean, seagulls,and
whir of the boats, doing a little shopping, and then finding
a nice place to eat. Dining choices abound, with the top choices
being the Barker Tavern
and Mill Wharf Restaurant (150 Front St., Tel. (781) 545-3999).
The Barker Tavern is simply one of the best restaurants in New
England. Overlooking the harbor, the Barker Tavern's cozy, colonial
atmosphere provides the perfect setting for extremely well- prepared
food. We recommend starting out with the heavenly New England
clam chowder and a fresh mixed greens salad. For the main course,
the fresh broiled swordfish has a legendary following, and rightfully
so -- tasty and tender does not even begin to describe this incredible
dish. The crisp roasted Long Island duckling in port wine orange
sauce over a bed of wild rice is an instant food Hall of Fame
choice, as well as the pungently delightful roast rack of lamb
with a rosemary and garlic crust. We finished with a chocolate
cake, complements of the chef, because my wife was expecting
our first child. Wonderful people, incredible atmosphere and
unsurpassed food makes this our current top choice in New England.
The Mill Wharf Pub and Restaurant offers
one of the best harbor views we've experienced at a New England
restaurant and seafood that is about as good as its gets in New
England The lobster stew is undeniably top-notch, a savory mix
of abundant lobster chunks and a splendid cream base. The broiled
scallops are perfectly prepared and a recent special, the shrimp
risotto with an Asian sauce, validated the chef's ambitious and
intuitive nature -- a dish that wanted you coming back for more.
Of course, there's lobster, cod, and haddock -- all expertly
prepared. The atmosphere at night, with its large dimly lit dining
room with great hardwood floors and the lovely Scituate Harbor
sunsets, make for one of the grandest overall dining experiences
in the northeast.
Since lodging is not an option in Scituate,
it is best experienced as a day trip to ideally complement a
vacation in Plymouth or the great City
of Boston, both 25 miles away. Plymouth
is a large seaside community five miles from the Cape Cod Canal
with a rich heritage -- the home of the 1620 Pilgrim settlement
that is currently best exemplified by the tourist-oriented Plimoth
Plantation.The town also has great ocean beaches, fine restaurants
and enough lodging for your "pilgrimage" to this bustling
but yet relaxing community. Boston is know as the "Hub of
the Universe" and with good reason: from the European leanings
of Newbury Street to the festive shops and restaurants at Fanueil
Hall, Boston is truly the "Hub of the Universe." With
over 40 academic institutions, the magnificent Boston Common
with masterful flower gardens, fine harbor views, world class
restaurants, the Italian-flavored North End, some fascinating
museums, the historic Freedom Trail, and a compact layout tailor
made for walking, Boston deserves an extended visit.
Ultimately, the absence of a row of
lodging choices in Scituate might be a great blessing. There
is an unspoiled feel to the town that has one hoping that Scituate
will never change. It is "old" New England that may
have a few trendy dowtown shops, but that is about the extent
of Scituate being an upscale summer tourist destination. Scituate
is a "real" community, waiting to be discovered for
those in search of the best New England has to offer.
For more information on Scituate, click here
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