Welcome to Like a Local, our travel series where writers share how to spend an ideal long weekend in their favorite hometowns. This time, Marisa gives us an insider’s guide to Cohasset, Massachusetts—a charming coastal town just south of Boston, full of fresh seafood, cozy shops, and plenty to do with (or without) kids.
As I was growing up in New York City and New Jersey, living on the New England coast seemed like a dream. Yet, as an adult, when life threw us a curveball, we jumped on a chance to move to Boston—and I am so glad we did. We loved our time there, exploring the charming cobblestone streets and trying all the clam chowder. But as our family grew out of our cozy apartment, we knew we needed more space and eventually settled in the coastal town of Cohasset, about 45 minutes south of Boston. We’ve lived here for five years now, and it truly feels like we’re home.
Where to Stay
If you’re not staying with friends or renting a house (there is certainly a rental market, especially in the warmer months), definitely check out The Red Lion Inn. It dates back to the 1700s and is located right on Main Street. The inn boasts a delicious, seasonal restaurant, The Red Lion Tavern, known for its excellent cocktail program and modern New England fare. Think roaring fireplaces throughout, plus an outdoor patio and porch. And on Thursday nights, the lower level—affectionately called “The Cave”—has live music and entertainment.
Where to Eat & Drink
Start the day at Seabird with an iced matcha latte or cortado, then head to French Memories to pick up a pastry or try one of their many varieties of croissants. This family-run French bakery has been in operation for over 30 years and offers delicious pastries, soups, salads, and sweets. We’re partial to the macarons and love their homemade, salted butter.
For a casual beach vibe, Salty Days is one of our favorite spots. They have a robust sushi menu and other delicious offerings like a smash burger, tuna melt, and poke bowls. They offer a children’s menu so it’s family-friendly, and there are wine and beer options for adults. It’s also perfect for grabbing takeout—especially if you’re trying to catch the sunset at the beach or on your boat.
For pizza, we love the award-winning Stoked for wood-burning, Neapolitan-style pizza. The kids will like the retro vibe and their menu boasts plenty of salads, appetizers, and vegetarian-friendly options for everyone in your party.
There’s nothing like lobsters or seafood for a quintessential New England dinner. If you feel like staying in, local seafood market Mullaney’s has all of your sea-worthy meals. After you grab your local cod, head next door to Teodora’s Boucherie, a woman-owned and operated gourmet butcher shop with an incredible selection of grass-fed meats and proteins (we’re partial to the prime ribeye, jamon serrano, and chicken kebab skewers).
Other casual options include 5 South Main for salads and sandwiches and Lenny’s Hideaway, which has a mouth-watering coconut margarita and Mexican-inspired fare. For a quick takeout meal we also like Mediterranean food from Olympus Grille and the fresh smoothies from Daily Press and Thrive.
What to Do
If the weather is nice or you just want to take in the sea view, there are two beaches in Cohasset. Sandy Beach is the main—and you guessed it—sandy beach that has a snack shack and restrooms during summer hours, but you need a resident sticker to enter and park. If you end up renting a house, see if your rental offers a beach car. Or, if not, head to the other beach—Black Rock Beach, also nicknamed Rocky Beach—where a few non-resident parking spots are available. This beach tends to be quieter and older children love climbing and exploring the larger rocks.
Shopping
With its quaint village vibe, Cohasset has a lovely array of boutiques and shops. Head to Anchor & Sail or Darilynn’s for curated home gifts and decor. ASSEMBLY has a selection of contemporary clothing, and Strand the Boutique just opened up a new shop near the harbor. For luxury consignments, visit Second 2 None Consignments, and Phia has all of your needs for tween and teen clothes. Want to pick up something for the littles? Pop into Brook & Main for children’s clothes, toys, books, plus a few cute outfits for Mom.
Art & Music
If you want some art, make sure to visit the rotating exhibition at South Shore Art Center or local photographer and gallerist, Brian Sager Fine Art Gallery.
For entertainment and live music, The Music Circus is an outdoor venue under a tent that features bands ranging from The Beach Boys to Blues Traveler. The stage rotates so there isn’t a bad seat in the house.
Wellness & Spa
And, when you need that moment of zen, head to Balance Studios for yoga, pilates, and barre. Around the corner at Epiros Wellness, you can find healing and wellness modalities, such as infrared sauna or magnesium float therapy. Should you need a bit more pampering, Tiffany Nails offers manicures and pedicures, just make sure to call to make an appointment.
Family-Friendly Activities
For family hanging, we love Split Rock for its casual, family-friendly outdoor raw bar and beer garden. Make sure to check out their calendar for live music, family programming, and other pop-up events.
If your kids need a bit more space to play, there’s a playground near the local library with basketball courts. And a few minutes from town, there’s the newly-built Beechwood Playground, which happens to be near Mrs. Mekler’s Mercantile, or as we call it “the Sugar Shack;” a real-life sweets cabin in the woods with a payment honor system.
For more outdoor fun, Holly Hill Farm is an organic and historic operating farm that offers educational programming and events. Our children love visiting the animals that live on the property, such as a donkey and chickens, and there are several trails and paths for hikes and exploring. They also have a year-round farmers market in the barn on Saturdays.
For indoor fun, we often visit Buttonwood Books & Toys, a family-run bookshop for children and adults, plus they have cute toys and home gifts. And, if you need an end-of-day treat, don’t miss out on Sweet Mouse Cafe for boba tea, and of course, J.J.’s Dairy Hut for an old-fashioned ice cream adventure, outfitted with a kid-friendly wooden train play structure.
Optional Extras
For a spirited afternoon or evening, grab the family and drive over to Nantasket Beach in Hull, which has a lively boardwalk and beach with tons of restaurants, ice cream shops, and a historic-operating carousel.
Lastly, if you’re staying in Cohasset (or nearby) and want to visit Boston, you can take the train from Cohasset or the commuter ferry from the shipyard in the neighboring town of Hingham, which makes it a breeze to spend time in Boston.
Do you have a town like Cohasset that you love to visit? Tell us about it in the comments!
