Living in Scituate Harbor

The tangy salt air, crisp white sails gliding on the harbor, the sweetest galleries and shops, this is what it’s like living in Scituate Harbor.

It was our dream to raise our family by the sea in an old shingled home. We moved to the quaint seaside town of Scituate 12 years ago, but have lived in our current home (our forever home ) for 6 years. You can see more about this home and our first home here. I often share home projects but don’t often share photos of our beautiful town. I’m so glad that my good friend Jennifer over at Town and Country Living came up with a points of interest blog hop. I’m really so excited to learn more about where my blogging friends live.

About Scituate, MA

Scituate is a small town on Boston’s South Shore, midway between Boston and Plymouth. We’re about a 45 minute drive into Boston but there’s also a commuter rail and a commuter boat from nearby Hingham. The train coming into town made our move to the sea possible. Scituate, pronounced Sit-u-it, is derived from the Native American word Satuit meaning Cold Brook. The town was incorporated in 1636. Sea mossing and fishing were thriving industries.

My parents actually retired to Scituate when they sold their restaurant and lived right on the water. In fact, we visited during Heritage Days, an annual celebration in the summer, and it made Luke and I want to move from London, where we were living at the time.

On the last day of our two week stay, Luke went fishing with friends of my parents. I joke that we moved to America and got Luke his green card because of the striped bass he caught:

This is another image of that trip in my parents’ backyard (the harbor). This is my dad and I with the luminaria lanterns lit up in the background:

That trip, and that fish, changed the trajectory of our lives, for which we’ll always be grateful.

We immediately felt this gravitational pull to live in Scituate, to call this magical town our home. It really is such a special place to live. I’m so glad our two sons are growing up here.

What I love about our town

The Beaches

We have 5 public beaches in our town – Minot, Egypt, Peggoty, Sandhills and Hummarock. They’re all stunning. There’s actually more than that if you include smaller and private beaches.

When we first moved down, I used to take John to the beach every single day. Even in winter. I took these photos of him just before his second birthday. This is Minot Beach:

That was mild day in January, but the water was freezing cold!

One of my favorite beaches is Museum Beach, it’s not one of the public beaches but I love how quiet it is and the views of the lighthouse. It’s named for a museum which used to sit on the site. We used to always come here when my parent’s lived on Lighthouse Road and search for sea glass. Kjeld Mahoney did a family photo session here and I still love these photos even though they were taken a few years ago now.

Our kids are a lot bigger now but LOVE that they’ve grown up loving the sea.

We spend so much time at the beaches – walking our dogs, picnicing, swimming, and searching for treasures.

Another spot we absolutely love is The Spit. You need a boat to get here or you can also walk across a wooden boardwalk on 3rd cliff:

We don’t have a boat but we have inflatable kayaks that we love to take. We also love walking across the boardwalk. The Spit is a magical place. At low tide there’s an expanse of sandy beach (it almost looks like something out of a Star Wars movie), but once the tide comes in the beach nearly disappears.

Those tiny dots are our children running toward the sea:

If kayaking, I recommend going with the tide. I also recommend going during the week. We usually have the whole beach to ourselves!

The library

We have a fantastic library which caters to the whole community. It’s a beautiful building and has loads of books, but there’s meeting rooms, clubs, and special events. When the boys were very little we used to enjoy Mama Steph singing and story times.

The Lighthouse

I always feel a sense of calm when I visit the lighthouse. I’m also reminded of my dad, this was his favorite spot.

Community

Our town has a wonderful sense of community. I’m very active on Scituate Education Foundation, which funds educational opportunities for all ages. Last year we funded over $60,000 worth of grants. If you like to learn more or make a donation you can here.

We have a fabulous food pantry, which helps neighbors in need. Scituate Community Christmas is also another wonderful charity that provides year round giving. The Scituate Animal Shelter and Scituate Dog Park are wonderful resources for Dog Lovers. Our town is a dog town 😉 On top of that, neighbors just help each other out here. In winter we can get hit very hard with Nor’easters and Blizzards. The news channels come to our town to cover the high tides and coastal flooding. In times of need neighbors help each other. Two years ago we had to run an extension lead across the street to our friend’s generator to keep our sump pump running.

Sailing

Every summer our kids sail. They take lessons at Satuit Boat Club. We’re also members of the club. We love going on Friday nights and grilling at the club or getting takeaway pizza.

It’s the best view in Scituate:

The kids love to search for treasures on the beach while we cook dinner. I shared more about the club here.

Holidays in Scituate

Scituate is a very festive town. There’s something going on in every season, which we love.

Halloween in the Harbor

Halloween in the Harbor is amazing. Front Street (our Main Street) is closed to traffic and open for Trick or Treating. The Harbor Merchants fling open their doors to a throng of trick or treaters. We look forward to this day all year. Here’s a glimpse from years passed:

I LOVE Marie’s Day of the Dead make up! I keep telling her I want her to do it on me! She owns Native in the harbor which specializes in tribal, indigenous, folk art & jewelry.

St. Patrick’s Day

Scituate is also known as the Irish Riviera. It’s the most Irish town in America and every year we have a lovely parade. Here’s a glimpse from 2012:

4th of July

We love getting ice cream at Nona’s and heading to see the unofficial fireworks display on Peggotty Beach. You can also see them from the harbor:

Heritage Days and the Luminaria

I mentioned this already but this is a town festival. It’s usually the first weekend in August. The whole harbor is lit up on Friday night for the Luminaria. I love seeing it from the Boat Club. Then on Saturday and Sunday there’s rides, artisans, and music in the harbor.

Before I wrap up this post I want to mention all the area shops and restaurants we love just in case you visit our little town.

Shops and Restaurants We Love

The Lucky Finn – my favorite coffee shop with amazing views! This was an installation last spring for Mother’s Day. Look how stunning the colors and blooms are.

We love to sip coffee outside with the dogs or we love to come for lunch with gorgeous views of the harbor and lighthouse.

You can read more about that installation here. A new one will go up later this month and I can’t wait to see it.

Wishbones – a wonderful shop for gifts or treats for your pets. Poppy and Max love going in there.

Oro – Oro is a wonderful restaurant with delicious seafood.

Joye – A fun gift shop with affordable and different gifts. My friend Becky O’Toole of The Pink Frame has many paintings in there. You can read my interview with Becky here.

Out of the Blue – Lovely gifts and clothes inspired by the sea.

Welch Company and VW Design Loft – Great boutique for home decor and gifts. They just launched the Design Loft where the public can purchase wall paper, fabric and window treatments. You may remember my rugs came from Welch Co, click here.

Riva’s – we love a good Italian meal at Riva. I love the bar, if it’s just look and I, but love sitting in the intimate dining room by the fire with the boys. The arancini balls are amazing and Luke loves the braised short ribs. I’m hoping they bring back the Sausage Ragout – my favorite in winter. They have a great outdoor patio which is lovely in summer. Photo from my mom’s birthday dinner:

Mill Wharf Cinemas – a two screen cinema that we love to walk to for a night or movie afternoon. They also do birthdays.

Little House of Arts – I can’t speak more highly of Julie and the Little House of Arts. I taught a furniture painting class here, but the boys and I have all taken art classes down here.

Galley – my favorite for cocktails (especially by Kate), tacos, and Guac and Chips. I love the decor as well, especially the oyster shell wall.

Goodies II – fun vintage / antique store that has great prices for old treasures. I’ve found many items in there for our home.

Native – Fun assortment of gifts from all of the world. I just got a fabulous lamp there from Guatemala but also found some beautiful turquoise jewelry.

Nona’s Homemade – our favorite homemade ice cream with views of the harbor. We love their ice cream pies and cakes for birthdays.

Crust. – Delicious pizzas and salads. Often order on Friday nights when Conor isn’t making homemade pizza.

Kjeld Mahoney Photography – Gorgeous photo gallery on 3A. Kjeld takes amazing family portraits. Photos in my post but also has amazing canvases for sale. I have many of his prints in our home.

Well, I hope that gives you a feeling of what it’s like to live in Scituate Harbor. I also hope that it gives you some ideas if you’d like to come and visit our town.

Be Sure to check out Where all my blogging friends live:

MONDAY

Town and Country Living / Finding Silver Pennies / Southern Hospitality

Shabbyfufu / Designthusiasm

TUESDAY

My Sweet Savannah / Hymns and Verses / It All Started with Paint / The Happie Housie

WEDNESDAY

Creative Cain Cabin / In My Own Style / Duke Manor Farm / Hearth and Vine