Pilgrims & Patriots

The South Shore Heritage Trail

Driving Tour

The South Shore Heritage Trail, from Quincy,MA. to Plymouth,MA. is filled with museums and historic attractions. The Pilgrim story unfolds in countless ways in Plymouth,MA. while the story of American Independence is recounted at Quincy's Adams national Historical Site, birthplace of 2 American presidents. In between there is a lot to see and do.

This is a region of timeless natural beauty. Glistening beaches, secluded harbors, exquisite marshlands, lakes and rivers. Stately pines shade acres of parks and forests providing a quiet escape from life's hectic pace. Colorful cranberry bogs complement the autumn foliage in an unparrelleled panorama at harvest time.

Explore the South Shore Heritage Trail-- the backroads and byways as well as the major attractions-- at your leisure. You will be rewarded with fascinating new discoveries at every turn.
Braintree, MA.:From Quincy MA., follow route 3 south to exit 17. Bear right on Union Street, left on Washington St. The General Sylvanus Thayer House was the birthplace of the "Father of West Point". Today it is a local history museum.

Hingham, MA.:Follow Route 228 north to Hingham Center. Eleanor Roosevelt called the tree lined route "the most beautiful Main Street in America."
The 3,000 acre Wampatuck State Park, on the right, offers hiking, horseback riding, fishing and 450 campsites. Take a left off Route 228 to Main Street for historic sites.
Abraham Lincoln's ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Hingham and a statue honoring our 16th President is located at the corner of North Street and Lincoln Street.
The Old Ship Church (1681) is the nation's oldest wooden church in continuous use as a house of worship. Other historic buildings of special interest include the Old Ordinary (1680) and Old Derby Academy (1818).

Weymouth, MA.:Take Route 3A north. On your right is the Hingham Shipyard, where commuter boats offer frequent service to Boston. Further North is Web State Park.
Continue north on Route 3A (Bridge St.). Take a left on North Street and follow the signs to the Abigail Adams Birthplace.
Return to Route 3A and retrace your trail south to Hingham Harbor.

Hull/Nantasket:From Hingham Harbor, follow the signs to Hull and Nantasket. En route, the 249-acre World's End Reservation is accessible via Martin's Lane.
Nantasket Beach in Hull is one of the largest on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Almost at the other end of Nantasket Avenue is the Hull lifesaving Museum, which brings alive the legend of lifesaver Joshua James.
For a panoramic view of Boston Harbor and beyond, it's worth a trip to Fort Revere at the tip of Hull. An outpost of defense for Boston since the 1600's, this site is rich in American History.

Cohasset, MA.:Cohasset, south on Route 3A, is a charming New England village with a secluded harbor and a classic town green.
One of the most famous coastal drives in New England, Jerusalem Road winds from Route 228 in Hull past beautiful homes and ocean views to the pleasant ambiance of Cohasset's Town Common.
A fascinating Maritime Museum is one of three small but unusual museum run by the Cohasset Historic Society. Cohasset is also the home of the South Shore Music Circus and the South Shore Arts Center.

Scituate, MA.:Continuing south on Route 3A to Scituate, First Parish Road leads you to the 153-foot Lawson Tower, the Cudworth House (1797), and the headquarters of the Scituate Historical Society.
Follow First Parish Road to Scituate Harbor where the waterfront bustles with shops, galleries and a sizeable fishing fleet.
The "Army of Two" is a delightful tale about two young daughters of the Scituate Lighthouse keeper who repulsed a British landing party during the War of 1812.
Return to Route 3A via the Driftway with it's dramatic views of marshland.

North River:The road south from Scituate crosses the North River, once the site of a thriving shipbuilding industry.

Marshfield, MA.:To reach Marshfield via the scenic route, take a left on Summer St. to Humarock, then drive south on Ferry Streetto Marshfield Fairgrounds, site of the annual mid-August Marshfield Fair.
Marshfield's most famous resident was statesman Daniel Webster. His law office, a National Landmark, is located on the grounds of the 1699 Winslow House. Nearby is the 488-acre Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, owned by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
Route 139 soon merges with Route 3A. Continue south on Route 3A to Route 14.

Duxbury, MA.:Duxbury was a prosperous shipping center in the mid-19th century and Ezra Weston ("King Caesar") was one of America's most successful shipping magnates. His home, the 1809 Federal style King Caesar House is one of many interesting Duxbury homes.
The John Alden House (1653) and the contemporary Art Complex Museum are also worth a visit. And the 116-foot Myles Standish Monument offers spectacular views of the narbor and beyond.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's ancestors, the Delanoes, first settled in Duxbury in the early 17th century.

Kingston:Follow Route 3A to Kingston and the Major John Bradford House (1674) on Landing Road. The austere 17th-century home overlooks the Jones River named in honor of the Master of the Pilgrims' ship Mayflower, and the site of the nation's oldest shipyard in continuous use. Nearby, the 40-acre Bay Farm recreation area is available for picnicking, hiking and nature study.

Plymouth, MA.:Continue south on Route 3A to "America's Hometown." In North Plymouth, MA. the Cordage Park retail complex was once site of the world's largest ropemaking manufacturer.
The town of Plymouth, MA. is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New England. You can begin your tour at Plymouth Rock where the Pilgrims first stepped ashore.
quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincyquincy quincy quincy quincy quincyquincy quincy quincy quincy quincyquincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincyquincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy quincy