Massachusetts' Overlooked Coastal Town Outside Boston Boasts New England Charm And A Serene Beach

Ask many die-hard fans of New England coastal vacations, and they will proudly tell you Cape Cod has it all, from uncrowded beaches with sand bars, shipwrecks, and birdwatching, to artsy destinations set against the mesmerizing coast. The unassuming and wilder charms of the overlooked South Shore, however, are there to quietly prove otherwise.

Known for being the home of the breathtaking nature reserve of World's End with its Hobbit-like drumlins, (glacial hills resembling an upside-down spoon), the town of Hingham also boasts plenty of historical landmarks, architectural wonders, and serene beaches. It's easy to see why World's End Park takes up most of the spotlight, with its pristine coastline paths and some of the best views in Massachusetts to be experienced. But head towards the heart of town, and you will find fascinating links to a legendary US president, sweeping old churches pre-dating the War of Independence, and splendid colonial houses. And the best bit? Not many travelers amble this way, leaving this enchanted playground ready for mindful, uncrowded exploration.

Whether you are heading to Hingham directly from Massachusetts' bustling capital city, or after you have filled your boots with sand and views of the seaside, it's very easy to reach this underrated town. Hingham is about 20 miles from Boston (ideal if you are planning to fly to the Bay State), and a slightly longer 27 miles' drive to Plymouth, by the mouth of Cape Cod.

Walk through the heart of town today and you will be greeted with the familiar profile of Abraham Lincoln. Far from his home in Illinois, memories of the father of emancipation echo throughout this quaint Massachusetts town just south of Boston. The reason for Lincoln's towering, bronze presence has to do with a rich family history: Before the President's time, his ancestor, Samuel Lincoln, was one of the first town settlers, and subsequently, eleven generations of Lincoln descendants continued the legacy by staying in Hingham. Once you've checked out the imposing Lincoln statue, head to the General Benjamin Lincoln House to make the acquaintance of another illustrious family member by visiting his former home. Today this storied house, over 350 years old, belongs to the Hingham Historical Society, which has kept all belongings intact and leads regular tours open to the public.

Another unmissable stop is the Old Ordinary House Museum, a quintessentially colonial architecture-style historic inn where coaches and horse-drawn carts used to stop on the way to Boston. Its rooms, annex structures, and garden date back to the mid-1600s, which you can leisurely explore on a tour any day of the week from Tuesday to Saturday.

A brisk 10-minute walk will take you to another gem: the Old Ship Church, the oldest church structure in the States to be continuously used since its erection in 1681. Its bright ochre exteriors echo centuries of colonial, Puritan architecture popular on the East Coast, while the austere bell tower "dedicated to the settlers of Hingham" (as the memorial plaque reads) is a later addition of 1912.

Possibly one of Hingham's best kept secrets, the rather anonymously-named Bathing Beach is anything but bland. This short quarter-of-a-mile public beach is a fine spot to enjoy long autumnal walks on the golden sands, or swimming and sand-castle building during peak summer, when there are also lifeguards on site. Regardless of the season, Hingham's beach does not attract the crowds that neighboring shorelines do, despite being completely free to access, and dog friendly too. The beach is also just a stone's throw from the Main and Shipyard marinas, with facilities including hundreds of boat moorings and in a convenient position if you want to explore the New England coast and Boston Bay on the water.

No trip to Hingham would be complete without paying a visit to World's End, an enchanting 250-acre area of natural beauty ideal for hiking, wildlife spotting, and observing geological phenomena that have made this corner of Massachusetts unique throughout a series of glacial eras. From there, it's easy to visit one of the last visitable farms in the region, Weir River Farm, which has welcomed people to its fields, barns and charming oak woodlands for decades.

The hundreds of attractions and serene beaches making Hingham a standout town have not reached many curious travelers. In fact, the town still features across lists of the most underrated towns in Massachusetts, making it a de-facto overlooked gem ready to be discovered by savvy explorers before it gets the attention it deserves.