Today is the first official day of summer. That leaves more than two full months to get outside and capture the magic of a South Shore summer.
You already know about the tried-and-true events like Scituate Heritage Days, Aug. 6-7, and the Marshfield Fair, Aug. 19-28. But there are a dozen other ways to reach your #SummerGoals, ranging from a day trip to Nantasket Beach to a glorious sunset at the Scituate Lighthouse.
Summer isn't summer without a heaping plate full of fried clams, and there are a lot of clam shacks on the South Shore. So follow the scent of fried food mixed with the salty ocean breeze to one of the many restaurants in the area that serve the fruit of the sea, swimming in perfectly crispy batter.
America’s hometown is home to many eateries with a selection of fried seafood. Head to The CabbyShack, Lobster Hut or Wood’s Seafood to get some fried goods in Plymouth.
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Afterwards, lounge on the grassy areas — looking out at the Mayflower II and Plymouth Harbor—while you fall into that food coma. Cathy and Mike Fernez of Kingston said they come to the harbor often to enjoy walks along the waterfront.
The fried delicacy is a staple on restaurant menus up and down the coast — from Tony’s Clam Shop and The Clam Box along Wollaston Beach in Quincy to Schooner’s in Hull to Blakeman’s Restaurant in Duxbury.
It wouldn't be a July 4 celebration without the boom of fireworks overhead. Towns up and down the coast will host fireworks shows on the Fourth of July and in the week leading up to the holiday.
More:Here's where and when you can see fireworks on the South Shore this summer
The festivities begin on June 25 when Hanover, Braintree, Halifax and Milton hold firework displays.
To watch the sky light up on Independence Day, head to the Irish Cultural Center in Canton for the 9:15 p.m. show. The historic Plymouth Waterfront will also be aglow with a show at 9:15 p.m.
Before heading to the beach or the barbecue, camp out to enjoy a town's patriotic parade. Hingham will hold its parade at 10 a.m. July 4 through Hingham Center and downtown. The parade's theme this year is "History Happens Here" to celebrate the traditions of the 350-year-old town.
More:Hingham's Fourth of July fireworks to return this summer after 3-year hiatus
Plymouth hosts a full day of activities that will start at Stephens Field with the 7th annual Fourth of July 5K race. Runners will leave the starting line at 7:30 a.m.
A parade begins at 9 a.m. — stepping off from a new location at Cordage Park this year. Food trucks will serve burgers, fries and more throughout the day.
Before the fireworks show, Steven Karidoyanes will lead the Plymouth Philharmonic in its free annual Fourth of July concert. The performance features Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Memorial State Park, 79 Water St., Plymouth.
For a day of basking in the sun with sand between your toes, head to Nantasket Beach in Hull. The reservation of coastline stretches a mile – dotted with colorful towels and chairs as a must-do summer stop on the South Shore.
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There's more to do than just lounging on the sand or taking a dip. The nearby Paragon Carousel, built in 1928, is a popular attraction. The merry-go-round is the only piece of Paragon Park that survived after the legendary amusement park closed in 1984.
A series of outdoor summer concerts is under way. Local favorites such as The Satuit Band will perform June 29, July 8, Aug. 12, Aug. 26 at the Bernie King Pavilion.
For the quintessential Hull experience, stroll along the Paragon Boardwalk at 183-197 Nantasket Ave. and shoot a round of mini-golf, grab an ice cream cone, and play old-school games such as Pac-Man and Skee-ball in the renovated arcade. The Hull ArtWalk out back is a colorful public art installation. Favorite summer dining spots include Jake's Seafood and the Parrot.
From July 8 to 10, the Levitate Music and Arts Festival will take over the Marshfield Fairgrounds with an eclectic lineup of musicians set to perform.
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The event was started in 2013 by Dan and Jess Hassett, owners of Levitate surf shop, as an anniversary celebration and grew from there.
Concert headliners this year include funk group Vulfpeck and rock band Phil Lesh and Friends. Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson is the festival closer, a two-years-pushed performance originally set for 2020.
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Levitate's music festivities aren't reserved for only one weekend in July. The brand also hosts Levitate Backyard concerts at its Rexicana Surf Cantina in Marshfield. The relaxed venue, featuring picnic tables and Mexican food, hosts daily live shows with local bands starting at 5 p.m.
Upcoming acts include The Dip, a pop and R&B group, on June 26 and funk band Ripe on Aug. 6 and 7.
Nothing beats a cool ice cream cone on a hot summer day and there are many shops to discover on the South Shore.
If you're wandering around the Plymouth Waterfront stop in at Ziggy's Ice Cream, which has been in operation since 1957, for a frozen treat. Just down the street is Peaceful Meadows Farm, which serves a variety of homemade flavors and also has a location in Whitman. Dairy Twist in Pembroke has soft serve treats and the deck is open at Farfar's Ice Cream in Duxbury.
If you want to personally thank the cows who provided your frozen treat, head to Hornstra Farms in Norwell. The family-owned farm has a full menu of old-fashioned farm made flavors, such as chocolate, vanilla and cow-tracks. Take a stroll into one of the barns to see the younger cows or stop in at the Dairy Bar to take home their house-made goods.
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Enjoy the outdoors this summer by visiting one of the areas parks or nature reserves. Wompatuck State Park stretches about 3,500 acres through Hingham and surrounding towns with a large swath of hiking trails for visitors to choose from.
Over in Duxbury, the Myles Standish Monument Reservation provides a brief, uphill hike. At the peak of Captain's Hill, visitors can look out at Kingston Bay and spot historic lighthouses and Plymouth Harbor in the distance.
For a blend of the outdoors and a history lesson, head to Adams National Historical Park in Quincy. Wander between the green yards and gardens of 11 historical houses in the park, including the birthplace of John Adams, the second president of the United States, and The Old House at Peacefield, where the Adamses later lived along with their descendants.
There are many other spots to explore in the surrounding towns, including Willow Brook Farm Trail in Pembroke and World's End in Hingham.
Get lost among the rows of blueberry bushes at Tree-Berry Farm in Scituate, which welcomes visitors to pick their own berries. The family-owned farm expects the beginning of blueberry season to begin in early to mid-July, reports a message on the farm's web site.
The Blueberry Farm in Hanson also expects to open in early July. The peak season for blueberries in Massachusetts stretches from July to August so head to a local farm during these warmer months.
Keep yours eyes peeled for hand-painted signs that pop up along the roads as independent growers open up their backyard gardens for picking.
If you want to get a head start on your day or have an excuse to take a mid-afternoon nap, rising with the sun is one way to do it while basking in the beauty of the glistening Atlantic ocean. Enjoy the calm of the soon-to-be-crowded South Shore beaches in the early hours of the morning.
For a perfect sunrise view, head to Brant Rock Beach in Marshfield, where you can find a spot on the sand or the towering sea wall and admire the early morning rays. You can please your caffeine-deprived brain and growling stomach with breakfast at nearby diners such as the Brant Rock Hop and The Mug.
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Old Scituate Lighthouse is another scenic vantage point a quick drive away from Scituate Harbor, where you can find grab an early morning cup of joe at Lucky Finn Cafe.
Just a short walk away from the fried clams at Blakeman’s, the bayside beach of the Duxbury Beach Reservation is a great spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon.
Webb Memorial State Park or Hingham Harbor are other spots where you can enjoy golden hour.
From July 28 to 31, sailboats will stir the waters of Quincy Bay for the 85th Quincy Bay Race Week. The event's traditions harken back to its beginnings in 1937.
Wessagusset Yacht Club in Weymouth will host events for junior sailors on July 28 and 29. On July 30 and 31, boats will take off from Squantum Yacht Club and Wollaston Yacht Club in Quincy.
Members of the eight participating yacht clubs come together for the week's events, which are free to attend.
Paul Lewis, board of trustees member and media publicity chairman, said that on Thursday and Friday, Wessagusset Beach and House Neck Maritime Center will have good views of the races. Find a spot between Wollaston Beach and Squantum Yacht Club for the best views of Saturday's and Sunday's races, Lewis said.
"Quincy Bay Basin is a spectacular place to race and sail. Its got great panoramic views of Boston, the water, the shoreline, and races."
From the outside, Priscilla Beach Theatre appears to be a large red barn. But walk inside and you'll see that the wooden structure houses a stage, spotlights and rows of red seats waiting for audience members.
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Priscilla Beach Theatre is one of the oldest barn theaters in the country and served as a training ground for notable actors such as Paul Newman, Rob Reiner and Jennifer Coolidge.
This summer's lineup continues with the "Mamma Mia!" running from June 30 to July 16. Set to the music of ABBA, the mega-musical is about a bride trying to determine which of her mother's three exes is her father. The Shakespeare spoof "Something Rotten!" hits the boards from July 28 to August 30.
The theater troupe performs shows six nights a week during the musicals' runs. Tickets to all shows cost $35 for adults and $32 for seniors 65 and older. The theater is at 800 Rocky Hill Road in Manomet. The box office can be reached at 508-224-4888 or online at pbtheatre.org.