Five Reasons to Experience Cohasset This Winter
The Red Lion Inn echoes with hundreds of years of good times, literally-- the carefully preserved hotel at the heart of the South Shore’s Cohasset Village has been welcoming guests for more than three centuries. Cohasset shines as headquarters for a winter escape, when the inn’s fireplaces warm the property and perfume the cozy village with sweet smoke. Less than an hour south of Boston, there are many reasons to experience Cohasset right now.
Here are five:
Snowshoe to World’s End:
There are numerous places to get outside within just a few minutes’ drive of Cohasset Village, regardless of the weather. You can even snowshoe at World’s End, a Trustees of Reservations property designed by Frederick Law Olmstead that offers sweeping views of the Boston skyline. Outside In in Cohasset Village rents snowshoes, or bring your own. If cross-country skiing is your thing, bring them to World’s End or Wompatuck State Park, which offers 12 miles of non-motorized roads and 40 miles of forest trails.
Enjoy Sunday Brunch on the Water:
Observe the wintery drama of Cohasset Harbor with a mimosa in hand at Atlantica, which recently introduced Sunday brunch. New owners Cohasset Hospitality Partners have upgraded the spectacular space and its menu, with chef Jonathan Olson at the helm in the kitchen, and a buffet featuring everything from pastries and sausages to lobster mac & cheese and a carving station is now served up on Sundays. This historic spot has been attracting diners for the better part of a century, and it’s especially delightful in the winter, cozy with a sleek nautical vibe inside, while inviting in the many moods of the sea outside with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Wander the shops downtown:
Charming Cohasset Village is picture-postcard-perfect New England. Mom-and-pop businesses line South Main Street, leading to a classic town green, compete with a pond for ice skating. Stop at Outside In for a pair of mittens or some snuggly socks, visit Twist for a locally crafted work of art or jewelry, and grab a pastry at Anchor & Sail while strolling the morning away.
Walk the beach:
Cohasset’s Sandy Beach is as advertised – a charming crescent with powdery sand, tucked into a residential neighborhood with million-dollar vistas. In the summer, it buzzes with a snack shack and lifeguards, and parking is tight. Come winter, the joys are more solitary – and the parking is easy. Although a valid resident parking sticker is required to access the parking area, guests of The Red Lion Inn can get a pass from the front desk. Scramble over the rocks along the edges, hunt for seashells or just enjoy the chill salty air on your face. For spectacular ocean views and to gawk at waterfront mansions, drive past the beach along Atlantic Avenue to Jerusalem Road.
Sip a glass of wine by the fire:
With low ceilings, exposed beams and fireplaces at every turn (five to be exact), The Red Lion Tavern is probably the coziest restaurant in New England—and the perfect place to finish a day of exploring. While it is quickly gaining a reputation for elevated New England cuisine (think Brussels Sprouts Carbonara served with smoked pork belly, classic Seafood Casserole, and Braised Short Ribs), people may not realize the tavern also has a striking and extensive wine cellar, as well as an elevated craft cocktail program. Patrons enjoy a variety of wines by the glass daily, carefully selected from smaller appellations worldwide. By the bottle, find world-renowned producers, with a particular focus on older and hand-picked vintages, on a list that rotates monthly.
Planning a visit to Cohasset, Massachusetts?
Book your stay at one of these local Inns: