Hingham Center/Public Library, Hingham

ERRAND CENTER-AL

Photo by Gary Higgins

Hingham Center is home to lovely houses, a pretty green and a historic cemetery. Feel free to take that all in, but we’re going to focus on the tiny cluster of shops at the center of the center. You could get a lot done in this one little spot. Blink and you’ll miss it, but pull over and you’ll be able to fill your gas tank, do your banking, eat a meal, get a haircut, have your nails done, pick up a prescription, buy a fancy cake or fancy home trimmings or - wow - use a pay phone.

For this leisurely pursuit, munch on a fresh bagel and slurp an iced coffee at Atlantic Bagel and Coffee Co. - under $2.

Proceed with Caution

Ready for some exercise? Walk across Route 228 (Main Street has become Leavitt Street here) and head east. In minutes (and three-tenths of a mile) you’ll come to the Hingham Public Library.

Brain food

Photo by Gary Higgins

Sure, you can go to a library and check out books, but there’s lots more to check out at this library. Enjoy Scott Ketcham’s oil paintings in the Dolphin Gallery or Irene B. Manian ’s oil and glass paintings in the Clemens Gallery. On the second floor, take a peek at the Hingham Historical Society’s rotating exhibit of neat artifacts or stretch out and relax in the cafe area (in good weather, you can stretch outside in the courtyard). Like the best music stores, the library has listening stations in its impressive CD section, so take that Prince or Oingo Boingo for a test spin. Radiohead lullabies? What baby wouldn’t be lulled to slumber by some “Paranoid Android?”

Ok, get books

Don’t miss the used bookstore on the first floor - it’s heaven. At first glance your eyes catch a few romance titles, but look closer - “The Road,” “Seabiscuit,” “The Remains of the Day,” “The Bluest Eye” - for 25 cents each? It feels like stealing-.

Feed your belly then feed your brain - and get some fresh air in between - in this quaint historic swatch in the heart of Hingham.

Cost: $5 for iced coffee, a veggie bagel and nine (yes, nine) books.

Time: 60 minutes