Does a lunch hour have to be about lunch? Not if you live on the South Shore. Each week, we’ll show you where to go and what to do to unwind, grab a bite or have some fun, all in 60 minutes or less.

NEW THIS WEEK
Norwell Center
The string of shops along Norwell’s Main Street are not the only reason to visit the quaint town center, which also boasts a cultural arts center and nature reserve to distract you on your hour away from the office.
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• BRAINTREE

South Shore Plaza
The plaza is a place where you can take a midday break by having a bite to eat, relaxing and taking in the post-holiday sights and sounds. Dec. 27 Read more

• CANTON

Chateau de Bleu
A high school isn't the usual place for people to spend their lunch hour, but Chateau de Blue at Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical High School on Randolph Street is a hidden gem of a restaurant where customers can get a great lunch, prepared by student chefs, for less than $6. Read more

Cobbs Corner
Cobbs Corner, revamped more than 10 years ago, has become a village unto itself, complete with pergola-covered brick walkways and piped-in music. Read more

• COHASSET

Cohasset Common and Main Street shops
Take a walk around the pond and under the trees on Cohasset Common, one pf the prettiest New England greens of all. Read more

Cohasset Village/South Shore Art Center
You don’t have to be an art connoisseur to enjoy the South Shore Art Center. Read more

• DUXBURY

Route 53
There are several options for lunchtime escapes along Route 53 in Duxbury and Kingston. Read more

Snug Harbor
Snug Harbor, a small business district in this seaside town, is a great place to escape to during a lunch break. Read more

• HANOVER

Four Corners
Whether you want to browse, shop, eat or just relax, there’s a lot you can do with an hour at Four Corners. Read more.

Luddam's Ford Park
As the weather warms, why spend your lunch hour stuck indoors? ... Luddam’s Ford (is) a great place to sit, relax and watch water flow over the Luddam’s Ford dam. Read more

Merchants Row Marketplace
Whether you browse, shop, eat or relax, there’s a lot you can do with an hour at Merchants Row. Read more

Starland batting cages
Step up to the plate and take a few hacks at Starland Sports and Fun Park in Hanover. Read more

• HINGHAM

Derby Street Shoppes
Like it or not, the holiday shopping season is just a turkey bone’s throw away, so why not subtract some stress by doing a fun dry run? Read more

Hingham Center/Public Library
You could get a lot done in this one little spot. Read more

Hingham Square
Whether you’re a shopper, a browser or just like to walk, Hingham Square is a great place to spend some time. Read more

Main Street
When Eleanor Roosevelt picked one upon which to slap the superlative “most beautiful,” chances are it’s something special. Take a stroll through the center of this historic ‘burb and see if you don’t agree. Read more

• HULL

Nantasket Beach
There’s no better place to take a stroll. You can walk along Nantasket Avenue and browse the food stands, a gift shop and a video arcade. Even better, you can kick off your shoes and walk the beach. Read more

• KINGSTON

Main Street
Main Street in Kingston turns into Court Street in Plymouth. There are some unusual diversions, shopping or otherwise, on both sides of the town line. Read more

• MARSHFIELD

Brant Rock
If you need a break from your routine, head to the Brant Rock Esplanade, where, as the T-shirts say, "Our Life Is Your Vacation." Read more

Marshfield Center
Take advantage of one of the last days of fall with a brisk walk and some leaf peeping on the bridle path. Read more

Marshfield Hills
Marshfield Hills is a historic village in northern Marshfield. Take a stroll around the village, imagining yourself in another time. Read more

• MILTON

Houghton's Pond
The only drawback to a lunch spent at Houghtons Pond at the foot of Great Blue Hill is the overwhelming desire to skip work for the rest of the day. Read more

• NORWELL

South Shore Natural Science Center
You don’t have to be a nature lover to enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle with a walk on one of the trails at the South Shore Natural Science Center on Jacobs Lane. Read more

• PLYMOUTH

Brewster Gardens
It’s beautiful, quiet, nearby and free. Whether you’re after history or a nice walk by a babbling brook, Brewster Gardens is the place to go. Read more

Plymouth Airport
Greet Ace, the airport's mascot goose, before you go inside, and save a scrap of bread so you can give it to him on the way out. Read more

Plymouth Waterfront
Go for a walk along the waterfront to enjoy the harbor views and work up an appetite. Read more

Sweet Fordy's
As you turn into the Sweet Fordy’s driveway, you’ll see a sign that reads: “We got coffee, we got sweets, we got a deli, we got seats.” Read more

Village Landing
Plymouth’s waterfront has a lot to offer for those willing to walk past Plymouth Rock. By all means visit the local icon, but then continue on. Read more

• QUINCY

Beale Street
Only blocks from Quincy Center, the shops and restaurants on Beale Street offer a convenient, uncrowded lunchtime destination. Read more

Granite Plaza
Mignosa's Fruit Basket may have the biggest selection of lunch options in Quincy. Read more

Kam Man Marketplace
Got time to fly to China during your lunch hour? Probably not, but you almost certainly have enough time for a quick escape to the Kam Man Marketplace. Read more

Squantum Point Park
At Squantum Point Park, which is open all year from dawn to dusk, visitors can see the Boston skyline across the harbor and dozens of species of wild birds. Read more

• RANDOLPH

Randolph Music & Video
The store has thousands of LPs, along with 45 rpm singles, cassette tapes and even some 8-track tapes. Read more

Rockland Ice Rink
The Rockland Ice Rink offers an hour of free public skating several days a week, usually around lunchtime. Read more

• SCITUATE

Gannett Street Road
Gannett Street Road offers  gourmet lunch selections, high-end bargain hunting and top-notch window  shopping – all within one block. Read more

Front Street
Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read or find a new one that interests you at the Front Street Book Shop. Read more

• STOUGHTON

Ikea
It’s easy to lose yourself for an hour wandering around this mammoth store, home to an endless array of furniture with funky Swedish names. Read more

• WEYMOUTH

Columbian Square
Columbian Square is a place where you can spend time shopping or freshening up... (it) is an old village center with character, and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by walking the sidewalks. Read more

New England Wildlife Center
There’s plenty to see and do at the New England Wildlife Center, which is tucked in the woods off Columbian Street in South Weymouth near the Braintree line. Read more