Known in its early days as Fish Cove, this stubby peninsula was once the focal point of the area’s fishing and trade industry. (It still uses a historic manually drawn footbridge.) Today, it still is a focal point, just in a different form. With a cadre of art galleries, chowder houses, and unique gift shops, Perkins Cove makes for a charming afternoon’s stroll.

Window shop at the handful of excellent artist studios, jewelry shops, pottery makers, and remarkably un-tacky souvenir shops. Leave plenty of time to gawk at the scenic water views, taking in the real working lobster boats and fishing boats that fill the area, and make stops for saltwater taffy and ice cream along the way.

Perkins Cove can get very crowded in summertime, so plan to come toward the beginning or end of the day if you’d like some breathing room. Parking can be difficult in busy summer months; one popular option is to park downtown and take the local trolley to Perkins Cove. Visit in the late summer or early fall, and you’ll find that the weather is still agreeable but the foot traffic isn’t quite so heavy.