A view of Duxbury Beach.

If you’re ready to hit the beach, we have the place for you. Duxbury, Massachusetts is located along the Atlantic coast in Plymouth County, and it’s the perfect spot for a weekend drive. Widely known for the beautiful Duxbury Beach, the town is visited by thousands each summer who come with towels in hand to take advantage of the 6-mile long barrier beach extending from the north to Gurnet Point and Saquish in the south. After a long day in the hot sun, nothing can beat a stop at Farfar’s Danish Ice Cream Shop for delicious home-made ice cream, a summer staple in Duxbury.

The downtown area.

The town is also known for its rich history, as it was founded in 1637 and settled by the Pilgrims, John Alden and Myles Standish. Just by driving around, visitors can take in historic architecture since many homes from the Pilgrim era still exist. Alden’s home, built in 1653, is one of those still standing today as a historic house and history museum. Alden’s House Museum can be visited at 105 Alden Street in Duxbury. Built much later, though certainly still worth a visit to take in its history, is The King Caesar House, a federal-style mansion built in 1808.

If you’re heading to Duxbury from Boston, be sure to use Plymouth Rock’s Gas Price Finder to find the least expensive gas available near you. One suggestion is to stop off at the Shell Station at 1154 William T. Morrissey Blvd, just off I-93 at exit 11. You can fill up your car there today for just $2.80 a gallon. Once on the road, here are some directions to help you get to your destination:

• Take I-93 S toward Quincy (9.6miles)
• Take exit 7 on the left toward Cape Cod (0.8 mile)
• Merge onto MA-3 S (19.9 miles)
• Take exit 11 for MA-14 toward Duxbury/Pembroke (0.2 mile)
• Turn right at MA-14 E/Congress St (0.2 mile)
• At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on MA-14 E/Congress St. Continue to follow MA-14 E (1.8 mile)
• Continue onto St George St (1.1 mile)
• Turn right at Washington St (0.4 miles)

Click here to get custom directions from points outside Boston.

Once you’ve shaken the sand out of our towels and started your trip back, stop off at Osborn’s Country Store Gulf Station at 632 Summer St in Duxbury. It has the lowest price in town (as of today July 2, 2010) for $2.80 per gallon.