Town Talk
The town of Barnstable is the largest town on the Cape and has seven villages: Barnstable (yes, its a county, town and Village), Centerville, Craigville, Cotuit, Hyannis, Marstons Mills, and Osterville. Hyannis, the largest of the seven villages, provides a perfect location for visitors who are looking for a central location from which to explore the entire Cape, day or night. Convenient for getting onto Route 6, into downtown Hyannis or to catch ferries to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard and a variety of eateries to choose from.
Bourne is best known for the Cape Cod Canal where you can watch the ships and tugs navigate through the Canal, or partake in biking, walking, rollerblading, and jogging. There are really two trails, one running each side of the Canal from Sandwich to Bourne. Each is about seven miles in length. You'll find the National Marine Life Center, Aptucxet Trading Post and Bourne Scenic Park here too. The 7 villages: Bournedale, Buzzards Bay, Cataumet, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore and Sagamore Beach, some of them falling on the Cape side of the Cape Cod Canal, others on the "mainland" side, each offering shopping, water activities, restaurants, community events and numerous sandy beaches.
In 1900 it was Carver's farmers who raised a fifth of all cranberries grown in the United States and is still a major business in town. The town is named for John Carver, the first governor of the Plymouth Colony. The town features two popular tourist attractions: Edaville USA theme park and King Richard's Faire, the largest and longest-running renaissance fair in New England. Many small brooks, rivers and ponds including Sampson's Pond and Myles Standish State Forest offers plenty of activities for the entire family.
Falmouth is a vibrant year-round Cape Cod destination made up of 8 separate villages: East Falmouth, Falmouth Heights, West Falmouth, North Falmouth, Silver Beach, Hatchville, Waquoit and Woods Hole (base for WHOI) , all which offer plenty of activities for all, from biking the Shining Sea Bike Path, to the theater, shopping, dining, kayaking in Waquoit Bay and of course, beaching ... 68 miles of coastline, many terrific golf courses, and great eateries Woods Hole is also the best place to catch a ferry to Martha's Vineyard, so it's always bustling in the summer time, and its a great place to just sit and people watch.
Bird Island Light is a historic lighthouse at the entrance to Sippican Harbor. The island, but not the tower, is open to visitors. Marion is known internationally, as sailors from around the world are familiar with, the Marion-to-Bermuda Yacht Race & home to some of the finest yacht yards around. Marion is a quintessential old New England town that has a small quaint village center with many traditional Cape Cod style homes. Not much has changed. The village includes The Marion General Store that dates back to the 1800s, Prep School Tabor Academy (one of the top 50 schools in USA) and still offers a small town feel.
Mashpee is different from any other town on the Cape with its unique native American culture. Formerly a reservation for the Wampanoag Indians, the town still has a distinctive culture that can not be found anywhere else on Cape Cod. New Seabury, a community of mostly summer homes for wealthy families & two world-class golf courses are also here. Mashpee Commons boasts shopping & restaurants as well as hosting a number of cultural activities, the biggest event is Mashpee Night at the Pops featuring the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra.
Chock full of history! The Mayflower, Pilgrims & Plymouth Rock! A charming coastal town boasting Plimoth Plantation - a living history museum, 11 public and private golf courses, plenty of Waterfront festivals and activities, Myles Standish State Forest, the Commonwealth's second largest state forest, is a camping and hiking destination, and contains 16 freshwater lakes and ponds. The Mayflower II is a full-scale replica of the ship that carried the pilgrims across the Atlantic, is usually anchored at the park.
Once known as "cow town", now filled with horse farms! Most notable farm is East Over Reservation - a reminder of Rochester’s rural character near Leonard's Pond. A natural kettle hole, Mary’s Pond is a popular destination for picnicking, paddling, and fishing. Other ponds include Snipatuit Pond, Long Pond & Snow's Pond to name a few. The center features a restaurant, daycare, grocery market, daycare, accountant, and a hair salon. Across the street is the post office, the library, the town hall, and a church. Not much for commercial in this idyllic "Right to Farm" community but lots of fresh air, wildlife, and beach rights in Marion.
A historic community by the sea, its the oldest town in the US. Filled with quaint B&Bs, restaurants, historical and recreation sites and several antique and retail shops to keep you busy. The Cape Cod Bay entrance to the Cape Cod Canal begins here. Cross the Sandwich Boardwalk to the dunes and town beach. Scusset Beach State Reservation, Shawne-Crowell State Forest, and Mashpee-Wakeby Pond with no fewer than 12 museums calling Sandwich home scattered throughout its 4 villages. Home to a working Grist Mill, Glassblowing at Sandwich Glass Museum and the oldest home on Cape Cod.
Land and sea are Warehams' riches, known as "the gateway to Cape Cod". In addition to golf courses, tennis courts and boating facilities, you can enjoy whale watching, kayaking, fishing, sandy beaches, Canal cruises or simply relax and take in all the views from over 54 miles of coastline. Wareham encompasses a number of named places including Onset Village, Point Independence, Wareham Village, Indian Neck, Great Neck, Hamilton Beach, Long Neck, Parkwood Beach, Pinehurst Beach, Swift's Beach, Tempest Knob, Barney's Point, Agawam Beach, Cohasset Narrows, Weweantic & more. The cranberry industry dominated Wareham's economy, as evidenced by the main local road is known as Cranberry Highway (Rt 6/28).
Just 7 miles off the southern coast of Cape Cod. Remember the movie JAWS ? The 6 island towns are Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury, Chilmark, Aquinnah. Oak Bluffs is most well known for its gingerbread cottages, open harbor, and its vibrant town along busy Circuit Avenue. Oak Bluffs enjoys a reputation as one of the more active night-life towns on the island. Oak Bluffs also includes the East Chop peninsula, Lagoon Heights and Harthaven. Edgartown, which includes Chappaquiddick Island and Katama. Edgartown is noted for its rich whaling tradition, and is the island's largest town by population and area. Vineyard Haven is the main village in Tisbury, and includes the West Chop peninsula. It is the island's primary port of entry for people and cargo, supplemented by the seasonal port in Oak Bluffs. West Tisbury is the island's agricultural center, and hosts the well known Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Fair each year. Chilmark, including the fishing village of Menemsha & Coast Guard Station. Chilmark has remained rural and features the island's hilliest terrain. Aquinnah, formerly Gay Head, is home to the Wampanoag Indian tribe, beautiful clay cliffs and quiet natural serenity.
