South-east of Boston the Cape Cod peninsula reaches out into the Atlantic like a gigantic crab's claw. Its western end is an outlier of a range of hills belonging to the Appalachian system; the central part consists of an Ice Age terminal moraine and associated glacial drift; and the eastern section, curling round to the north, is made up of narrow spits of land and dunes. The gently undulating landscape of sandy and gravel soil, once covered with forests of oak and pine, has long been an area of small farms specialising in the growing of cranberries. With its beautiful sandy beaches Cape Cod is now also a popular holiday area for the people of nearby Boston and New York.
Cape Cod National Seashore, along the east coast of Cape Cod is a summer hot spot, with beautiful beaches, and hiking trails running through woodlands.
Popular bathing beaches on Cape Cod are Scusset Beach, at the north entrance to Cape Cod Canal; Old Silver Beach on the south-west coast (Buzzard's Bay); Craigville Beach and West Dennis Beach on the south.
Bourne is a gateway community to Cape Cod, first settled in 1640 and incorporated in 1884. The Cape Cod Canal runs through the center of the town and is a popular fishing area.
Bourne Bridge in Cape Cod.
Bourne Bridge in Cape Cod, MA.
Address: Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce, 70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532, United States
Phone: 1 (508) 759-6000, Fax: 1 (508) 759-6569
Aptucxet Trading Post Museum is a re-creation of the 1627 trading post built by the pilgrims to encourage trade with the Dutch of New Amsterdam and with the Wampanoag Indians. Some of the items traded between the three groups include sugar, tobacco, textiles and furs. Items were bartered or bought using the Indian shell currency called wampum at the Aptucxet Trading Post. There are 17th century furnishings as well as a 1000 year old rune stone with the inscription "God Gives Us Light Abundantly".
Hours:
June 1 to June 30: 10am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon
July 1 to August 31: 10am-4pm; Sun:3pm-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Mon
September 1 to September 30: 10am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Mon, Sun, Mon
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Briggs-McDermott House is a Greek Revival style home, built in 1802 and furnished in the 1840 - 1910 period. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Briggs-McDermott House was used as a blacksmith shop and shoed horses such as President Grover Cleveland's.
Built between 1909 and 1914 to shave off around 135 miles of traveling distance, the Cape Cod Canal divides the peninsula from the mainland. It is 17.5 miles (28 km) long, 500 feet (152 meters) wide and has a minimum depth of 30 feet (9 meters). There is a recreational area near the canal with paved biking and walking trails.
The Centerville Historical Museum, begun in 1952, features permanent and changing exhibits related to the history of the area. The house was built in 1840 and houses 14 rooms of exhibits that include costumes, maritime artifacts, toys and dolls as well as decorative arts and quilts.
Chatham is a small village on the southeast tip of Cape Cod with a scenic beach opposite a lighthouse. The town offers fishing opportunities. The old rail depot has been transformed into a simple rail museum.
The Atwood house was built in 1752 and occupied by the Atwood family until 1926. The house remains virtually unchanged and is furnished with collections of furniture, paintings, glassware, china, tools, manuscripts and other artifacts from the 18th and 19th century.
Address: Atwood House Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road, Chatham, MA 02633-2229, United States
Phone: 1 (508) 945-2493, Fax: 1 (508) 945-1205
The Cahoon Museum of American Art is housed in a 1775 Georgian style house; the former home and studio of artist Ralph Cahoon. The primary focus of the gallery is the works of Ralph and Martha Cahoon but also features other permanent and changing exhibits such as Ralph Blakelock, William Bradford, James Buttersworth, Alvan Fisher, and Levi Wells Prentice.
Address: Cahoon Museum of American Art, 4676 Falmouth Road, Box 1583, Cotuit, MA 02635-2521, United States
Phone: 1 (508) 428-7581, Fax: 1 (508) 420-3709
Hours:
February 1 to December 30: 10am-4pm; Sun:1pm-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The Nye Family Homestead was built by Benjamin Nye in 1669. The original house was a small structure but several additions made it the saltbox shape that stands today. On display in the house are many antique items and period furnishings. Hand woven sheets, a Revolutionary period gun and spinning wheels are some of the items in the Nye Family Homestead that allow a glimpse into the past.
Hours:
June 15 to October 15: 12pm-4:30pm; Closed: Sun, Mon
Harwich combined with North, South, East, and West Harwich, as well as Harwich Port and Pleasant Lake, make up the area known as the Harwiches. The town is a popular tourist destination offering recreational opportunities such as fishing, scuba diving, and other water activities.
Address: Harwich Chamber of Commerce, Box 34, Harwich Port, MA 02646, United States
Phone: 1 (508) 432-1600, Fax: 1 (508) 430-2105
The Cape Cod Children's Museum is an interactive museum with hands-on exhibits geared to children. There is an indoor planetarium, a pirate ship, a puppet theater and a toddler play area.
Hours:
May 26 to September 3: 10am-5pm; Sun:12pm-5pm
September 4 to May 25: 10am-3pm; Sun:12pm-5pm; Fri:10am-5pm; Sat:10am-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
Tips: Call ahead for information on special events and programming.
Guides: Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
This small town, South Wellfleet, has a 1,000 acre nature preserve that is home to a wildlife sanctuary. There are many hiking trails, cruises and guided tours.
The Highland House is home to the Truro Historical Society Museum. Items on display in the house include local historical artifacts, farming equipment, whaling gear and a pirate's chest.
Hours:
June 1 to September 30: 10am-4:30pm; Sun:1pm-4:30pm
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Cape Cod National Seashore
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Cape Cod National Seashore
Provincetown
Sandwich Glass Museum, Sandwich
Chatham
Sandwich
Barnstable
Bourne
