Historic Sandwich on Cape Cod
by Linda Behrle
Sandwich is the first town on
the Cape when you enter by the northernmost route over the Sagamore
Bridge. It has an area of 44.4 square miles and had a population of 20,136
in 2000. It is the home to many historical buildings, 3 bayside beaches,
the beginning of the Cape Cod Canal Bike Trail, 6 campgrounds, many motels
and restaurants, and a walking trail that includes a very unique
boardwalk. Sandwich is the oldest town on the Cape, settled by Plymouth
pilgrims in 1637 and was incorporated in 1639.
Sandwich is one of the quieter towns on the
Cape, yet it still has plenty of
things to do
to provide a great vacation experience. The Cape Cod Canal runs along its
northwestern border and has access to the Cape Cod Canal Bike Path. The
trail is a 7 mile long service road that runs along both sides of the
canal from near Cape Cod Bay down to the southern end of the canal near
Buzzards Bay. It is a haven for walkers, bikers, rollerbladers and
joggers. The paved pathway is wide enough to accommodate two way traffic,
and you can go at your own pace. Since it is adjacent to the canal, you
can enjoy the ships and boats that pass by as well. The pathway starts
next to the Sandwich Marina and ends near the railroad bridge. For maps
and further information, visit the Army Corps of Engineers website.
Sandwich also has 3 beaches on
the bay side - East Sandwich Beach, Sandy Neck Beach and Town Neck Beach.
East Sandwich and Town Neck beaches offer surf chairs for handicap use and
have restroom facilities, and parking. There is a unique boardwalk
incorporated into a walking trail that can be accessed at the end of
Jarves and Harbor Streets off of Route 6A. The boardwalk leads to one of
the town beaches where you can relax and swim or walk on the beach. The
town "sold" 1,700 planks to replace the original walk destroyed in a
hurricane in the early 1990s. Don't forget to look down at the boards as
you walk, as there are interesting messages carved into the 1,350 foot
boardwalk.
There are two public golf
courses in Sandwich - Holly Ridge has a par 54 course, driving range and
practice facility, and Sandwich Hollows Golf Club (once called Round Hill
Golf Club) offers a par 71 course.
Sandwich reveals the very
beginnings of our country through old structures like the Dexter Grist
Mill, the Benjamin Nye Homestead, the Wing Fort House and the Hoxie House.
Museums such as the Sandwich Glass Museum, the Thornton W. Burgess Museum
and the Yesteryear Doll Museum have preserved the creativity and
craftsmanship of these early pioneers.
The Thornton W. Burgess Museum
and off-shoot Green Briar Nature Museum are great places for families.
Together they offer a wide selection of programs on a year-round basis.
The Sandwich Glass Museum
displays the history of glass making and its contribution to Sandwich and
the country as well as a fine collection of historical glass pieces. The
museum also has glass-blowing demonstrations, a multi-media theater,
contemporary glass displays and a lighting gallery.
The Heritage Museum & Gardens
has many programs to offer for all ages. In addition, the museum houses
exhibits featuring regional art, nature's treasures, the Cape Cod Baseball
League of Fame, Marching Miniatures: Our Nation's Military traditions,
Playthings of the Past, and Automobilia. There is a labyrinth on the
grounds, as well as gardens to explore, too. The museum sponsors the
summer concerts on Thursdays at the Band Stand (weather permitting), auto
shows, children's musicals, craft classes and much more.
Be sure to visit the other
historic houses and structures that show the way the pioneer settlers
lived and survived during the mid-1600s.
There is a State Fish Hatchery
on Route 6A heading out towards Barnstable that offers tours, as well as
the Sandwich Marina on the canal near the Cape Cod Canal Visitors' Center.
In the late afternoon you can often see boats arriving at the marina with
their catch of the day. Along the canal there are many places to fish or
watch the boats, including the boardwalk that runs right on the canal near
the marina. There are rest rooms and picnic tables here, and a small
playground on the loop road near the marina. For further tourist
information about Sandwich you can stop by the Information Booth on Route
130 near Beale Avenue, or call 508-888-0378 or 508-888-9115.
Sandwich village center has
some unique and interesting individual shops most within a short walk of
each other. Stores have intriguing names such as Wicked Goods, Cotton
Seeds Mercantile, The Weather Store and The Brown Jug. You can buy gifts
from home decor, lightning detectors, gourmet artesian cheese and fine
Beluga caviar, to onion lamps, a cast iron teapot with infuser or a
handmade tile. And of course, there is always the original artwork by
local artists and paintings and photographs of Cape Cod available.
Merchants Square shopping
plaza is located between Route 6 and Tupper Road, and includes a
modern-day supermarket, post office, chocolatier, jewelers,
framing/gift/packing/shipping store, liquor store, wine cellar and a
collectibles store. It also includes businesses such as an acupuncturist,
music & arts store, office systems store and clothing stores.
It's easy to forget the little
shops that dot Route 6A, but be sure to stop in as they often have unique
items you won't find in other shops. A very detailed map of Sandwich is
available in the resource area.
Sandwich offers a wide variety
of lodging - from camping to luxury - with something for every budget.
There are 6 campgrounds, 8 hotels & motels, and 9 Bed & Breakfasts within
Sandwich. Handicap accessible lodging can be found at Dan'l Webster Inn
and the Shawme-Crowell State Forest Campground. Pet-friendly
accommodations are listed at Peters Pond Park (camping), and Sandwich
Lodge & Resort (motel). For one of the more unusual lodging experiences on
the Cape, there is the Belfry Inne - an old church that has been converted
to a B&B.
From walk-up fast food to
elegant settings, you can have whatever experience you want in Sandwich
for dining. From a hot dog to a sumptuous 5-course meal, you can find it
here. We counted at least 27 restaurants in Sandwich. You can experience
fine dining in the Belfry Inne - an old church that is now a B&B. Or how
about an elegant afternoon tea at the Dunbar Tea Shop? Than there is
always the relaxed and intimate luxury of the Dan'l Webster Inn. Or you
might get takeout at one of the restaurants near the marina and sit and
eat while you watch the activity along the canal. If you call ahead to
some local seafood markets, they'll cook your lobster and have it waiting
for you, too! One tip if you want good lobster rolls but don't want to
spend restaurant prices - try the local grocery store in the deli or meat
department.
As you can see, you don't have to venture
far out onto Cape Cod to get a taste of all that it has to offer. Between
the museums, beaches, shopping, Cape Cod canal, walking trails and other
opportunities, you will have plenty available to do in
Sandwich.
And with the variety of lodging and dining establishments in town, you
won't have to travel far to get "home" when you're day in Sandwich is
done.
About the Author
Linda Behrle has spent a lot of time
vacationing on Cape Cod beginning in childhood and it is still her
favorite place on earth. There are so many
things to do on Cape Cod
that will appeal to every age and ability. Find out more at
www.everythingcapecod.net.
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