Historic Sandwich on Cape Cod

Sandwich is the first town on the Cape when youVisitors'
enter byCenter. In the late afternoon you
the northernmost route over the Sagamore Bridge. Itcan often see boats arriving at the marina with their
has ancatch
area of 44.4 square miles and had a population ofof the day. Along the canal there are many
20,136 inplaces to fish or watch the boats, including the
2000. It is the home to many historical buildings, 3boardwalk that runs
bayside beaches, the beginning of the Cape Codright on the canal near the marina. There are rest
Canal Bikerooms
Trail, 6 campgrounds, many motels and restaurants,and picnic tables here, and a small playground on the
and aloop road near the marina.
walking trail that includes a very unique boardwalk.For further tourist information about Sandwich you
Sandwich is the oldest town on the Cape, settled bycan stop
Plymouth pilgrims in 1637 and was incorporated inby the Information Booth on Route 130 near Beale
1639.Sandwich is one of the quieter towns on theAvenue, or
Cape, yet itcall 508-888-0378 or 508-888-9115.Sandwich village
still has plenty of things to do to provide a greatcenter has some unique and interesting individual shops
vacation experience. The Cape Cod Canal runs alongmost
its northwestern border and has access to the Capewithin a short walk of each other. Stores have
Cod Canal Bike Path. Theintriguing
trail is a 7 mile long service road that runs along bothnames such as Wicked Goods, Cotton Seeds
sides of the canal from near Cape Cod Bay down toMercantile, The
theWeather Store and The Brown Jug. You can buy
southern end of the canal near Buzzards Bay. It is agifts from home decor, lightning detectors,
havengourmet artesian cheese and fine Beluga caviar, to
for walkers, bikers, rollerbladers and joggers. Theonion
pavedlamps, a cast iron teapot with infuser or a handmade
pathway is wide enough to accommodate two waytile.
traffic, andAnd of course, there is always the original artwork by
you can go at your own pace. Since it is adjacent tolocal artists and paintings and photographs of Cape
theCod
canal, you can enjoy the ships and boats that pass byavailable.Merchants Square shopping plaza is located
asbetween Route 6
well. The pathway starts next to the Sandwichand Tupper Road, and includes a modern-day
Marina andsupermarket, post office, chocolatier, jewelers,
ends near the railroad bridge. For maps and furtherframing/gift/packing/shipping store, liquor store, wine
information, visit the Army Corps of Engineerscellar and a collectibles store. It also includes
website.Sandwich also has 3 beaches on the bay sidebusinesses such as an acupuncturist, music & arts
- East Sandwichstore,
Beach, Sandy Neck Beach and Town Neck Beach.office systems store and clothing stores.It's easy to
East Sandwichforget the little shops that dot Route 6A, but
and Town Neck beaches offer surf chairs forbe sure to stop in as they often have unique items
handicap useyou
and have restroom facilities, and parking. There is awon't find in other shops. A very detailed map of
unique boardwalk incorporated into a walking trail thatSandwich is available in the resource area.Sandwich
can be accessed at the end of Jarves and Harboroffers a wide variety of lodging - from camping to
Streets off ofluxury - with something for every budget. There are 6
Route 6A. The boardwalk leads to one of the towncampgrounds, 8 hotels & motels, and 9 Bed &
beaches where you can relax and swim or walk onBreakfasts
the beach.within Sandwich. Handicap accessible lodging can be
The town "sold" 1,700 planks to replace the originalfound
walk destroyed in a hurricane in the early 1990s. Don'tat Dan'l Webster Inn and the Shawme-Crowell State
forget to look down at the boards as you walk, asForest
there are interesting messages carved into the 1,350Campground. Pet-friendly accommodations are listed
foot boardwalk.There are two public golf courses inat
Sandwich - HollyPeters Pond Park (camping), and Sandwich Lodge &
Ridge has a par 54 course, driving range and practiceResort
facility, and Sandwich Hollows Golf Club (once called(motel). For one of the more unusual lodging
Round Hill Golf Club) offers a par 71 course.Sandwichexperiences on
reveals the very beginnings of our countrythe Cape, there is the Belfry Inne - an old church that
through old structures like the Dexter Grist Mill, thehas
Benjamin Nye Homestead, the Wing Fort House andbeen converted to a B&B.From walk-up fast food to
the Hoxieelegant settings, you can have
House. Museums such as the Sandwich Glasswhatever experience you want in Sandwich for dining.
Museum, theFrom a
Thornton W. Burgess Museum and the Yesteryearhot dog to a sumptuous 5-course meal, you can find it
Doll Museumhere.
have preserved the creativity and craftsmanship ofWe counted at least 27 restaurants in Sandwich. You
thesecan experience fine dining in the Belfry Inne - an old
early pioneers.The Thornton W. Burgess Museum andchurch that is now a B&B. Or how about an elegant
off-shoot Green Briar Nature Museum are greatafternoon
places for families. Together they offer a widetea at the Dunbar Tea Shop? Than there is always
selection of programs on a year-round basis.Thethe
Sandwich Glass Museum displays the history of glassrelaxed and intimate luxury of the Dan'l Webster Inn.
making and its contribution to Sandwich and theOr you might get takeout at one of the restaurants
country asnear the marina and sit and eat while you watch the
well as a fine collection of historical glass pieces. Theactivity along the canal. If you call ahead to some local
museum also has glass-blowing demonstrations, aseafood
multi-mediamarkets, they'll cook your lobster and have it waiting
theater, contemporary glass displays and a lightingfor you, too!
gallery.The Heritage Museum & Gardens has manyOne tip if you want good lobster rolls but don't want
programs toto
offer for all ages. In addition, the museum housesspend restaurant prices - try the local grocery store in
exhibitsthe deli or meat department.As you can see, you
featuring regional art, nature's treasures, thedon't have to venture far out onto
Cape Cod Baseball League of Fame, MarchingCape Cod to get a taste of all that it has to offer.
Miniatures: OurBetween the museums, beaches, shopping, Cape Cod
Nation's Military traditions, Playthings of the Past, andcanal,
Automobilia. There is a labyrinth on the grounds, aswalking trails and other opportunities, you will have
well asplenty available to do in Sandwich. And with the
gardens to explore, too. The museum sponsors thevariety of
summerlodging and dining establishments in town, you won't
concerts on Thursdays at the Band Stand (weatherhave
permitting), auto shows, children's musicals, craftto travel far to get "home" when you're day in
classesSandwich is
and much more.Be sure to visit the other historicdone.Linda Behrle has spent a lot of time vacationing
houses and structures that show the way theon Cape Cod beginning in childhood and it is still her
pioneer settlers lived and survived during thefavorite place on earth. There are so many things to
mid-1600s.There is a State Fish Hatchery on Route 6Ado on Cape Cod that will appeal to families, couples,
heading out towardssingles and those with physical challenges. Get more
Barnstable that offers tours, as well as the Sandwichinformation about Sandwich, and also visit her website
Marina on the canal near the Cape Cod Canalat for all your vacation planning needs.