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Upper Cape


Upper Cape
All the charm of Cape Cod is here, the region that visitors see first after crossing the Cape Cod Canal: beautiful beaches, historical houses, charming inns and pine woods. Easily accessible from Boston and New York, the Upper Cape has something for everyone. It is a perfect place to spend a romantic holiday. The back route to Falmouth and Woods Hole area is Route 28A. After crossing the Bourne Bridge to enter Cape Cod, Route 28A can be reached from the Bourne rotary. This will take you through Pocasset and West Falmouth, past scenic ocean views of Buzzards Bay.

Bourne
English colonists lived in Bourne in the early 17th century, and established a post where Pilgrims traded goods with the Dutch colonies from the New York area. It is said that the New World currency known as wampum – made from parts of the quahog shells -- was created here. The early trading post is now replicated at the Aptucxet Trading Post Museum, open seasonally at 24 Aptucxet Road in Bourne Village, where children and families can explore the windmill; 17th-century herb and wildflower gardens; Native American artifacts; salt works; and Gray Gables Railroad Station. Bourne also is home to a handful of outdoor family amusement centers for families vacationing with young children. The annual Bourne Scallop Fest [link to: ], held in late September, offers a fiesta of scallop dinners, a professional arts and crafts show, a home expo show, live entertainment, and fun for the kids.

Sandwich
Sandwich is a dream of a town. Nestled below the Sagamore Bridge, it's the oldest town on Cape Cod (settled in 1627) and a beautiful introduction to Cape Cod. The downtown's picturesque Shawme Duck Pond is perfect for a peaceful respite. Also in the downtown is the beloved Sandwich Glass Museum, which people who love this art form can learn about its history in the town and shop for stunning gifts. Here you will find the water-powered Dexter Grist Mill, built in 1654 and open to the public in the summer. The Heritage Museums and Gardens on Grove Street is worthy of a visit. Its virtues include rhododendron gardens; a Shaker round barn containing a stunning display of antique automobiles; the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Famel an operating hand-carved carousel; and an art museum. The Sandwich Boardwalk will take you to Town Neck Beach; it is a testament to the town's community spirit. In 1991, Hurricane Bob destroyed the previous boardwalk. The town's people donated planks for a new boardwalk, each containing a personal message. You'll be so absorbed reading the inscriptions that you might forget to take in the panoramic view of Cape Cod Bay. The boardwalk is about a mile's walk from downtown; follow Jarves Street to its end to the boardwalk parking lot.

Falmouth
Falmouth is the second-largest town on Cape Cod, and although it has grown over the years it still retains much of its original charm. The Village Green, in the heart of town, is on the National Register of Historical Places and is surrounded by several lovely inns and bed-and-breakfast lodgings. The Congregational Church at the Village Green, built in 1856, has a bell designed by Paul Revere. Take a stroll and browse through the many shops on Falmouth's Main Street. Falmouth Harbor is a bustling port, where visitors can relax and watch boats of all shapes and sizes moving through the harbor. There are plenty of seafood restaurants in the area, offering New England's famous cuisine. Across the harbor is Falmouth Heights, a pleasant area with several bed-and-breakfasts offering views of the sea. In East Falmouth you'll find a lovely stretch of historical sea captains' homes on Davisville Road. Farther east is the small village of Waquoit and the remote and lovely Waquoit Bay and Washburn Island. Along the shoreline of Buzzards Bay are several lovely sandy beaches with warm water and plenty of public access locations. On Route 28A is the historic Bourne Farm, a restored 18th-century homestead.

Woods Hole
Woods Hole is a small harbor town full of old-time charm. At its center is the ferry terminal, with sea vessels traveling to Martha's Vineyard. You'll find restaurants and shops on Water Street. While Woods Hole is known primarily as a community of marine science research, it is also a lovely small town with plenty of New England charm. The nearby beaches and forests are basically unspoiled with wonderful views of Vineyard Sound and Martha's Vineyard. During the summer, scientists from around the world come here to research marine life. Woods Hole's first scientific venture began in 1871. In 1930, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution opened there and in the 1960s the United States Geological Survey's Branch of Geology initiated research in the area. Several of the institutions do offer some public access.

Mashpee
The Wampanoag Indians laid claim to Mashpee centuries before the arrival of white settlers in the late 1600s. It is one of the two Native American townships in the area (the other is Gay Head), with more than 600 Wampanoags still living there. Mashpee has several new resort communities, including New Seabury and Popponesset.

The towns of the Mid Cape

The towns of the Lower Cape

Provincetown Restaurant Week
Now through November 12, 2009
James Montgomery Band – Essex
November 7, 2009
"My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish and I'm in Therapy" -- Worcester
November 7, 2009
Imagination Movers -- Boston
November 7, 2009
Open Hearth Cooking: Pies – Deerfield
Now through November 28, 2009
Squirrel Nut Zippers – Salisbury
November 8, 2009
The Nutcracker Ballet Day – Boston
November 11, 2009
Pfizer Fantasia -- West Springfield
November 12, 2009 to November 14, 2009
November Aha Night -- New Bedford
November 12, 2009
Paula Cole -- Salisbury
November 13, 2009
Tavern Fare in 18th & 19th Century New England with Bean Supper – Essex
November 13, 2009
The Machine – Salisbury
November 14, 2009
"The Art of Murder" -- Plymouth
November 14, 2009
Jim Brickman -- Worcester
November 15, 2009
Kenny Wayne Shepherd -- Salisbury
November 17, 2009
Shawn Colvin -- Salisbury
November 20, 2009
America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration -- Plymouth
November 20, 2009 to November 22, 2009
Tupelo Night of Comedy – Salisbury
November 21, 2009
Homes for the Holidays Tour -- Gloucester
November 21, 2009
Cuisine of Provençale dinner – Deerfield
November 21, 2009
Thanksgiving Parade -- Plymouth
November 21, 2009
Open Hearth Cooking Class: A Thanksgiving Menu -- Deerfield
November 21, 2009
Vineyard Artisans Holiday Festival – West Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard
November 27, 2009 to November 28, 2009
Gallagher -- Salisbury
November 27, 2009
Not Another Bite. Dining in the Early 19th Century -- Waltham
November 27, 2009
Parade of the Big Balloons -- Springfield
November 27, 2009
Season of Thanks 2009 -- Deerfield
November 28, 2009
Charles Dickens's Great-Great-Grandson Performs "A Christmas Carol" – Sutton
November 28, 2009 to November 29, 2009
Wynonna Judd Holiday Show – New Bedford
December 1, 2009
Hansel and Gretel -- Boston
December 4, 2009 to December 6, 2009
seARTS Wearable Arts Show & Sale – Gloucester
December 11, 2009 to December 12, 2009
Craft Boston Holiday 2009 -- Boston
December 11, 2009 to December 13, 2009
Cultural Survival Bazaar – Cambridge
December 12, 2009 to December 13, 2009
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra Family Holiday Pops – New Bedford
December 19, 2009
Click here for a full list of events.

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