Cape Cod is among the hottest household summer time trip locations in New England and is certainly value a go to. But, when you’re planning your Cape Cod trip, chances are you’ll surprise which of the various Cape Cod cities is greatest for your loved ones trip.
Located within the “Upper Cape” space of Cape Cod, Falmouth MA might be a neater vacation spot if visiting the Cape for a day journey from Boston or a shorter journey. Since you gained’t must drive an excessive amount of by means of the Cape, it can save you a number of time. In addition, it’s the right spot in case you are planning to take the ferry into Martha’s Vineyard. Here are the perfect issues to do in Falmouth MA in your subsequent household trip.
Disclosure: We acquired a complimentary/media price for our keep on the Sea Crest Beach Hotel. This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks and a click-through/buy by means of one in every of these hyperlinks might lead to a fee paid to us at no further value to you. All opinions are my very own.
Things to Do in Falmouth MA
The coastal city of Falmouth is positioned within the Upper Cape, between Buzzards Bay and Mashpee. To get there (like the remainder of Cape Cod), you’ll must drive over both the Sagamore or the Bourne Bridge. Traffic to each of those bridges can again up in the course of the busy season, so plan your journey accordingly. I wish to journey on the weekdays moderately than on the weekends to avoid wasting time.
Like many different cities on the Cape, Falmouth is made up of smaller villages. These embrace Woods Hole, Davisville, Hatchville, East Falmouth, North Falmouth, West Falmouth, and Quissett.
Shopping In Falmouth
I can’t resist procuring after I’m on trip, and Falmouth has a very cute Main Street space with reward outlets, eating places, and providers. Whether you like procuring as I do, or simply need to get a snack, ice cream, or dessert, Main Street is a good place to go to.
Park your automotive in one of many metered spots alongside the principle or aspect streets, after which begin at one finish of the road earlier than turning round and coming again. Parking can generally be a bit difficult, however if in case you have your selection of spots, begin at one finish. Although all the strolling is outdoors, this generally is a good wet day exercise in mild rain.
Shops on Main Street in Falmouth embrace Celebrations of Cape Cod, which provides presents, Christmas ornaments, books, and extra. Looking for a jewellery memento from Cape Cod? The Guilded Oyster has Cape Cod and nautical-themed fantastic jewellery together with some unique designs.
For memento clothes, go to Soft as a Grape, a neighborhood chain with t-shirts, sweatshirts, and different informal attire. Main Street additionally has different native chains, just like the Black Dog (originating on Martha’s Vineyard) and Cupcake Charlie’s (for scrumptious cupcakes).
When we visited with our youngsters, they cherished the Blast from the Past reward store, which provides vinyl data and different retro souvenirs of popular culture. It’s an incredible spot to discover.
There are loads of different outlets alongside Main Street, so you should definitely allocate just a few hours to stroll round and store.
If you’re in search of extra conventional chain outlets, there are two good choices a brief drive from Falmouth. The Cape Cod Mall, positioned in Hyannis, provides shops like Target, Barnes and Noble, and Macy’s. There’s additionally Mashpee Commons, with L.L.Bean, lululemon, and Vineyard Vines, together with a number of different outlets, eating places, and leisure venues.
Beaches in Falmouth
When visiting Cape Cod in the summertime, you completely must have at the very least one seashore day. The seashores on the Cape are lovely and might be an effective way to loosen up and funky off. Falmouth provides a number of totally different seashore choices. Be certain to test the official Falmouth seashore web site earlier than visiting, as a result of some tons are particularly designed for resident stickers solely.
Here are a number of the hottest Falmouth seashores to go to:
Old Silver Beach is positioned on Buzzards Bay and has a piece for residents and a piece for the general public. Restrooms and concessions are provided on a seasonal foundation. I really like Old Silver Beach – it’s one in every of my favourite seashores in Massachusetts.
Other public seashores in Falmouth embrace Menauhant East and Surf Drive. These seashores have paid parking tons. Free parking is obtainable on the freshwater Grew’s Pond at Goodwill Park.
There are additionally loads of different seashores throughout Cape Cod if you wish to journey a bit. Our favorites embrace the Cape Cod National Seashore (together with Nauset Light Beach in Orleans, Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, the Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown, Race Point Beach in Provincetown, and Head of the Meadow Beach in North Truro, in addition to Seagull and Smuggler’s Beaches in Yarmouth.
If you’re in search of a delicate seashore for babies, Gray’s Beach has a stupendous boardwalk and a pleasant little sandy space. It’s additionally positioned in Yarmouth.
When packing in your Falmouth trip, take a look at our seashore trip packing listing to ensure you have all the pieces you want earlier than visiting. There are outlets on the town, but it surely’s often simpler to deliver issues with you in case you are driving.
Shining Sea Bikeway
Are you bringing your bikes to Falmouth and need to take an incredible bike trip? The Shining Sea Bikeway is a transformed rail path that runs 10.7 miles from Woods Hole to North Falmouth. If you didn’t deliver bikes, however nonetheless need to trip, there are a number of corporations in Falmouth that supply bike leases.
This overview of the Shining Sea Bikeway could be very useful to learn in case you are contemplating using on the path.
Ferry to/from Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket
Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket (the “islands” a part of “Cape and the Islands”) are each accessible through passenger and automotive ferry. Ferries to Martha’s Vineyard conveniently go away from Woods Hole in Falmouth. These islands are enjoyable to go to each for an extended journey and for a day journey – relying on how a lot time you’ve gotten.
The Steamship Authority operates out of the Woods Hole terminal with sailings to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs (seasonally). If you’re planning to deliver a automobile with you, it’s particularly vital to make superior reservations, because the ferries can get very booked up.
There’s additionally the Falmouth-Edgartown ferry, which works immediately into Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. These are passenger-only ferries, nevertheless, and don’t accommodate autos.
If you need to go on to Nantucket, you’ll must drive to close by Hyannis for a ferry from Hyannis to Nantucket.
Restaurants in Falmouth
There are a number of scrumptious eating places in Falmouth, a lot of that are kid-friendly and informal. Check with the precise restaurant you need to go to to see if reservations are accepted. If not, think about visiting at an off-peak time to keep away from an extended wait.
Here are a few of our favourite eating places:
Falmouth Raw Bar: in search of a waterfront informal seafood restaurant? The Falmouth Raw Bar is positioned on Falmouth Harbor and provides enormous lobster rolls (known as the Monsta Lobsta Roll), oysters, chowder, shrimp, and different seafood dishes. Reservations are usually not accepted.
Estia on Maine: Located on Main Street in Falmouth (with one other positioned in Mashpee Commons), Estia is a Greek restaurant providing lunch and dinner. The giant menu contains salads, gyros, wraps, kabobs, steak, seafood, and pizza. I cherished the kabob entree I acquired there, whereas my youngsters cherished the pizza.
The Quarterdeck Restaurant: The Quarterdeck seafood restaurant can also be positioned on Main Street. It provides lunch and dinner. Items on the menu embrace a uncooked bar, lobster, fish, rooster, pasta, and salads. Reservations are usually not accepted, and seating is first-come, first-served. Outdoor seating is obtainable.
Pickle Jar Restaurant: While procuring on Main Street, cease on the Pickle Jar Restaurant for each breakfast and lunch. Offering sandwiches, salads, soups, and breakfast all day, the Pickle Jar is a well-liked and scrumptious restaurant.
Quicks Hole: Located in Woods Hole, Quicks Hole provides two eating places – Quicks Hole Tavern and Quicks Hole Taqueria. Both have youngsters’ menus.
Woods Hole Science Aquarium
The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is the oldest public aquarium within the United States. It provides 140 species of marine animals and sea life from the Northeast in displays and a contact tank. They additionally supply academic packages. The aquarium is self-guided and strollers aren’t permitted because of the small dimension.
Note that the indoor a part of the aquarium just lately closed for important repairs. Keep an eye fixed on their web site to see once they have a reopening date deliberate.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Interested in Oceanography? In the height summer time months of July and August, visitors can join a strolling tour across the facility (together with a number of the usually restricted amenities). Sign up for a tour (provided at both 10:30 am or 1:30 pm in July and August) on their web site.
Nobska Point Lighthouse
I at all times love visiting lighthouses in coastal areas. They are at all times in such lovely areas and are so distinctive. The Nobska Point Lighthouse is positioned in Woods Hole and is certainly value a go to.
Tours are provided within the tower on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am-12 midday. The Keeper’s House is being renovated and is closed to visitors. Visit their web site earlier than going to find out about bag restrictions and different guidelines
Where to Stay in Falmouth
There are a number of trip leases and accommodations to select from when planning your journey to Falmouth MA. If you primarily need to go to the seashore throughout your journey, the Sea Crest Beach Hotel is one in every of my favorites. It’s positioned proper on Old Silver Beach and provides two swimming pools (together with an indoor pool), a seashore bar, a number of eating places, and extra.
Other well-liked accommodations embrace:
You can discover different choices on this map.
Frequently Asked Questions
I believe it’s – it’s a stupendous city with so much to supply.
Falmouth has some lovely seashores, together with Old Silver Beach – one in every of my favorites.
Main Street in Falmouth is a standard downtown space with outlets and eating places.
There are some nice accommodations and different lodging choices, however Falmouth can also be very handy to different Cape Cod cities.
Looking for extra Cape Cod journey ideas? Click to see our information with city suggestions, issues to do, eating places, and extra in Cape Cod.
