Hidden Gems

• Get to the boardwalk beach lot by 10 AM, walk the Sandwich boardwalk and enjoy the beach. The Sandwich boardwalk is routinely voted as one of the best in the country, and is one of Sandwich's best things to do.

-          Make your way down 6A west towards Town Neck Road and turn right. Stop at Seafood Sam's for an assortment of some of the best traditional fried food on Cape Cod, or the Aqua Grille for some more contemporary and fancy cuisine.

-          Head towards the Sagamore Bridge on Route 6A, stop at some of the unique shops along the road such as the Snow Goose Shops or head on down to Main Street to stop at Two Sisters Gallery on Jarves Street for unique gifts and local art. On your way in or out you'll pass The Belfry Inne and Bistro, an excellent choice for dinner, and Beth's Special Teas offers a wide selection of teas and late lunches.

 

• If you're coming to us from the west, start your day off with breakfast at one of the fresh, local breakfast nooks on Route 6A or Main Street in downtown. Stop by Café Chew for artisan breakfast sandwiches, the Marshland Restaurant for a hearty home cooked meal, or the Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa for an elegant start to your day.

-          From breakfast, head on over to Heritage Museum and Gardens on Grove Street. It's an easy drive down either Grove Street or Route 130. The museum houses extensive art collections with a focus on American artists, a must see classic car gallery, and extensive lush grounds. You can spend anywhere from one to five hours exploring the property.

-          From there, head back downtown and visit the Dexter Grist Mill. A small mill built in 1654, the Grist Mill still grinds cornmeal, which is available for purchase on premises. Another great choice is the Sandwich Glass Museum, located directly across the street from the Grist Mill.

-          Since both of these attractions close at 5 PM, you'll have plenty of time to stop by one of our downtown restaurants, or head over to Route 130 south to Forestdale to experience Tomatoes or the Sandwich Taverna.

 

• For the outdoorsy tourist, or the local Cape Codder looking for a day out in the wilderness, East Sandwich is full of wooded trails, ponds and wetlands.

-          Off Route 6A, Murkwood is a 79-acre conservation land with mostly flat trails through a variety of vistas. Cedar groves and tupelo trees give way to salt marshes and views of barrier beaches, making Murkwood a great place for photographers and nature buffs.

-          For a more laid-back outdoors experience, Talbot's Point off Old Country Road offers spectacular views of Scorton Marsh and is a prime area for birders looking for osprey and other species.

-          On the other side of Route 6 from Talbot's Point is the Maple Swamp Conservation Area. This area has some of the most dramatic terrain in Sandwich and on Cape Cod, culminating in a 250-foot rise with views from Provincetown to Vineyard Sound.

-          These trails are suitable for all levels of hikers, and thus are great for picnics or lunches on the go.  Given that these are large tracts of open space, the food options are located back along Route 6A which does require a little driving.  For non-picnic fare, try The Beehive Tavern or Amari. The non-profit Café Riverview is a new addition to Sandwich's dining roster, run by students from the Riverview School with instructor supervision, and is open for breakfast and lunch.

-          If you want to add in a little shopping to your day, check out The Giving Tree Gallery on Route 6A between Torrey and Hammond Roads. Art from local Cape Cod artisans is featured here.

 

• Any guide would be remiss without recommending a visit to Sandy Neck Beach, on of Cape Cod's best known beaches. Located at the end of Sandy Neck Road on the border of East Sandwich and West Barnstable, this beach is a treat for those looking to just sit out on the beach or take their vehicle down to the water's edge. Get here early as the lot fills up quick and there are a limited number of daily ORV passes available. A snack bar is available. On the way back over the bridge, browse Mary's Bookstore, or Titcomb's Bookshop looking for a rare find, and stop by Momo's to stock up on gourmet food items and enjoy one of their delicious in-store creations.

Sandwich is often referred to as "The Museum Town" due to the rich amount of history on display around town. Combine the many museum choices with the close proximity to the beach, and Sandwich is the perfect choice for a quick weekend getaway. For these trips, staying in historic downtown Sandwich is recommended for convenience purposes.

 

• Day 1: Start the day with a cup of tea and a pastry at the Dunbar Tea Shop on Water Street. Take advantage of the on street parking nearby to walk around the attractions near the northern end of Shawme Pond. Free visits include the Dexter Grist Mill, the gift shop of the Sandwich Glass Museum and the exhibits in Sandwich's historic public library.  Tours of the Sandwich Glass Museum and the Thornton W Burgess Museum are available for under $10. The Thornton W Burgess Society also offers a guided walking tour of Sandwich Village for $3.

-          Historic downtown Sandwich can be covered in approximately half a day, so pick up the car and meander westward along route 6A, stopping in the various boutiques that line the road. If traveling with kids, do not miss Sandwich Mini Golf.  From 6A, turn right onto Jarves Street, then left onto Factory Road, then right onto Boardwalk Road to access the Sandwich Boardwalk, one of the Top-10 in the USA according to National Geographic.  Between walking and the beach, this should get you back to downtown by early evening. Treat yourself to a sit-down meal downtown, such as at the Dan'l Webster Inn.

• Day 2: Sleep in a bit! Choose one of the one-day tours we've laid out or plan your own! For a great day of free entertainment, head down to the Canal area and bike the paths along the Cape Cod Canal. Be sure to stop in the Canal Visitors Center to take in one of their free programs or browse the exhibits.

-          A hidden gem at the base of Route 6A is the Sandwich Fish Hatchery. Families with kids will love viewing and feeding the thousands of trout. Every year, the Fish Hatchery is responsible for stocking the many rivers, ponds and creeks on Cape Cod. Admission is free!

A four-day trip to Sandwich allows for one to experience every facet the town has to offer, from our many museums to the beaches or time out on the water. In addition to the trips described in our one and two day sections, plan to spend some time on the water!

-          Book a full or a half-day deep sea fishing excursion on board "The Hookie," "The One Shot" or "Laura Jay" out of Sandwich Marina. Suitable for all levels of fisherman, deep sea fishing is a great way to spend an active day out on the waters of Cape Cod Bay, and bring home your own dinner! The boat captains will clean and filet your catch for you.

-          Inland, rent a kayak from Rideaway Kayak and paddle around Sandwich's many salt marshes, creeks, ponds and lakes. Try stand up paddle boarding with a S.U.P.  rental! Rideaway delivers rentals anywhere in Sandwich, so no need to worry about making time to get to the shop! Rideaway also offers guided tours of locations in Sandwich.

-          Play a round at one or both of our public golf courses, Holly Ridge and Sandwich Hollows. Sandwich Hollows is located off Route 6 on Round Hill Road, and Holly Ridge is located off Harlow Road on Country Club Road. Both courses offer challenging terrain at a great value.