Hyperlinks have been provided for most points of interest. Just click on the hyperlink, and a google page will come up. From there, you can click on the directions button. Or, you can follow the driving loops directions. Enjoy!
OK, here we go . . .
Left out of Long Dell Inn Driveway. Left at stoplight onto Main Street. Continue to the fork in the road. Take right fork – Phinney’s Lane and continue all the way to scenic Route 6A (6 miles).
Turn left onto 6A and head through Barnstable, our county seat, and continue exploring 6A: lots of shops, art galleries and scenery. 6A will take you to Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod.
Sandwich Boardwalk:
Turn right at Jarves Street and follow the signs to the Sandwich Boardwalk. Walk the Sandwich Boardwalk out to the ocean across the Great Marsh and enjoy looking at the ships entering the Cape Cod Canal.
Sandwich Glass Museum:
Return along Jarves Street and continue across 6A into the town of Sandwich. Jarves Street ends at an intersection. At the intersection, take a right on Water St/Route 130 and the Sandwich Glass Museum is on your right. Don’t miss the glass-blowing demonstration every half-hour – definitely worth your time as is the beautiful displays of famous Sandwich glassware.
Dining in Sandwich
It’s time for some mid-morning refreshment – stop at Beth’s tea shop on Jarves (backtrack a bit) and enjoy wonderful teas, sweets and savories – or stop at the famous Dunbar House Restaurant and Tea Room on Route 130 – just around the corner from the Museum. The Fisherman’s View is also recommended. It sits right on and has great views of the Cape Cod Canal.
For a complete list of restaurants in Sandwich, click here.
Heritage Museum & Gardens:
Now off to the Heritage Museums and Gardens, take Grove St. (across from the Glass Museum). There is always something abloom every season in the 100+ acres of gardens. Be sure to stop in at the antique car museum and take a ride on the antique carousel.
After your visit, head out to Woods Hole to visit the famous Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). So come back down Grove Street to the intersection and follow the signs to Route 130. You will pass the Dexter Grist Mill and Hoxie House, two of the oldest buildings on Cape Cod which are just down a bit on Route 130.
Head towards Falmouth:
Take Route 130 to Route 28 and turn right. Continue on Route 28 the whole way to Falmouth (about 25 minutes) – go straight through town and follow signs to Wood’s Hole. Once you pass Falmouth and are on Woods Hole Road:
The Knob:
The Knob is a land mass that faces west and has a beautiful view of Buzzards Bay (great for sunsets). At the first traffic light, make a right on to Quissett Harbor Road. Continue until the cove and park where you can along the right. Walk to the far end of the cove and follow signs for the Knob Path. Best not to take the cliff trail.
Woods Hole:
Once in Woods Hole find a place to park the car and walk to Captain Kidd’s Restaurant and Bar for a late lunch – one of the oldest pubs on Cape Cod, the huge carved bar is a wonder – sit out along the water for some pub grub. For other restaurants, click here.
After lunch, go over to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) and take a tour of the Institute or visit the Wood’s Hole Aquarium – amazing efforts are happening every day to help our oceans and our planet.
Nobska Lighthouse:
Head towards the Nobska Lighthouse and take a drive up the Falmouth Coast. From Woods Hole, head back the way you came. Just over a ¼ mile, make a right onto Church street. Follow to Lighthouse. Once done with light house, continue along the coast through Falmouth Heights (you may have to go inland a little to go around some things but head back the coast. Do this until you hit Route 28. Then make a right and head back towards us.
As you head back:
Continue along Route 28 towards Centerville. You will pass the unique Mashpee Commons Shopping Center – wonderful shops and restaurants – you may want to explore and then have dinner at Sienna or Bleu or Trevi.
Back on Route 28 as you head towards Centerville, you will find The Cahoon Museum of American Art in Cotuit. The Museum provides a definitive collection of several of America’s greatest primitive artists.
Also, Cotuit Center for the Arts, a bit further along Route 28, always has great art exhibits and great shows at their theater.
Route 28 will take you to the stoplight at Old Stage Road. Turn right and Old Stage will connect to Main Street.
Bear right before the light to return to the Long Dell Inn or….make a left at the light and enjoy some delicious ice cream at Four Seas!
