|
 Falmouth, on the extreme southwest corner of Cape Cod. The year-round population (1996 estimated) was 32,000 with a summer population of 77,500 (1996 estimated); population density is 632 persons per square mile. The Cape’s second most populous town possesses one of the longest coastlines in the Commonwealth and comprises 54.44 square miles total area with 44.26 square miles of land area. Falmouth, Barnstable County’s second largest town, is bordered on the west by Buzzards Bay and by Vineyard Sound to the south. It is, roughly, at the shoulder of the Cape’s bent arm. More than 68 miles of coastline and 12 miles of sandy, warm-water beaches border Falmouth’s confluence with the ocean. The Town of Falmouth is a constellation of eight villages: East Falmouth, Falmouth, Hatchville, North Falmouth, Teaticket (or Davis Straits), Waquoit, West Falmouth and Woods Hole. It is closest mainland point—and the Cape’s primary gateway—to Martha’s Vineyard, seven miles off shore. Daily, scheduled steamship service between Woods Hole and Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs is provided year-round by the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority. Seasonal ferry service between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket is available. Falmouth’s original native Wampanoag name was Succannessett—“place of the black shells.” Falmouth was planned in 1616, settled by a dozen Barnstable families in 1660, incorporated in 1686 and renamed Falmouth (after the English port in Cornwall) in 1690. At one time, of 300 families domiciled in Falmouth, 148 households were headed by sea captains. Falmouth’s triangular village green, one of its—and the Cape’s—most renowned landmarks, comprises land set aside as common land in 1749 for the town’s 600 residents. Across the street, the First Congregational Church (circa 1708) bears an inscription “The living to the Church I call and to the Grave I summon all.” Its bell was forged by Paul Revere. Falmouth boasts more public golf courses (six) than any other New England town. Its deep harbors, open waters and 12 miles of shoreline offer excellent boating, sailing, windsurfing, deep sea and sport fishing (tuna, bluefish and the coveted striped bass). Falmouth is also an angler’s paradise for fly fishing. Its nature trails are a delight and Shining Sea Bike Path’s four-mile route from Falmouth to Woods Hole takes cyclists past arresting shoreline vistas and serene woodlands. Visitors interested in the Cape’s fragile eco-system may explore inland waterways via guided nature canoe and kayak tours, or collect marine specimens for hands-on learning on oceanographic cruises. Runners, sprinters and joggers will be pleased to know that Runner’s World magazine has christened Falmouth “the jewel of the coast.” Ashumet Holly Reservation & Wildlife Sanctuary (Massachusetts Audubon Society) Off Route 151, East Falmouth. A 45-acre preserve and bird sanctuary whose Wampanoag appellation means “water near a spring.” Includes 27 acres of mixed woodland, ten agricultural acres and an eight-acre kettle pond abloom summers with Oriental lotus flowers and more than 1,000 holly trees (eight species and 65 varieties) of holly. Also present is the unusual fall-flowering Franklinia tree (named after Benjamin Franklin), a large swallow barn colony. Self-guided walks along eight nature trails through stands of wildflowers and heather. Lectures, guided walks, seal cruises and special island tours are offered throughout the year. Open year round Beebe Woods, off Depot Road near Falmouth Center. This 650-acre estate, with 387 acres of conservation woodland, was donated to Falmouth by Josiah K. Lilly III and features great hiking and several incredible stone fences. There are marked trails for walking, cross country skiing, birdwatching and mountain biking (access from Ter Huen or Highfield Drives). Bradley House Museum of Woods Hole, Woods Hole Road. Model of Woods Hole Village circa 1895, historic collections and walking tours. Open summers Candle House, 1836; Water Street, Woods Hole (Marine Biological Laboratory Administration Building). Built as a spermaceti candle factory. Cape Cod Children’s Museum, (temporary location: Great Neck Road South, Mashpee) Features interactive displays for children; medieval castle for toddlers, 30-foot pirate ship, puppet stage, wooden rain and planetarium. Cape Cod Winery, 681 Sandwich Road, Falmouth. Tours and tastings Thursday—Sunday in July & August. Features ten acres of gently-sloping vineyard and cultivates five varieties of grapes which are processed and bottled on the premises. Open May-Oct. Bates House Museum, 16 West Main Street. This two-story house was the birthplace of Katherine Lee Bates, author of America the Beautiful. Whaling, period furniture, paintings and china exhibits. Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (aka “the Knob”), Off Route 28, right onto Quissett Harbor Road to the dead end. The road winds around Quisset Harbor to the dead end, where a sign announces “Private Road,” there is a turnstile in front of a large house. Go through the turnstile, over a stone-fortified causeway to a small wooded area of red cedar and oak opens to a bare, grassy promontory high up, offering views of Buzzards Bay, the Elizabeth Islands and spectacular seaside sunsets are free for your enjoyment. The Knob, at Quissett Harbor is located at the end of Quissett Road. Hiking trails wind through 13 acres of this protected bird sanctuary with magnificent views of Buzzards Bay. Limited parking. Falmouth Historical Society Julia Wood House, 1790; open summers. Frances Crane Wildlife Management, Off Route 151. This 1,600 acres of open space and woodland is ideal for walking, mountain biking, hunting, birdwatching and horseback riding. Friends Meeting House, 1775; Main Street (Route 28A): Quaker meeting site, still active. Grews Pond: At Goodwill Park (off Gifford Street). Free public recreation area with volleyball courts, playground equipment, a swimming area, rest rooms and barbecue and picnic facilities. Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Candle House, Water Street, Woods Hole. MBL is a non-profit institution dedicated to research and education in basic biology. Free tours of the Marine Resource Center (summer weekdays by reservation). Retired scientists lead tours which begin with a 20-minute slide program. Visitors are then guided through impressive mazes of fiberglass tanks, pipelines and hoses to view species used in research. Open weekdays 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm Moraine-Mock Hiking Trail, Park at tennis courts on Blacksmith Shop Road (off Route 28A) in West Falmouth. Featuring a walk time of 30 to 80 minutes, varying by choice of 13.8 acres of trails, this locale is geographically diverse. Rich in geological and human history, the moraine tract derives its name from characteristic ridges, boulders and kettle holes left as the margin of the Laurentide glacier melted. National Marine Fisheries Aquarium, Albatross & Water Streets, Woods Hole. The oldest aquarium in the US features exhibits of marine life from Cape Cod to Georges Bank with hands-on exhibits; harbor seals (summers). Open year round. Nobska Light, 1828; Church Street and Nobska Road. This lighthouse’s stationary blinking light appears red if mariner is in dangerous waters. The vistas are compelling. Limited Parking. Grounds open all year. OceanQuest, Water Street, Woods Hole. A 1½-hour hands-on seafaring excursion perfect for families. Real marine research is conducted with passengers as de facto data collectors. The group is divided in two: bow passengers are trained about how to read water temperature, assessing turbidity and taking key measurements; stern passengers examine specimens hauled up by a dredger. Then the teams switch stations. Kids are addressed as “doctor;” adults swab the deck. Daily at 10am, 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm from mid-June to early September. The Mary Garden, Millfield Street (opposite St. Joseph’s Church). This quiet garden—in which every plant and flower is named after a saint—sits on the banks of Eel Pond and provides a lovely view of St. Joseph’s bell tower. Open year round. Sea Farms Conservation & Trail Area, Gayle Avenue, East Falmouth. Embracing 67 acres of woodland, field and marsh with frontage on Bourne’s Pond and Israel’s Cove, walk time for the Trail is 25 minutes (distance of 1.1 miles). A wide variety of flora and fauna lives in this relatively small area. Shining Sea Bikepath, A small parking area is located across the street from the beginning of the trail on Locust Street & Woods Hole Road. Offering beautiful vistas along an old railbed route, the Bikepath passes sandy beaches, ocean harbors, salt water marshes, kettle hole ponds and quiet woodlands en route to the quaint, bustling village of Woods Hole. The 3.3-mile (5.25-km Bikepath is flat and paved, making it a popular byway for walking, jogging and rollerblading in addition to biking. Spohr’s Garden, Off Woods Hole Road at Oyster Pond Road then look left—it’s a sharp backward left onto Fells Road. A wonderful private garden (left to the town in trust when the owner died) where beautiful daffodils in bloom are a “must see” in spring. The garden borders an oyster pond with marine artifacts along a beautiful sea wall. Parking (can even accommodate a motorcoach). Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Off Route 28, Waquoit. The reserve contains more than 2,500 acres of open waters, barrier beach, fragile estuary, marshlands and uplands including Washburn Island and South Cape Beach State Park. Call Reserve headquarters (Route 28, Waquoit, 508-457-0495) for details on walking tours and 11 campsites on Washburn Island. Open daily during daylight hours except during spring and fall hunting seasons. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) Exhibit Center, 15 School Street, Woods Hole. Private, non-profit research and education organization established in 1930. It is the largest independent oceanographic laboratory in the world. Its WHOI Exhibit Center features informative displays on hydrothermal vents, marine geology, plankton, oceanographic research instruments and WHOI’s research vessels. Open daily year round M-F 8am-5pm. Beaches: There are ten public beaches in Falmouth: Bristol Beach (in the Maravista section of town near Falmouth Heights); Falmouth Heights Beach in Falmouth Heights; Chapoquoit, Megansett and ‡†Old Silver Beach in North Falmouth; Grews Pond, a fresh water pond in Goodwill Park; †Menauhant Beach in East Falmouth; Stoney Beach in Woods Hole; ‡†Surf Drive Beach in Falmouth; Wood Neck Beach in West Falmouth. |
