By Sandi Barrett
Contributing Writer
REGION – The quartet of towns comprising the Upper Cape include Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, and Mashpee. You can almost feel your blood pressure lower as you pass through the bridge traffic to your beach getaway.
Bourne
The pretty town of Bourne, aka “Gateway to the Cape,” sits snuggled up to the Cape Cod Canal and Buzzards Bay. It has seven villages (definitely a Cape Cod thing): Bournedale, Buzzards Bay, Cataumet, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore Beach.
Cape Cod Baseball is a collegiate summer league showcasing premier college players honing their skills and professional baseball dreams. The league uses only wooden or composite wood bats giving the games a big league feel. Sit back and relax at a Bourne Braves game. They are a dominant team in the West Division and won the Cape Cod Baseball League championship in 2025.
The seven-mile-long Cape Cod Canal Bikeway runs along the canal between the Bourne and Sagamore bridges. It is perfect for a scenic stroll or ride with views of the canal comings and goings.
Sandwich
Sandwich villages include Sandwich (the historic village center), East Sandwich, and Forestdale. Founded in 1637, Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod.
Shipwreck Ice Cream is the go-to spot in Sandwich and has the most amazing flavor combinations.
Photo/Sandi Barrett
Historic and luxurious, the Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa offers quintessential colonial accommodations. The inn has several packages including the popular “Whale of a Time” which includes whale watching excursion tickets.
First Beach is the first north shore sandy respite you will find on your beach adventure. The sand is a little rocky, but it is a wonderful spot to watch boats, sunsets, or just take a walk. Parking can be a challenge since the lot is fairly small.
Adjacent to First Beach is the always popular Tree House Brewery. Online reservations are required for beer pickup. The seating is first-come-first-serve, however you still need to pre-order your beverages and pick them up at your reserved time. The parking is crazy and this system makes it easy to grab your to go order and helps keep the traffic flowing.
Photo/Sandi Barrett
Summer nights and ice cream are an unbeatable pair. Shipwreck Ice Cream is the go-to spot and has the most amazing flavor combinations, it is difficult to choose just one.
Falmouth
Beautiful beaches with warm(ish) summer Gulf Stream waters and picturesque views are the hallmark of Falmouth. Eight villages come together each filled with their own unique charm; Falmouth, East Falmouth, North Falmouth, West Falmouth, Hatchville, Teaticket, Waquoit, and Woods Hole.
A quick 45-minute Steamship Authority ferry ride takes you from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard. It is a perfect day trip to enjoy everything the Vineyard has to offer without.
Glamping is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors – right on the edge of roughing-it. AutoCamp Cape Cod offers fully equipped Airstream trailers and Adventure Tents taking care of all your camping needs. All of nature’s camping fun without the hassle of packing and unpacking camping gear.
Filled with galleries, shops, cafes, and restaurants, Falmouth is a wonderful jumping off spot for your Upper Cape escape. Classic Cape weathered homes with white picket fences transport visitors to Colonial days and simpler times.
Sunsets on Chapoquoit Beach and the white sand of Old Silver Beach join a host of beautiful shorelines. Enjoy a ride on the picturesque Shining Sea Bikeway; it covers over 10 miles between North Falmouth and Woods Hole.
If you are in search of a tasty lobster roll, stop by Quahog Republic Dive Bar. The decor is beachy and simple but they offer some of the best seafood on the Cape.
Mashpee
The villages of Mashpee include New Seabury, Popponesset, Mashpee Neck, and Monomoscoy Island. Home to the Wampanoag Tribe you can visit the Wampanoag Museum dedicated to the history and culture of this Native American Tribe.
South Cape Beach is a narrow, soft sand beach. The mile-long strip is divided into town-owned and state-owned sections. For daily parking choose the state parking lot; be prepared to walk a bit to find the perfect blanket spot – it is a very popular beach.
The Popponesset Inn is a fun spot for traditional Cape Cod eats. The casual atmosphere lets the expansive ocean views shine.
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