The Best of Sandwich and Mashpee

Cape Cod is a funny place, the towns closest to the mainland are known as the “Upper Cape” and the ones furthest away are part of the “Outer Cape”, in between is the Mid-Cape and the Lower Cape. This backyard road trip is closest to home, it’s an Upper Cape adventure, focusing solely on the towns of Sandwich and Mashpee

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to gear up for warmer weather! Although this winter has been relatively mild, I’m excited to feel the warmth of the sun as I’m walking through one of my favorite New England destinations.

The Upper Cape is one of those places that is enjoyable any time of the year but is especially inviting when the temperature rises. Also, certain attractions are only open seasonally. My suggestion would be to go in the spring or the fall to avoid the crush of Cape tourists in the summer.

To me Cape Cod simply represents vacation. No matter who you are, the Cape has a destination for you.

Beachside towns such as Provincetown, Chatham and Hyannis are synonymous with summer and vacation.

As showcased in a recent Backyard Road Trip, Cape Cod is special year round. Throughout my life, the area of the Cape that I associate the most with a getaway is the Upper Cape.

An Upper Cape Adventure

This Upper Cape Adventure can be done in one (long) day but is best spread out over two days if time and money allow. The trip is presented in a route which makes geographic sense, but can be certainly done in any order since all of the places are only within the limits of two towns.

During my annual visits to the Sagamore area of Bourne as a child, these first three attractions were always on the list. Now as a dad, I’m happy to share these with my own children.

Day 1:

Sandwich

 

Heritage Museum and Gardens

Let’s cut to the chase, the top travel site in Sandwich, and probably the whole Upper Cape is Heritage Museums and Gardens. It’s a spectacular series of mini-museums and outdoor attractions with something engaging and fun for every age group. This Upper Cape adventure begins at Heritage. 

Many Museums in One

Visit collections including those of antique cars, American art, and a special exhibit hall. Recent features of the hall include an exhibit of the Wyeths, Norman Rockwell and a display of Hollywood dresses.

Kids love antique cars and there is even one that they can climb in to. The carousel, whose home is in the art museum, is always a hit.

The Hidden Hollow

The Hidden Hollow is pure magic. Imagine a playground that fits seamlessly into the surroundings. Descend into a valley where kids (or adults) can bang around on musical instruments, splash in a cascading waterfall, and play with a series of hands-on toys and objects. Overlooking the hollow is a treehouse which is ripe for exploration.

The gardens at Heritage are breathtaking. Try to visit in late spring when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. Walking through the paths, the radiant hues of the flowers envelope you. Throughout the warmer months, an additional series of blooms greet you, including hydrangea and daylilies. A sign on the property guides visitors to what is in bloom seasonally.

Flowers, Flowers, and More Flowers

The main paths are paved, with nature trails that meander around including along the banks of the Upper Shawme Lake. Around every bend is something of intrigue, including a flume fountain, a labyrinth, and a windmill.

During the holiday season, the property comes alive with its Gardens Aglow event. This takes place during weekend evenings in December. Their property is bedecked in a series of lights. It provides a magical stroll through the always impressive Heritage grounds. Heritage Museum and Gardens is located at 67 Grove Street. For more information, visit their website.

 

Cape Cod Canal Path

Each time my family and I visited the Cape, bikes were in tow. The reason for it was this very trail. Back then I would typically start off from an entryway in Sagamore, but for logistical purposes, I prefer now to park my car at the lot near the Sandwich Marina. You guessed it, the next stop on our Upper Cape adventure is the Cape Cod Canal!

The Cape Cod Canal was completed in 1914, essentially cutting off the Cape Cod peninsula from mainland Massachusetts. Through its construction, boats and barges could skirt through the canal instead of traveling the long journey around the tip of Provincetown.

 

The paths, which outline both sides of the canal, total roughly fourteen miles. They are primarily paved, are flat and provide gorgeous views of the canal. It is fun to watch the tugboats pull barges or the speed boats cruise down the waterway. Staring up at the massive Bourne and Sagamore bridges from below on the path puts things into perspective.

The Route

Starting in Sandwich, I suggest traveling south towards Bourne. Often my terminus is the Aptuxet Trading Post, the site of a trading post operated by the Pilgrims. Today there is a reconstruction of the trading post, a railroad station, and windmill.

After wandering around there, head back on the path towards Sandwich, but this time go past your point of origin. In continuing down the path, and around the maze of parking lots, the trail terminates at a small beach that is worth a brief diversion. Older kids may like walking on the jetty that juts out into the bay. In case you get hungry there are plenty of restaurants around here, including the Fisherman’s View and the Pilot House.

 

Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen

The Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen also in Sandwich is a fun spot for the whole family. It is located at 6 Discovery Hill Road with a sign pointing the way from Route 6A. Without prior knowledge of it though, chances are this is not a place that you would simply happen upon. But it is a must visit on this Upper Cape adventure. This property recently merged with the Cape Cod Natural History Museum in Brewster.

The grounds are ripe with walking trails for the visitor, with a variety of terrain to cover. Inside the building is a collection of Thornton W. Burgess memorabilia. Burgess, a children’s author, and conservationist is known for the character of Peter Cottontail (his variation of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter).

The Jam Kitchen

Also on site is the Jam Kitchen, the first of its kind in the country, which for many, is the reason why they venture here in the first place. Watch jam being made with the purest of ingredients. Visitors can sign up for jam making classes.

Of course, the fruits of the labor of the jam kitchen can be sampled and bought in the next room, the gift shop. The Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen is simply a unique place. It has fine trails for walking and tasty jam for sampling. The wildflower garden is a lovely spot for a respite in the warmer months. Visit their website for more information.

Sandwich recommendations:

If the Sandwich leg of the journey was day one, then here are suggestions for dinner and lodging:

Dining

The British Beer Company– the Sandwich outpost of this New England based chain serves classic comfort food such as mac and cheese, pizza and burgers. It’s a crowd pleaser, with a superb beer selection.

 

The Belfry Inn and Bistro– probably not the best for kids, but this former church has been converted into a fine dining restaurant featuring entrees with pasta, beef, and seafood. A neat place to stay is the Belfry Inn, which includes part of the former church, as well as the adjacent Victorian house that lines Jarves Street.

Lodging

The Dan’l Webster Inn– classic New England fare in a homey inn which has been serving guests for over 300 years! A perfect family overnight choice.

 

The Earl of Sandwich Motel– from the outside this looks like a nondescript motor inn, but the rooms have been refurbished caringly, some with hardwood floors and canopy beds. The gardens on site are gorgeous.

 

Dessert

Twin Acres Ice Cream– Sandwich’s favorite ice cream stand, a must stop for dessert.

 

There are many other fine dining and lodging options as well as attractions in Sandwich.

 

Day 2:

 

Mashpee

One thinks of Mashpee as the location of the Mashpee Commons shopping center. While it is attractive in design, these two options are more what my family does for fun.

 

Naukabout Beer Company

Naukabout recently opened their taproom (in 2018) to much fanfare. This family-friendly brewery has become a destination and is the next stop on our Upper Cape adventure!

Mixing delicious beer, an inviting interior, and exciting outdoor space, Naukabout is a winner.

During nice weather, the outside is multi-leveled with fun additions such as giant Connect Four and cornhole. Food trucks frequent. Inside, the well designed wood-lined taproom is inviting in any weather. It’s an especially great place to escape the harsh Cape Cod winters with a fireplace, activities for kids and, of course, numerous taps of delicious beer.

The combination of superb taste, the family-friendly environment, and a gorgeous taproom have quickly made Naukabout one of my favorite breweries in Massachusetts. Among the best beers are their G.O.A.T. 6uice, and Quittin’ Time, but my absolute favorite is their South Cape Sunrise New England IPA. Visit Naukabout at 13 Lake Avenue in Mashpee and online here.

Cape Cod Children’s Museum

Of all the exciting places on this itinerary, my son Danny’s choice would be the Cape Cod Children’s Museum. To him, this epitomizes the Upper Cape adventure! Driving on Great Neck Road South in Mashpee, the warehouse looking building is easy to miss.

Inside though, is a wonderland of hands-on activities, with structures like a pirate ship, a train and a castle to climb and plenty of interactive displays. When my son first entered, he bounced from one area to the next in awe of the breadth of this place.

As a children’s museum, I consider it more like an educational play place, as it mixes playground fun with hands-on learning. My son thoroughly enjoyed climbing in the pirate ship, pretend fishing and, especially, making some noise at the percussion station.

The museum has a large play area which is perfect for the kids to explore while remaining in eyeshot. (If your child is anything like mine, he’ll want you with him at every different section anyway). It is located at 577 Great Neck Road South in Mashpee and online here.

I hope you enjoyed this Upper Cape Adventure as much as I did. For the first Backyard Road Trip in this series click here