Remember when fifty dollars was A LOT of money? I do, and honestly, it doesn’t feel that long ago. For one person, a day’s worth of activities can easily run over one hundred bucks. Don’t get me started if you’re traveling with someone or a whole family. Trying to walk the balance between thrifty and luxurious, this $50 road trip to Sandwich, Massachusetts, lets you enjoy what the town has to offer smartly, without breaking the bank. *Note: Feel free to expand on this if you wish to spend more.
Sandwich Boardwalk
Start your $50 road trip to Sandwich at the Sandwich Boardwalk. Whether the sun is just coming up, is directly overhead, or has sunk behind the horizon, this boardwalk affords stunning views. The walk begins at the parking lot and leads to Town Neck Beach. In-season, this costs admission, but during shoulder season (or off-season, or after hours) it’s free. Without the admission, it’s easier to spend a little while or a long while here, depending on your mood.
Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters
For our midday meal, let’s head to Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters. At roughly $5 for a latte (added costs for syrup or a milk substitute) and an empanada (roughly $6), you’ll score yourself a freshly roasted, local, and delicious coffee. Try one of their empanada selections, such as black bean, egg and cheese, or spinach, feta, and chickpea. This former garage has been seamlessly refitted into an uber-cool coffee shop. Enjoy lunch outside or inside.
Heritage Museums and Gardens
The main event of our $50 road trip to Sandwich is the Heritage Museums and Gardens. Part arboretum and part museum, this place is a gem. A general admission of $26 keeps us within our threshold. If you happen to be a public school teacher, though, just show your MTA card, and admission is free. Walk among the flowers, ride the carousel, and visit the auto museum. The gardens bloom at different points throughout the season, so check the website before you head out to see what’s blossoming.
Tree House Brewing Company
At our final destination, we’re sipping a brew at Tree House Brewing Company. Their stunning Sandwich location is perched right on the beach. It’s easy to go wild here with a case of beer to go, but to stay on that $50 road trip, opt for one draft beer on site. Sip a favorite IPA such as Julius or Green while taking in the sun on the porch, or sit by the expansive windows with direct views of the ocean. With one beer at $9, you won’t break your road trip rule and still get to delight in what Tree House has to offer.
Thornton Burgess Society and Green Briar Nature Center
Another option for the trip is the Thornton Burgess Society and Green Briar Nature Center. With beautiful gardens on site, it’s easy just to explore the property. If you’d like to visit the nature center, there is a suggested donation, but you could forgo that and head right to the jam kitchen and store. Of course, if you purchase something, you may top out at over $50. Either way, window shopping and a garden stroll won’t cost a thing.
In today’s economy, unless you’re strictly going for a hike, it’s easy for your day trip to add up. In a town like Sandwich, Massachusetts, with so much to see and do, it’s conducive to splurging financially. If you are trying to travel on a budget, try this $50 road trip to Sandwich with stops at the Heritage Museums and Gardens, Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters, the Sandwich Town Boardwalk, the Thornton Burgess Society, and Tree House Brewing Company.
