This year Cape Cod climbed to the top of the dog pile when Provincetown was named Dog Town USA by Dog Fancy Magazine. The town’s pet-friendly laws and state-of-the-art dog park helped earn it the prize.
With all the buzz around pet-loving Provincetown, other Cape area businesses have caught onto the pet-friendly frenzy. Several inns and hotels offer pet-friendly accommodations, and other businesses from restaurants to whale watch cruises now welcome four-legged customers.
The following is a list of places across Cape Cod where pets are welcome:
Beaches, hiking trails and dog parks
During the dog days of summer a pooch would love nothing more than to frolic in the cool ocean, but with tons of tourists scattering the shore many Cape towns don’t allow dogs on the beach during peak hours. But there are a number of places to take your dog for a run and a swim:
Provincetown:
Race Point Beach allows dogs leash-free from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. throughout the summer and is located just off Route 6, in Provincetown, at the end of Race Point Road. National Seashore beaches allow dogs on a leash at all times of the year, except in areas with lifeguards and posted shorebird nesting areas.
Pilgrim Bark Park is one of the reasons that Provincetown was voted Dog Town USA. The park has sections for smaller dogs apart from large and medium-sized breeds, as well as lots of local canine-theme art scattering the acre of land where dogs can socialize leash-free. Pilgrim Bark Park is located at the intersection of Route 6 and Shank Painter Road in Provincetown.
Eastham:
Rock Harbor Beach allows leashed dogs before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. The beach can be accessed by Dyer Prince Road in Eastham.
Orleans:
At Nauset Beach, dogs on a leash are allowed in an area south of Trail One leading to the Chatham Inlet. Nauset Beach is located at 250 Beach Road in Orleans.
Wellfleet:
Duck Harbor, Newcomb Hollow, Cahoon Hollow, White Crest and Maguire Landing all allow dogs before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Duck Harbor Beach is on Duck Harbor Road off Chequesset Neck Road. Newcomb Hollow is off Ocean View Drive from Gross Hill Road off Route 6. White Crest is on Ocean View Drive off Cahoon Hollow Road off Route 6. Maguire Landing is located on Lecount Hollow Road just off Route 6.
Towns allow pets on conservation lands, many with beach or lake access, at any time of day throughout the year. But be sure to take any doggy deposits with you when you leave.
Yarmouth:
Dogs are allowed in the Dennis Pond Conservation Area, Horse Pond Conservation Area, Sandy Pond Recreation Area, and the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth Nature Trail, which includes a pond and wetland area. Dennis Pond Conservation Area trails are accessible from Summer and Willow streets in Yarmouthport. Parking for Horse Pond Conservation Area is located on Higgins Crowell Road in Yarmouth. The Sandy Pond Recreation Area is located opposite the park department on Buck Island Road. The entrance to the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth Nature Trail is on Route 6A near the Yarmouth Port post office.
Dennis:
Dogs are welcome in the Fresh Pond Dog Park, which has two freshwater swimming areas for dogs, as long as owners clean up after their pets and comply with Dennis pooper-scooper bylaws. The Fresh Pond Dog Park is off Route 6 on Route 134 south near the intersection of Upper County Road. And Chapin Beach conservation area in Dennis welcomes dogs on the four-wheel drive tracks to the left of the public beach off Chapin Beach Road in Dennis.
Barnstable:
The Long Pond Conservation Area, located near Goodwill Park between Route 28 and Gifford Street in Barnstable, has miles of trails, which include fields and woodlands as well as the 37-acre Long Pond area.
Harwich:
Hawksnest Park offers many trails and dirt roads for the pooch to explore, as well as wetlands and several kettle ponds. Hawksnest Park is located off Spruce Road between Nathan Walker Road and Hawksnest Road.
Restaurants
Several Cape Cod restaurants welcome four-legged friends to join their humans when dining outdoors.
Barnstable:
A romantic dinner for two with the pooch? At the Barnstable Restaurant and Tavern, owners are welcome to dine with their pet by their side in the outdoor dining patio for lunch and dinner any day of the week. The tavern is located at 3176 Main St. in Barnstable Village. For more information call 508-362-2355 or go to www.barnstablerestaurant.com
Dennis:
Dine among the boats of Sesuit Harbor and give the dog a bone. The Sesuit Harbor Café allows dogs to accompany their owners during breakfast, lunch and dinner for outside dining.
The café is located at 357 Sesuit Neck Road in East Dennis. For more information call 508-385-6134.
Brewster:
Cobie’s Clam Shack has been a Cape Cod Tradition since 1948 and was voted the Best Clam Shack in 2009 by NBC’s “Today Show.” Pets can throw their kibble aside for fried clams, seafood and foot-long hot dogs. The clam shack is located at 3260 Main Street in Brewster. For more information call 508-896-7021
Provincetown:
Way Down Town restaurant allows pets in their covered outdoor deck area that overlooks the pier and dunes. Way Down Town is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining with live entertainment every night.
The restaurant is located at 265 Commercial St. in Provincetown. For more information call 508-487-8800
Michael Shays Rib and Seafood House allows pets in their outdoor garden seating area. The restaurant, which has been in business since 1945, serves up a Friday night fish fry as well as Sunday brunch, every week.
The rib house is located 350 Bradford St. in Provincetown. For more information call 508-487-3368.
Beyond restaurants
There are plenty of other fun activities around Cape Cod that welcome pets. Stores and banks in Provincetown allow leashed pets inside. There are also pet boutiques aplenty across the peninsula.
At the Black Dog General Store people can stock up on some designer doggie goods as well as dog-themed gear for the whole family, two- and four-legged alike. The bakery serves tasty treats including fresh baked dog bones for Fido and Fifi.
The Black Dog has stores in Provincetown, Falmouth, Chatham, and Martha’s Vineyard. For information about store hours and locations go to www.theblackdog.com.
Hot Diggity can make a posh pup feel like a princess pooch. The store has everything from stuffed toys and dog treats to apparel for dogs and their owners. Stores are located in Mashpee and Osterville. For information about store locations and hours call 508-477-BONE or go to www.hotdiggityonline.com.
Uptown Dog Cape Cod is a pet bakery and boutique that offers fresh baked bones and apparel for people and pets. The store is located at 143 Main St. in Falmouth. For information about store hours call 508-548-4115 or go to www.uptowndogcapecod.com
On Cape Cod, man’s best friend can also be man’s first mate on cruises dedicated to looking at other creatures.
The Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown Whale Watch welcomes pets on its boats. The company is located at 307 Commercial St. in Provincetown. For information on cruise times and ticket prices call 508-349-1900 or 800-826-9300.
Hy-line Ferry Cruises allows dogs on its Cape Cod Canal, Hyannisport Harbor and deep-sea fishing trips off Cape Cod. For information on cruise locations, schedules and ticket prices call 800-492-8082 or go to www.hy-linecruises.com.
And if you are traveling to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket there’s no need to leave the family dog on the mainland. Many of the local airlines and ferry companies welcome pets on board including:
Island Queen Ferry at 75 Falmouth Heights Road in Falmouth. For more information call 508-548-4800 or go to www.IslandQueen.com.
Hy-line Ferry Cruises, Ocean Street in Hyannis. For more information call 800-492-8082 or go to www.hy-linecruises.com.
The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority. Ferries travel between Woods Hole, Hyannis and New Bedford to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. For more information about passenger reservations call 508-495-3278 or vehicle passage call 508-477-8600 or go to www.steamshipauthority.com.
Cape Air allows pet passengers but only one pet per plane, or two if a family has that many. Customers are required to tell the reservation agent they will be traveling with a pet when booking the flight. There is $10 flight fee per pet. For more information call 866-CAPE-AIR or go to www.capeair.net.
Pets fly for free on Nantucket Airlines, however, only one pet is allowed per flight unless a family that is flying together has two pets. Customers who intend to travel with their pet must tell the airline reservation agent when booking the flight. All pets must be in a kennel during the flight, For more information call 800-635-8787, 508-228-6234, 508-771-6944 or go to www.NantucketAirlines.org.
An increasing number of travelers no longer leave Fido and Fifi at home when they hit the road for vacation. And in response, an increasing number of Cape hoteliers welcome four-footed guests. Some even offer a range of services from doggy biscuits to a separate areas for pets to play. Alice Pitcher and Tom Dott, owners of The Lamb and Lion Inn in Barnstable Village, saw the business potential of catering to pets back in 1999, when they purchased the inn. At the time, only a handful of Cape Cod hotels, motels and inns welcomed pet guests. “We’ve been pet-friendly since the beginning,” said Dott, who gives top-dog treatment to pet guests including three-course meals and complimentary in-room dog sitting. Over the past five or six years, as more and more people travel with their pets, the number of pet-friendly hotels, motels and inns has grown. The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce website lists 16 establishments that accept pet guests. Franz Safford, of Hudson Valley, N.Y., recently vacationed with his puppy, Lucy, at the Lamb and Lion. Leaving her at home was never a consideration. “She’s a family member, and we didn’t want to leave her behind,” Safford said of his 6-month-old beagle. “She’s also too young, and we would not have gone away if we couldn’t take her along.” That seems to be a predominant feeling among pet owners. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, about 76 million dogs and cats travel with their owners annually. And about 29 percent of travelers with pets stay in hotels, a Travel Industry of America survey revealed. “Cape Codders are generally pet lovers, so that’s definitely influenced the rise (of pet-friendly hotels) on the Cape,” said Kristen Mitchell, vice president of marketing for the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. “What I’m finding is that pet owners can’t afford a kennel or find someone to watch their pet, but they still want a vacation and deserve a vacation,” she said. As a result, pet owners no longer have a difficult time finding pet-friendly lodging across the Cape. The Governor Prence Inn in Orleans began welcoming four-legged guests three years ago. “A lot of people were asking for accommodations with pets, and we were turning away a lot of people,” manager David Ross said. “We had a demand ... that was being unmet.” The Governor Prence Inn started with four pet-friendly rooms in one of the buildings on the property. But this past year the number of accommodations was doubled, making the entire building open to pets. “That one building is booked all the time,” Ross said. “We try to keep (guests with pets) to that one building and area so that they won’t interfere with other guests.” The Admiralty Inn and Suites in Falmouth is another pet-friendly option that has designated areas and rooms for guests with pets. “We have 10 rooms that face out on to the parking lot, and it’s set up so they don’t have to interact with the other guests,” said general manager Eric Zmuda. Most hotels, motels and inns charge an extra fee for pet guests ranging from $15 to $25 a night per pet. And most accommodations come with a few rules, such as picking up after pets who do their duty and not leaving a pet unattended. Aggressive pets are not allowed and some lodging establishments have certain weight requirements. The rules are established so that pets do not interfere with vacationers without pets. Don and Evelina Swinburne, who recently stayed at the Lamb and Lion Inn without a pet, said that except for “a little bark here and there,” they barely noticed any pets. “We’re not exactly pet people ... but that didn’t steer us away,” said Swinburne of Toronto, Canada. “We didn’t think it was going to be a dog haven – that didn’t even cross our mind. Frankly, we thought it was kind of unique.” Dogs make up the majority of pets who travel with their human families with cats a distant second. But dogs and cats are not the only creatures welcome on Cape Cod. “What if someone calls me and says he has a pet goat?” Dott asked with a laugh. “I suppose I’d probably take him.” At the Governor Prence such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, Ross said. “(We) mostly have dogs and a few cats with owners as guests, but we are excited because we are expecting our first pig and its owner this summer,” he said.
If I had to live on bread and water for a month, I'd want to be living at this French bakery, nestled near the Barnstable Municipal Airport.
Having tried a half-dozen of the more than 100 varieties of bread baked by Pain D'Avignon, I found myself a devoted fan. Being so enthusiastic about their bread with nothing on it, I was expecting to be blown away by their sandwiches.
But for me, there was too much on the roasted eggplant sandwich ($8.25) I ordered. Garlic aioli and arugula in a heavy oil dressing made it impossible to taste the eggplant, unless you took it out of the sandwich as I did. It was delicious on its own.
My friend and I had the same problem with the Mediterranean salad ($8.75) we shared. The baby artichokes and roasted shallots were good, but the lettuce was so overdressed it was limp and, for us, inedible.
The caution here might be to ask for dressing on the side, because Pain D'Avignon is definitely worth the trip even if they are a little heavy-handed with the condiments. We ordered a half-dozen things and brought home leftovers because the lunch menu — which is much different than the Wednesday through Sunday dinner offerings — sounded so intriguing.
The Kobe beef burger ($11.25) was wonderful, with the really pleasing taste one expects from Kobe beef. It was a Wednesday, so we had the daily pizza ($4.25 a slice) which was potato, caramelized onions, Parmesan and garlic — lots of garlic.
The pizza is cut generously and the salads are hearty. The combination would easily feed two, especially since this is a place where you do want to save room for dessert. My friend chose the Pain au Chocolate ($2.75) with, I'm happy to report, two spoons. Good friend. The chocolate had the wonderful, grainy depth of a confection made by hand, and when it soaked into the doughy bread, it was a bite of heaven. OK, three bites of heaven, but that's all, I swear.
The space is close and cozy, so much so that conversation from one table occasionally drifts over to the next. It's a comfortable place to read a book while lunching alone or to eat with a small group of friends.
One of the best things about being there is the smell of fresh bread that wafts through the air. That wonderful aroma of baking bread is one of the few things that doesn't change when the cafe converts from counter to table service five nights a week, offering fancier and more expensive dinner offerings.
If you go: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays
Art Encounter and Retreat at Sandy Neck, facilitated by Mary L. Moquin
Friday, September 25 at 11 until Sunday, September 27th at 11 All accommodations and meals included $475. Limit 8 participants.
This encounter is geared to increase ones sensitivity and responsiveness to the landscape. It is not a traditional plein air painting trip.
We will spend the weekend experiencing the landscape by exploring the inner and outer workings of nature and how it resonates to each of us individually and collectively. The focus is not as much on the artwork created as it is on the attempt to express the experience through art and expand artistic vocabulary. Exercises will be suggested and guidance will be available but artists will not be restricted from following their own muse.
Sandy Neck is a barrier beach located in Barnstable only accessible by boat or four-wheel drive. My husband and I have owned a cottage at the point for several years. We will have a group of cottages available to stay in and transportation to various locations on the peninsula. Cape cod themed meals will be prepared and served along with evening gatherings around the campfire with impromptu song (weather and wind permitting).
All levels and mediums are encouraged to attend, even the complete novice. I have recently completed my MFA and I am filled with new ideas and excited to share some new insights I have discovered. Art is about more that putting paint on the canvas, it can evoke an experience; I hope you will join me in this one.
Please call with an questions or to reserve your spot, 508-420-0087 or email moquin@sandyneck.net. Please feel free to spread this information to anyone you know that might be interested.
Celebration of Life Benefit Concert, 8 p.m. Friday, Unitarian-Universalist Meeting House, 236 Commercial St., Provincetown. In association with annual Provincetown Swim for Life and Paddler Flotilla. FREE!
Celtic music concert by NAIA, featuring harpist Danielle Langord and flutist Nicole Rabata, 3 p.m. Saturday, Wellfleet Public Library, 55 W. Main St. FREE!
The Third Fret Coffeehouse, 7 p.m. Saturday, Liberty Hall, 2150 Main St., Marstons Mills. Season opener featuring Les Sampou and Joe Iadanza. $15 advance, $18 at door. 774-269-3834.
Simon Sinfonietta, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Falmouth Academy, 7 Highfield Drive. $40, $10 students, $135 patron (includes two tickets and name in program for one concert, $55 is tax deductible.) 457-9696, ext. 302.
“American Organ Masters,” presented by Gloriae Dei Artes, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Church of the Transfiguration, 5 Bay View Drive, Rock Harbor, Orleans. Honors voices of America’s great composers, including Leo Sowerby, Gerald Near and Samuel Adler. $25, $20 seniors, free ages 18 and under. www.gdaf.org; 508-240-2400.
Organ concert featuring Dr. Douglas Bush, professor of organ at Brigham Young University, 4 p.m. Sunday, First Congregational Church of Chatham, 650 Main St. Presented by Sacred Music and the Arts, and The Nickerson Family Association. $10.
Great Music on Sundays @5 presents “Classical Medley,” 5 p.m. Sunday, Unitarian-Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown, 236 Commercial St. Featuring Jon Arterton (baritone), Paul Bisaccia (piano), Mark Cortale (tenor), Marija Kovacevic (violin), Roxanne Layton (recorders), John Thomas (piano) and music of Bernstein, Donizetti, Faure, Lalo, Ravel, Schumann, Senallie, Verdi and more. $15 at door; senior discounts available; ages 12 and under free. 508-487-9344.
Reverse Through Music: A Music Benefit for the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, 5 p.m. Sunday, Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Route 28. Featuring Joanne Perry & the Unstoppables and Music Dragon. $40. 508-923-9597.
The Art Barn Songwriter Series, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Road. Featuring Joe Iadanza - John and Rachel Nicholas. $5. 508-428-0669.
September Cabaret with Group Therapy Barbershop, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Orleans Council on Aging, 150 Rock Harbor Road. Performance 11 a.m. Luncheon noon $10. Advance tickets required. 508-255-6333.
Liz Saunders Sings the Great Ladies of Song, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Barnstable Senior Center, 825 Falmouth Road, Hyannis. 508-862-4750. FREE!
Pans in Paradise, steel drum band, 6 p.m. until sunset Wednesday, Rock Harbor, Orleans.Weather permitting. 508-896-6241. FREE!
Swing, Latin and Ballroom Dance Party, 7:30-11 p.m. Saturday, Betsy’s Ballroom, Yarmouth Senior Center, 528 Forest Road, South Yarmouth. Bring beverages and snacks. Ice and cups provided. $15. 508-760-4071.
New England contra dance, 8 p.m. Saturday, Freedom Hall, 976 Main St., Cotuit. Live music. Beginners and singles welcome. Soft-soled shoes. $7. www.capecontra.org; 508-420-2188.
Nau-Sets Square Dance Club, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dennis Senior Center, Route 134, South Dennis. Mainstream and plus level with intermediate rounds. Workshop 7:30 p.m., dancing 8 p.m. $7. 508-896-5237, 508-255-9327.
Karaoke Madness with Jim Santiago, 9 p.m. Friday, Casino Wharf Fx, 286 Grand Ave., Falmouth Heights. 508-540-6120.
Karaoke with Jim Dandy, 9 p.m. Friday, Weary Travelers Club, 77 Valley Bars Road, Monument Beach. 508-759-2707.
Karaoke with Ken Wade, 9 p.m. Friday, Fresh Ketch, 462 Main St., Hyannis. 508-771-8585.
Karaoke with Silver Fox, 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday and Thursday, Hong Kong Island, 3035 Cranberry Highway, Wareham. 508-295-0524.
Super Happy Funtime Karaoke, 9 p.m. Friday, Lost Dog Pub, 63 Route 6A, Orleans. 508-240-3647.
Karaoke with Liz Solomon, 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Doyle’s Restaurant, 1329 Route 28, South Yarmouth. 508-760-1000.
Karaoke with DJ Scooby, 8 p.m. Sunday, British Beer Company, 46 Route 6A, Sandwich. 508-833-9590.
Sam Adams Smackdown Karaoke with Matty B., 10 p.m. Sunday, British Beer Company, 412 Main St., Hyannis. 508-771-1776.
Open mic hosted by Flydown, Monday, Sandwich Taverna, 290 Route 130, Forestdale. 508-888-2200.
Open mic, 8:30 p.m. Monday, Cape Cod Claddagh, 77 Route 28, West Harwich. 508-432-6333.
Open mic, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Parish Hall, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Wianno Avenue, Osterville.
Feed Your Love Open Mic, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Cape Cup 54 Main St. Acoustic open mic hosted by Bert Jackson and Don Boivin. Musicians sign up at 6:30 p.m. 508-255-1989.
Karaoke with Jeff King, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Cape Cod Claddagh, 77 Route 28, West Harwich. 508-432-6333.
Drag Karaoke with Dana Danzel, 9 p.m. Wednesday, Embargo, 453 Main St., Hyannis.
33rd Annual Eastham Windmill Weekend, Celebrating Eastham’s History and Natural Beauty, Friday through Sunday, various Eastham locations. Features live music, entertainment, children’s games, parade, road race, craft show, raffles, food concessions, antique and classic car show, museum open houses, more. Complete schedule available at www.easthamwindmillweekend.com.
Wellfleet Boogie 2010, noon-dark Saturday, Baker’s Field, Wellfleet. Live music, arts and crafts, food, raw bar, beer and wine, activities for kids, more. Featured bands include DanceFight (funk/jam/jazz), The Catbirds with Chandler Travis, Steve Wood, Dinty Child and Rikki Bates (roots/rock’n’roll), Mike Martin Y Los Rootsticks (reggae), The Grab Brothers (classic rock), The Dave Sammarco Band (country/rock), and special performance for kids by The Elbows. Event benefits Friends of Wellfleet Recreation. $10 advance, $15 at gate, students and seniors half price, children 13 and under free. 774-216-9210.
11th Annual Canal Walk, Wheel & Run, Saturday, Cape Cod Canal, Sandwich. Sponsored by Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands. Three-mile, flat and scenic course appropriate for all ages and abilities. Registration begins 8:30 a.m.; walk 9:30 a.m. Barbecue follows. 508-833-4042.
Support Our Veterans Motorcycle Ride, Saturday, American Legion Post 188, Route 130, Sandwich. Registration 9-11 a.m. at Burger King parking lot, Exit 6 off Route 6, West Barnstable. Ride kicks off 11:15 a.m. from Burger King, ending at American Legion for cookout with cash bar and entertainment by The Dirty Licks Band. Also 50/50 raffle, prizes. All proceeds benefit Disabled Veterans Association and Veterans of Cape Cod & the Islands. $20, $5 passenger. Registration: 508-737-0612 or 774-313-6958.
Provincetown Swim for Life and Paddler Flotilla, 10:30 am. Saturday, The Boatslip Resort, 161 Commercial St., Provincetown. Registration on deck of Boat Slip, 8:30-10 a.m. Swimmers transported to Long Point from MacMillan Wharf via P’town Trolley beginning 9:30 a.m., and swim back to Boatslip, about 1.4 miles. Non-competitive and competitive swimmers welcome, as well as paddlers. Public invited to greet swimmers around 11 a.m. Beneficiaries include AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women, Outer Cape Health Services, Provincetown Rescue Squad, Lower Cape Ambulance, Soup Kitchen in Provincetown, and Academy at Provincetown High School. www.swim4life.org; 508-487-1930.
10th Annual Seaside Le Mans - The Race for the Cape Cod Community, featuring tribute to U.S. Armed Forces, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Mashpee Commons, Routes 28 and 151. Formula One kart endurance race. Family-friendly event, infield viewing. Events include music, food and beverage vendors, children’s activities and merchandise tent. Free to spectators. Additional event and sponsorship information: www.seasidelemans.org.
Second Annual Fall Walk MS, 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Cape Cod Sea Camps, Route 6A, Brewster; and 10 a.m. at Mullen-Hall School, 130 Katherine Lee Bates Road, Falmouth. Both walks are three to five miles and include a reception and post-walk fun. Brewster walk will be starting point for this year’s MS Challenge Walk, a two-day 50-kilometer walk across Cape Cod. www.msnewengland.org; 781-693-5119.
Seventh Annual Princess Tea Party Fundraiser featuring Pinkalicious! 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Willowbend Country Club, Mashpee. Sponsor: Cape Cod Children’s Museum. $50. Advance tickets required. www.capecodchildrensmuseum.org; 508-539-8788.
14th Annual “Cliff Walk” for A.L.S., 10 a.m. Sunday, Buzzards Bay Recreation Area, Main Street, Buzzards Bay. Events include raffles, prizes, barbecue, games, balloon man, face painting, live music (Geno-Singing the Sounds of Sinatra & More, and Pocket Full of Soul) and scenic seven-mile walk along canal. $10 minimum donation. 508-759-9696.
MSPCA Walk for Animals, 11 a.m.-noon Sunday, Aselton Park, South and Ocean streets, Hyannis. Two-mile walk through downtown Hyannis to benefit Cape Cod’s homeless animals. $25, includes T-shirt. Registration forms available at adoption center or 11 a.m. day of event. Also online registration: www.walkforanimals.org. 508-775-0940.
The 2010 Redbone @ Large Nantucket Slam, Sunday through Tuesday, Nantucket. Benefit for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Catch and release tournament of competitive fishing for bluefish, bonito, striper and albie. Categories: fly; spin/plug; trolling/general. Anglers invited with or without own boats; will be supplied all necessary tackle and equipment. $2,500, one angler entry, including boat and tackle; $5,000, bring your own boat and team (two anglers, captain and mate). Fee includes two days of competitive fishing, all food and beverage, and gift bag. Guest fee, $500, for all evening social functions. Registration/information: mass-ri.cff.org/nantucket; 800-966-0444.
NFCC North Falmouth Open Golf Tournament, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Woods Hole Golf Club. Noon shotgun start. Proceeds benefit Falmouth and Bourne high school student scholarships and community outreach projects. $180, includes carts, lunch, dinner and auction event. $65 dinner and auction only. Reservations required: www.nfopen.com.
Nauset Marsh Cruise, 1-3 p.m. Friday, Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 291 Route 6, South Wellfleet. $40, $35 children. 508-349-2615.
Walking tour of Sandwich Village, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, meet at Sandwich Glass Museum, 129 Main St. Rain cancels. Donations Welcome. 508-888-0251.
Historic district walking tour, 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Schoolhouse Museum, Route 6, Eastham (opposite Salt Pond Visitor Center). Led by Eastham native Kate Alpert. $8.
Kayaking the Mashpee River, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, sponsored by Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Cummaquid. Pervious kayaking experience suggested. $45. Preregister: 508-362-7475, ext. 9355.
Parker River kayak tour, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, West Yarmouth. Benefits Barnstable Land Trust. Rain date: Sunday. $60, equipment provided. Preregister: 508-771-2585.
Guided walking tour of historic Harwich Center, 2 p.m. Saturday, Brooks Academy Museum, 80 Parallel St. $4, includes admission to museum.. 508-432-8089.
Old Harbor Life-Saving Station open house, 2-4 p.m. Saturday through Thursday, Cape Cod National Seashore, Race Point Beach, Race Point Road, Provincetown. Built in 1898, Old Harbor is the last intact lifesaving station of the original 13 on Cape Cod. Beach fees may apply. 508-487-1256. FREE!
Cuttyhunk and Elizabeth Island Cruises—Cuttyhunk Island Tour, 9 am.-5 p.m. Sunday, departing from Woods Hole. Sponsored by Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. $58, $53 children. Preregister: 508-385-7657.
Lighthouse tour of Three Sisters, 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Cape Cod National Seashore, Nauset Light Beach Parking Lot, Eastham. 508-255-3421. FREE!
Walking tour, 10 a.m. Tuesday, departs from Hallett Barn Visitors Center, 55 Palmer Ave., Falmouth. Stroll back in time through Falmouth on guided walking tour. Sponsor: Falmouth Historical Society. 508-548-4857. FREE!
Falmouth-by-the-Sea Trolley Tour, 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, departs from Hallett Barn Visitors Center, 55 Palmer Ave., Falmouth. Guided voyage of Falmouth’s seafaring past. $20, includes museum admission. Reservations recommended. 508-548-4857.
Chatham Lighthouse tours, 1-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Main Street, Chatham. FREE!
Chronicles From a Cape Codder, 2:30 p.m. Friday, Cape Cod National Seashore, Salt Pond Visitor Center, Nauset Road, Eastham. Join ranger Dana Eldridge as he examines a changing Cape Cod that has managed to retain its identity. Meet on terrace. 508-255-3421. FREE!
Crocker Neck Fall Walk., 10 a.m. Sunday, Crocker Neck Conservation Area, Cotuit. Led by Gil Newton. 508-771-2585. FREE!
Fall Flowers Botanical Walk at Bank Street Bogs, 2 p.m. Sunday, 203 Bank St., Harwich. Led by botanist Rich Eldred. Sponsored by Harwich Conservation Trust. 508-432-3997. FREE!
Archeology and the Outer Cape, 9:30-11 a.m. Monday, Cape Cod National Seashore, Coast Guard Beach parking area, Nauset Road off Route 6 to Doane Road, Eastham. Learn about various discoveries archeology has uncovered at Cape Cod National Seashore. Program highlights Carn’s Archeological Site discovered in fall of 1990. 508-255-3421. FREE!
Province Lands Dunes and Bogs, 10 a.m. Monday, Cape Cod National Seashore, Province Lands Visitor Center, Race Point Road, off Route 6, Provincetown. Wear shoes appropriate for walking one mile in soft sand and bring water. 508-487-1256. FREE!
Heathland Ramble, 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Cape Cod National Seashore, Marconi Station Site, off Route 6, Wellfleet (meet at end of parking area). Explore heathlands (moors) of Cape Cod that thrive along coastal banks high above ocean and bay. 508-255-3421. FREE!
Cape Cod Indian Walk, 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, First Encounter Beach, Eastham. Learn history of the “real” First Encounter. $10, $8 children. Preregister. 774 207 8161.
Life on the Edge, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Cape Cod National Seashore, Nauset Light Beach parking area, Eastham. Witness the impact the sea has on the shore and the species that live there. Explore the beach below the bluff and discuss the issues associated with an ever-changing shoreline. One mile. 508-255-3421. FREE!
Birding: Fall Visitors, 3-4:30 p.m. Friday, Cape Cod National Seashore, Pilgrim Heights parking area, Truro. 508-487-1256. FREE!
Herons at Hemenway, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 291 Route 6, South Wellfleet. Black-crowned night-herons have returned to their historical roost behind Hemenway Landing in Eastham; observe them as they fly out to the marsh on their nightly search for food. $10. Reservations required. 508-349-2615.
Bird banding demonstration, 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, 896 Route 6A, Brewster. With Sue Finnegan, certified master bander and manager of Wing Island Bird Banding Station. Reservations accepted. $5 cash or check only, collected on site at front door. Rain cancels. 508-896-3867.
Box Turtles at Wellfleet Bay, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 291 Route 6, South Wellfleet. Outdoor program focusing on eastern box turtle, a Species of Special Concern in Massachusetts. Join sanctuary director Bob Prescott for a short introductory lecture followed by a field walk in search of box turtles. Information on their natural history, biology, and research provided. $10. Reservations required. 508-349-2615.
“Surfing Cape Cod: A Modern Cultural History,” through Oct. 10, Cape Cod Maritime Museum, 135 South St., Hyannis. $5, $4 seniors and students, free for ages under 7. 508-775-1723.
“All New England Show,” open juried exhibit, through Oct. 4, Cape Cod Art Association, 3480 Route 6A, Barnstable. Opening and awards reception, 4-6 p.m. Friday. 508-362-2909.
“Quintessential Images,” photographs by Russell Saunders, through Oct. 29, Thomas E. Hanley Art Gallery, Faxon Center of Falmouth Hospital, 100 Ter Heun Drive. Presented by Falmouth Hospital Auxiliary. Reception 1-3 p.m. Sunday. 508-495-0870.
JoAnn Boyer: Artist of the Week, through Sept. 16, Eastwind Gallery, Main Street (under Watson’s Men’s Store), Orleans. Award-winning pastel artist on Cape Cod. 508-240-2133.
Meet the Artists Marion Harcourt and Joyce Hawk, 4-6 p.m. Friday, Art Gallery of the Guild of Harwich Artists, 551 Main St. (Route 28), Harwich Port. Reception and demonstration. 508-432-1012. FREE!
“Georgia Rooted: Boat Scenes by Scott Coleman,” Tuesday through Oct. 31, Cahoon Museum of American Art, 4676 Falmouth Road (Rte 28) Cotuit. Watercolors. Admission: $5, $4 seniors and students, free under age 12. 508-428-7581.
Chatham Gallery Nights, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Chatham Village Gallery, 37 Kent Place. 508-945-0070.
Lobster luncheon and lawn sale, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, The Federated Church of Hyannis, 320 Main St. Also chicken salad rolls, sandwiches, hot dogs. $4.50 and up. Advance orders and take out available. 508-775-0298.
Fish fry, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Orleans-Eastham Elks Lodge, 10 McKoy Road, Eastham. $8. Call for takeout only. 508-240-5826.
Fish fry, 6 p.m. Friday, Wareham Lodge of Elks, 2855 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham. Tickets sales begin 5 p.m. 508-295-6000.
Fish fry/grilled steaks, 6-7 p.m. Friday, Weary Travelers Club, 77 Valley Bars Road, Bourne. $10-$12. 508-759-2707.
Berry Best Cranberry Pancake Breakfast, 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 533 Route 28 Harwich Port. $6, $3 children 12 and under. 508-432-1668.
Pancake breakfast, 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Dennis Union Church, Route 6A and Old Bass River Road. $6, $4 ages 6-12, free for under age 6. 508-385-5735.
Pancake breakfast, 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Fraternal Lodge, 1989 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Centerville. $6, $3 children 12 and under.
Lobster Festival, 4-6:30 p.m. Saturday, West Barnstable Fire Department, Route 149/Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable. $25, includes lobster, steamers, corn, drink. 508-362-3241.
Breakfast, 8-11 a.m. Sunday, Buzzards Bay Eagles Hall, 39 Cohasset Ave. All you can eat. $7. 508-759-9974.
Community breakfast, 9-10 a.m. Sunday, West Dennis Community Church, 288 Main St. (Route 28) 508-398-6420. FREE!
Wednesday Night Meal, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Weary Travelers, 77 Valley Bars Road, Bourne. $8-$12. Call to order. 508-759-2707.
Community supper, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, St. David’s Episcopal Church, 205 Old Main St., South Yarmouth. Singalong 5:30 p.m. Supper 6 p.m., Nelson Hall. $7. 508-394-4222.
Falmouth Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting, 10 a.m. Saturday, Falmouth Public Library, 300 Main St. Talk by Ruy A. Cardoso on Portuguese ancestral research. 508-548-3408. FREE!
Demonstration by portrait artist Tiago Finato, noon Saturday, Jonathan Bourne Public Library, 19 Sandwich Road, Bourne. Part of Bourne Wareham Art Association meeting. All welcome.
“Survey of The Gravestones of Cape Cod,” 2 p.m. Saturday, Heritage Museums and Gardens, Pine and Grove streets, Sandwich. Heritage’s most recent exhibit, “Art of the Final Farewell,” will be explored by James Blachowicz, author and professor, who will give an illustrated lecture on the subject. Free with museum admission: $12, $11 seniors, $6 ages 4-12. Reservations requested. 508-888-3300, ext. 102.
“Twilight Cemetery Visions,” 6 p.m. Saturday, Dennis Village Cemetery, Route 6A. Ghostly, costumed re-enactors will beguile you with stories of those who have gone before us. Bring flashlight. Benefits Dennis Historical Society. $13. Prepaid reservations required. 508-385-9308.
Book discussion, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Brewster Ladies’ Library, Route 6A. “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana de Rosnay. 508-896-3913.
“Railroads in the Making,” by Ted Shrady, 1 p.m. Thursday, Orleans Council on Aging, 150 Rock Harbor Road, Orleans. Learn about the history of the U.S. Railroad car. Talks on Thursdays through Sept. 30. $5 per session, $10 all three. Reservations: 508-255-6333.
Osterville Farmers Market, 9 a.m. Friday, 155 West Bay Road, Osterville. 508-428-5861
Bass River Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Thursday, field next to Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth.
Friends of Whelden Memorial Library book store open, 9 a.m. Saturday, Whelden Memorial Library, 2401 Meetinghouse Way (Route 149), West Barnstable. 508-362-2229.
Sandwich Glass Museum’s 23rd Annual Cape Cod Glass Show & Sale, 10 a.m. Saturday, Corpus Christi Church, 324 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, East Sandwich. $6, includes museum admission. 508 888 0251.
The Sandwich Bazaar Art and Antique Sale, 6 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oakcrest Cove, 34 Quaker Meeting House Road, Sandwich. Over 100 vendors. 508 685-2767.
The Sandwich Mid-Week Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oakcrest Cove, 34 Quaker Meeting House Road, Sandwich. 508 685-2767.
Harwich-Brewster Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Brooks Academy Museum, 80 Parallel St., Harwich. Museum open. 508-432-8089.
Circle by the Sea, 7 p.m. Friday, Sandy Neck Beach, Route 6A, Barnstable/Sandwich line. Special guest: Friends of Circle by the Sea. Part of summer monthly campfire, musical gathering for all ages. Open talent welcome. Bring beach chairs, piece of firewood, non-alcoholic beverage. $5. Rain cancels. 508-566-0171.
Cape Cod Cat Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Marstons Mills East Horace Mann Charter Public School, 760 Osterville-West Barnstable Road. Bring a can of cat food for local animal shelters and receive $1 off admission. $6, $4 seniors and students, free for children 12 and under. Tickets available at door; for discount admission visit www.catsonthebeach.com; 774-275-1420.
Coastsweep Coastal Clean Up, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, meet at Ballston Beach and hike to Longnook Beach picking up trash along the way. mmchaplin@comcast.net; 860-916-2786.
September 11th Day of Remembrance, 10 a.m. Saturday, Barnstable Fire Station, Route 6A, Barnstable Village. Solemn recognition of those lost in terrorist attacks in 2001. Following 20-minute service will be a procession led by bagpipers and Barnstable Police Department color guard up Route 6A to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church’s courtyard gardens for second half of program, featuring patriotic music, reflections and prayers. Simple reception follows.
The Journal Project with Lenore Lyons of Explore Art! Cape Cod Art Association, 3480 Route 6A, Barnstable. Open studio week, Saturday through Thursday. Special events: Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Hear about the Good Cause Journal student philanthropy project; make a miniature journal; write a good fortune for someone else; visual presentation of the Good Cause Journal Project (2 p.m.) Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Hear about The Journal Project and how to be part of it; learn to make miniature star books; write a good fortune for someone else. Monday, 2-5 p.m.: Discover techniques of altering paper; hear about new and expanded children’s program. Tuesday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7:30 p.m.: Create a basic sewn book with a doodad; learn about new adult classes and different types of journals. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Learn about new homeschoolers’ programs; write a good fortune for someone else; make your own mini journal. Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon and 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Learn how your educational or community group can be part of The Journal Project; make a Good Cause Journal; write a good fortune to someone else. 508-362-2909. FREE!
Patriot Square Saturday Cruises, 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Route 134, South Dennis. Sponsor: Cape Cod Classics Car Club.
Cape Cod September, Standard Flower Show, noon-5 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, off Route 6A, Dennis. Hosted by Village Garden Club of Dennis. Wednesday is free with museum admission: $8, free ages 18 and under; Thursday is by donation. 508-385-4477.
Wings of Freedom Tour, Wednesday through Sept. 17, Barnstable Municipal Airport, Hyannis. Three vintage World War II aircraft as part of a national Wings of Freedom Tour. On display and open for inspection will be a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, B-24 Liberator and P-51 Mustang. Hours: 2-5 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 17. $12, $6 children under 12. Special flights aboard aircraft available by calling 800 568-8924.
Wine & Music Wednesdays Open House, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Road (Route 28). $5 at door. 508-428-0669.
Third Annual Highland Poetry Festival, featuring poet Hilde Olesen, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Highland House Museum, 6 Highland Light Road, North Truro. Also celebrating publication of Olesen’s first book. Good-will donations accepted. 508-487-3397.
The Poetry Session at O’Shea’s, 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, O’Shea’s Olde Inne, 348 Main Street (Route 28), West Dennis. Featured reader: Cape Cod poet and artist Lauren Wolk. Arrive early to sign up for open mic. All ages.508-398-5434. FREE!
“Play it Again Sam,” 8 p.m. Sept. 10-11, Academy Playhouse, 120 Main St., Orleans. $20. 508-255-1963.
“In the Next Room or the vibrator play,” by Sarah Ruhl, 8 p.m. Sept. 10-11, Julie Harris Stage, 2357 Route 6, Wellfleet. $25-$34, $17 students. www.what.org; 508-349-9428.
Cape Cod derives its beauty and rich history from the land and sea, and local museums celebrate the diversity and heritage of our landscapes and people. Outdoors, visitors can see for themselves that the Cape is a special locale, but at the museums and outdoor venues listed below, they can learn the how and why of the region’s past.
Cape Cod Maritime Museum, 35 South St., Hyannis; 508-775-1723 or info@capecodmaritimemuseum.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays and by appointment. Celebrating and preserving the Cape’s maritime past, present and future, the museum offers permanent and rotating exhibits and hands-on activities for children. Seasonal sails available on Crosby catboat replica Sarah. Admission: $5, $4 seniors and students, free for children under 7. www.capecodmaritimemuseum.org.
Coast Guard Heritage Museum, 3353 Main St. (Route 6A), Barnstable Village; 508-362-8521 or coastguardheritagemuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Exhibits and artifacts on display, including scale-model ships, aircraft, navigation lights, lightships, lighthouses, ship’s bells, artwork, books and commemorative coins. New this year: Lightship Sailors Association Room; “Women in the Coast Guard”; “The Coast Guard at War (World Wars I & II, Korea, Vietnam and Southwest Asia)”; and Coast Guard aircraft models. “Village Smithy” Jim Ellis working his forge in the old Carriage House. Admission: $5, free for children under 10. Active Coast Road, Barnstable; 508-362-7475. Nature center/trail open daily, dawn until dusk. Ponds, vernal pools, buttonbush swamp, salt marsh and other habitats in a 110-acre sanctuary. Along trails are groves of tupelo, holly and spruce trees. Large oak trees, along with red maple, interspersed throughout property. Trails easy to walk with gentle slopes along mowed grass paths ending with views of Barnstable Harbor. Programs and activities offered. Admission: $4, $3 seniors and children ages 3-12.
Zion Union Heritage Museum, 276 North St., Hyannis; 508-790-9466. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Mission is to celebrate African-American and Cape Verdean population as well as other ethnic and demographic diversity of the town of Barnstable, Cape Cod and the Islands. Cultural exhibits with artifacts and art, local arts and crafts, and opportunities to promote oral, public and local history projects. Admission: $5, $2 children.
Aptucxet Trading Post Museum, 24 Aptucxet Road (off Shore Road), Bourne; 508-759-9487. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Museum is a replica of a trading post (built in 1930) on the site by the Plymouth Colony in 1627 for trade with the Native Americans and Dutch. Replica contains some of the oldest remnants of a Pilgrim building. Admission: $4, $3.50 seniors or AAA members, $2 children, $10 family.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, 869 Route 6A, Brewster; 508-896-3867 or www.ccmnh.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Eighty acres abutting 300 acres of town-owned conservation land. Exhibits on flora and fauna of Cape Cod, including whales, indigenous birds and coastal change. Special rotating exhibits on Cape Cod artists, writers and organizations. Renovated aquariums with more than 65 freshwater and saltwater marine animals. Marshview Room with amphibian terrariums, interactive nature activities and seasonal ospreycam, library, gift shop and nature trails. Admission: $8, $7 seniors, $3.50 ages 3-12, free under age 3.
Salt Pond Visitor Center, Cape Cod National Seashore, Route 6 and Nauset Road, Eastham; 508-255-3421 or www.nps.gov/caco. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Exhibits, films, bookstore, museum. Expansive views of Nauset Marsh and the Atlantic; walking and biking trails nearby. Ranger-guided programs include archaeology, history and nature walks, marsh explorations, beach campfires, canoe trips, tours and open houses at historical buildings. Many free and family-oriented programs. Check Web site for complete schedule.
Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth; 508-495-1878 or www.highfieldhall.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. Changing art and history exhibitions; estate and nature walks; concerts; culinary programs. Free admission.
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Center, Route 28, East Falmouth; 508-457-0495 or www.waquoitbayreserve.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Located on a bluff overlooking Waquoit Bay, the headquarters is the site of research on coastal waters and how people affect them. Displays and activities; nature trails.
Nantucket Historical Association, 15 Broad St., 508-228-1894, ext. 0, or www.nha.org. The association maintains several historical buildings and properties (see below). Admission to Whaling Museum and historical sites: $18, $15 seniors, $9 ages 6-17; groups of 20 or more: $15, $13 seniors, $7 ages 6-17. Historical sites only: $6, $3 ages 6-17; no group rate.
Whaling Museum, 13 Broad St. at Steamboat Wharf. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Ongoing exhibitions about Nantucket history, local decorative arts, scrimshaw and interactive, hands-on learning opportunities for children 12 and under. Museum includes a restored 1847 candle factory with its original whale-oil beam press, a 47-foot sperm whale skeleton, a fully rigged whaleboat, collection of whaling tools, the 16-foot Fresnel lens from Sankaty Light and portraits of whaling captains and their wives.
The Old Mill, 50 Prospect St. Built in 1745. Noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Sundays. Guided tours every half-hour; last tour 3:30 p.m. Weather permitting, the millers grind corn daily and conduct tours of America’s oldest continuously operating mill.
Jethro Coffin House “Oldest House,” 16 Sunset Hill. Noon-4 p.m. Mondays through Sundays. Guided tours every half-hour; last tour 3:30 p.m. A 1686 saltbox built by Tristram Coffin and John Gardner as a wedding gift for Jethro and Mary Gardner Coffin, displays rare architectural remnants dating from Nantucket’s settlement, furnished with period domestic artifacts.
Nantucket Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum, 158 Polpis Road; 508-228-2505, 508-228-1885 or www.nantucketshipwreck.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Collection of more than 5,000 objects including period surfboards, beach carts, vintage photographs and more. New this season: a historical retrospective exhibit on Madaket Millie, a colorful local character, who took over Coast Guard patrols of Madaket Harbor. $5, $3 ages 5-18, free under age 5.
French Cable Station Museum, 41 South Orleans Road, Orleans; 508-240-1735 or www.frenchcablemuseum.org. 1-4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Guided tour showing history and equipment of the telegraph cable from France to the United States. Donations accepted.
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, High Pole Hill Road; 508-487-1310 or www.pilgrim-monument.org. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Pilgrim Monument commemorates Pilgrims’ first landing in America. Visitors can easily walk to the top using a series of steps and ramps; views of Plymouth and Boston on clear days. Museum features history of Provincetown and the Outer Cape with exhibits on the Pilgrims and the Mayflower, Provincetown theater history, and artifacts collected by sea captains. $7; $5 ages 62 and older and students 15 and older with ID; $3.50 ages 4-14; free for ages 3 and under.
Province Lands Visitor Center, Cape Cod National Seashore, 111 Race Point Road; 508-487-1256 or www.nps.gov/caco. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Small exhibit and regular showings of park orientation films. Observation deck offers 360-degree views of Province Lands dunes, the Outer Beach and Atlantic. Access to bike trail nearby.
Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center, Cape side of canal, 60 Ed Moffitt Drive, Sandwich; 508-833-9678 or www.recreation.gov. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays (daily after June 25), includes a retired 41-foot U.S. Army Corps of Engineers patrol boat, continual DVD presentations on canal history, canal critters and canal wildflowers, real-time and radar images of the waterway and interactive exhibits for all ages. Free.
Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen, 6 Discovery Hill Road (off Route 6A), East Sandwich; 508-888-6870. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Nature trails; small live-animal exhibits; nature programs for children, families and adults; and jam-making workshops. Jam kitchen in operation since 1903. Gift shop. Operated by Thornton W. Burgess Society. Donations accepted.
Heritage Museums & Gardens, 67 Grove St., Sandwich; 508-888-3300, ext. 142, or www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Celebrating 40th anniversary. Museum exhibits American art and history and offers both new seasonal and permanent exhibits, including J. K. Lilly III automobile collection in a Shaker round barn. “A Bird in the Hand: The Carvings of A. Elmer and Cleon Crowell,” and “Going Places” about horse-drawn transportation, on display in recently renovated American History Museum. In Art Museum, a collection of New England folk art, paintings, weather vanes, Nantucket baskets, scrimshaw, more. Ride on an antique hand-carved working carousel. The 100-acre site also includes Hart Family Maze Garden, a labyrinth, Old East Mill, museum store and seasonal café. Over a thousand day lilies bloom mid-July through August. Admission: $12, $11 seniors, $6 ages 4-16.
Thornton W. Burgess Museum, 4 Route 130, Sandwich; 508-888-6870 or www.thorntonburgess.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Exhibits from the life and works of naturalist and children’s author of “Peter Cottontail.” Outside museum, visitors can stroll through the Tussie Mussie herb garden created by Barbara Soller and enjoy views of Shawme Pond. Summer story hours; gift shop. $2, $1 child.
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Route 6, South Wellfleet. 508-349-2615. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Nature trails (8 a.m. to dusk), butterfly garden, exhibits, walks, seal and nature cruises, kayak tours, family programs, birding, workshops, lectures and gift shop. Admission: $5, $3 children ages 3-12 and seniors.
Judah Baker Windmill, off River Street, South Yarmouth; 508-398-2231, ext. 292. 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Originally built in 1791, the windmill underwent complete restoration in 1999. Donations accepted; group tours available.
Cape Cod and the Islands have nearly three dozen public courses, offering a variety of options for every kind of player. There are scenic, seaside layouts and wooded, tree-lined courses; there are tough tests for the serious, single-digit golfer and more comfortable, playable places for weekend warriors, beginners or families.
The region is also rich in golf history, from one of the oldest courses in the country (Highland Golf Links in North Truro) to some of the most exclusive private clubs in the nation (John F. Kennedy called the Hyannisport Club home when he was president, and Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, the late speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was a member at Eastward Ho! in Chatham.)
The player on a budget, or short on time, might want to consider the Par 3 courses at Blue Rock in South Yarmouth or Holly Ridge in South Sandwich. While every hole is a manageable par 3, you’ll need to be accurate with your irons and have a steady putting stroke.
If you’re looking for a championship challenge that will require shot-making with every club in your bag, Dennis Pines in South Dennis has been ranked among the best public courses in the state.
The islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket also have public treats worth savoring – Farm Neck on the Vineyard and Miacomet on Nantucket, to name two – and a leisurely ferry boat ride is a nice way to relax and prepare for a day on the links.
Because of the popularity of the game, it’s advisable to plan ahead and call the local courses to arrange tee times. Many courses also offer reduced rates on weekdays or in the afternoon.
CAPE COD & ISLANDS PUBLIC GOLF COURSES
Length and slope rating from the white (or middle) tees
CAPE COD & ISLANDS PUBLIC GOLF COURSES
Length and slope rating from the white (or middle) tees
Ballymeade Country Club , Route 151, North Falmouth, 508-540-4005
Par: 72; 6,055 yards
Course rating: 70.6
Slope: 131
Bass River Golf Course , High Bank Road, South Yarmouth, 508-398-9079
Par: 72; 6,129 yards
Course rating: 69.7
Slope: 127
Bayberry Hills Golf Course , 635 West Yarmouth Road, West Yarmouth, 508-394-5597
Par: 72; 6,087 yards
Course Rating: 68.6
Slope: 115
Bay Pointe Country Club, Onset Avenue, Onset, 508-759-8802
Par: 70; 5,720 yards
Course rating: 68.6
Slope: 120
Blue Rock Par 3 Golf Course , High Bank Road, South Yarmouth, 508-398-9295
Par: 54; 2,563 yards
Course rating: 56.4
Slope: 83
The Brookside Club , Route 28, Bourne, 508-743-4653
Par: 70; 5,814 yards
Course rating: 68.1
Slope: 124
Cape Cod Country Club , Theatre Drive, Hatchville, 508-563-9842
Cranberry Valley Golf Course , Oak Street, Harwich, 508-430-7560
Par: 72; 6,142 yards
Course rating: 70.1
Slope: 128
Dennis Highlands Golf Course , Old Bass River Road, Dennis, 508-385-1554
Par: 71; 6,076 yards
Course rating: 68.5
Slope: 117
Dennis Pines Golf Course , Route 134, East Dennis, 508-385-8347
Par: 72; 6,157 yards
Course rating: 71.0
Slope: 127
Falcon Golf Course (formerly Otis Golf Club), Air Station Cape Cod (open to anyone with a pass that confirms active or retired military status), 508-968-6453
Par: 72; 6,012
Course rating: NA
Slope: 113
Falmouth Country Club , 630 Carriage Shop Road, East Falmouth, 508-548-3211
Par: 72; 6,227 yards
Course rating: 70.9
Slope: 124
Farm Neck Golf Club , County Road, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-3057
Par: 72; 6,301
Course rating: 70.5
Slope: 133
Paul Harney Golf Club , Route 151, East Falmouth, 508-563-3454
Par: 60/61; 3,586 yards
Course rating: 58.9
Slope: 91
Harwich Port Golf Club , Forest Street, Harwich Port, 508-432-0250
Par: 34; 2,533 yards (nine holes)
Course rating and slope: NA
Highland Links , Highland Light Road, North Truro, 508-487-9201
Par: 70; 5,299 yards
Course rating: NA
Slope: 109
Holly Ridge Golf Club , Country Club Road, South Sandwich, 508-428-5577
Par: 54; 2,952 yards
Course rating and slope: NA
Hyannis Golf Club , Route 132, Hyannis, 508-362-4551
Par: 71; 6,002 yards
Course rating: 70.1
Slope: 124
Miacomet Golf Club , 12 W. Miacomet Ave., Nantucket, 508-325-0333
Par: 72; 6,167 yards
Course rating: 69.5
Slope: 118
Mink Meadows Golf Club , Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-0600
Cape Cod Art Association artists interpret the work of photographers in “Points of View,” opening May 28 in Barnstable. Clockwise from the upper right is a photograph of Rock Harbor by Jim Pennypacker, and paintings based on it by Arnold Desmaras, Carl Richards and Odin Smith.
Many folks who once just considered themselves to be oyster lovers have, in the last 10 or 15 years, become avid oyster connoisseurs. The notion of terrior, the infusion of unique flavors picked up from the natural environment in which a food is harvested, is now commonly applied to regional oysters everywhere. By some estimates, 200 types of oysters have been identified in North America alone. Today, diners are likely to ask from where, precisely, their oysters have come. The staff members at Naked Oyster in Hyannis has no problem answering the question. They grow their own.
Head chef Rick Horton, and even members of the restaurant's wait staff, make regular trips to Barnstable Harbor to harvest the oysters they cultivate themselves — sweet, tender oysters with mild flavor, ideal for eating raw, off the half shell. Horton's haddock, and other varieties of fresh catch, also come from Barnstable Harbor, brought in daily by the fishing boat Tenacious. Horton's produce, as much as possible, also comes from local sources.
In addition to chilled lobster tails, shrimp and clams, Naked Oyster's raw bar menu offers a long and imaginative list of oyster preparations, done both "naked" and "dressed," in other words, raw or cooked.
We tried oysters "Moscow," a half-dozen, served raw, accompanied by sour cream and a ramekin filled with a generous spoonful of caviar on the side. The presentation was simple enough, but the salt and crackle of the caviar, paired with a rich dollop of sour cream over the ice-cold oysters, made for a luscious experience. Oysters Oishi, served with Japanese condiments of pickled ginger, tamari sauce and wasabi — sweet, salty and hot — made for another great flavor combination. In the "dressed" category, Oysters Rockefeller were done in classic style, topped with fresh-tasting spinach, a hint of sweet Pernod liqueur and a crispy bit of smoked bacon.
A nightly special salad of whole Romaine leaves, house-made blue cheese dressing and more bits of smoked bacon was delicious and beautifully assembled.
An entrée of seafood paella was exceptionally good, offering a rich, saffron-laced broth, chicken, chorizo, shrimp and meaty chunks of haddock. Other entrees were good, though some were not exactly stellar, especially given the $27 to $30 tab per plate. Pan-seared sea scallops, for example, were undercooked, though certainly fresh, but the accompanying roasted red pepper coulis and Parmesan risotto were excellent. An entrée of marinated Kobe beef flank steak, not often seen on Cape Cod menus, included a moderate portion of tender and juicy Kobe, nicely grilled, but the simple lo mein accompaniment didn't do it justice, and a nightly special of pan-seared salmon was sauced with an Asian sweet chili sauce that, to me, tasted bottled.
Naked Oyster's pluses, however, certainly outweigh any negatives, and include the outstanding raw bar and appetizer menu and an excellent wine list, which offers many novel varietals and bottles from small producers. Management has wisely introduced a new prix fixe menu, which gives guests an opportunity to dine more affordably every night, except Fridays and Saturdays. A schedule of specially themed dinner events is also in the works, including a Caribbean-inspired evening slated for later this month.
Naked Oyster is an exceptionally attractive restaurant, too. Its interior is contemporary, clubby and upscale, with wood paneled walls, a subdued taupe and brown color scheme, and a handsome cocktail bar. The Cape has plenty of nautical-themed seafood restaurants geared for family dining. Naked Oyster — romantic, citified and sophisticated — provides an appealing alternative.
