Ongoing Activities
Many of these venues have shortened hours for winter and extended hours in the summer. Please call the venue before visiting or visit their websites for hours, programs and fees.

Family

Aptucxet Trading Post Museum Aptucxet Rd. off Shore Rd. Replica of a 1627 Pilgrim/Dutch/Indian trading post features a windmill, gift shop, gardens, picnic area and Pres. Grover Cleveland’s private railroad station. Open May thru mid-October. 508-759-9487 www.bournehistoricalsoc.org

Cape Cod Canal, from Sagamore in the north to Bourne in the south, the Canal region offers bike paths; picnic areas and some terrific scenic views form both sides of the beautiful canal. At the Buzzards Bay end, visit the headquarters of the Army Corps of Engineers near the Maritime Academy and se their super model of the canal (plus a film on its history) and their radar system. Headquarter hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4:30pm. Canal paths open year round. www.nae.usace.army.mil

 

Marconi Station & Lookout area, off Route 6. Marconi Station with an interpretive shelter containing a model of the original wireless station and remnants of its foundation. Kids will love exploring around the boardwalks and parents will be in awe of the magnificent views. Wonderful spot for a picnic or to watch a sunrise.

Provincetown Museum & Pilgrim Monument. 1 High Pole Rd, Provincetown. The monument commemorates the Pilgrims first landing in America. Walk (or run as the kids might do) to the top and enjoy the views of Provincetown and the upper Cape as well as Boston and Plymouth on a clear day. The museum houses exhibits on the Pilgrims, the Mayflower and local history of the area. 508-487-1310 www.pilgrim-monument.org

Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen. 6 Discovery Hill Rd (off Rte 6A), East Sandwich. Nature trails, gardens, small animals, jam kitchen. The Center offers many different programs including story hours, nature walks, school vacation programs and jam making sessions. 508-888-6870.www.thorntonburgess.org

Plimoth Plantation, off Route 3, Plymouth. A living history museum. Tour a 1627 pilgrim village, a Wampanoag Indian homesite and learn about the life of early American settlers. 508-746-1622 www.Plimoth.org

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. 2615 Route 6, South Wellfleet. 1,000 acres of wood and wetlands. Five miles of scenic trails, nature center with exhibits. Many programs for children and families. 508-349-2615 www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay

Heritage Museums and Gardens. 67 Grove St, Sandwich. Beautiful grounds with award-winning gardens. Three museums including the Lilly Car Museum, the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame and more. Antique Carousel. Special children and family programming. 508-888-3300 www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org

The National Marine Life Center. 120 Main St., Buzzards Bay. A center for stranded marine animals offers exhibits, activities, gifts and souvenirs. 508-759-8722.www.nmlc.org

Cape Cod Natural History Museum. Route 6A, Brewster. Winding trails covering the 80-acre site. Museum has exhibits that highlight the flora and fauna of Cape Cod. Many programs including children’s programs are available. 508-896-3867. www.ccmnh.org

Town Recreation Departments/Centers

To utilize the wonderful programs at your town recreation you must provide proof of residence (some programs are available to non-residents at higher fees) and sign up by stated deadlines for classes and programs. Contact your town recreation department for all details, below is a brief listings of town recreation departments and some of the amazing programs they offer

Barnstable Town Recreation, 141 Bassett Lane, Hyannis, 508-790-6345. Activities and classes offered include: Ice skating lessons (Nov-April), open gym at the Hyannis Middle School, after school bowling, babysitters certification classes, wrestling, basketball, baseball, swimming, summer camps and much more. www.town.barnstable.ma.us/Recreation

Provincetown Recreation Department/Community Center, 44 Bradford St. Provincetown, 508-487-7097. Activities offered include: after-school programs for grades 1 thru 6, teen nights, kids yoga, youth basketball, toddlers reading groups, youth action ance, arts & crafts, youth aerobics, karate, jump rope, Legos ® & Kinex, theatre & performance, writing clubs. www.provincetowngov.org

Eastham Recreation Department, 2500 State Highway, Rte 6, Eastham, 508-240-5974. Programs and events offered include: Basketball, cheerleading, baseball, softball, T-ball, jump rope, swim lessons, swim team, summer basketball, summer soccer, tennis, field hockey, soccer, family skate night school vacation trips.

www.eastham-ma.gov

Falmouth Recreation Department/Gus Canty Community Center, 790 Main St., Provincetown. 508-457-2567. Programs and classes offered include: Supervised open basketball, family nights for elementary school students and parents, Friday youth night (grades 5-8), indoor soccer, Munchkin Hoops (ages 4&5), youth basketball, summer camps and sailing classes. www.falmouthrecreation.com

Sandwich Recreation Department, 270 Quaker Meetinghouse Rd, Sandwich, 508-888-4361. The department offers a wide variety of programs and activities for youth including swimming, sailing, tennis, basketball, arts & crafts, cheerleading, football, baseball, soccer, track, 4th of July events, volleyball, lacrosse, ski trips and a teen drop-in center. www.sandwichmass.org

Chatham Recreation Department/Youth Services, 12 Hitchingpost Rd., Chatham 508-945-5175. Programs include baseball, basketball, skating and softball. Chatham also boasts an active Chatham Youth Council which offers a variety of events, activities and resources for teens. www.town.chatham.ma.us

Mashpee Recreation Department/Leisure Services, 16 Great Neck Rd North, Mashpee. Programs and activities include: swimming lessons, horseback riding lessons, Chess for Fun, youth indoor soccer, indoor tennis lessons, co-ed volleyball, theatre workshop, beginners crocket, fashion design workshops, and more. Many special events occur throughout the year. www.ci.mashpee.ma.us

Yarmouth Recreation Department, 1146 Route 28, West Yarmouth. 508-398-2231. Call or visit the department for current activities, classes and programs. www.yarmouth.ma.us

Harwich Recreation Programs, 100 Oak St., Harwich, 508-430-7568. Recreational opportunities include: open gym and game room hours, recreational basketball and family creation, babysitting classes and a variety of summer programs. www.harwichrecreation.com

Animals
Fish Hatchery, Rte 6A, Sandwich. 508-888-0008
Green Briar Nature Center, 6 Discover Hill Rd, Sandwich. 508-888-6870
Marine Fisheries Aquarium, Water St, Woods Hole. 508-495-2001
MSPCA, 1577 Falmouth Rd, Centerville. 508-775-0940
Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, 1445 W. Barnstable/Osterville Rd, Marstons Mills. 508-420-3505
ZooQuarium, 2623 Rte 28, W. Yarmouth. 508-775-8883
Animal Rescue League, Rte 6A, Brewster. 508-255-1030
Buttonwood Zoo, Junction Rte 6 & Rte 140, New Bedford. 508-991-6175
Great Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Ave., Milton. 617-333-0690
Roger Williams Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI. 401-941-3910

Biking
Canal Bike Paths, along the Cape Cod Canal both sides, Sandwich & Bourne
Route 130 Bikeway, Mashpee
Heritage Park, Mashpee
Shining Sea Bike Path, Depot St., Falmouth
Cape Cod Rail Trail, various spots to park and ride between Dennis & Wellfleet
Nickerson State Park, Rte 6A, Brewster
Province Lands Bike Path, Provincetown

Museums
Cape Cod Children’s Museum, 577 Great Neck Rd, Mashpee. 508-539-8788
Heritage Museums and Gardens, 76 Grove St., Sandwich. 508-888-1222
National Marine Life Center, 120 Main St., Buzzzards Bay. 508-759-8722
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Water St., Woods Hole. 508-289-2252
Cape Cod Museum of Arts, Rte 6A, Dennis. 508-385-4477
Chatham Railroad Museum, Depot Rd, Chatham.
Whydah (Pirate) Museum, 16 Macmillan Wharf, Provincetown. 508-487-8899
Battleship Cove, Fall River, 800-533-3194
Children’s Museum of S. Dartmouth, 276 Gulf Rd, S. Darmouth. 508-993-3361
Children’s Museum of Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 508-230-3789
Plimouth Plantation, 137 Warren Ave (Rte 3A), Plymouth. 508-746-1622
Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South St., Providence. 401-273-KIDS
Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. 508-997-0046

Walks & Hiking
Ashumet Holly & Wildlife Sanctuary, Rte 151, E. Falmouth. 508-352-1426
Briar Patch Conservation area, 7 Discovery Hill Rd, E. Sandwich. 508-888-6870
Lowell Holly Reservation, S. Sandwich Rd, Mashpee 508-821-2877
Sandwich Boardwalk, follow Route 6A to Jarves Street located at end of Jarves & Harbor Streets
Scusset Beach Reservation, 140 Scusset Beach Rd, Buzzards Bay. 508-888-0859
Shawme-Crowell State Forest, Rte 130, Sandwich. 508-888-0351
Waquoit Bay Reserve, Rte 28, E. Falmouth. 508-547-0495
Braille Trail at Johnny Kelly Recreation Area, Bob Crowell Rd., S. Dennis
Cape Cod Rail Trail, various parking lots between Dennis & Wellfleet
Nickerson State Park, Rte 6A, Brewster
Scargo Lake & Tower, Old Bass River Rd off Rte 6A, Brewster.
Yarmouth Port Boardwalk, end of Church St off Rte 6A, Yarmouth Port
Fort Hill Trail, end of Fort Hill Rd off Rte 6, Eastham
Cedar Swamp Trail, Marconi Site off Rte 6, Wellfleet
Great Island Trail, Chequesset Neck Rd., Wellfleet.
For more hiking and walking trails visit www.capecodcommission.org/pathways

Skating
Gallo Ice Rink, 231 Sandwich Rd Buzzards Bay. 508-759-8904
Falmouth Ice Arena, 9 Skating Lane Falmouth. 508-548-7080
Kennedy Ice Rink, 141 Bassett Lane, Hyannis. 508-862-4001
Tony Kent Ice Arena, 8 Gages Way, South Dennis. 508-760-2400
Charles Moore Ice Arena, O’Connor Way, Orleans. 508-255-5902

Playgrounds
Adventure Playground, 260 Quaker Meeting House Rd, Sandwich
Bourne Scenic Park, Rte 6, Bourne
Clark Field, Clark Rd, Sagamore Beach
Goodwill Park, Rte 28, Falmouth
“Tiger” Long Playground, Rte 130, Mashpee
Burgess Park, Rte 149, Marstons Mills
Cotuit Memorial Park, Main St., Cotuit
Crosby Park, Main St., Centerville
Flax Pond Recreation Area, North Main St., S. Yarmouth
Johnny Kelly Rec Area, Bob Crowell Rd., S. Dennis
Mike Stacy Playground, Hall St., Dennisport
Brooks Park, Oak St., Harwich
Drummer Boy Park, Rte 6A, Brewster
Eldredge Field, Eldredge Parkway, Orleans
VFW Park, George Ryder Rd, Chatham
Wiley Park Beach, Herring Brook Rd, Eastham
Bakers Field Rec Area, Kendrick Ave., Wellfleet
Truro Elementary School, Rte 6, Truro
Mildred Greensfelder Park, Bradford/Howland Sts., Provincetown