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Falmouth, Cape Cod
Located in the southwest corner of Cape Cod is the picturesque New England town of Falmouth, well known for its beautiful beaches, and crystal clear waters of Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound warmed by the Gulf Stream.
Falmouth’s eight distinctive villages are filled with character and charm: East Falmouth, Falmouth, Hatchville, North Falmouth, Teaticket, Waquoit, West Falmouth and Woods Hole. The town is the closest mainland point—and the Cape’s primary gateway—to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, located seven miles offshore. Daily, scheduled ferry service between Woods Hole and the Vineyard is provided yearround by the Steamship Authority, and seasonally aboard the Island Queen.
Falmouth has a host of activities to enjoy, among them art galleries, historic sites and a picture-perfect Main Street lined with quaint shops, bookstores, bakeries and restaurants. The town offers cutting-edge live theater, harborside concerts, a lively jazz fest and the acclaimed Woods Hole Film Festival each summer.
A white picket fence surrounds Falmouth’s historic Village Green, where members of the Colonial militia practiced in the 1700s and around which sea captains built their homes. Walking tours of the nearby Falmouth Museums on the Green offer a treasure trove of stories and artifacts telling the history of the town. On the Falmouth Public Library lawn, right off Main Street, stop to admire the statue that pays homage to town native Katharine Lee Bates, who penned the patriotic anthem “American the Beautiful.”
As you take the scenic route from downtown Falmouth along the shoreline to Woods Hole, you’ll pass Nobska Lighthouse, where you can stop for the perfect Instagram capture amidst magnificent views of Martha’s Vineyard and Vineyard Sound. Woods Hole is a salty, strolling village bustling with waterfront eateries, shops and galleries. This traditional fishing village is also the world-renowned hub of oceanic scientific research, including the Marine Biological Laboratory, NOAA National Marine Fisheries, Sea Education Association and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, as well as Woods Hole Science Aquarium, the oldest aquarium in the nation.
Falmouth’s deep harbors, open waters and 68 miles of shoreline offer excellent boating, sailing and windsurfing, as well as deep sea and sport fishing for tuna, bluefish and the coveted striped bass. There are ten beaches in Falmouth, each with their own allure, including the popular Old Silver Beach, known for its pure white sand, warm waters and tide pools.
Ask a local, and they’ll tell you Chapoquoit Beach is one of the best spots around to catch a dramatic Cape Cod sunset. Miles of nature trails are waiting to be explored, and the Shining Sea Bikeway’s 10.7-mile route from North Falmouth to Woods Hole takes cyclists past arresting shoreline vistas, cranberry bogs, farmland and serene woodlands. Explore the Cape’s fragile eco-system via guided nature canoe and kayak tours or collect marine specimens for hands-on learning on oceanographic cruises. The Cornelia Carey Sanctuary, also known as the
Knob, is a hidden gem that is accessible from Quissett Harbor; easy-to-navigate hiking trails will lead you to a high cliff boasting spectacular views of Buzzards Bay.
Falmouth boasts more public golf courses than any other New England town, and jogging enthusiasts will be happy to know that Runner’s World magazine has christened Falmouth “the jewel of the coast.” The town plays host each August to the annual Falmouth Road Race, a 7.1 mile road race that draws elite and amateur runners from around the world.
Find more information on Falmouth, Cape Cod through the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce.