Cape Cod can be divided by two different ways. First, by North and South. South of Route 28 is well known as the (ocean side) and typically has a more commercial feel with warmer waters, while the north side (bay side) has the cooler waters and a more quiet, historical feel.  Barnstable  County is comprised of all 15 towns on Cape Cod whereas  Dukes  County has Martha's Vineyard and the mostly privately owned Elizabeth  Islands while the isle of Nantucket belongs to  Nantucket  County.

 The second division has the Cape consisting of three separate sections known as the Upper, Mid and Lower  Cape.

The Upper Cape includes  Wareham as the gateway town, followed by Onset, Buzzards Bay, Sagamore and continues over the bridge to Bourne,  Falmouth,  Sandwich and Mashpee.

The Mid Cape includes  Barnstable,  Yarmouth and Dennis.

The Lower Cape consisting of Harwich,  Orleans,  Chatham, Brewster, Eastham, Wellfleet,  Truro and Provincetown. 

Each town is extremely unique in it self and offers so many wonderful attributes. A link for each town's chamber of commerce is provided below.
 

Upper Cape Cod

Falmouth is a large town geographically and probably has the longest coastlines in the State. Consequently, there is a lot of land development with high value, high demand and the choice views that create real property wealth. There is a lot of attractive development in the community because folks have the money to invest in the waterfront or water view properties. Home to beautiful Woods Hole, exclusive Balleymeade and a charming downtown   Falmouth Main Street. Villages include East Falmouth, Hatchville, Teaticket, Waquoit, Woods Hole, East and North Falmouth, as well as smaller hamlets Sippewissett, Quissett,  Falmouth  Heights, Falmouth  Village, and others. Bordered by Bourne and Sandwich on the North, Mashpee on the East, Buzzards Bay on the west and Vineyard and Nantucket Sound on the South.  Falmouth is 72 mi south of Boston. www.falmouthchamber.com

Mashpee is the fasted growing municipality in the Commonwealth. It is also unique as one of the remaining homes of the Wampanoag Nation, the Native Americans which met the Pilgrims at  Plymouth. With 5 mi. of sandy beaches on Nantucket and Vineyard Sound, extensive waterfront on Waquoit & Popponesset Bays, 4 of the largest fresh water ponds on Cape Cod, 3 championship golf courses, gated New Seabury and Willowbend, Mashpee is a prime resort, 2^nd home and retirement community. Located on the southwest end of Cape Cod and is bordered by Sandwich on the north, Barnstable on the east, Nantucket Sound on the south and  Falmouth on the west. 66 mi southeast of  Boston. www.mashpeechamber.com

Incorporated in 1639,  Sandwich is the oldest town on  Cape Cod. It is located on both sides of the  Cape Cod Canal with the majority of its population on the southerly side of the bridge. Its beaches along the  Cape Cod  Bay stretch for miles and provide views of the many fishermen that can be seen daily on the docks at the Sandwich Marina, the only harbor along the canal.  Sandwich  Village, a world renowned tourist destination provides a glimpse into  New England's rich colonial history. Heritage Museum, Sandwich Glass  Museum, Hoxie House (oldest house on Cape Cod),  Daniel  Webster  Inn, rare book and antique stores are just some examples of what attracts visitors from all over the world. Located at the beginning of the Cape, bordered by the  Cape Cod  Bay on the north, Barnstable on the east  Falmouth and Mashpee on the south and Bourne on the west. 57 mi southwest of  Boston. www.sandwichchamber.com

 The town of   Bourne is a medium sized rural community where President Grover Cleveland maintained a summer home in Gray Gables, one of the Villages of Bourne; the other villages are Buzzards Bay, Bournedale, Sagamore, Sagamore Beach,  Monument  Beach, Pocasset and Cataumet. The canal bisects the community, with both the Bourne and  Sagamore  Bridges and the lift railroad bridge all located in Bourne. The canal is known for its superb sports fishing and for carrying ship flying the flags of all nations. Bourne has numerous quiet harbors and inlets for boating and bathing.  It is a quiet community without the summer tourist crush experienced by some of the other  Cape communities. Neighboring Wareham and Onset also offer comfortable seaside vacation destinations. Bourne is bordered by  Plymouth on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the northeast, Sandwich on the east,  Falmouth on the south and  Buzzards Bay on the west. 57 mi. from Boston. www.capecodcanalchamber.org
           

Buzzards Bay was originally  Wampanoag  territory. The "buzzards" for which the town was named were most likely turkey vultures or ospreys.  Buzzards Bay was settled by Europeans in 1621. Buzzards Bay is home to the National Marine Life Center, a marine animal hospital, science, and education center dedicated to rehabilitating for release stranded sea turtles, seals, dolphins, porpoises, and small whales, and to advancing scientific knowledge and education in marine wildlife health and conservation. It is also home to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the oldest continuously operating college in the United States.

Mid  Cape

 The town of   Barnstable includes seven villages within its boundaries. Each village has its own unique and significant cultural and historical qualities.  Centerville, located on the south side is, primarily residential, includes the world famous Craigville  Beach and mouth-watering pies from Centerville Pie Co., an Oprah favorite. Osterville is located in the south side, primarily residential, and includes inlets and harbors for fishing and boating.  Hyannis is the towns' central business/commercial district which includes town offices and several shopping malls.   Hyannis is also a fishing village and its harbor provides steamship access to Martha's Vineyard and  Nantucket  Islands. The Kennedy Compound in Hyannisport was President Kennedy's summer White House during his presidency. Marstons Mills is primarily residential and is located on Rt. 28. Cotuit is a village located on a peninsula located on the south side, mostly residential and has several small beaches. West Barnstable, located on the north side is mostly residential yet sparsely populated.   Barnstable, also located on the north side, houses the county complex and has a working harbor and several small beaches. Bordered by  Cape Cod  Bay on the north, Nantucket Sound on the south, Sandwich and Mashpee on the west, and  Yarmouth on the east.  Barnstable is 69 mi. southeast of Boston. www.barnstablecapecod.com

Yarmouth was incorporated in 1639 and is one of the Cape towns that extends from the  Cape Cod  Bay on the north side across the peninsula south to Nantucket Sound.  Yarmouth is comprised of Yarmouthport, South Yarmouth and  West Yarmouth. The town's southern shore is known for its popular beaches. The community enjoys a variety of recreational programs as well as the town's 15 saltwater public beaches, 5 fresh water beaches and two municipal golf courses. Bordered by  Cape Cod  Bay on the north, Dennis on the east, Nantucket Sound on the south, and  Barnstable on the west.  Yarmouth is 75 mi. southeast of www.yarmouthcapecod.com

Dennis, named  All  American  Town in 1978, combines New  England heritage with modern day conveniences. The villages of East Dennis, Dennis and South Dennis feature scenic historic districts hailing back to whaling days, while tranquil tree-lined street meander through Dennisport and West Dennis. Sixteen inviting beaches lie on the warm waters of Nantucket Sound to the south and on the crisp refreshing waters of the Bay side to the north. The town was incorporated in 1793 and was named for Josiah Dennis, a favorite minister. Home to the nation's oldest theater, the  Cape  Playhouse, Dennis offers varied summer activities with arts and craft shows, concerts on the village green, and festivals which help to celebrate its friendly heritage. Bordered by Cape Cod  Bay on the north, Brewster and Harwich on the east, Nantucket Sound on the south and  Yarmouth on the west. Dennis is 76 mi. southeast of  Boston. www.dennischamber.com

Lower  Cape

Harwich is a resort and residential community located on the south side of the Cape, with an extensive shoreline on Nantucket Sound. Incorporated in 1694, its early economy included agriculture and maritime industries. When the whaling industry collapsed, the community shifted to Cod fishing. As their fishing industry declined, the community turned to the development of cranberry bogs and resorts for summer visitors. The first hotel resort opened in 1880 and both the cranberry and tourist industries remain a substantial part of Harwich's economy. Bordered by Dennis on the west, Brewster and  Orleans on the north,  Chatham on the east and Nantucket Sound on the south. Harwich is 82 mi. southeast of  Boston. www.harwichcc.com

Brewster is a historic sea captains' town located on the bay side. Established in 1803, the town encompasses approximately 23 sq. mi., including over 325 acres of beach, with 24 ponds larger than 10 acres. Brewster has taken action to protect the town's historic character by establishing sign codes and site plan review by-laws. Currently, over 1/3 of Brewster's land has been retained for conservation and watershed protection. Brewster boasts award winning drinking water and 2 nationally acclaimed 18 hole golf courses.  Nickerson  Sate  Park contains 400 acres of trails and fresh water ponds for swimming, fishing, boating hiking and camping. Brewster has over 15 bed & breakfasts and over 30 art galleries, craft and antique shops, most of which are along historic 6A, the old "King's Highway". Bordered by Cape Cod on the north,  Orleans on the east, Harwich on the south and Dennis on the west. Brewster is 83 mi. southeast of  Boston. www.brewstercapecod.org

Chatham was settled in 1656 by a handful of Pilgrims, whose surnames still dominate the town's census list. Originally a farming community, its inhabitants found deep sea fishing more lucrative and today small boat deep sea fishing is still an important source of the town's revenue. Approximately 17 sq mi.,  Chatham is a happy combination of past and present. The town still operates under a town meeting form of government. Chatham boasts a quaint Main St. full of shops, concerts in a downtown gazebo in the summer, its coast guard station with lighthouse and home to the world famous cape Cod Baseball League Warm summer days with cool summer night, beautiful, warm Indian summers and relatively mild winters make Chatham a comfortable place in which to live year round or vacation. Bordered by  Pleasant  Bay and  Orleans on the north, the  Atlantic Ocean on the east, Nantucket Sound on the south and Harwich on the west.  Chatham is 89 mi. southeast of  Boston. www.chathaminfo.com
 

Orleans, incorporated in 1797 is a resort community on the outer  Cape whose European history begins in 1642 with its' first settlement by the Snow family who purchased rights to the town from the Manamoyick Indians. Commercial fishing and whaling supplemented local incomes in the 18^th century. Today,  Orleans continues to thrive as a popular resort community which features fabulous dining, shopping, galleries, museums, wonderful beaches, live theater performance and its historic charm Bordered by Eastham on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Chatham and Harwich on the south and Brewster and  Cape Cod  Bay on the west.  Orleans is 88 mi. southeast of  Boston. www.capecod-orleans.com

Eastham is a coastal resort community known as the "gateway to the National Seashore" which was founded in 1961 by President Kennedy to protect  Cape Cod's coast from erosion and overpopulation. Located on the lower  Cape, the town has several harbors and these with the abundant shellfish are probably what brought the early settlers from the Plymouth Colony. The town has many beaches, both on the Atlantic and bay sides as well as the famous Nauset Light and is home to the oldest windmill on  Cape Cod. Eastham is still considered to be a small town and prides itself on being quieter than the other  Cape Cod towns. Bordered by Wellfleet on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Orleans on the south and  Cape Cod  Bay on the west. Eastham is 92 mi. southeast of  Boston. www.easthamchamber.com

Wellfleet offers an abundance of quaint rural seaside character and charm. 61% of the land area of Wellfleet is in the Cape Cod National Seashore Park. During the summer, the population swells to an estimated 17,000 persons enjoying it's miles of ocean and bay side beaches, ponds, art galleries, shops, restaurants and the magnificent Wellfleet Harbor offering a constantly changing panorama of sail boats, yachts, and sports fishing boats. With an intriguing history of an extraordinary nautical atmosphere, the friendly charm of the central village provides the pedestrian with a vast array of browsing, dining and sightseeing within a relatively short walk. Wellfleet is home to the National Seashore Headquarters as well as the Massachusetts Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary. Bordered by  Truro on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Eastham on the south, and the  Cape Cod  Bay on the west. Wellfleet is 101 mi. southeast of  Boston. www.wellfleetchamber.com

Truro is a small rural community of the lower  Cape where the quaint and unique character of "Old Cape Cod" is preserved. It is quite rich in history and strongly tied to the sea.  Truro along with  Provincetown was first visited by the Pilgrims as their first choice of a landing before later declaring the area unsuitable.  Truro possesses beautiful beaches on Cape Cod and some of the most magnificent beaches on the  Atlantic Ocean. A source of inspiration to artists and beach goers alike, its beaches, dunes and landscape are an attraction to many tourists, fishermen, and ever growing retirees. The town is home to the famous Cape Cod Light,  Cape Cod's oldest lighthouse. With over half of its land area within the Cape Cod National Seashore District, the residents of  Truro are dedicated to preserving the special character of this seashore community. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and east, Wellfleet on the south, and  Cape Cod  Bay and  Provincetown on the west.  Truro is 106 mi. southeast of  Boston.  www.trurochamberofcommerce.com

And the last town located at the extreme tip of Cape Cod,   Provincetown, also known as "P-Town", is loved for its miles of beaches, harbor, restaurants, galleries, cultural following, artists, festivals, little quaint shops, and well known as a gay  Mecca in the summer. P-Town is known as a gay friendly community and many businesses and events cater to the gay and lesbian tourists. Although incorporated in 1727, its history begins much earlier. The European explorer Gosnold recorded a stop as early as 1602 and its harbor was the site of the first landing of the Mayflower. By the 20^th century,  Provincetown had acquired an international reputation for its artistic and literary output and is a favorite vacation destination for many throughout the world. Home to the popular Provincetown Jazz Festival, Provincetown Players, historic charm, lure of the sea,  Provincetown has been the home and inspiration behind many famous actors, authors, poets and songs. Provincetown has long been known to attract all artistic mediums. The town is home the  Cape's most attended art museum. Bordered by  Truro on the east, and surrounded by the  Atlantic Ocean on all other sides.  Provincetown is 114 mi. southeast of  Boston. www.ptownchamber.com

* Information and some print used in the above narrative have been obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, Wikipedia, and www.capecodseniorconnection.com

Share Your Cape Cod Memory With Us!

on/near the Cape and the Islands

UPPER CAPE  

          Ballymeade Country Club, North Falmouth 

          Bay Pointe Country Club, Onset 

          Brookside Club, Bourne 

          Cape Cod Country Club, East Falmouth 

          Falmouth Country Club, East Falmouth 

          Holly Ridge Golf Club, South Sandwich 

          Paul Harney Golf Course, East Falmouth 

          New Seabury Golf Club, Mashpee 

          Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course, Marstons Mills 

          Quashnet Valley Country Club, Mashpee 

          Sandwich Hollows Golf Club, East Sandwich 

MID CAPE

          Bass River Golf Course, South Yarmouth  

          Bayberry Hills Golf Course, West Yarmouth 

          Blue Rock Golf Course, South Yarmouth 

          Dennis Highlands Golf Course, Dennis 

          Dennis Pines Golf Course, South Dennis 

          Harwich Port Golf Club, Harwich Port 

          Hyannis Golf Club, Hyannis 

          Twin Brooks Golf Course, Hyannis

LOWER CAPE

          Captains Golf Course, Brewster 

          Chatham Seaside Links, Chatham 

          Cranberry Valley Golf Course, Harwich 

OUTER CAPE

          Chequessett Yacht and Country Club, Wellfleet 

          Highland Links Golf Course, North Truro 

JUST OFF CAPE

          Crosswinds Golf Club, Plymouth 

          Marion Golf Course, Marion 

          Pinehills Golf Club, Plymouth 

          Southers Marsh Golf Club, Plymouth 

          Squirrel Run Golf & Country Club, Plymouth 

          Waverly Oaks Golf Club, Plymouth 

MARTHA'S VINEYARD

          Farm Neck Golf Course, Farm Neck Way, Oak Bluffs 

          Mink Meadows Golf Club, Vineyard Haven 

NANTUCKET

          Miacomet Golf Club, Nantucket

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