Barnstable

The Town of Barnstable is the largest town on Cape Cod and is made up of seven villages: Barnstable (yes, it is a county, town, and village), Centerville, Craigville, Cotuit, Hyannis, Marstons Mills, and Osterville. Hyannis, the largest of the seven villages, is an ideal home base for visitors looking to explore the Cape day or night. It offers convenient access to Route 6, downtown Hyannis, ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, and a wide variety of dining options.

Bourne

Bourne is best known for the Cape Cod Canal, where visitors can watch ships and tugboats navigate the waterway or enjoy biking, walking, rollerblading, and jogging along the canal paths. There are two scenic trails, one on each side of the canal, running from Sandwich to Bourne, each approximately seven miles long. Bourne is also home to the National Marine Life Center, Aptucxet Trading Post, and Bourne Scenic Park.

The town includes seven villages: Bournedale, Buzzards Bay, Cataumet, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore Beach. Some villages are located on the Cape side of the Cape Cod Canal, while others are on the mainland side. Each offers its own mix of shopping, water activities, restaurants, community events, and sandy beaches.

Carver

In 1900, Carver’s farmers produced one-fifth of all cranberries grown in the United States, and cranberry farming remains a major industry in the town today. Carver is named after John Carver, the first governor of the Plymouth Colony. The town is also home to two popular attractions, Edaville USA Theme Park and King Richard’s Faire, the largest and longest-running Renaissance fair in New England. With its many brooks, rivers, and ponds, including Sampson’s Pond, along with Myles Standish State Forest, Carver offers plenty of outdoor activities for the entire family.

Falmouth

Falmouth is a vibrant, year-round Cape Cod destination made up of eight villages: East Falmouth, Falmouth Heights, West Falmouth, North Falmouth, Silver Beach, Hatchville, Waquoit, and Woods Hole, home to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Together, these villages offer something for everyone, from biking the Shining Sea Bikeway and enjoying theater, shopping, and dining, to kayaking in Waquoit Bay and spending time at the beach. With 68 miles of coastline, numerous golf courses, and a wide variety of excellent eateries, Falmouth is a favorite for visitors and locals alike. Woods Hole is also the primary ferry departure point to Martha’s Vineyard, making it especially lively during the summer months and a perfect spot for people-watching.

Marion

Bird Island Light is a historic lighthouse located at the entrance to Sippican Harbor. While the tower itself is not open to the public, the island is accessible to visitors. Marion is internationally known in the sailing community as the home of the Marion-to-Bermuda Yacht Race and several of the finest yacht yards in the region.

Marion is a quintessential New England town with a charming village center, traditional Cape Cod–style homes, and a timeless atmosphere that has changed little over the years. The village is home to landmarks such as the Marion General Store, dating back to the 1800s, and Tabor Academy, one of the top prep schools in the country. Together, these elements give Marion its enduring small-town character.

Mashpee

Mashpee is unlike any other town on Cape Cod, shaped by its rich Native American heritage. Once a reservation for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the town retains a distinctive culture that cannot be found elsewhere on the Cape. Mashpee is also home to New Seabury, a community known for its summer homes and two world-class golf courses.

Mashpee Commons offers a lively mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural events throughout the year. Its signature event is Mashpee Night at the Pops, featuring the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, which draws visitors from across the region.

Onset

Onset is a charming seaside village located in the town of Wareham, known for its classic New England coastal feel and strong community vibe. Nestled at the gateway to Cape Cod near the Cape Cod Canal, Onset offers visitors a relaxed beach-town atmosphere with easy access to both the Cape and the South Coast. 

The village features a picturesque village green, a public bandstand, and Onset Beach, which is popular for swimming, sunsets, and seasonal events. During the warmer months, the area comes alive with live music, festivals, kayaking, boating, and waterfront dining. With its walkable village center, historic cottages, marinas, and small-town charm, Onset is a perfect spot for those looking to enjoy coastal living without the hustle of larger Cape destinations.

Plymouth

Plymouth is chock full of history, famously associated with the Mayflower, the Pilgrims, and Plymouth Rock. This charming coastal town is home to Plimoth Patuxet Museums, a living history museum that brings the 17th century to life. Plymouth also offers 11 public and private golf courses, along with a full calendar of waterfront festivals and activities.

Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Myles Standish State Forest, the Commonwealth’s second-largest state forest, which features camping, hiking, and 16 freshwater lakes and ponds. Nearby, the Mayflower II, a full-scale replica of the ship that carried the Pilgrims across the Atlantic, is typically docked at the waterfront and open to visitors.

Rochester

Rochester was once known as “cow town” and is now recognized for its many horse farms and rural charm. One of its most notable landmarks is East Over Reservation, a reminder of the town’s agricultural roots, located near Leonard’s Pond. Mary’s Pond, a natural kettle hole, is a popular spot for picnicking, paddling, and fishing. Other scenic ponds include Snipatuit Pond, Long Pond, and Snow’s Pond.

Rochester’s town center includes a restaurant, grocery market, daycare, accountant, and hair salon. Just across the street are the post office, library, town hall, and church. While commercial development is limited, this idyllic “Right to Farm” community offers abundant fresh air, wildlife, and beach rights in neighboring Marion, making it a peaceful place to live and visit.

Sandwich

Sandwich is a historic seaside community and the oldest town in the United States. It is filled with charming bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants, historic landmarks, recreational sites, and a variety of antique and retail shops. The Cape Cod Bay entrance to the Cape Cod Canal begins here, and visitors can cross the Sandwich Boardwalk to reach the dunes and town beach.

Outdoor attractions include Scusset Beach State Reservation, Shawme-Crowell State Forest, and Mashpee-Wakeby Pond. Sandwich is home to no fewer than 12 museums spread throughout its four villages, including a working grist mill, glassblowing demonstrations at the Sandwich Glass Museum, and the oldest home on Cape Cod.

Wareham

Wareham is known as the “Gateway to Cape Cod,” where land and sea define the town’s character. In addition to golf courses, tennis courts, and boating facilities, visitors can enjoy whale watching, kayaking, fishing, sandy beaches, canal cruises, or simply relaxing while taking in views along more than 54 miles of coastline.

Wareham includes many distinct villages and neighborhoods, such as Onset Village, Point Independence, Wareham Village, Indian Neck, Great Neck, Hamilton Beach, Long Neck, Parkwood Beach, Pinehurst Beach, Swift’s Beach, Tempest Knob, Barney’s Point, Agawam Beach, Cohasset Narrows, and Weweantic, among others. The cranberry industry once dominated Wareham’s economy, a legacy still reflected today in the town’s main roadway, Cranberry Highway (Route 6/28).

Martha's Vineyard

Just seven miles off the southern coast of Cape Cod lies Martha’s Vineyard, famously featured in the movie Jaws. The island is made up of six towns: Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah.

Oak Bluffs is best known for its iconic gingerbread cottages, open harbor, and lively atmosphere along busy Circuit Avenue. It has a reputation as one of the island’s most active nightlife areas and includes the neighborhoods of East Chop, Lagoon Heights, and Harthaven.

Edgartown, which includes Chappaquiddick Island and Katama, is noted for its rich whaling history and is the island’s largest town by both population and land area.

Vineyard Haven is the main village within Tisbury and includes the West Chop peninsula. It serves as the island’s primary port of entry for passengers and cargo, with additional seasonal ferry service in Oak Bluffs.

West Tisbury is the island’s agricultural center and hosts the well-known Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair each year.

Chilmark, which includes the fishing village of Menemsha and a Coast Guard station, has retained its rural character and features the island’s hilliest terrain.

Aquinnah, formerly known as Gay Head, is home to the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), as well as dramatic clay cliffs and a peaceful, natural landscape.