Cape Cod-A Taste of 4 Generations of Memories
Written: Oct 29 '01 (Updated Oct 29 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: FRIED CLAMS! Antiques, beaches, golf, whale watching, fishing, biking, surfing
Cons: traffic in the summer, parking at beaches
The Bottom Line: There are so many things to see and do that this review has just scratch the surface.
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| bperreault's Full Review: Cape Cod |
“Grandma, when are we going to MY Cape Cod?” Yes, my 4-year old granddaughter thinks she has inherited Cape Cod. Four generations of our family have been going to Cape Cod.
It all start some time in the ‘40’s after World War II, when a couple convinced my in-laws that Cape Cod was far better than their traditional Atlantic City summer vacation. A visit to the quaint town of Falmouth began the tradition. Every summer at the same time my husband’s family stayed at Mrs. Leonard’s bed and breakfast home. Over the years they made friends with the people who vacationed there at the same time. I wish I could tell you all the funny stories of those years: crashing the Fireman’s Ball, brother-in law’s lamp from the garbage, sneaking beer (Hoodsies) on the beach, friend Ed from Boston who has a unique way of asking for the bread to be passed. They are still recounted in our family, but this is not the place to do so.
Fast forward to the ‘60’s my introduction to the Cape as the fiancée. Boy, was I nervous. I remember my first taste of fried clams-the real kind of fried clams. I think I threw up. I wonder if the iron scorch is still on the windowsill of Mrs. Leonard’s as I thought that would be the perfect place for the iron to cool. A wedding and 2 kids later began the third generation to the Cape. This time to the quaint town of Sandwich thanks to the generosity of a history department chairman. We had no money to afford 2 weeks in a 3-bedroom house. My girls have many memories of summers spent in Sandwich. When the empty nest hit, we discovered Dennisport, Yarmouth, and Harwich. Two years ago we introduced the Cape to 4 year old Rhiannon and 12 year old Stefani. You see, after 60 years Rhiannon is right. She has squatters’ rights.
How do you put so many towns and 60 years into one review? Cape Cod is so unique it should be a category of its own. I hope with this review I instill a love of this place-our second home.
Falmouth-Where it all started
Settled by the Quakers in 1661, Falmouth is a quaint town with a lovely downtown, village green, and friendly people. Just ask the mailman for a restaurant suggestion and you will chat for a half-hour. The beaches are wonderful. Old Silver Beach has public parking, bathhouse, and rest rooms. Check out Chapoquoit Beach where my husband almost drowned because he went swimming when the beach was closed. The Coonamessett Inn is a posh restaurant where I had the worst swordfish ever. I will give it another try since it has such a great reputation. Falmouth, along with Hyannis, is one of the places you can get the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. The Cape Cod Children’s Museum is a great place on a rainy day with its interactive and educational displays. (Adm. $3)
Woods Hole
Avoid this on a rainy day because you will never find a parking place. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Exhibit Center and the aquarium are well worth a visit or 2. The video of the Titanic discovery and the ALVIN display are great.
Sandwich-The Third Generation
My husband calls this the “old Cape Cod” before all the fast food restaurants invaded. Sandwich is located on Rt. 6A near Sagamore just as you get on the Cape. By the way, a tradition as you near the Cape is the first one to see the Bourne Bridge wins the $.10. You can’t pass Sandwich without stopping to eat at the Daniel Webster. Better yet stay there for unique visit. (see my review). Sandwich Glass Museum on Main Street displays glass made during the 19th Century and you can watch the artists create their beautiful glass. (Adm. $3.50) The Heritage Plantation of Sandwich on Grove and Pine Streets is 76 acres of landscaped gardens and nature trails. It has 3 museum buildings of antique autos, folk art, and military memorabilia. (Adm. $9) Stop for a great lunch or just tea at the charming Dunbar Tea Room. One of our favorite restaurants is the Bee-Hive in East Sandwich. They have a great lobster pie and terrific desserts. One must in this area is a scenic ride along Rt. 6A stopping at all the hidden treasures of antiques, art galleries, and gift shops. Linda’s Original in West Brewster is the place for all kinds of collectibles. Sandwich beaches are not our favorites since they are rocky and the water is cold.
Three routes basically access Cape Cod towns. Route 6A is the Upper Cape with unspoiled marshes and bays, but the water tends to be colder than the lower Cape. Route 6 is the Mid-Cape highway. This is a fast way to get around the Cape. Route 28 is the Lower Cape and is generally a traffic jam in the summer. Along the road you will find great public beaches, shops, restaurants, miniature golf, and the typical fast food restaurants.
As the empty nest syndrome approached, our vacations now were rented homes on the Lower Cape usually within walking distance of a private beach. Our favorites are Dennisport and West Yarmouth. One note about rentals: each town realtor seems to offer homes in that town only. We have found you can’t go to one realtor expecting to be shown homes in a variety of nearby towns.
West Yarmouth/South Yarmouth-The New Generation
The beaches here are wonderful. The water is warm and calm because they are on the Nantucket Sound. One can fish right off the Bass River Bridge. The ZooQuarium is well worth a visit with its petting zoo and sea life show. ($8 on Rt. 28) Maybe you will get to kiss a seal like Stefani did. Besides sandy beaches, this is a favorite because of some of our favorite restaurants. You will definitely find us at the Riverway Lobster House right by Bass River on Rt. 28. We are the ones walking out with a case of their famous salad dressing. Another great one is the Lobster Boat where you can feed the ducks while enjoying a cocktail. My favorite stop is the taffy stand where they make their own taffy. I can not remember the name of it (Cape Cod Salt Water Taffy?), but you will recognize it by all the taffy bins right out in the open. Just choose a box and fill it with handfuls of your favorite flavors. Of course, we each get our own box, and it is usually empty before we arrive home. Another must is Cuffy’s for the best T-shirts and sweats at great prices. They also have a factory store outlet off Rt.6. Along Rt. 28 there are also some great bookstores. Check out Annie’s Book Store.
Dennisport/West Dennis
Here also are long beaches with fine sand and warm water. Our favorites are Sea Street Beach and W. Dennis Beach off Lower County Rd. Parking is $10 and there are lifeguards and rest rooms. You can track me down at the Swan River Seafood Restaurant drooling over my fried clams. This is a great inexpensive family restaurant. Clancy’s is another great one that also has take-out orders. It does tend to get crowded though. Devon Tea Room is a great place to have lunch.
Harwich/Harwich Port
We are not fond of these beaches since there were many pebbles. The one time we stayed there we had to buy swim shoes in order to swim. This is a neat little town to visit to hunt antiques. Sadly our favorite restaurant-Cape Half House- is gone. A few others have changed hands and are no longer the same. No more eyes of wonder for my kids as the swan shaped cream puffs arrived. Last year we had a memorial service for Mildred’s in Hyannis. Before we even checked into any rented home, we always stopped at Mildred’s for a bowl of the best clam chowder anywhere. This was a family tradition for as long as I can remember. Change is so hard to deal with. I guess with we have to start new traditions with this new generation. So this summer, look for Rhiannon.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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Epinions.com ID:
bperreault
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Location: Upstate, Ny
Reviews written: 53
Trusted by: 24 members
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Traveling the world-One Epinion at a time.
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