Eat

Before you start your day of exploring, fuel up at Café Chew in Sandwich. With a focus on organic, natural, and whole foods, Café Chew serves hearty, healthy breakfasts and lunches year-round. “In Sandwich, it’s a little different. We have the fewest number of second homeowners on Cape Cod and we don’t see the exodus after Labor Day,” says Café Chew owner Bob King. “It’s a great year-round community.” 

Cape Cod Coffee has additional caffeinated options for you as well as breakfast and lunch at its Mashpee Commons location. The company’s roasting facility, which is also in Mashpee on Route 130, features a café for all your coffee and baked goods needs, but also a kitchen that cooks delicious lunches and dinners, and a bar with a rotating tap of local brews. 

When it’s time to wind down for the evening, visit Naukabout Taproom and Beer Garden in Mashpee for classic IPAs and more adventurous brews like milkshake IPAs and fruity Hefeweizens. Ready for dinner?  Bobby Byrne’s Pub, a Cape favorite since it opened in 1973, has locations in Mashpee and Sandwich, where you can relax and enjoy a hearty lunch or dinner. If you are looking for carefully crafted tacos and burritos to be paired with gourmet cocktails, stop by Añejo Falmouth, which offers guests an upscale approach to Mexican cuisine. Bleu in Mashpee Commons is an upscale option where you can be transported to France for a meal.

See & Do

When most people think of the Cape, they think of sunny, 80-degree days on the beach, dining al fresco in the evening, and sitting in bridge traffic. But those in the know understand that the real magic of the Cape happens in the off-season. 

There’s nothing like fall in New England, so head outside because there’s so much to see and do. In Falmouth, visit the Knob for easy hiking trails and stunning views. The Cape Cod Canal Bikeway spans the length between the two bridges and is perfect for any outdoor activity, whether you’re looking to take a walk or run, a bike ride, or even do a little fishing! Too cold to be outside? No problem. Bring the kids to the Cape Cod Children’s Museum in Mashpee for some hands-on learning. And if history is more your speed, make sure to visit the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Museum.

Whether you stick to Route 6A or Route 28, there’s plenty of shopping to be done on either side. Main Street (Route 28) in Falmouth has something for everyone, from unique gift emporiums like Twigs of Falmouth to clothing stores like The Black Dog and Maxwell & Co. Mashpee Commons is home to over 50 retailers, including the only L.L. Bean store on the Cape. Take a drive down scenic Route 6A and experience Sandwich in the off-season. Titcomb’s Bookshop is a favorite among locals and visitors thanks to its cozy atmosphere and incredible selection of books, stationery, and local gifts. If antiquing is more your style, check out Sandwich Antiques Center, which is one of the largest antiques venues in the area.

Stay

When booking your stay, whether you prefer an inn, a hotel, an Airbnb or anything in between, you’ll feel at home on the Upper Cape. The Woods Hole Inn offers vintage rooms with modern updates, conveniently located right by the Martha’s Vineyard ferry. Or rest your head in an 1848 Victorian home at the Isaiah Jones Homestead Bed & Breakfast in Sandwich. “We’ve always been open year-round, and we love to provide an opportunity for people to experience the Cape when there aren’t the crowds,” says the bed and breakfast owner Katherine Sanderson. The Falmouth Tides Motel offers waterfront views at affordable costs and is just minutes away from bustling Falmouth Center.