Things to do in Cape Cod, Cape Cod: The Best Historic Sites

September 27, 2021 Chanda Heide

The Atlantic crashes on a coastline strewn with quaint harbors, windswept beaches, glorious dunes and blinking lighthouses. Explore Cape Cod National Seashore, bike past cranberry bogs on the Rail Trail or saunter around Sandwich, the Cape's oldest town. Many areas are architectural and culinary gems - full of weathered shingles, whaling captains' mansions, chowder shacks and upscale dining delights. Don't miss Woods Hole Oceanquest, famed Martha's Vineyard or charmingly upbeat Provincetown.
Restaurants in Cape Cod

1. Sturgis Library Barnstable

3090 Main St, Barnstable, MA 02630-1107 +1 508-362-6636 [email protected] https://www.sturgislibrary.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 17 reviews

Sturgis Library Barnstable

2. West Parish Meetinghouse

2049 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable, MA 02668-1404 +1 508-362-4445 http://www.westparish.org/
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

West Parish Meetinghouse

3. Briggs McDermott House

22 Sandwich Rd, Buzzards Bay, Bourne, MA 02532-3609 +1 508-759-6120 http://www.bournehistoricalsociety.org/historic-bourne-village
Excellent
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Briggs McDermott House

4. Wing Fort House

63 Spring Hill Rd (mailing address 69 Spring Hill Rd), East Sandwich, Sandwich, MA 02537-1028 +1 508-833-1540 http://wingfamily.org
Excellent
88%
Good
8%
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4%
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5.0 based on 25 reviews

Wing Fort House

5. Atwood Museum

347 Stage Harbor Rd, Chatham, MA 02633-2229 +1 508-945-2493 [email protected] http://www.chathamhistoricalsociety.org
Excellent
95%
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5%
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1%
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5.0 based on 151 reviews

Atwood Museum

Exhibit hours and days vary throughout the year. For details please visit our website. **Advance reservations are required during the pandemic.** Most, but not all exhibits may be open at this time. ** New exhibits this year include: - An outdoor Wetu (Wampanoag dwelling), - The Turning Point - Mayflower Exhibit, - WWII Commemoration, and - Honoring the Suffrage Movement. Explore Cape Cod of centuries past with 12 galleries in 14 exhibits, starting with a tour of a historical dwelling built circa 1752. Discover Cape Cod's captivating history, art, and culture at the Chatham Historical Society's Atwood House Museum. In addition to the 18th century Atwood House, Museum highlights include: a Mural Barn with works by Alice Stallknecht, the Nickerson North Beach Camp, a fishing gallery, Double Take Then and Now photo exhibit, Main Street Cape Cod, stories of the Pendleton and other shipwrecks, several rotating exhibits, a research facility, a popular gift shop and more.

Reviewed By EllieR33 - Leeds, United Kingdom

We visited last week, on a very wet day in Chatham, as we were looking for something indoors to do, and most things were closed as it was the end of September. This place was a lucky find, we must have spent a good couple of hours there and could have taken longer. The tour of the original old house that forms part of the site, the beach cabin out back, the displays of clothing, shells and war history were all fascinating. We especially enjoyed learning about the story of the rescue of the crew members from the Pendleton shipwreck. The staff here are friendly, and informative, thoroughly recommended if you're in Chatham

6. Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

847 Orleans Rd, North Chatham, Chatham, MA 02650-1165 +1 508-945-8889 [email protected] http://chathammarconi.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 203 reviews

Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

Founded in 2002, the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center occupies two restored buildings on the preserved 11 acre, 10-building campus which comprised the former Marconi/RCA Wireless Receiving Station, once the busiest ship-to-shore station on the East Coast and a significant military installation during World War II. From Marconi's Spark To Modern Wireless! The Center's Marconi/RCA Wireless Museum offers interactive exhibits tracing the history of maritime wireless communication in Chatham from its formative days with Marconi through the 20th Century, and the wireless we use today. Visit arrival hours are listed; reservations are advised. Chatham Marconi's Education Center houses the museum's Wireless Today gallery and STEM education classrooms. The Center offers forward-thinking STEM education in area schools through its unique TechSmart program, STEM After Hours outside the classroom, and fun on-site week-long Summer Science classes. Please see website for details.

Reviewed By mememcmc

Awesome museum for both kids and adults. The history and real life experiences were exciting - and alot of great cape cod history. Many hands on activities for the young and old.

7. Hoxie House

18 Water St, Sandwich, MA 02563-2310 +1 508-888-1173 http://capecodmuseumtrail.com/museum-directory/hoxie-house/
Excellent
72%
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4.5 based on 178 reviews

Hoxie House

Built in 1637, this is believed to be the oldest house on Cape Cod.

8. White Cedar Swamp

Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet, MA 02667-8142 +1 508-255-3421 http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/atlanticwhitecedar.htm
Excellent
65%
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25%
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4.5 based on 118 reviews

White Cedar Swamp

The site of Marconi's wireless transmission station.

Reviewed By Wander555899

An easy walk through and unusual landscape. Most of the walk is on a raised walkway through a beautiful, peaceful ecologically sensitive area. Somewhat mystical on foggy days but always beautiful.

9. Quaker Friends Meetinghouse

Spring Hill Rd., East Sandwich, Sandwich, MA +1 508-398-3773
Excellent
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10%
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4.5 based on 10 reviews

Quaker Friends Meetinghouse

10. Edward Gorey House

8 Strawberry Ln, Yarmouth Port, Yarmouth, MA 02675-1725 +1 508-362-3909 [email protected] http://www.edwardgoreyhouse.org
Excellent
75%
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4.5 based on 202 reviews

Edward Gorey House

Dedicated to the author-illustrator, Edward Gorey, and to raising awareness for animal welfare issues.

Reviewed By GinG59

Great choice for adults to find out history of Cape Cod and Edward Gorey. It is a fun place to visit and leaves a memory of eccentric people.

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