Things to do in Falmouth, MA | Cape Cod Activities & Attractions

Beaches

Hiking & Biking

Biking

Shining Sea Bikeway
Just 2 ½ blocks from Palmer House Inn is the bikeway, 10.7 miles of nearly level, easy bike riding, rollerblading or running. The path extends from North Falmouth to Woods Hole and offers breathtaking views of the coastline. Access points at Elm Road, Oyster Pond Road and Surf Drive. Parking at entrance on Locust Street, Falmouth. Palmer House Inn regretfully is no longer able to carry bicycles for its guests due to insurance restrictions. However, Corner Cycles is two doors away and has a substantial selection of rental bikes from which to choose.

Cape Cod Canal
Scenic 13 mile (round trip) level trail runs along the Cape Cod Canal from Bourne to Sandwich on the Cape side with access to the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area west of the Bourne Bridge.

Hiking & Nature Walks

Spohr Gardens
45 Fells Road, Falmouth
A magnificently beautiful 6 acre garden located on Oyster Pond in Falmouth. In early spring, thousands of daffodils explode into color and are soon followed by equally riotous rhododendrons and daylilies.

Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries
In Falmouth, enjoy four amazing areas to bird watch!

Bourne Farm
6 North Falmouth Highway, North Falmouth
New England the way you only saw it in movies! 49 acres of drop-dead gorgeous countryside presided over by a stately pre-revolutionary 1775 Colonial Farmhouse. This romantic spot is also a popular wedding venue.
The Knob
Quissett Harbor Road, Falmouth
This dream-like fragile treasure is a world unto its own on the shore of Buzzards Bay, and offers bird watchers, hikers and bathers alike an escape from touristy crowds. Parking is limited. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.
Peachtree Circle Farm
881 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth
Another slice of New England heaven. Organic farming produces fresh fruits and vegetables that are sold at the Falmouth Farmer’s Market in season.
Salt Pond Trails
Falmouth
Right off the Shining Sea Bike Path, where it intersects Surf Drive on the shore of Salt Pond is a network of trails that appear to be expressly imagined for the serious bird watcher. Ospreys and swans are among the dozens of species you may find here.

Ashumet Holly & Wildlife Sanctuary
Ashumet Road, East Falmouth
Have you ever imagined yourself wandering through a whole forest of holly trees? How about a forest of 1,000 holly trees of 65 different varieties? The Ashumet Holly & Wildlife Sanctuary is administered by the Massachusetts Audubon Society and contains 45 acres, including an eight acre coastal plain pond, nature trails, guided nature walks, bird watching. See over 30 species of dragonflies and rare pondshore wildflowers.

Coonamessett Farm
277 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth
Aside from being a twenty-acre working farming and research facility, Coonamessett Farm offers a cafe and general store and fun events, for instance its weekly J-Night, Jamaican food with steel drum music every Wednesday night (in season). Other activities are pick-your-own veggies and fruit and scheduled events, such as Mother’s and Father’s Day brunches, Halloween Pumpkin Decorating and so on.

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
131 Waquoit Highway, East Falmouth
Located on the south shore of Cape Cod, and straddling the border of Falmouth and Mashpee the reserve is a vast estuary of nearly 3,000 acres of open waters, barrier beaches, marshlands and uplands. Bird watchers, swimmers, hikers and fishermen alike will find uncrowded conditions and breathtaking scenery!

Farms & Gardens

Spohr Gardens
45 Fells Road, Falmouth
A magnificently beautiful 6 acre garden located on Oyster Pond in Falmouth. In early spring, thousands of daffodils explode into color and are soon followed by equally riotous rhododendrons and daylilies.

Heritage Museums & Gardens
67 Grove St, Sandwich
With over 100 acres of gorgeous landscaped grounds, an antique car collection, art exhibits and an unending series of special exhibits and learning seminars, Heritage Museums & Gardens is an entertaining must-see destination.

Nature Areas & Birdwatching

Farms & Gardens

Spohr Gardens
45 Fells Road, Falmouth
A magnificently beautiful 6 acre garden located on Oyster Pond in Falmouth. In early spring, thousands of daffodils explode into color and are soon followed by equally riotous rhododendrons and daylilies.

Coonamessett Farm
277 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth
Aside from being a twenty-acre working farming and research facility, Coonamessett Farm offers a cafe and general store and fun events, for instance its weekly J-Night, Jamaican food with steel drum music every Wednesday night (in season). Other activities are pick-your-own veggies and fruit and scheduled events, such as Mother’s and Father’s Day brunches, Halloween Pumpkin Decorating and so on.

Heritage Museums & Gardens
67 Grove St, Sandwich
With over 100 acres of gorgeous landscaped grounds, an antique car collection, art exhibits and an unending series of special exhibits and learning seminars, Heritage Museums & Gardens is an entertaining must-see destination.

Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries

Bourne Farm
6 North Falmouth Highway, North Falmouth
New England the way you only saw it in movies! 49 acres of drop-dead gorgeous countryside presided over by a stately pre-revolutionary 1775 Colonial Farmhouse. This romantic spot is also a popular wedding venue.

The Knob
Quissett Harbor Road, Falmouth
This dream-like fragile treasure is a world unto its own on the shore of Buzzards Bay, and offers bird watchers, hikers and bathers alike an escape from touristy crowds. Parking is limited. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.

Peachtree Circle Farm
881 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth
Another slice of New England heaven. Organic farming produces fresh fruits and vegetables that are sold at the Falmouth Farmer’s Market in season.

Salt Pond Trails
Falmouth
Right off the Shining Sea Bike Path, where it intersects Surf Drive on the shore of Salt Pond is a network of trails that appear to be expressly imagined for the serious bird watcher. Ospreys and swans are among the dozens of species you may find here.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Ashumet Holly & Wildlife Sanctuary
Ashumet Road, East Falmouth
Have you ever imagined yourself wandering through a whole forest of holly trees? How about a forest of 1,000 holly trees of 65 different varieties? The Ashumet Holly & Wildlife Sanctuary is administered by the Massachusetts Audubon Society and contains 45 acres, including an eight acre coastal plain pond, nature trails, guided nature walks, bird watching. See over 30 species of dragonflies and rare pondshore wildflowers.

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
131 Waquoit Highway, East Falmouth
Located on the south shore of Cape Cod, and straddling the border of Falmouth and Mashpee the reserve is a vast estuary of nearly 3,000 acres of open waters, barrier beaches, marshlands and uplands. Bird watchers, swimmers, hikers and fishermen alike will find uncrowded conditions and breathtaking scenery!

Animal Encounters

Whale Watching

Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
269 Millway, Barnstable
Discover just how intelligent, friendly and sociable these giants are!

Wildlife Sancutaries

Salt Pond Area Bird Sanctuaries
In Falmouth, enjoy four amazing areas to bird watch:

Bourne Farm
6 North Falmouth Highway, North Falmouth
New England the way you only saw it in movies! 49 acres of drop-dead gorgeous countryside presided over by a stately pre-revolutionary 1775 Colonial Farmhouse. This romantic spot is also a popular wedding venue.
The Knob
Quissett Harbor Road, Falmouth
This dream-like fragile treasure is a world unto its own on the shore of Buzzards Bay, and offers bird watchers, hikers and bathers alike an escape from touristy crowds. Parking is limited. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.
Peachtree Circle Farm
881 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth
Another slice of New England heaven. Organic farming produces fresh fruits and vegetables that are sold at the Falmouth Farmer’s Market in season.
Salt Pond Trails
Falmouth
Right off the Shining Sea Bike Path, where it intersects Surf Drive on the shore of Salt Pond is a network of trails that appear to be expressly imagined for the serious bird watcher. Ospreys and swans are among the dozens of species you may find here.

Ashumet Holly & Wildlife Sanctuary
Ashumet Road, East Falmouth
Have you ever imagined yourself wandering through a whole forest of holly trees? How about a forest of 1,000 holly trees of 65 different varieties? The Ashumet Holly & Wildlife Sanctuary is administered by the Massachusetts Audubon Society and contains 45 acres, including an eight acre coastal plain pond, nature trails, guided nature walks, bird watching. See over 30 species of dragonflies and rare pondshore wildflowers.

Museums & Institutions

Aquarium Of The National Marine Fisheries
66 Water Street, Woods Hole, Falmouth
The oldest research aquarium in the country (created by Congress in 1871!) A great place to introduce your kids to marine wildlife. 140 species of aquatic life are on exhibit. Get close and personal with starfish, crabs and lobsters in the Aquarium’s touch tanks, literally a petting zoo for aquatic creatures! A ten minute drive from Palmer House Inn.

National Marine Life Center
120 Main Street, Bourne, MA
A marine animal hospital for the rehabilitation and release of stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles. Meet some of the patients, and “adopt” an animal. This nonprofit center is a great way to learn about how injured or sick sea animals heal and how their human caretakers facilitate that process.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole Falmouth
THE independent, not-for-profit go-to place to learn about ocean exploration, discovery and understanding. Numerous lectures, walking tours, science chats, splash lab (for kids) and (Fridays at noon) The Peanut Butter Club, with movies and talks on a topical subject. Ever wonder how jellyfish mate or how dolphins talk to each other? Come here and find out!

Museums

Historical Museums

Falmouth Museums on the Green
65 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth, MA
Just two doors from our inn, this is a favorite destination among our guests who have just arrived and are looking for an easily accessible destination! The museum features two 18th-century houses with period furnishings, an early 1800’s doctor’s office, exhibits on whaling and maritime history and exceptional grounds with a rose garden and voluminous hydrangeas. The museum has an active schedule of educational and entertaining events.

Katharine Lee Bates’ Birthplace
16 Main Street, Falmouth Village Green
Homestead of the author of “America The Beautiful”. While not open to the public, this historic site is just one block from Palmer House Inn.

Heritage Museums & Gardens
67 Grove St, Sandwich
With over 100 acres of gorgeous landscaped grounds, an antique car collection, art exhibits and an unending series of special exhibits and learning seminars, Heritage Museums & Gardens is an entertaining must-see destination.

Plimoth Plantation
137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth
Modeled on the original 1624 Pilgrim Fathers settlement, Plimoth Plantation is a living history museum that takes the visitor back to the earliest days of European immigration to North America. Immerse yourself in the culture of the period, and learn while you’re having fun!

Woods Hole Historical Museum
579 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole
Describing itself as a “lively small museum”, it features two galleries with exhibits that generally change each year and a third gallery that contains a permanent scale model of Woods Hole, circa 1895. In addition to its galleries, the museum hosts events such as its annual late August Oyster Talk and Tasting……. Mmmmmmm!

John F. Kennedy Museum
397 Main Street, Hyannis
Not only a monument to JFK and his towering legacy, but also a behind-the-scenes window into the life of the private family man, who always felt most at home on Cape Cod. Highly praised by visitors, and worth the one-hour drive to Hyannis.

Nature Museums

Aquarium of the National Marine Fisheries
66 Water Street, Woods Hole, Falmouth
The oldest research aquarium in the country (created by Congress in 1871!) A great place to introduce your kids to marine wildlife. 140 species of aquatic life are on exhibit. Get close and personal with starfish, crabs and lobsters in the Aquarium’s touch tanks, literally a petting zoo for aquatic creatures! A ten minute drive from Palmer House Inn.

National Marine Life Center
120 Main Street, Bourne
A marine animal hospital for the rehabilitation and release of stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles. Meet some of the patients, and “adopt” an animal. This nonprofit center is a great way to learn about how injured or sick sea animals heal and how their human caretakers facilitate that process.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole
THE independent, not-for-profit go-to place to learn about ocean exploration, discovery and understanding. Numerous lectures, walking tours, science chats, splash lab (for kids) and (Fridays at noon) The Peanut Butter Club, with movies and talks on a topical subject. Ever wonder how jellyfish mate or how dolphins talk to each other? Come here and find out!

Top Things to Do in Falmouth, MA