Sandwich: History, Nature and Beach Walks

Sandwich brings together historical insights, nature trails and experiences by the water. At Heritage Museums & Gardens, highlights range from a car exhibition to trails along Shawme Pond; elsewhere, you can explore glassmaking, a 17th-century house and a working grist mill. Beaches and the canal can also be part of your plans. You can tailor your stay to whether culture, outdoor activity or time by the water is your priority.

Glass, Cars and a 17th-Century House

Heritage Museums & Gardens displays 42 outstanding automobiles. The exhibition ranges from an 1899 Winton to a 1965 Ford Country Squire Station Wagon. These two years mark the wide span of time represented by the vehicles on display. If you are interested in technology and automotive history, this offers a different way to explore Sandwich’s cultural attractions than the Sandwich Glass Museum.

The museum focuses on exhibitions covering more than three centuries of glassmaking history. The long history of this craft makes the museum a cultural destination in its own right. Together with the car collection, it gives you two distinct themes to consider for your stay, without one exhibition replacing the other.

Built around 1640, Hoxie House offers a glimpse of life in Sandwich in the 17th century. It stands on its original site and was fully and faithfully restored in 1959. If you are interested in historic houses, it offers a tangible connection to this era. Dexter Grist Mill adds another option: a working grist mill overlooking Lower Shawme Pond.

Nature Trails and Treetop Walks

Heritage Museums & Gardens spans 100 acres, with paths along the shore of Shawme Pond. Several miles of nature trails run through the grounds. So the car exhibition is not the only option to consider when planning your day: the paths through the grounds are another possibility. This lets you combine cultural experiences with time on the nature trails.

The 700-acre Shawme-Crowell State Forest, a forest of pitch pine and scrub oak, offers a different landscape. It provides a distinct nature-focused alternative to the grounds by the pond. For a vacation with children, the Adventure Park at Heritage Museums & Gardens is another specific option: it offers five treetop courses for adults and children aged 7 and up. The age requirement can help you decide whether this experience is a good fit when planning your day together.

From the Village to the Beach and Waterfront

The Sandwich Boardwalk connects the village to Town Neck Beach. Town Neck Beach/Boardwalk runs from Town Neck Road to Wood Avenue. The boardwalk is therefore a useful point of reference for travelers who want to combine beach time with a visit to the village. Free beach wheelchairs are available at Sandwich’s beaches. They are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and a refundable deposit of $100 is required.

Scusset Beach State Reservation offers another way to enjoy the waterfront. Along the canal, it has 1.5 miles of shoreline for walking, running, cycling, birdwatching, ship-watching and picnicking. A 3,000-foot-long breakwater and a fishing pier add to the activities on offer. There are options for different kinds of waterfront outings, from a walk to fishing.

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, decide which activity matters most to your travel group.

Other destinations in this selection: Bourne, Truro, Brewster, Barnstable, Falmouth, Eastham, Wellfleet and Yarmouth.

Go to the main travel overview: Barnstable.