Dwell360 Guide: Welcome to Falmouth
Known for its beautiful beaches, Falmouth is one of the Cape’s most popular coastal towns. It’s also one of the closer towns to the bridges at the Cape Cod Canal, making it an easy place to travel to for a quick getaway.
A Brief History
Falmouth was likely the first place in America that English explorers landed, with Bartholomew Gosnold stepping onto its beaches on May 31, 1602. It wasn’t until 1660 that the first settlement appeared, with only 13 settlers. In 1685, the settlement bought land from the Natives and expanded, and they soon incorporated as the town of Falmouth on June 4th, 1686. Originally, Falmouth also included the current Cape town of Bourne, but in 1725, Bourne separated and became its own town. Falmouth thrived off of agriculture trades, fishing, salt making, trade, and shipbuilding. In 1729, ferries began to travel between Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard. The years 1835-1870 saw the addition of more houses along Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound, as well as the establishment of Falmouth Village. Agriculture continued to flourish in the town during these years, and Falmouth became the leading producer of cordwood, as well as the largest producer of sheep and wool on the Cape. As maritime trades such as fishing and whaling began to decline, cranberry cultivation became more popular. More industrialization and development, as well as tourism, came to the town with the creation of a railroad to Falmouth between 1870 and 1920. The completion of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges in 1935, during the automobile age, opened up the Cape to a whole new fleet of tourists. Over the last century, agriculture began to decline, and Falmouth developed into the wonderful community it is today.
Top 13 Things to Do in Falmouth
Old Silver Beach: Located on Buzzards Bay, Old Silver Beach offers stunning views and the perfect setting for a beach day. Explore the rock jetty and discover little creatures in the shallow waters.
The Glass Onion: A more upscale establishment, The Glass Onion offers up unique dishes, from lobster strudel to quinoa stuffed squash.
Shining Sea Bikeway: A historic 10.7 mile trail, Shining Sea Bikeway is an essential destination for experienced and amateur bikers alike. Enjoy stunning views as you ride along the coast of Falmouth, Woods Hole, and the Vineyard Sound.
LaCucina Sul Mare: Run by a husband and wife team, LaCucina Sul Mare is a fine dining spot you won’t want to pass up. Taste delicious Italian cuisine, including fettuccine bolognese, chicken Napoleon, and shrimp & scallop piccata.
Falmouth Heights Beach: Overlooking Vineyard Sound, Falmouth Heights Beach is another great spot for a beach day with its warm waters and clean sand.
Woods Hole Science Aquarium & Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Explore the Woods Hole Science Aquarium, the oldest aquarium in the country, and discover the different sea creatures of the Cape. Be sure to check out the Oceanographic Institution as well, and take a walking tour to learn about the work and preservation of the Institution, and its importance on the Cape!
Shuckers Raw Bar: Grab a table on the dock at this lovely waterfront eatery. With some of the best seafood around, you can enjoy anything from stuffed quahog, to locally cultivated oysters, to day boat scallops.
Quarterdeck Restaurant: With a dining atmosphere that resembles that of a lower deck in an old ship (with wood that dates back to the 1600s!), Quarterdeck Restaurant is an exciting place for a meal. Dig into some tuna sashimi for lunch or some grilled octopus for dinner.
Stony Beach: A hidden gem! You won’t want to miss this beach, located on the coast of Woods Hole. With plenty of small crabs and fish, as well as rock jetties, you can enjoy a simple swim or a thrilling snorkeling experience!
Steamship Authority Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard: The fun isn’t only in Falmouth! During your trip, be sure to ride the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and experience all that the island has to offer.
Historic Main Street: From quaint shops to fantastic eateries, the historic Main Street in Falmouth offers something for everyone. Grab a bite as well as some souvenirs to remember your visit.
The Boathouse at Pier 37: It doesn’t get much better than waterfront fine dining. At The Boathouse, you’ll not only enjoy a delicious meal (with offerings such as lobster rolls, calamari, and an entire sushi menu), but a fantastic nightlife atmosphere.
The Knob: Explore the beautiful nature of the Knob, located in Woods Hole, and experience stunning views of Buzzards Bay and Quissett Harbor. It’s definitely a popular site in Falmouth, and worth a visit!
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Sources
Captain’s Manor Inn. Best Falmouth Restaurants for Your Cape Cod Getaway. Retrieved from https://captainsmanorinn.com/area/best-restaurants-in-falmouth/.
Palmer House Inn. The Ultimate Foodie’s Guide to Dining in Falmouth. Retrieved from https://www.palmerhouseinn.com/restaurant-reviews/the-ultimate-foodies-guide-to-dining-in-falmouth/.
Tripadvisor. Things to Do in Falmouth. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g41565-Activities-Falmouth_Cape_Cod_Massachusetts.html.
Anchored Adventure Blog. Visit Cape Cod: Things to do in Falmouth, MA. Retrieved from https://anchoredadventureblog.com/2019/09/01/things-to-do-falmouth-massachusetts/.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Falmouth Reconnaissance Report Heritage Landscape Inventory Program. Retrieved from https://www.mass.gov/doc/falmouth/download.
