Things To Do
Take the Island Queen to Martha's Vineyard
Located walking distance from the wedding venue, take the short 35 minute ferry ride from Falmouth to Martha's Vineyard - the longtime summer escape for the Kennedy family and many others. Spend a day (or more!) enjoying the island's beautiful beaches, unspoiled nature, fresh seafood, and numerous historical sites.
Cape Cod National Seashore
Visit the stunning Cape Cod National Seashore, dedicated as a protected area by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. The Cape Cod National Seashore encompasses 176 square kilometers of pristine dune beaches, forested ponds, biodiverse wetlands, classic New England lighthouses, and more. Lounge on the many beaches, rent bikes and explore the many biking paths, or hike through kilometers of trails and see what wildlife you can spot!
Provincetown
Visit the iconic Provincetown, an hour and a half drive from Falmouth, on the very end of the Cape Cod peninsula. The historic city of Provincetown - in whose harbor the Mayflower Compact was drafted and signed - was a haven for the LGBTQI+ community in the early 20th century due to the town's avante-garde and accepting artistic community. Provincetown embraced the LGBTQI+ community and has since become one of the most popular destinations on the East Coast for LGBTQI+ travelers and events. Expect LGBTQI+ themed events throughout the summer... especially during Pride month in June!
Get Out on the Open Ocean!
There is no better activity while visiting Cape Cod than getting out on a boat to see the Cape from a new vantage point. There are endless options depending on your preferences, from sunset cruises with champagne in hand to whale watching, fishing, and everything in between. For the truly adventurous, why not set out with a local captain to track down one of the ocean's apex predators - the Great White Shark! We included a link to one of the best recommended whale watching boats below, but there are nearly endless options for different budgets, group sizes, and activities. If you are interested in or are planning to organize a trip and need more people to cut costs, let us know and we will do our best to connect you to other interested wedding guests! For smaller, more intimate options near the wedding venue, try Woods Hole Island Tours (https://www.woodsholeislandtours.com/) or the Liberte (https://www.theliberte.com/)
Hit the Beach
With 900 kilometers of coastline, Cape Cod has many beautiful beaches to choose from. Here are some of our favorites to get you started: - Bristol Beach: The wedding venue; previously a private beach donated to the town by our family's ancestors. - Mayflower Beach: Large, white sand beach considered one of Cape Cod's best. Great sunset viewing. - Herring Cove Beach: Calm waters, known for its sunsets. - Head of the Meadow: Large sand dunes, remote location with smaller crowds. - Marconi Beach: Sandy beach with large dune bluffs. - Race Point Beach: Northernmost point of Cape Cod, strong currents and wind but sometimes possible to spot whales from the beach. - Kalmus Beach: Best beach for windsurfing and water sports. - Falmouth Heights Beach: Long sandy beach close to the wedding venue with warmer water. - Nobska Beach: Small sandy crescent near a picturesque lighthouse. For another perspective, see the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce's list of Cape Cod's best beaches below.
Woods Hole
Boasting waterfront restaurants, a plethora of things to do, and the world renowned Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole is a great place to spend a day or afternoon nearby the wedding venue. For those interested in ocean science, a visit to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (https://www.whoi.edu/) - the world's premier independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research, technology, and education - is a must! Rather than searching for one of Woods Hole's limited parking spots, we recommend taking the old fashioned trolley into Woods Hole from Falmouth for only $2 per ride.(https://capecodrta.org/bus_routes/whoosh-trolley/)
The Historic City of Boston
Located only 1.5 hours from the wedding venue and your likely port of arrival if traveling to the wedding by plane, the city of Boston is well worth a visit. The birthplace of the American Revolution, Boston is replete with history - check out the Freedom trail for a short walk that passes 16 of the most significant sites - as well as all the trappings of a modern city. Beware driving though - Boston is notorious for its traffic and expensive parking and is best explored on foot. While exploring Boston's revived waterfront and many museums, don't forget to cross the Charles River into Cambridge and stroll around the picturesque campus of Harvard University.
Plimoth Patuxet Living Museums
History buffs will remember Plymouth, Massachusetts as the site of the first permanent English colonial settlement in New England, established in 1620 by the Pilgrims - a group of English refugees fleeing religious persecution aboard the Mayflower. The complex of living history museums at Plimoth Patuxet showcases the 17th century life of both the English colonists and the Wampanoag people - the region's indigenous population whose people and traditions continue to persevere despite centuries of hardship.