I recently read an interesting passage from Local, a book about finding nearby nature and wilderness. The author Alastair Humphreys cites an unprecedented trend of pub closures in England despite their cultural relevance, among other things. (The book is about exploring your hometown and [corner] pub closures were noticeable.)
While pubs on Cape Cod may not have the same history as they do in England, there are plenty of iconic ones. One of them stands out because sometimes, a sign says it all.
Let’s start with the nod to family – “Little Dudes Welcome.” Yes, bring your kids. Everyone is welcome.
Let’s move on with being a good family member – “Good Fathers Make Good Sons.” The location of this sign, in the corner booths, is kind of perfect.
Onto the menu. Stuck on what to order? A few jokes will put your mind at ease.
Did I mention affordability. Stop by on a Sunday and get 50% off a second burger. (For every 500 points earned, you get $30 off.)
Dining room, bar top, booths, table top. Pints, flights, you name it, they probably have it. While dimly lit inside, the vibes are bright.
The restaurant is also a stones throw away from the railroad tracks. If you happen to be sitting on the outdoor bench, you have a perfect view of an inbound or outbound train.
Just saying, entertainment (and signs, like railroad crossing) everywhere at Father’s!
The lobster trap Christmas Tree in Provincetown. Photo credit: Ptown Tourism.
by Jeff Shaw
The holiday season is upon us! And Cape Cod is a wonderful place to experience authentic Christmas cheer, “where modern amenities and Victorian charm casually coexist.” (Boston Magazine)
So in an effort to spread some Christmas cheer, check out these holiday events on Cape Cod. You may just catch the holiday spirit!
Christmas by the Sea, Chatham
Christmas by the Sea weekend, December 13th – 15th, is full of events that have leapt right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The celebration kicks off on Friday night with a children’s light parade that escorts Santa down Main Street on a fire truck to the tree lighting ceremony at Sears Park (intersection of Seaview and Main Streets).
Activities continue in shops up and down Main Street as well as free horse & carriage rides and visits with Santa in the Chamber Information booth (next to Yankee Ingenuity gift shop). Saturday brings plenty more events in the businesses around town, including a special movie screening for the little ones at the Chatham Orpheum Theater and Breakfast with Santa.
Christmas Parades, Falmouth, Hyannis & Mashpee
Christmas Carolers in Falmouth. Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
Gardens Aglow, Heritage Museum and Gardens, Sandwich
Gardens aglow! Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich celebrates the season with over nine miles of holiday lights. Stroll through the illuminated grounds, while also taking time to pose with Santa in a 1914 Ford Model T, take a ride on a vintage carousel, roast marshmallows, and participate in a reindeer scavenger hunt.
Drive through Sandwich and try to spot all of The Giants, over two dozen illuminated sculptures along 6A.
Polar Express, Cape Cod Central Railroad, Bourne & Hyannis
One of Santa’s little helpers. Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
All aboard! Magic is in the air on the Cape Cod Central Railroad’s Polar Express, where passengers will sing carol over cookies and hot cocoa. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a festive trip to meet Santa.
Trains depart out of the Buzzards Bay depot from late November through December.
Lobster Pot [Christmas] Tree, Provincetown
There is quite possibly nothing more quintessential New England than a Christmas Tree made entirely out of lobster traps. Provincetown’s Lobster Pot Tree is made using over 100 of them – all borrowed from local lobstermen – and is accentuated by 3,000+ LED lights and colorful buoys. Visit Provincetown’s Lopes Square anytime during the holiday season.
Partially consumed Kickin’ Chicken Sandwich. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
by Jeff Shaw
Local Tavern & Grille is family-friendly restaurant, with a dog-friendly patio, and an adults-only vibe. While that description may sound mutually [“tri-ually”] exclusive, it’s not, and more importantly, it works.
Home of the former British Beer Company, ‘Local’ in Sandwich is a must-try for families, adults and for the aforementioned doggies, alike. The expansive restaurant has traditional indoor dining rooms, a private room, ample bar and enormous outdoor patio. The latter features firepits, cornhole pit, chalkboard (for kids), and comfortable outdoor furniture.
The Kona Brewing Company brand fits the Local vibe perfectly. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Our choice for seating was a picnic table, with extended umbrella to stay cool under the warm sun, on the patio. Our order included featured entrees (grilled salmon), pub fare (kickin’ chicken sandwich) and kiddos menu (chicken fingers, with seemingly endless French fries).
Indeed, the patio features distinguishes Local from other, similar restaurants. But in case you need more, below are a handful of “yeah, this place is solid,” amenities:
Ample parking. The parking lot you see while passing along Route 6A is about 25% of the capacity on the side and behind the building.
Extensive draft list. For the thirsty, adult crowd, the tap list has a great mix of local, regional and national brands. The $4 beer options are a rarity on Cape.
Friendly and fast service. The wait staff hustles, and somehow manage a smile while doing so.
The back parking lot with a view of the enormous outdoor patio. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Cornhole pit. The cornhole pit is legit; with twin sets for ongoing game action. Not many Cape Cod restaurants are able to host a cornhole tournament, but Local “can.”
Broken sea shell ‘lawn.’ Kiddos can roam free on the [broken sea shell] lawn. The ‘lawn’ is surprisingly spacous and most importaly, fenced off from the parking lot. My kiddos felt right at home working up an appetite by stomping on shells in between bursts of running around like a pack of [insert wild animal of your choice].
A cornhole tournament ($100 first place prize), 5K road race (9:15am), arts and crafts festival and food truck vendors is the line-up for Canal Day in Bourne on September 21, 2024.
The 66th Annual Antique Car Parade will happen on August 25, 2024 in West Dennis.
“Show off your prized wheels and join us for a cruise from Dennis Port to Dennis Village. The parade leaves West Dennis Beach at 11 am and winds through the villages of Dennis, ending at the Cape Playhouse where you can enjoy refreshments and visiting the car owners. There are many viewing areas along the way.”
Mashpee Chamber of Commerce will once again support the 2024 Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14. Celebrate the magic of the holiday season from 5:30-6:30pm with this holiday tradition in Mashpee Commons thanks to sponsorship from local businesses.
The Orleans Pond Coalition and the Town of Orleans will once again host the 14th annual Celebrate Our Waters Festival. The event occurs during the weekend of September 13-15.
Last year, the event featured over thirty free events highlighting the natural wonder, scenic beauty, and recreational pleasure of Orleans’ priceless waterways and the unique character of the community.
Over this fun-filled weekend, people can paddle beautiful Arey’s Pond at sunset, take a morning yoga class at Nauset Beach, tour Town Cove by kayak, bike around town, walk scenic pond trails and even tour our sparkling new Wastewater Treatment Facility.
The oldest Cape Cod town embraces its ‘tasty’ name with its 15th Annual Street Fair. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 5, 2024!
Last year, the festival featured over 90 street vendors, local artists, craftsmen and retailers, children’s activities, food and more. Event hours are 10am-4pm along historic and picturesque Water Street/Downtown.
Sponsorship levels vary from Premier ($2,500) to Contributing ($50)
Gardens in bloom with an administrative building in the background. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
By Jeff Shaw
I’ve always noticed a large brown ‘historic attraction’ sign along Route 6 – the Mid-Cape Highway near [former] Exit 2. It reads Heritage Museums & Gardens and that sign should probably have blinking lights, a spotlight or one of those inflatable air dancers to emphasize the joy that is the Heritage campus.
Heritage Museums and Gardens is bustling in the summer, shoulder seasons (Halloween Spooktacular!), and even the winter. Their annual Gardens Aglow – light displays throughout the gardens, festive seasonal decor and fun activities for all – sold out in mid-November.
A map of the grounds. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
It is no wonder this celebration of lights has become a treasured holiday tradition, just listen to this event description: “…visit with Santa in the 1913 Ford Model T…take a ride on the 1908 Looff carousel and view winter scenes from the Currier and Ives collection…roast marshmallows…go on a reindeer scavenger hunt…enjoy seasonal treats from Lily’s Café and Cape Cod Donut Truck…warn up at a fire table…view the expanded model train display.” Talk about a good time.
But I’m not here to talk about Gardens Aglow [frankly, it speaks for itself]. Heritage Museums and Gardens is great choice on overcast days, as most of the attractions are outside, so some protection from the sun is welcome.
A replica train coach of the railroad display in the Special Exhibitions Gallery. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
The gardens are impressive, with interesting features mixed-in, such as artwork, windmills, a labyrinth, a garden maze (think corn maze), fountains, a legit tree house, and of course, buildings with exhibits. The indoor, turn of the 20th century historic carousel ride is also a must.
The museums are quite engaging on their own. The two-level classic car showroom; the history of Cape Cod becoming a tourist destination, and more importantly, how to protect it given the massive influx of people, traffic, pollution, development, etc., that accompanies such success.
A wooden bridge near the Maze Garden. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
The Hundred Acre School is one of their featured programs. “The Hundred Acre School was created to cultivate young minds using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) as a springboard to multidisciplinary learning.” Full or half day programs are available for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grades 1 and 2.
Accessibility is noteworthy. In addition to regular shuttles, the main pathways are paved, with ramps into the buildings. Even the trails, seashell, stone, dirt, gravel, are in good condition for strollers (walkers, not so much).
The labyrinth near the historic carousel. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Oddly, one super random thing caught my eye in the parking lot. Spray paint on the pavement which reads, “Joggers start,” and then twenty yards away, “Walkers start”. It seems a road race begins in the parking lot. I don’t know what it entails, so I’ll have to return to find out.
The markings of a road race in the parking lot. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw
Another sign this is the place to be – Shawme Pond is part of the grounds!
