Featured Stories & Articles from Cape Cod Travel Magazine: Making the Most of the Cultural Coast
19 stops along the Massachusetts Cultural Coast
The area south of Boston, including Cape Cod, has been named the Massachusetts Cultural Coast for its wealth of historical treasures. Here you will find the nation's oldest continuously operating research aquarium, the world's largest exhibit of naval warships and the world's largest collection of whaling artifacts in an authentic whaling port. You'll also find beaches, gardens, golf courses, vineyards and much more.
To help you plan a day trip from Fall River to Falmouth, we've identified way more than a day’s worth attractions along the way. And to keep you fueled, we've included some restaurants, too.
1. Battleship Cove: See the world's largest exhibit of historic naval ships - battleship, submarine, destroyer and PT boats to name a few. Then ride the 1920 carved wooden carousel. Park is open year round; carousel is open seasonally. 5 Water St., Fall River; 800-533-3194 or 508-678-1100.
2. New Bedford Whaling Museum: Walk beneath five enormous whale skeletons, step aboard a half-size model of a whaling bark and see the new multimedia exhibit on whaling and whale preservation. Open year round. 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford; 508-997-0046.
3. Seamen’s Bethel: This nondenominational church built in 1831 was the Whaleman's Chapel immortalized in Herman Melville's novel, Moby-Dick. See the tablets mounted on the walls (cenotaphs), which memorialize whalemen and fishermen who died at sea. Open Memorial Day through Columbus Day. 15 Johnny Cake Hill; New Bedford.
4. Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum: This 1834 Greek revival mansion, designed by architect Richard Upjohn, is an example of the fine homes built for whaling merchants on the hill overlooking the waterfront. Open year round for self-guided tours. 396 County St., New Bedford; 508-997-1401.
5. Buttonwood Park Zoo: Meet the zookeepers, take a behind-the-scenes tour and participate in animal enrichment programs on a one-hour Zoo Encounter, available by appointment at Bristol County's most visited attraction. Open year round. 425 Hawthorn St., New Bedford; 508-991-4556.
6. Acushnet River Valley Golf Course: The best deal is Weekend Twilight, 18 holes with a cart for $34, starting at 2 p.m. at this Scottish links municipal course with private course conditions. Open March through December. 685 Main St., Acushnet; 508-998-7777.
7. Water Wizz of Cape Cod: Thrills include mini-slides and floating alligators for toddlers, serpentine and speed slides from a 50-foot hill for daredevils and a wave pool and river float for families. Open June through September. 3031 Cranberry Hgwy., East Wareham; 508-295-3255.
8. Sunset Grille at the Brookside Club: Enjoy fresh mussels, stuffed quahogs and other lunch specials on the hilltop terrace or lawn overlooking the golf course, railroad bridge and Cape Cod Canal. Open year round. 11 Brigadoon Rd. Bourne; 508-743-0705.
9. Woods Hole Science Aquarium: Don't miss the harbor seal presentations outside at the seal tank at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the oldest continuously operating research aquarium in the country. Free admission. Open year round. 166 Water St., Woods Hole; 508-495-2001.
10. Spohr Gardens: Stroll along shaded, winding paths in this six-acre garden on Oyster Pond, established by Margaret and Charles Spohr and supported by their charitable trust. Free admission. Open year round. 45 Fells Rd., Falmouth; 508-548-0623.
11. Uptown Dog Cape Cod Bakery & Boutique: Products to pamper your pooch - from all natural liver biscotti to Lilly Pulitzer bling. Free samples for canine customers. Open year round. 143 Main St., Falmouth; 508-548-4115.
12. Woods Hole Handworks: Artist cooperative gallery selling hand-dyed silk scarves, felted hats, hand-woven scarves, throws and placemats, pottery, ceramic trays, woodcut prints, quilts, jewelry and photographs. Open mid-June through Columbus Day. 68 Water St., Woods Hole; 508-540-5291.
13. College Light Opera Company at the Highfield Theatre: Summer stock theater featuring a full-size stage company and pit orchestra performing operettas, such as Pirates of Penzance, and popular musicals, such as West Side Story. Thursday matinees and evening performances in July and August. 58 Highfield Dr., Falmouth; 508-548-0668.
14. Shuckers World Famous Raw Bar: Try Falmouth's micro-brewed Nobska Light Beer and lobster (served boiled, baked stuffed and nine other ways), the specialty of this casual waterfront restaurant overlooking Eel Pond. Dock seating, inside and out. Open May through mid-October. 91A Water St., Woods Hole; 508-540-3850.
15. Martha’s Vineyard: In Oak Bluffs, see the colorful Victorian cottages on a tour of the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association grounds and ride the Flying Horses Carousel. Then go on a naturalist-led tour of Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge on Chappaquiddick Island.
16. Nantucket: Learn about this 19th-century whaling capital at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Explore the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge or a lighthouse, natural history or fishing discovery tour. And enjoy a sunset picnic at Madaket Beach.
