We love an easy weekend escape and to feature local places that can make it easier to plan that perfect three days away. Only a little over an hour from Boston, Sandwich is a unique and perfect destination for a weekend getaway. It is just one of those special places so quintessential New England small town that you really feel like your taken back in time. In fact, it is the oldest town on Cape Cod and it remains full of its historical seaside village charm even today.
This charming Cape village has an amazing mix of nature, heritage, and local finds to explore. Summer and spring are amazing here with the warmer weather and beautiful beaches. Fall and winter are also amazing times to visit here. The gorgeous New England foliage makes an idyllic backdrop to your visit and quaint historic inns await for cozy fireside dinners. The beauty of a small New England town like Sandwich is the uniqueness in the change of seasons – something special to explore throughout the year! Check out our recommendations for getting the most out of your weekend retreat to historic Sandwich village!
STAY
The Daniel Webster Inn
Staying at the Daniel Webster Inn is an absolute must to fully embrace the quaint historic experience while you are visiting Sandwich – this inn has been hosting guests for over 300 years. The charm and history make this a very special place and the central location cannot be beat. There are 48 guest rooms and suites with options such as canopy four poster beds, fireplaces, and oversized whirlpool tubs. The setting is romantic and comfortable. There are lots of modern amenities and conveniences but still the quaint feel of an old bed and breakfast. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and you may never be motivated to stray too far from them during your weekend as they have an on site spa, four unique dining rooms, tavern, and central location in the heart of town.
The dining at Daniel Webster Inn is deliciously distinctive and it is worth a trip here just for the food experience. Their offerings are seasonal and range from traditional cape cod cuisine to more contemporary entrees. Their dining rooms offer diverse options to enjoy their cuisine in from their beautiful conservatory to cozy fireside dining. There is no shortage of deliciousness and variety in the options here. The Daniel Webster Inn also offers guests seasonal stay packages to choose from to get the most out of your visits here year round.
149 Main Street
Sandwich, MA 02563
800-444-3566; www.danlwebsterinn.com
PLAY
Walk, Shop, Beach, & Tour – there are so many ways to experience Sandwich – relax on a beach, wander through the local specialty shops, galleries, and cafés in the main street area or tour some of the unique museums in town.
SHOP
We love just ambling along the streets of Sandwich village taking in the historic houses, mills, idyllic scenery and peeking into some of the local shops. Among the many great small businesses, you will find fun stores like the Spotted Cod (153 Main Street) with unique gifts and seaside décor or Home for the Holidays (154 Main Street) with a unique collection of festive gifts for holidays throughout the year. After some shopping, pop into Beth’s Bakery (16 Jarves Street) for a treat from their bakery items case (definitely go for an éclair here). Beth’s has a warm relaxing atmosphere perfect for a tea or coffee break. They also have a great selection of light breakfast items and lunch menu.
Another great spot to pop into while walking in sandwich village is the Brown Jug (155 Main Street). The Brown Jug is a specialty food and wine shop with a wood fired oven churning out delicious gourmet pizzas. During warmer weather, check out their patio wine bar for some relaxation along with a cheese plate and a glass of wine here!
BEACH
Nearby Sandy Neck Beach Park (425 Sandy neck Road, W. Barnstable) is an amazing beach to visit with marshes, dunes, and shallow tidal pools to explore. This beautiful beach is a great place to spend long hot summer days but also equally scenic to come for a stroll in cooler months. Boardwalk Beach (62 Wood Ave, Sandwich) is also a great beach to visit anytime of year. Even in cooler weather, a bundled up walk along the long wooden boardwalk to the beach is a classic Cape Cod experience. This is also a great place to take a stroll at sunset – the views are amazing here!
MUSEUMS
There are a few museums in Sandwich that are worth the time to experience while taking in this historic town and the Heritage Museums and Gardens is definitely one of them. Spend a day or afternoon exploring the 100 acres of absolutely amazing grounds and trails here. They have a unique collection of specialty gardens and water features – the grounds are gorgeous. In the spring many visit just for their famous Dexter Rhododendrons.
They also have three gallery buildings on the grounds housing permanent exhibits of automobiles, American folk art and special exhibitions throughout the year. Inside one of the gallery buildings here is a working vintage carousel which is beautiful and a fun piece of memorabilia to experience. If you are doing a family getaway, their Hidden Hollow is a must for children. It is an outdoor discovery area for the family with a really cool tree house and many interactive activities including chances for hands on exploring and experimenting with nature. Heritage Museums and Gardens also holds many special events throughout the year such as their Family Fun Fridays in the summer, Hydrangea festival, Halloween Festival and the Gardens Aglow with beautiful light displays and holiday activities on certain evenings during the holiday season.
Another museum must while in Sandwich is the Glass Museum right on Main Street. History is big here and glass making is a piece of the town’s story. Sandwich was once the site of one of America’s largest glass factories. Visit the Glass Museum and watch a part of their past come to life as they do glass making demonstrations throughout the day.
The Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen is also a fun spot to check out. Tour the grounds, enjoy local nature in all its simple beauty, and see old fashioned jam making in action.
RELAX
At the end of your fun day of exploration, unwind at the Beach Plum Spa located at the Daniel Webster Inn. Treat yourself to one of their luxurious body treatments, massages, facials or any other relaxing service of your choice. Open to all (not just guests) and located right on Main Street, it is a go to spot for some pampering after a busy day in the heart of Sandwich.
While in Sandwich also Try:
• Sandwich Antiques Center (www.sandwichantiquescenter.com)
• The Dunbar Tea Shop (www.dunbarrestaurant.com)
• The Weather Store (www.theweatherstore.com)
• Sweet Tomatoes (www.sweettomatoesinc.com)
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