Falmouth Family Fun Guide Things to Do 2024
Located in the southwest corner of Cape Cod is the picturesque New England town of Falmouth, well known for its beautiful beaches, and crystal clear waters of Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound warmed by the Gulf Stream. Find out what to do on your Cape cod family vacation in Falmouth MA
Falmouth’s eight distinctive villages are filled with character and charm: East Falmouth, Falmouth, Hatchville, North Falmouth, Teaticket, Waquoit, West Falmouth and Woods Hole. The town is the closest mainland point—and the Cape’s primary gateway—to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, located seven miles offshore. Daily, scheduled ferry service between Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard is provided year-round by the Steamship Authority, and seasonally aboard the Island Queen.
There is so much to do in Falmouth! This will be your ultimate family fun guide! Falmouth has a host of activities to enjoy, among them art galleries, historic sites and a picture-perfect Main Street lined with quaint shops, bookstores, bakeries and restaurants. The town offers cutting-edge live theater, harborside concerts, a lively jazz fest and the acclaimed Woods Hole Film Festival each summer
A white picket fence surrounds Falmouth’s historic Village Green, where members of the Colonial militia practiced in the 1700s and around which sea captains built their homes. Walking tours of the nearby Falmouth Museums on the Green offer a treasure trove of stories and artifacts telling the history of the town. On the Falmouth Public Library lawn, right off Main Street, stop to admire the statue that pays homage to town native Katharine Lee Bates, who penned the patriotic anthem “American the Beautiful.”
As you take the scenic route from downtown Falmouth along the shoreline to Woods Hole, you’ll pass Nobska Lighthouse, where you can stop for the perfect Instagram capture amidst magnificent views of Martha’s Vineyard and Vineyard Sound. Woods Hole is a salty, strolling village bustling with waterfront eateries, shops and galleries. This traditional fishing village is also the world-renowned hub of oceanic scientific research, including the Marine Biological Laboratory, NOAA National Marine Fisheries, Sea Education Association and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, as well as Woods Hole Science Aquarium, the oldest aquarium in the nation.
Falmouth’s deep harbors, open waters and 68 miles of shoreline offer excellent boating, sailing and windsurfing, as well as deep sea and sport fishing for tuna, bluefish and the coveted striped bass. There are ten beaches in Falmouth, each with their own allure, including the popular Old Silver Beach, known for its pure white sand, warm waters and tide pools. Ask a local, and they’ll tell you Chapoquoit Beach is one of the best spots around to catch a dramatic Cape Cod sunset.
Miles of nature trails are waiting to be explored, and the Shining Sea Bikeway’s 10.7-mile route from North Falmouth to Woods Hole takes cyclists past arresting shoreline vistas, cranberry bogs, farmland and serene woodlands. Explore the Cape’s fragile ecosystem via guided nature canoe and kayak tours or collect marine specimens for handson learning on oceanographic cruises. The Cornelia Carey Sanctuary, also known as the Knob, is a hidden gem that is accessible from Quissett Harbor; easy-to-navigate hiking trails will lead you to a high cliff boasting spectacular views of Buzzards Bay.
Falmouth boasts more public golf courses than any other New England town, and jogging enthusiasts will be happy to know that Runner’s World magazine has christened Falmouth “the jewel of the coast.” The town plays host each August to the annual Falmouth Road Race, a 7.1 mile road race that draws elite and amateur runners from around the world.
Favorite Falmouth Beaches for your Family Cape Cod Vacation
Chapoquoit Beach aka Chappy Beach
Low tide creates wonderful opportunities to explore tidal pools and is great for wading. This beach is very easy to access, but parking does require a sticker.
Woodneck Beach
Sand, rock & pebble beach overlooking the bay, with lifeguards on duty & restrooms.
Falmouth Beach
Sprawling white-sand beach offering swimming, sunbathing, seasonal lifeguards & rock jetties.
Where to Eat in Falmouth on your Family Cape Cod Vacation
The Falmouth Raw Bar Seafood Restaurant was voted Best Raw Bar by Cape Cod Life Magazine. Come in and enjoy some of our local favorites; The Monsta Lobsta Roll, oysters on a half shell, and our freshly made clam chowda – All with water front view! Our bar offers the best mudslides and martinis the Cape has to offer. If you looking for food, drink, and a nightlife this summer, the Falmouth Raw Bar is exactly where you want to be! You will find it hard to miss out on any sporting event with our five wide screen TVs. Catering and Take out available. Open April to October each year
Seafood Sam’s Restaurant in Falmouth Since 1974 we’ve been serving families the freshest seafood at value pricing, at beautiful locations. Come and enjoy our award winning Cape Cod Fare! Closed for the winter
The Flying Bridge Waterfront Restaurant in Falmouth MA Great Cape Cod seafood and memorable special events at our waterfront restaurant. Choose from a variety of delicious fresh seafood at The Flying Bridge Restaurant in Falmouth, Massachusetts. With our enviable location at the mouth of Falmouth’s bustling harbor, we combine a cosmopolitan culture with the excitement of a dockside cafe. Open year round
The Quarterdeck Restaurant in Falmouth MA For over 40 years, the Quarterdeck Restaurant has been delighting Falmouth locals and visitors alike with delicious seafood, steaks and other popular lunch and dinner choices.Our historic, nautical atmosphere creates the perfect setting for casual lunches, cocktails at the bar or relaxing dinners. Please stop by and give us a try, we look forward to serving you!
Captain Kidd Seafood Restaurant in Woods Hole MA waterfront dining room is one of the most stunning rooms on Cape Cod. Our outdoor piers extend over the water and offer an unmatched dining experience. You can also sip a craft cocktail on our waterside patio, or you can enjoy local oysters from our marble raw bar. As the seasons change, head over to our tavern and warm up in front of our stone fireplace with a local craft beer and a bowl of our award-winning clam chowder.
Where to Visit
Falmouth Museums on the Green The mission of the Falmouth Historical Society, through the Museums on the Green, is to provide educational programs and to preserve, share and celebrate the history and culture of the Cape Cod town of Falmouth.
Highfield Hall & Gardens is not your typical historic estate. While there’s plenty of history within these glorious old walls, Highfield is a vibrant cultural center surrounded by restored gardens, peaceful walking trails and conservation land. Holidays at Highfield Hall has become a tradition among the community who appreciate art, music, and the natural world, all in one place.
Nobska Light is set at the very southwestern tip of Cape Cod, separated from the shore by Nobska Road. The light station includes four buildings: the tower, the keeper’s house, a radio beacon house, and a small oil house.
Shining Sea Bikeway hugs the coast from Falmouth to Woods Hole and then beyond to North Falmouth, winding along the Vineyard Sound shoreline. Ideal for casual and beginner cyclists, it was built on a former railroad right-of-way. The paved path is level for nearly its entire 10.7-mile distance with only a slight grade in certain spots.
National Estuarine Research Reserve The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of 30 coastal sites designated to protect and study estuarine systems. Established through the Coastal Zone Management Act, the reserves represent a partnership program between NOAA and the coastal states. NOAA provides funding and national guidance, and each site is managed on a daily basis by a lead state agency or university with input from local partners.
Woods Hole Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
Where to Stay in Falmouth
Our favorite places to stay
The Beach Breeze Inn is an 1858 traditional Cape Cod style Inn that has been restored to it’s original beauty while adding the modern amenities expected by today’s travelers. We are located just 100 yards from the warm waters of Vineyard Sound and feature ocean views in most of our rooms and air conditioning in all of our rooms. Our environment is casual beach house and we welcome guests from literally around the globe. Start your day with complimentary fresh brewed coffee or with one of our selection of teas, take some time to savor the ocean breeze while relaxing on our front porch or on one of the Adirondacks on our front lawn.
Sea Crest Beach Hotel is located on one of the most beautiful beaches on Cape Cod. Just 70 miles from Boston, Sea Crest Beach Hotel is perfect for a wedding, reunion, corporate event, or just that perfect Cape Cod vacation, Sea Crest Beach Hotel on Old Sliver Beach will make your time on Cape Cod memorable
Palmer House Inn A romantic Cape Cod bed and breakfast in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The Palmer House Inn is a well-loved mainstay of Falmouth’s picture-perfect Historic District, clustered around a quintessential New England Village Green. Carefully curated to preserve its historic character, the bed and breakfast has been updated to provide you with the modern comforts you would expect. Our Queen Anne Victorian inn offers 17 rooms (4 of them dog-friendly) each with private bath, air conditioning, and its own individual charm and unique architecture. Many even feature cozy fireplaces, jetted tubs and sitting areas to enjoy a favorite book.
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