Recommended Things to do in Bourne, MA, Cape Cod
Bourne, Massachusetts is the first town you'll encounter on your trip to Cape Cod. This page will provide you with fun things to do in Bourne, Massachusetts, from the Historic Bourne Village to popular activities along the Cape Cod Canal.
Bourne, MA is one of the most visited spots on Cape Cod. This is in part because of its proximity to the canal, but also because of its two automobile bridges and single railroad bridge. Fishing, shopping, bike trails, camping, and sightseeing rank among the top things to do here in this coastal town.
The Cape Cod Canal
The prime attraction of Bourne
The Cape Cod Canal is located entirely in the town of Bourne, except for a small part in the town of Sandwich and the outskirts of Wareham/Onset. The canal is roughly 7.5 miles long, and has aided in cutting boat travel time by hours, if not days for larger vessels, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.There are three Cape Cod Canal bridges that span over the canal.
Besides the basic function of the canal, it is also a tremendous scenic spot on Cape Cod, and has plenty of fun things to do. The basis for all activities is going to involve the Cape Cod Canal Service Road, which runs alongside the entire canal, start to finish. Not only does it actually run the length of the canal, but it runs on both sides. However, finding parking on the "Cape" side of the canal can prove rather difficult sometimes.
Some of the best recreational activities at the Cape Cod Canal include:
- Biking. The canal has over 14 miles to enjoy via bike, so why not bring yours to the canal?
- Jogging. There's no better place on a quiet day to come than the canal for a jog. You might even spot a seal swimming in the canal.
- Fishing. The canal is well known for its abundance of fish that pass through it, so it's well fished by many people.
- Boat tours. You can take scenic sunset cruises from Onset that depart daily in the summer to view the bridges and the entire canal. Head to Onset Harbor to buy tickets.
- Bourne Scenic Park. This is the most popular stop along the canal, and is where you can find the Herring Run fish ladder. Seasonally, herring migrate back up this stream to spawn. There's ample parking, but it does get crowded in the summer. From the lot, you can walk underneath the Bourne Bridge and Sagamore Bridge.
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Aptucxet Trading Post
Preserved trading spot in Gray Gables village
The Aptucxet Trading Post, located near the Bourne Bridge, was once a vital trade spot for the Pilgrims. They traded goods with the Dutch to the south in New York, and with the local Indians of Cape Cod on this very spot. The building that stands today is a replica of the original, but in many ways is the same. It is surrounded by 12 acres of scenic grounds in the Gray Gables district of Bourne.
Historic Bourne Village
With many Greek revival style homes that have been restored to their original appearance, Historic Bourne Village houses some of the oldest and prettiest homes in town. It is located near the Gray Gables village area on the "Cape" side of the Cape Cod Canal, near the Bourne Bridge. The homes in the village can be found on Shore Road, Sandwich Road, Keene Street, and Cotuit Road. Be sure also to visit the Bourne Historical Center to view the Bourne Stone, a centuries old stone said to possibly have Viking carvings (evidence of Viking exploration of Cape Cod?).
Golfing
Bourne has golf courses and clubs right within town, like the Brookside Club and Pocasset Golf Club. Just outside of town, there's the Bay Pointe Country Club in Onset, and the giant golf courses of Plymouth near White Cliffs and Pine Hills.
Scusset Beach
Scusset Beach is actually located in Sandwich, MA, but is close to the Bourne town line. It's also on the "mainland" side of the Cape Cod Canal. It offers beautiful views to the north of Ellisville Beach and the Manomet area, and has soft, sandy beaches to lay out at. It's also a popular RV park and campground which can get very busy seasonally. You can access Scusset Beach by following the Cape Cod Canal on the mainland side to the beach. Take the last exit on Route 3 before the Sagamore Bridge, and head due east to find the beach.
Two More Bonus Activities in Born:
Monument Beach
Monument Beach is a village of Bourne surrounded by the Buzzards Bay to the west, Mashnee Island to the north, and the Pocasset harbor and peninsula area to the south. Monument Beach is conveniently located just off of Route 28 along Shore Road, near mini golf attractions and harbor views. It's a popular windsurfer spot, and overlooks the Cape Cod Canal just to the north beyond Mashnee Island.
Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge
The most scenic bridge on the Cape
You can get a close up view of the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge on any canal cruise, or you can drive down Academy Drive in Buzzards Bay to get one of the closest land views of the bridge. This area also is the western entrance of the canal, and has heavy boat traffic (fun to watch in the summer). Sunsets are also particularly nice here. Find photos of this famous bridge elsewhere on this page.