Just across the Sagamore Bridge, it’s no surprise that Sandwich is the oldest Cape Cod town, Settled in 1637, Sandwich offers a nice introduction to the classic Cape architecture and maritime, agricultural, and glass history of the Cape. 

At the northern end of the Cape Cod Canal, the Sandcatcher Recreation Area offers free parking for a walk or bike along the 6 mile Cape Cod Canal bike path.  While the mainland canal bike path has several access points, this side isn’t as easily accessible, which makes it a little less busy during the summer season.  The paved and relatively flat bike path follows the canal for 6.5 miles to the Tidal Flats Recreation area at the southern end. The easy terrain allows the focus of the bike ride to be the water traffic in the canal.  Boats of all sizes make their way through the canal – sometimes speeding with the tide and sometimes crawling against it. 

The Sandcatcher Recreation Area is also home to the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center. The center is run by the US Army Corps of Engineers who are available to answer questions and provide additional information about the canal. With informative timelines and models of the canal in the first room and interactive exhibits in the second room, the two room space is designed for both adults and children alike. I enjoyed learning how to spell my name in nautical flags and climbing aboard the retired 40 foot patrol boat. 

Walking north from the parking area along the canal ends at the Scusset Harbor beach. While this beach isn’t as large or as sandy as other Cape beaches, it provides a nice place to cool off after a sweaty bike ride.  Another way to cool off after a ride is situated at the other end of the beach: Tree House Brewery. This is one of the four tasting rooms of Charlton native brewery, which is well known for their large, rotation selection of New England style IPAs.

While the original Sandwich Boardwalk was destroyed by a 2022 nor’easter, the newly constructed boardwalk reopened in the spring of 2024.  The 1,350 foot long boardwalk, featuring the names of local families and organizations on its planks, spans Mill Creek and the surrounding marsh lands providing access to Town Neck Beck and views of the wildlife in the area.  It’s fun to watch the crabs scurry around at low tide and look for fish at high tide.  During low tide, the inner part of Town Neck Beach is a great place for children to explore the marsh waters, but the tide changes quickly, and at high tide this section of the beach is fully underwater.  

Sandwich’s main street is cute with a handful of shops and local eateries; however, one of my favorite shops is located outside the center in East Sandwich.  Titcomb’s Bookstore is the quintessential local bookstore. Its three floors present a great selection of books (new, used, and rare), feature local authors (both in stock and with author events), provide a welcoming and cozy environment, include book lovers gifts, and offer interesting staff recommendations.  

Historically, Sandwich is best known for the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company. For much of the 1800s, glass produced in Sandwich found its way across the globe.  While all of the factories closed by the 1920s, the Sandwich Glass Museum honors its lasting legacy.  The exhibits in the museum outline the three centuries of glass-making as well as featuring the local glassware. The display items even extend to the bathrooms where I was shocked to find baby paraphernalia made out of glass.  In both of my visits, there has been a glassblower creating pieces live in the lobby of the museum, which not only gives visitors the step by step process of creating a blown glass piece but also to ask questions about said process. 

Just down the road from the Glass Museum, Dexter’s Grist Mill tells the story of the agricultural history of the area.  While the mill wasn’t open for tours during my visit, I was able to walk the grounds to see the water wheel in action. Luckily, the Sandwich Arts Alliance housed in Sandwich’s Town Hall right next to the grist mill was open, so I was able to peruse their small local artisan gallery.

My newest find, and one I am looking forward to returning to, is the Heritage Gardens. Charles Dexter purchased this land over 100 years ago and used the space to experiment with rhododendron hybridizing. More recently the gardens have been working on cultivating hydrangeas. These along with day lilies, herbs, and sensory gardens create the diversity across the 100 acres. The space also features a labyrinth, a children’s play space (with tree houses!), outdoor sculptures, nature trails, indoor art exhibits, an American car collection, and a Loof carousel.  I spent over two hours during my first visit and still didn’t have a chance to see all of the features of the gardens.