Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Falmouth, MA

Sometimes overlooked in favor of Cape Cod’s more renowned destinations, Falmouth is a charming town on the Upper Cape, offering cultural experiences, shopping, cosmopolitan dining, splendid coastal views, and pristine public beaches.

Falmouth serves as a departure point for ferries to Martha’s Vineyard, which is visible across the sound. The village of Woods Hole is home to several significant marine science institutions, including the Marine Biological Laboratory, founded in 1888.

Visitors can enjoy sandy beaches along Buzzards Bay or Nantucket Sound, and experience the picturesque Shining Sea Bikeway, a scenic pathway stretching over ten miles through the town.

1. Nobska Point Lighthouse

Situated on a promontory at the entrance to Woods Hole Harbor, Nobska Light was established in 1826. The current 42-foot iron tower was constructed in 1876 and was automated in 1985; it is still active, with a range of 13 nautical miles.

From the lantern room atop the tower, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds, Martha’s Vineyard, the Elizabeth Islands, and Woods Hole.

At the confluence of Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds, Nobska Point offers a dramatic vantage point, particularly during sunrise or sunset.

2. Shining Sea Bikeway

The author and poet Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929), renowned for writing the anthem “America the Beautiful,” was born in Falmouth.

In her honor, this 10.7-mile rail trail was named the Shining Sea Bikeway. It follows the right-of-way of the Woods Hole branch line of the Old Colony Railroad, completed in 1872, which facilitated the establishment of summer homes in Falmouth.

The Bikeway is an ideal way to explore Falmouth without a vehicle, extending from the North Falmouth Railroad station at the northern trailhead to the Steamship Authority terminal in the south.

The route features a salt marsh, a cranberry bog, pastoral farmland, and small harbors, providing a comprehensive overview of the coastal Upper Cape.

3. Old Silver Beach

Among Falmouth’s public beaches, Old Silver Beach is a charming sandy cove located at the mouth of Herring Brook, with views of West Island across Buzzards Bay.

The beach features a gentle slope, with expansive, shallow waters ideal for floating and play. The soft sand is divided between public and private sections by the brook.

This area supports a vital salt marsh ecosystem along its banks, extending inland to Wing Pond.

While walking along the brook, visitors may spot egrets, and a closer look at the water may reveal countless small fish darting about.

4. Highfield Hall & Gardens

In the 1870s, James Madison Beebe, president of the Chicopee Manufacturing Company, acquired over 700 acres to construct a country estate.

Highfield Hall was completed in 1878, saved from demolition in 1994, and opened as a museum and event venue in 2006.

The residence is surrounded by two splendid gardens, restored recently, and serves as a setting for dynamic art exhibitions during the summer.

The Highfield Story is a permanent exhibition detailing the estate’s captivating history. Visitors can spend a pleasant hour or two strolling the trails in Beebe Woods and picnicking beneath the expansive beech trees.

5. Woods Hole Science Aquarium (WHSA)

This aquarium, located in Woods Hole and operated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Marine Biological Laboratory, is owned by the Federal Government.

Considered one of the oldest aquariums in the United States, the WHSA has a history dating back to the 1870s.

The facility showcases species from Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern waters, featuring around 140 different species. Additionally, the aquarium runs a rehabilitation program for sea turtles that have washed ashore on Cape Cod’s beaches.

The attraction includes touch tanks with whelks, sea stars, crabs, and small fish, along with scientific exhibits showcasing animals’ bones, skulls, and teeth.

Visitors can also find information on the history of Woods Hole’s scientific advancements, local marine habitats, and the WHSA’s sea turtles.

6. The Knob

The Knob is a long, narrow peninsula on the northern edge of Quissett Harbor. It stretches westward into Buzzards Bay.

Accessible via a trail along the causeway, visiting The Knob is particularly rewarding at the end of a clear day for stunning sunset views. Spectacular sights include vistas across the bay to West Island and New Bedford Harbor.

On the landward side, one can admire the harbor, lined with yachts and elegant homes set among the trees.

The peninsula features both exposed beaches, which face Buzzards Bay, and sheltered beaches in the harbor, ideal for children.

7. Falmouth Main Street

Falmouth’s downtown area, charming and picturesque, has served as the town’s heart since 1756.

The focal point is a beautiful village green, surrounded by mature trees and splendid examples of Colonial and Federal architecture.

Further along Main Street, Peg Noonan Park and the grounds of Falmouth Public Library offer additional green space.

The diverse array of restaurants, from sushi to pizza, is complemented by boutiques, upscale gift shops, and art galleries along Main Street.

On the Village Green, the First Congregational Church (1796) features a bell cast by Paul Revere, a notable Founding Father known for his midnight ride in April 1775.

8. Chapoquoit Beach

Similar to The Knob, Chapoquoit Beach faces west on Buzzards Bay and is another excellent location for sunset viewing.

Characterized by a narrow strip of pale sand, this beach is located on a peninsula that protects the entrance to West Falmouth harbor from the south.

Noteworthy is the relative lack of crowds; on calm days, the waters are crystal clear, perfect for younger swimmers.

From the shore, visitors can see across the bay to West Island and Cleveland Island Light, with a salt marsh providing habitat for fiddler, hermit, and spider crabs on the landward side.

9. Museums on the Green

The Village Green in Falmouth hosts a delightful two-acre campus maintained by the town’s historical society, combining historic architecture with Colonial gardens, a four-seater outhouse, stocks, two cannons, and a life-size outline of a whaling ship beside the whaling pots.

Among the offerings is the grand Wicks House, built in 1790, which once housed two doctors and a whaling captain, filled with artifacts from the Wicks family.

The Conant House, dating back to 1730, holds the society’s archives, library, and offices, and provides a glimpse into lifestyle changes over the years in Falmouth.

Among the displayed artifacts are pieces of scrimshaw, a cannon from the War of 1812, and a functional jukebox from 1939.

10. Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL)

During July and August, the University of Chicago’s Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole offers guided tours.

The MBL, established in 1888, involves over 500 scientists and faculty engaging in research and educational programs aimed at exploring fundamental biology and understanding biodiversity.

Campus tours are conducted Monday through Friday, showcasing the Marine Resources Center, where visitors can observe marine animals utilized for MBL research, and the esteemed MBLWHOI Library.

The Pierce Exhibit Center & MBL Gift Shop opens mid-June through mid-October, offering interactive exhibits that appeal to all ages, featuring spectacular underwater footage and live marine creatures.

11. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the largest independent oceanographic research organization in the country, conducts pioneering research on topics ranging from oil spills to underwater archaeology and climate change.

Visitors can learn about these critical scientific contributions at the Ocean Science Discovery Center, highlighting the state-of-the-art vessels, vehicles, and tools employed by the WHOI, along with intriguing exhibits regarding its discovery of the wreck of the RMS Titanic in the mid-1980s.

Children will enjoy exploring the Splash Lab, which offers engaging, hands-on educational activities throughout the season. Free walking tours are available in July and August, covering the institution’s advanced dock area and various restricted facilities in the village.

12. Spohr Gardens

More than four decades in the making, Spohr Gardens, an enchanting woodland retreat along the western shore of Oyster Pond, is open to the public daily at no cost.

The shaded, winding paths in Spohr Gardens are adorned with elements reflecting Falmouth’s heritage, including anchors, lighthouse lanterns, ship bells, and millstones.

Throughout the seasons, the garden bursts with vibrant colors—spring bulbs, rhododendrons, azaleas, day lilies, irises, and more. The panoramic views encompass both Oyster Pond and extend southward across Nantucket Sound.

13. Falmouth Heights Beach

This beach offers the advantage of a prime location, just moments away from Main Street’s shops and restaurants.

Situated on Nantucket Sound, Falmouth Heights Beach marks the western end of a lengthy stretch of public sandy shoreline, which extends to Bristol Beach in the east.

The calm waters are generally clear of debris, and the beach features seasonal concessions, with a variety of eateries nearby, alongside beautiful homes lining Grand Avenue.

This location is ideal for viewing fireworks on the Fourth of July, and at other times, the shore is a beachcomber’s paradise teeming with shells.

14. Barnstable County Fair

A staple of Cape Cod’s summer activities for 180 years, the Barnstable County Fair in mid-July offers seven days of classic family entertainment.

Established in East Falmouth on the site of the former Chesterbrook School since its relocation in 1973, the fair now attracts nearly 90,000 visitors.

Expect to see numerous 4-H exhibits and demonstrations, a petting zoo in the livestock section, carnival rides and games, arts and crafts, and a full schedule of live entertainment.

Of course, indulgent fair food is a prominent aspect of the experience, featuring fried dough, kabobs, cannoli, bacon-on-a-stick, and deep-fried treats.

15. Ferries

Falmouth is the closest point on the mainland to Martha’s Vineyard, with several operators providing quick ferry crossings while showcasing memorable scenic views.

For those traveling with vehicles, the Steamship Authority operates frequent year-round service, taking just 45 minutes from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven.

For foot passengers, the Island Queen ferry runs between Falmouth and Oak Bluffs from late May to mid-October, offering a full-service snackbar onboard.

Another option is the Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry, featuring a one-hour cruise aboard the Pied Piper to Edgartown Harbor on the island’s east side.