Massachusetts Historic Route 6A
(Old King’s Highway)

Massachusetts Historic Route 6A or Old King’s Highway winds its way along the northern coast of Cape Cod, passing through many of the peninsula’s oldest and most historic towns. From America’s first wooden jail to stately eighteenth-century saltbox homes, there are plenty of fascinating historic sites to explore on the road between Sagamore and Provincetown. For more than four centuries, Route 6A has been the Cape’s main transportation artery.

Pathways Lead to Historic Route 6A

Before the Pilgrims arrived in the seventeenth century, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe maintained a series of paths along the northern coast of the peninsula. After the Pilgrims settled in Plymouth, they expanded these paths into a major roadway that linked the harbors of Cape Cod Bay.

Navigating the Old King’s Highway

Route 6A stretches from Sandwich to Provincetown, passing through quaint villages, coastal marshes, and past some of the oldest homes in America, many of which date back to the 1600s and 1700s.  Because Route 6A connects the Cape’s oldest settlements, the roadway is steeped in local history. 

The road is lined with towering trees, beautiful gardens, and historic sea captains’ homes, providing a real sense of classic New England charm. Along the way, you can explore a number of art galleries, antique shops, and historic landmarks.

Some Favorite Stops Along Historic Route 6A

Route 6A passes through Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod. In 1637, almost two decades after the Mayflower landed in New England, Pilgrims from Plymouth Colony began to settle in Sandwich.  The town, which has a strong Quaker past, contains many historic churches and homes, including the Benjamin Nye Homestead and the Benjamin Holway House.  In Sandwich, stop to explore the town’s religious and industrial history in the Sandwich Glass Museum or at the Dexter Grist Mill in the center of town.

Barnstable is the largest town on the Cape, known for its charming village and historic sites like the Sturgis Library, one of the oldest libraries in the country.  In Barnstable you can also check out the spooky Old Jail next to the Coast Guard Heritage Museum.

In Dennis, tour the carefully preserved home of the town’s namesake, Reverend Josiah Dennis. Dennis is also home to the Cape Playhouse, the oldest professional summer theater in the U.S., and plenty of quaint shops and beaches.

Brewster is known for its scenic ponds, the Rail Trail and Nickerson State Park. A great stop as you meander along historic Route 6A is the Brewster General Store. Stepping inside will transport you to the bygone era when you could buy penny candy and fresh ground cornmeal.

First Encounter Beach, off Route 6A in Eastham, played a particularly important role in the early Pilgrim history of Cape Cod. According to Governor William Bradford, a group of Native Americans ambushed his exploration team on this beach in the early morning of December 7, 1620. The Pilgrims named the beach after this first encounter with the Cape Cod natives.

Enjoying the Journey

Route 6A also connects some of the Cape’s best nature areas. In the early seventeenth century, the deep harbors of Cape Cod Bay brought settlers from Plymouth Colony to the Cape. Today, Route 6A is still the best way to visit the unspoiled beaches, from Boardwalk Beach in Sandwich to the Cape Cod National Seashore, that line the northern coast of the Cape.

The road hugs the coastline in many places, offering glimpses of salt marshes, cranberry bogs, and the sparkling waters of Cape Cod Bay. It’s a slow, leisurely drive with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the local culture, history, and natural beauty.