A Day Trip to Sandwich, Massachusetts

Sandwich Massachusetts is Cape Cod’s oldest town, settled by members of the Plymouth Colony as early as 1637. Known for its Quaker heritage, conflicts between Patriots and Tories through the Revolutionary War, and contributions to the glassmaking industry, Sandwich is now considered by many to be the gateway to the Cape. For a day trip, here is a taste of what Sandwich MA has to offer.

Before heading out to visit these great landmarks of the historic town of Sandwich, Massachusetts, here are our recommended breakfast places:

Café Riverview | Marshland | Dan’l Webster Inn

“Must Visit” Landmarks in Sandwich Massachusetts

• Cape Cod Canal Visitors’ Center
• Sandwich Glass Museum
• Dexter Grist Mill
• Sandwich Boardwalk
• Green Briar Nature Center
• Heritage Museum and Gardens

For folks who are curious about the engineering that occurred during the construction of the Cape Cod Canal you can learn more about the How, why, and when of the canal construction and maintenance.

Cape Cod Canal Visitors’ Center |60 Ed Moffitt Drive | Sandwich, Ma

A fantastic way to start your day trip to Sandwich MA is with a visit to the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center, operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Here, you will not only learn about the history of the 17.4-mile navigable waterway, but that the Army Corps of Engineers must make sure that the canal is capable of providing safe passage for the nearly 15,000 vessels that sail through the canal annually.

They also have maps of the nearby recreation areas and the canal service roads that double as walking and biking paths and provide access to numerous fishing spots along the canal. The organization also provides stewardship for 11,000 plus acres of Federal lands within the vicinity of the canal. In addition, the canal provides recreational opportunities on both sides of the canal that include boating, biking, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and ship watching to more than 3 million tourist and visitors.

Sandwich Glass Museum | 129 Main St, Sandwich, MA 02563

Head to Sandwich’s historic district on Main Street. Stop in at the Sandwich Glass Museum to learn about the industry that thrived in Sandwich through old town in the 19th century and is still a big part of the local arts scene. Watch glassblowers in action creating beautiful sculptures and vases, hear all about the history of glassmaking in Sandwich, and shop for treasures in the museum store.

Dexter Grist Mill | 2 Water St, Sandwich, MA 02563 ·

On the other side of Main Street, look for Dexter’s Grist Mill. This historic landmark played an important role in the history of Cape Cod and has been restored to its early nineteenth-century glory. See the wooden water wheel and nineteenth century grinding stones produce freshly ground cornmeal the same way it was done before the Industrial Revolution. Outside the mill, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the view and take a few pictures of the tranquil scenery.

Here our Lunch Recommendations:

Dunbar Tea Shop | Café Chew |Sandwich Pizza

Sandwich Boardwalk | 103 Wood Ave, Sandwich, MA 02563

After breakfast in town and perhaps a stroll down Main Street, continue east to the Sandwich Boardwalk. You can get there through the neighborhood off Cranberry Highway, or via Town Neck Road by way of Town Neck Beach.

The 1,350-foot-long wood plank walkway crosses over Mill Pond and the salt marsh through an enchanting Cape Cod setting surrounded by wildflowers, marsh grasses, pools of water, and an abundance of wildlife. At the east end of the boardwalk, Town Neck Beach offers views of ships coming and going on the Cape Cod Canal. On a clear day, you can see as far as Wellfleet, Provincetown, and the white cliffs near Sagamore.

Green Briar Nature Center| 6 Discovery Hill Rd, East Sandwich, MA 02537

After visiting the beach, follow Cranberry Highway toward East Sandwich to get to the Green Briar Nature Center, a tribute to author Thornton Burgess. See the pond and briar patch that inspired his stories, while you wander through the beautiful wildflower garden, and visit with the resident animals. Before you leave, stop in at the Jam Kitchen to see how jam is made in the old-fashioned kitchen, a Sandwich tradition since it first opened in 1903.

Heritage Museum and Gardens | 67 Grove St, Sandwich, MA 02563

Head back through town to explore Heritage Museum and Gardens. Museum exhibits feature antique cars, carousels, and outdoor art installments. In the gardens, Hidden Hollow has play areas and activities for kids while the Adventure Park offers a maze of ladders, ropes, platforms, and ziplines high up in the forest of oak and pine trees.

Next door, the Shawme-Crowell State Forest has another 15 miles of trails, plus picnic areas and campsites.

A Day Trip to Sandwich Ends with Dinner

Your day trip to Sandwich may need to stretch into several days to visit all the landmarks. Along the way, you will also find dozens of local restaurants serving classic Cape Cod cuisine and much more.

If you are looking for waterfront dining in sight of the canal waterway, Sandwich has at least 3-4 restaurants with an incredible view. For dinner, consider dining with a view of Cape Cod Canal where you can easily spot fishing boats, barges, large pleasure yachts, and magnificent cruise ships!

Seafood Sam| Pilothouse Restaurant |Fisherman’s View