Based on the great responses and suggestions to Jim in CT’s thread about his Truro vacation, I figured I’d ask you guys your opinions on my upcoming vacation in Falmouth (late August). We rented a friends parents’ house in Falmouth on “Beach Street” (steps to Great Pond/Green Pond as well as the beach). I wanted to go east and stay in Chatham/Harwich/Eastham but the deal in Falmouth was too good to pass up so we ended up there.

Any and all suggestions for a good family vacation. My kids are 5, 3, and 1, (2 girls and a boy). We will spend a lot of time at the beach but I get very antsy at the beach and will need to switch it up. Any suggestions in the area for us to do? I do plan to fish a few times (at night/early AM for the most part) but will not be bringing my boat this time so it will be from surf/shore (welcome PM's on that topic).

I plan to hit the fish hatchery in Sandwich and maybe crash KeeperReepers place in Chatham one of the days.

What other fun things can we do in the Falmouth area?


Thanks again guys!

The acquarium in Woods Hole is a must - walk around and see the "tourists" come and go from the ferry, get an ice cream cone and watch the bridge go up and down at Eel Pond. THere is also a "nature boat ride" - kids pull a lobster trap, take water temp, turbidity, touch tank of local things - but your kids might be a little young.

Go to a Falmouth Commodores - elite college baseball players - many of whom end up in MLB (the Sox recent number One - Morreno played for Cotuit last summer) - but again your kids are young.

Old Silver beach is nice for young kids - on the Bay side and long shallow beach - the South facing beaches drop off quick and can be a little hairy.

Take a day trip on the Island Queen to Martha's Vineyard for lunch and a ride on the merry-go-round in Vineyard Haven

That should pretty much fill up the week :D

A bit of a drive, but my 5 year old and 2 year old loved the Chatham Fish Pier. There is a raised deck above the water, and if you stand on that, the commercial fishing boats stop just underneath you to unload their catch. Seals swim around the boats looking for a handout. I've been told that many boats unload their catch between 4 and 6 PM.

Also, my 5 year old and 2 year old loved the 2 hour lobster cruise we did. We did it out of P-Town, but I know there were guys who do it closer to the elbow. Me, my wife, and the 2 older kids loved the trip.

Also a bit of a drive, but First Encounter Beach in Eastham, at low tide, was amazing. Lots of sandbars and eposed tidal pools. The pools are full of crabs, shrimp, minnows for the kids to catch in nets. You can walk out half a mile, and the water is only ankle-deep, so no danger to the kids. Ice cream truck in the parking lot had delicious homemade ice cream.

Hope you have as much fun as we did.

Gloucester2 gave you some great recommendations. Here are a couple of more:

1.) Thursday night free concerts at the Falmouth Harbor Bandshell.
2.) Rainy day activity -- Bowling at Leary family amusements -- a musty old dump of a bowling alley but great fun for young kids.
3.) Rainy day activity -- Mashpee Childrens Museum -- lots of activities for kids that will keep them occupied for hours.
4.) Playground at Mullen Hall (downtown by Public Library). Huge outdoor science themed playground that can keep kids entertained for long periods.
5.) Jamaican night (Wednesdays) at Coonamesset Farm -- Jamaican menu featuring great food and live steel drum music.

good timing, headed down tomorrow for a few days.

Woodneck beach is also good for the kids.

PM sent

Goodwill park is worth a visit.
There is a farm in WFalmouth on 28A that advertises pony rides.

You can visit the canal, remember to yell "FORE" when you cast!!!!

You can visit the canal, remember to yell "FORE" when you cast!!!!


"Fore!......... I should have yelled Two" -Rodney

All great stuff guys. I appreciate your time to reply to this post.

Zachary's it will keep you entertained for hours.

D- swing down with the family for a day or two. Plenty of room for you guys. Plenty of stuff to do including catch a few tuna.

Come down our way or a day Dennis!
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In yarmouth there are great pirate ships that go around the bay that are great for kids

Again, Provincetown is a bit of a drive. But there is a fleet of boats there (Viking Princess?) that do whale watches. They also do a 1 hour "critter cruise", where they let out a big net, and bring back all kinds of sea critters. The critters (minnows, crabs, starfish) go into a "touch pool" on the boat. A naturalist discusses the animals with the kids, and the kids can touch everyhting in the pool. We didn't do it, but it sounded awesome for kids.

For many years, the fish/tackle shop at Green Pond served some of the best stuffed quahogs that I've ever had--very spicy old Portuguese recipe. But it's now the Green Pond Yacht Club, and I don't know whether they still sell the quahogs. If they do, make sure you sample them.

Parking can be tough in Woods Hole. If you can find a spot, it's a great walking village. Couple good restaurants. I'm fond of the Fishmonger myself. If you do the aquarium, make sure that you go upstairs, too. They also have a "touch pool" up there.

Ride the bikepath to Woods Hole, bring your bathing suits to stop and swim along the way. Find the Knob at Quisset harbor, a small peninsula sticking out into Buzzards Bay, walk to the point, beaches around it. Cape League baseball, Falnouth commodores. I used to love swimming in the marsh at Woodneck beach as a kid. Chappaqoit beach in west falmouth is excellent.

Maybe we should have got this place for 2 weeks instead of 1!!!!!