KIDS ON THE CAPE SUGGESTS...
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Get a free map and other information from the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, located downtown in the JFK Museum, 397 Main Street. 508-775-2201. Or if you’re out near Exit 6 off the Mid-Cape Highwy (Junction of Rte 6 and Rte 132), visit the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center. 5 Shoot Flying Hill Road. 888-332-2732
BEACHES FOR KIDS: North Shore in West Barnstable: Sandy Neck Beach. On Sandy Neck Beach Rd. off Rte 6A. One of the most spectacular beaches on the Cape with miles and miles of sand and pebbles, sand dunes, and flowing marsh grass. There are many shallow pools for paddling and splashing at low tide. Snack bar and full facilities. Parking fee. South Shore in Centerville: Craigville Beach at the end of Craigville Road facing Centerville Harbor is very popular with young folks. Full facilities. Parking fee. Hyannis: Kalmus Park at the end of Ocean St. south of the Ferry Boat docks. Offers the placid Lewis Bay for the little ones and the ocean side as well. Snack bar and full facilities. Parking fee.
PICNIC SPOT: Combine a trip to the Cotuit Library with a picnic in the beautiful park across the street on Main St., just east of the junction with School St.. The park has many trees, lots of grass, benches and a playground.
PLAYGROUNDS: The West Barnstable Elementary School playground is a paradise for kids. Located on Rte 6A, it has bleachers for parents and picnic tables. In Centerville, on Main St., there’s an exceptional one with fabulous tube slides and ramps.
FISHING SPOT: Hamblin Pond in Marstons Mills. Connected to the larger Middle Pond and Mystic Lake, this 114 acre pond has beautiful white sand, clear water and a nice sloping beach that is perfect for children. Take Rte 149 to about three miles south of Rte 6.
HIKING TRAIL: Crocker Neck Park on Popponesset Bay in Cotuit has many good hiking trails in its 97 acre area, where hikers can enjoy marsh views, a tidal pool and maybe spot a fox or some deer, ducks and other birds. Take Main St. south of Cotuit Center.
LIBRARIES: Sturgis Library: 3090 Main St., Barnstable. The oldest library building in the United States has been expanded into a modern facility including an inviting children’s area with books, games and child-level tables for reading and playing. Storytimes on the lawn, 508-362-6636. Whelden Library, W. Barnstable: Meeting House Way. 508-362-2262. Centerville Library: 585 Main St. Centerville. 508-790-6220. Cotuit Library: Main St., Cotuit. 508-428-8141. Hyannis Library: 401 Main St., Hyannis. Weekly story times, and other special programs. 508-775-2280. Marstons Mills Library: Main St. 508-428-5175. Osterville Free Library: 43 Wianno Ave. 508-428-5757
JOHN F. KENNEDY MUSUEM, HYANNIS: The dream never dies and the mystique lives on at this multimedia exhibit designed to open a window on the days JFK spent on Cape Cod. Dramatic photographs are arranged in thematic groupings and a video narrated by Walter Cronkite depicts the president's experiences on the Cape. 397 Main St. 508-790-3077
YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMPS: The “Y” offers indoor pools for instructional and recreational swimming, arts and crafts and story telling and fields for sports and special events. With each one-week session comes a special off-site trip. The program also offers camp overnights & special family events. 1-508-362-6500 x115
CAPE COD DUCKMOBILES: Kids (and adults) get a big thrill when the Duckmobile “splashes down” into the harbor as it tours from land to sea. Ride the renovated U.S. military amphibious vehicle and enjoy an informative, narrated tour. Departs frequently during the summer from downtown Hyannis’ Main St. 1-888-225-3825 or 508-790-2111
FIRETUG TILLIE, HYANNIS: One of Cape Cod’s newest boating adventures, FireTug Tillie is an exciting and interactive one-hour boat trip for children and families on the protected waters of Lewis Bay. Kids participate in water cannon operation and target practice, observe a search and rescue “man overboard” drill, learn basic seamanship skills including knot tying and become a certified crew member of FireTug Tillie. Recommended for children ages 7-11. Six trips daily. 508-775-8848
CAPE COD POTATO CHIP TOUR: Yes, those tasty, one-of-a-kind chips are made right here on Cape Cod. Take the self-guided 5-minute tour and try some free samples. 100 Breed’s Hill Rd., Hyannis. Tour hours 9am - 5pm, M-F. 508-775-3358
BOWLING & ARCADE GAMES: Ryan Family Amusements features bowling, candlepin and/or ten pin, a large game room filled with the hottest, coolest arcade and skill games and private party rooms for birthdays, company parties and group events. 200 Main Street, Buzzards Bay. 508-759-9892
SCENIC TRAIN RIDES/FAMILY SUPPER TRAIN, HYANNIS: The Cape Cod Central Railroad offers two hour scenic excursions, from Hyannis & Sandwich to the picturesque Cape Cod Canal. Passengers enjoy spectacular views as the train rolls along past salt marshes, cranberry bogs, kettle ponds and local farmland. Kids love the trip! An elegant gourmet dinner train plus luncheon and brunch trains draw rave reviews. Check out the Family Supper Train during the summer with fun food for the kids; more epicurean fare for the adults, plus entertainment! 252 Main St., Hyannis and on Jarves St., Sandwich. 508-771-3800
PIRATE ADVENTURES, HYANNIS: This popular attraction offers 6 boat trips daily in season. Kids have their faces painted like pirates and board a real live pirate ship. Costumed pirate actors lead the group in a search around Lewis Bay for sunken treasure. Kids man the water canons to ward off the enemy, follow a treasure map and pull up the booty from the deep. Everyone gets a fistful of plunder! Advance reservations are required as trips sell out days ahead. 508-430-0202
CAPE COD BASEBALL LEAGUE: Catch a free baseball game with the hometown Hyannis Mets. See the Cape League feature story and baseball schedule in this issue.
BARNSTABLE BAND: For over 50 years, the band has performed Wednesday night free concerts on the Village Green, Hyannis. Jul. & Aug., 7:30pm.
SKATEBOARD PARK: This park is located behind the Kennedy Ice Arena, in downtown Hyannis. Open every day but Monday. Times vary. Equipment rentals available. 508-790-6345
CAPE COD CAROUSEL/FUN HOUSE ARCADE: With an old-fashioned carousel, ice cream and cotton candy, plus kiddie rides, great arcade games and live family entertainment, this spot at Main St.’s Courtyard Marketplace is an ongoing festival. 541 Main St.
Considered the Cape's commercial and political center, the town of Barnstable is certainly one of the largest and includes the villages of Barnstable, West Barnstable, Centerville, Hyannis, Osterville, Marstons Mills and Cotuit. Each of the villages has its own distinct identity, particularly Hyannis. The airport, hospital, busy Main St. and thriving business community make it the hub for the entire Cape. With more than six million people coming and going through Barnstable's villages each year, it can be crowded and noisy but amidst all the hulabaloo there are opportunities for quiet times and spaces and definitely for fun.
