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| Barnstable: 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. Kids on the Cape Suggests. . . Chamber of Commerce: Get a free map and other information from the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center. At exit 6, Mid-Cape Hwy. 508-862-0700 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 pebble beach, 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 st. 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 and games and child-level tables for reading and playing. Storytimes on the lawn 508-362-6636 STORYLAND, Hyannis: Just off Main St. behind the Cape Cod Central Railroad. The manicured grounds offer top rated adventure golf for kids 4 & up, with bumper boat rides. Immaculate and very well run. CAPE COD DUCKMOBILES, Hyannis: 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 from downtown Hyannis Main St. 1-888-225-DUCK or 362-1117 STUFF YOUR OWN TEDDY BEAR!: Kids love 'building' their own bear at the Fuzzy McGoo Bear Factory, 439 Main St. 508-771-4755 BUS SERVICE: The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority operates Village Bus which shuttles up and down Main St. and Ocean St. to the waterfront, as well as along rte 132, to the Cape Cod Mall, Christmas Tree Plaza, Cape Town Plaza, Southwind Plaza, and the Festival Mall. Service runs every 20 minutes all summer. Call for schedule or go to www.capecodtransit.org. 800-352-7155. Cape Cod Potato Chip Tour: Yes, those tasty, one-of-a-kind chips are made right here on Cape Cod. Take the self-guided tour and try some free samples. Independence Park, Hyannis. Tour hours 9am - 5pm, M-F. 508-775-3206 Cape Cod Central Railroad: 252 Main St., Hyannis and on Jarves St., Sandwich. The 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 and a luncheon train draw rave reviews. Check out the Family trip on Tues. eves. during the summer with fun food for the kids; more epicurian fare for the adults plus entertainment! 508-771-3800 PIRATE ADVENTURE, Hyannis: This popular attraction offers 5 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. Ryan family amusements: Cape Cod Mall (F Y E), Rte 132, Hyannis. Great indoor game room featuring the hottest, coolest video games, skee-ball & pinball. Win Fabulous Prizes. BARNSTABLE BAND: Celebrating its 50th season this year, performing this summer at Wednesday night free concerts on the Village Green, Hyannis. Jul. & Aug., 7:30pm. Bowling Alley: Cape Bowl is located on Main St. in Hyannis, and has 'rock night' every night of the week during the summer. A music and light show make bowling a real event! 8pm daily, 508-775-3411 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 FUN HOUSE ARCADE: 541 Main St.. With an old-fashioned carousel, ice cream and cotton candy plus kiddie rides and great arcade games like Skeeball, this spot at Main St.’s Courtyard Marketplace is an ongoing festival. |
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| Yarmouth: The Cape's second oldest town, Yarmouth showcases more than 600 buildings of historic architectural significance. The northern village of Yarmouthport along Rte 6A has the more obvious historic sea captain's homes. Architecturally significant buildings can also be found in South Yarmouth, more readily known for its numerous gift shops, restaurants, motels and attractions which line Rte 28. Kids on the Cape Suggests. . . Chamber of Commerce: Get a free map and other information from the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce. 657 Rte 28. 508-778-1008 Beach For Kids: Seagull Beach, off Rte 28, take South Sea Avenue and follow the signs. It’s very level with no drop-offs. Picnic Spot: Bass Hole Beach at end of Centre St in Yarmouthport is a nice, quiet picnic spot and an easy walk to historic district sights. Free parking and picnic tables with grills. Fishing Spot: Long Pond in South Yarmouth. Best access at Wings Grove Park with free parking and a small beach. On Indian Memorial Drive off Station Ave. Biking Trail: Because there are really no continuous and safe bike trails in Yarmouth, skip over the town border to catch the Cape Cod Rail Trail in Dennis, off Rte 134, look for the signs. Hiking Trail: The 1.5 mile "Nature Trail" is presented to the public by the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth. It features a rest stop overlooking a "kettle hole" pond. Parking lot is just off Rte 6A, Yarmouthport, west of the Post Office. Maps are available at the Gate House. The Meadowbrook Road Conservation Area has a 310 boardwalk over swamp and saltmarsh to an observation deck on Swan Pond. Take Buck Island Rd. to Gray Rd. to Meadowbrook Rd. Libraries: South Yarmouth. 312 Main St. 508-760-4820 PLAYGROUNDS: On Rte 6A (at the Station Avenue intersection) in Yarmouthport, visit a beautiful, classic playground, with picnic tables. Other playgrounds are located at the elementary schools and at Parkers River Beach, on South Shore Drive in S. Yarmouth. Yarmouth has just completed construction on a new park on Old Townhouse Rd, off Station Ave. This area has bocci courts, basketball, swings, playground equipment, ball fields & lights! Ryan family amusements: 1067 Rte 28. S. Yarmouth. Candlepin and ten pin bowling featuring automatic scoring. Kids love bumper bowling - everybody scores! Great game room - redeem tickets to win prizes! Don’t miss Mystic Bowling, a state-of-the-art light and sound show to accompany your bowling fun beginning at 7:00 PM on Thursdays and from 9:00 - Midnight on Wed., Fri. and Sat. evenings. Live DJ. Reserve your lanes by calling 508-394-5644. PIRATE'S COVE adventure golf & MARKETPLACE: 728-742 Main St. Offering 36 holes of adventure golf, the Pirate theme extends well beyond the haunted caves, dungeons and a Pirate Sea Battle enactment to include a catapulting 15 foot great white shark, ice cream, arcade plus an extensive and interesting pirate gift store. 508-394-5252 Kayaking FUN: All ages and abilities are welcome at Ripple Creek Kayaking where over 10,000 paddlers have been launched at the Red Jacket Beach Inn! Kids’ programs are environmentally aware and fun -- watch out for the “Soak Zone”! Hourly, daily and multi-day rentals; adult trips and tours plus fishing trips and a full moon paddle are also offered. 1 South Shore Dr., S. Yarmouth. 508-398-8778 or 508-776-9036 Outdoor Concerts: Free concerts Mon. nights at 7pm in July and August at the Mattacheese Middle School band shell on Higgins Crowell Rd., West Yarmouth. Jazz, big band, country, Irish and classical music. Recreation Department: 1146 Main St. Offering classes of all types ranging from sailing, swimming, and tennis lessons to Adventure, Playground, and early childhood development programs. 508-398-2231 x284 CAPE BASEBALL LEAGUE: Catch a free baseball game with the hometown Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. ZooQuarium: Rte 28, West Yarmouth. Celebrating its 31st anniversary this year! 508-775-8883 JUMP ON US! (TRAMPOLINES): 260 Rte 28, across from the Brewster Farm Market, W. Yarmouth. Kids can jump themselves silly here! 508-775-3304 TROLLEY SERVICE: The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority operates a trolley which shuttles up and down Route 28 (and the Bass River and Sea Gull beach areas) and stops at all the favorite attractions: Thunder Falls, Christmas Tree Shop, Zooquarium, Pirate Ciove, Sports World, and more. Service runs every 30 minutes all summer. Call for schedule & routes. 800-352-7155 |
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| Dennis: Boot-shaped and running north to south with both warm and cool water beaches, Dennis is where Henry Hall first developed the commercial growing of cranberries in 1816 when he noticed that wild cranberries grew well when covered by blowing sand. His experimentation with this technique led to the first significant cultivation of the popular berry that is such a big part of the Cape Cod identity today. Kids on the Cape Suggests. . . Chamber of Commerce: Get a free guide book and other information from the Dennis Chamber of Commerce. 508-398-3568 Beach For Kids: West Dennis Beach -- Take School St. off of Rte 28 in W. Dennis. The area has a playground, snack bars and restrooms. On the north side, try Corporation or Mayflower beaches, both have playgrounds and snack bars. Fishing Spot: Scargo Lake off Rte 6A is a good spot for small mouth bass and trout. No fishing license required for kids age 14 and under. Over 15, obtain licenses at the Dennis town office 508-760-6112 Biking Trail: Cape Cod Rail Trail. On Rte 134 across from Hall Oil Company in South Dennis. . . look for the brown and gold sign. Good parking area. Hiking Trail: Johnny Kelly Recreation Area. Located off Access Rd. in S. Dennis opposite the Highway Garage. A circular route of about 1.25 miles, with a level, sandy surface, there is ample parking; the trail is well marked. Picnic Spot: Swan Pond Overlook. Off Rte 134, take Upper County Road to Searsville Road, turn left on Center St. and the spot is about 1/2 mile on the right overlooking Swan Pond. Picnic tables located along the coastal bank. PLAYGROUNDS: Two good ones are located on Corporation Rd. at Corporation Beach in East Dennis and at West Dennis Beach. FREE kids golf clinics: At The Longest Yard, 131 Great Western Rd. Every Sat, 10 - 11am for ages 10 and up. 508-398-5555 SAILING LESSONS: The venerable old West Dennis Yacht Club offers weekday morning and afternoon lessons at West Dennis Beach. Ages 5 - 17. Certified instructors. 508-398-9757 or 760-3333 TEEN DANCE: The West Dennis Yacht Club (at the Rotary near W. Dennis Beach) presents this popular event for ages 12 - 17 every Monday during the summer, 7:30 - 11:00pm. Fully chaperoned! 508-398-9757 or 508-760-3333 BAND CONCERTS: Weekly at the village green, Dennisport. Begins last Tues. in June, 7pm. Free, 508-398-3568 Libraries: Dennis Memorial Library. Corner Old Bass River Rd. and Rte 6A. Dennis. 508-385-2255. Cape Playhouse: Rte 6A. America’s oldest professional summer theater offers children’s shows Friday mornings during July and August. See the Summer Theater section on page 13 of this issue for schedule. 508-385-3911 Cape Cod Museum of Fine Arts: Dennis: Rte 6A. CMFA offers art treasure hunts, a make-n-take discovery space and high-definition, big screen projections of classic children’s stories. 508-385-4477 Cape Cod Rail Trail: The popular Rail Trail begins in Dennis and runs to Wellfleet. Parking available on Rte 134 (watch for signs). Jericho Historical Center: Old Main St., W. Dennis. Enjoy the ambience of this 1801 sea captain's house as costumed docents guide you through. The Barn Museum is filled with antique tools, a cranberry room, nostalgia room, and a country store as well as the Driftwood zoo. Children are welcome. Open all summer on Wed. from 2-4pm and Fri. from 10-12 or by appointment. 508-394-6114 TONY KENT ICE ARENA: 8 So. Gages Way. This is the rink where Nancy Kerrigan trained. Summer hockey and figure skating camps plus public skating weekly. Don't miss rock night (ages 9-14) most Friday evenings from 7:10-8:50pm. Rental skates $2. 508-760-2415 Dennis Recreation Dept: Summer playground programs, as well as sailing and swimming lessons are available for residents and visitors. 508-760-6162 1736 JOSIAH DENNIS MANSE MUSEUM AND OLD WEST SCHOOLHOUSE: 77 Nobscusset Rd., Dennis Village. The saltbox home of Reverend Dennis, for whom the town was named. Costumed docents interpret the 1700's furnishings, children’s room, spinning/weaving, Nobscusset Indian and maritime exhibits. A 1770 one-room school house is on the grounds. Open Tues., 10am-noon; Thurs., 2-4pm. 508-385-3528 TENNIS LESSONS: Junior tennis lessons are offered at the Sesuit Tennis Club. 508-385-2200 RIVER cruise: Rte 28, W. Dennis at Bass River Bridge in Waterfront Park. 1.5 hour cruise on the Starfish, w/ narration, on scenic Bass River, passing wildlife, old Captains' homes, luxury estates and more. 508-362-5555 CARTWHEELS: Go-KARTS & batting cages: State-of-the-art go-karts plus batting cages; across from the Tony Kent Ice Arena, 11 So. Gages Way. 508-394-6755 |