Unpack once and Visit Falmouth, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and all of Martha's Vineyard

Falmouth is the ideal location for a wonderful Cape Cod vacation. With 68 miles of coastline you are sure to find the perfect spot. You can park your vehicle at the hotel of your choice and visit all of the eight villages that comprise Falmouth. Then you can take a ferry to Oak Bluffs and visit Vineyard Haven. Next day take a different ferry to visit Edgartown and tour the rest of Martha’s Vineyard. The best thing—you unpack once and your car is safe in the hotel parking lot saving you money and time.

The eight villages, East Falmouth, North Falmouth, West Falmouth, Falmouth Village, Teaticket, Woods Hole, Waquoit and Hatchville, each have there own unique attractions. Joe Zavala, President of the Chamber of Commerce says, “It is breezy and salty on the outside and warm and friendly on the inside.”

East Falmouth is the home of the Barnstable County Fair. For eight days in July the village is transformed into animal shows, amusement rides, petting zoos, live music and arts & crafts and much more. This cape tradition has been on going for over 165 years.

The longest beach, Menauhant Beach, is located in East Falmouth.

North Falmouth is the birthplace of Katharine Bates, the lyricist of American the Beautiful. An 11.5 mile bikeway to Woods Hole, isnamed, “Shining Sea Bikeway,” in reference to the lyrics.

West Falmouth has the best views of Buzzards Bay. Some of the best windsurfing on the Cape can be surfed at Chapoquoit Beach.

Falmouth Village is the center of Falmouth. The town hosts the Falmouth Road Race in August. Over 10,000 runners race the shoreline from Woods Hole to Falmouth Village. The village is the home of the Commodores Baseball team. One in seven players currently on MLB rosters once played in the Cape league. Eight former Cape Cod Baseball League players managed in the major league. There is no charge to watch the teams play

Teaticket is in the rural parts of Falmouth. There are many antiques and small shops nestled in the back roads.

Woods Hole is the home of the largest Oceanographic Institute in the world. The research submarine ‘Alvin’ that located the Titanic is from Woods Hole. The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is the oldest aquarium in the country. The Woods Hole Film Festival held in July is the oldest independent film festival on Cape Cod and the Islands. The festival was named one of the “25 Coolest Festivals” by MovieMaker Magazine. Woods hole is the home of the steamship authority that ferries passengers and cars to Martha’s Vineyard daily. A free shuttle is provided from various parking lots.

Waquoit is the home of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. There are over 2,700 acres of open water, beaches, marshlands and uplands. Washburn Island is the South Cape Beach State Park.

Hatchville is the largest of the eight villages. It has no coastline but offers hiking, horseback riding and canoeing in the Francis Crane Wildlife Reservation. The Ashumet Holly Reservation is maintained by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

“Falmouth is the only place where you get to have 25 hours in a day. It’s the pace here—we slow it down.” Zavala said

If you are lucky enough to arrive by boat, you will find a choice of marine facilities at Falmouth inner harbor. The entrance to the inner harbor is clearly marked and drudged to 10’. Falmouth Marine is the first marina on the left. They have seasonal slips, moorings and a full service yard. The marina is also the home of the Falmouth to Edgartown Ferry, ‘The Pied Piper.”

MacDougalls is the next marine located on the right side of the inner harbor. The bright red building can even be scene in the fog. There is plenty of room for large vessels up to 150’ and can accommodate up to 12’ draft. They have seasonal and transient slips.

Falmouth Town Marina is managed by the Falmouth Harbor Master. The facilities have been remodeled and upgraded. They can be found on the left side of the channel just past Falmouth Marine.

The Whoosh Trolley could be a choice transportation for boaters and tourist arriving by car. The trolley and combination of bus service can transport you to all villages and points of interest, again saving your parking space, time and money. The trolley runs from the Falmouth Mall to Woods Hole. The summer schedule the trolley runs every half hour. A day pass can be purchased and you can visit the mall, the plaza, the library, village green, Falmouth center, the bus depot, the shining sea bike path and the steamship ferries in Woods Hole.

It is a short walk from many hotel of the Island Queen dock. You can purchase a round trip ticket and spend the day on Martha’s Vineyard. Oak Bluffs is the town you will land and depart from. Oak Bluffs is the home of the famous flying horse carousal. Take the locate bus into Vineyard Haven and lunch at the Black Dog or other wonderful restaurants. Shop, walk or take a locate bus Aquinnah for a breath taking view of Vineyard sound.

Next day walk to Falmouth Marina and board the “Piper Pied” to Edgartown. Once in Edgartown you can tour South Beach and listen to the roar of the ocean. Transportation to all towns on the island can be arranged with private tour companies or by town buses. Be sure to plan ahead and get the most from your day trip excursion.

I have included some telephone numbers and websites to some of the attractions in Falmouth. I have also listed some of the yearly events and usual dates. The chamber of commerce website will publish the actual dates at the beginning of the year. Be sure to check locate tour guide when you arrive as some functions are added after publication. Enjoy Falmouth and the island of Martha’s Vineyard all in one trip.

Steamship Ferry SteamshipAuthority.com 508 548 3788

Trolley & Bus Capecodrta.org 800 352 7155

The Pied Piper falmouthedgartownferry.com 508 548 9400

The Island Queen 508 548 4800

Chamber of Commerce Falmouthchamber.com 508 548 8500

Falmouth Village falmouthvillageassociation.com

Woods Hole Film Festival woodsholefilmfestival.com

Falmouth Marina 508 548 4600

MacDougalls 508 548 3146

Falmouth Town Marina 508 457 2550

Event Calendar

April Spohr Gardens Daffodil Days

June Arts Alive Festival

Strawberry Festival

July Bike & Carriage Parade

Fireworks

Arts & Crafts Street Festival

Barnstable County fair

July/Aug Woods Hole Film Festival

August Annual Falmouth Walk

New Balance Falmouth Road Race

September Falmouth Dream Cruise by the Sea Car Show Weekend

Annual Cape Cod Music Festival

Jazz Festival Falmouth

October Barnstable County Harvest Festival

Falmouth Cranberry Weekend

Cape Cod Marathon Running Weekend

November Holidays at Highfield

Falmouth Holidays by the Sea Weekend

December Holiday Stroll

Holiday Parade

Elizabethan Yuletide Madrigal feast