Let’s take a DRIVING TOUR of Barnstable
Let’s explore the town of Barnstable…
Welcome to the gorgeous and expansive town of Barnstable. Bordering both Cape Cod Bay (north shore) and Nantucket Sound (south shore), this mid-Cape town offers something for everyone. Comprised of seven different villages (Barnstable (which includes Cummaquid), Centerville (which includes Craigville), Cotuit, Hyannis (which includes Hyannis Port - remember the Kennedys), Osterville, Marstons Mills and West Barnstable), this town is steep in history, charm, freshwater lakes/ponds and seaside beaches.
We will begin our tour on the north shore, along Cape Cod Bay and will loop around ending on the south shore. In driving today, you will get to know all the reasons why Barnstable residents have decided to make these beautiful villages home!
Let’s begin by crossing the Sagamore Bridge onto this incredible man-made island. Continue on Route 6 to Exit 63. Off the exit we are going to be taking a left onto Chase Road. We will stay on Chase Road which turns into Old County Road and then will be taking a left on Jones Lane. Jones Lane will take us over Scorton Creek (tidal salt river that runs through a marsh - amazing for raft floating in the hot summer months) just before it brings us to the intersection of Route 6A, also known as Old King’s Highway. Let’s take a right onto historic Route 6A to begin our tour of beautiful West Barnstable. Technically we are still in the town of Sandwich, MA, but are about to cross over into the village of West Barnstable.
Our first stop is going to be a quick detour to Sandy Neck Beach. Take a left on Sandy Neck Road and follow all the way down to the dunes and sand. Sandy Neck is a beach that is in both Sandwich and Barnstable. The sand to the left is Sandwich and to the right is Barnstable. This gorgeous, expansive beach is on Cape Cod Bay. If you are open to 4-wheeling, revisit Sandy Neck Beach in the summer months. As a Barnstable resident you can obtain a beach pass to drive your 4-wheel vehicle onto the beach where you can enjoy bon-fires while watching the sunset.
Let’s continue driving. Turn around in the beach lot and head back down Sandy Neck Road to Route 6A. You will be taking a left at the intersection, but make sure you note down Amari Restaurant as a must-visit for dinner sometime. Famous for authentic Italian cuisine, this is a favorite among the locals (bar menu is pretty incredible also).
As we continue along historic Route 6A into Barnstable, you will note the beauty and scenery. It feels almost like you are stepping back in time to how Cape Cod once was in the 1800’s. Barnstable’s Historic Commission is actively working to maintain the historic charm. You will pass marshes, fields, show-stopper homes, fruit-stands and cute little shops as you drive. Remember to keep looking left for peeks of Cape Cod Bay.
During this drive, you will cross into the village of Barnstable (yes, this truly is the village of Barnstable, in the town of Barnstable, in the county of Barnstable). You will know when you’ve arrived on the Main Street, as soon as you pass the Barnstable Comedy Club. This quaint little village is home of our Barnstable Court House and our Barnstable County Registry of Deeds (home for all the recorded deeds of Cape Cod homeowners). Across the street from the court house, you should stop into our favorite Barnstable coffee shop, Nirvana Coffee. This top rated coffee house makes a lavender latte that is to DIE FOR! You will also see the old-fashioned Barnstable Market for sandwiches, treats and groceries. Dolphin Restaurant is another must-dine for dinner (make sure you make reservations as they book up quickly).
Before we leave Barnstable Village, we are going to do a quick sea-side jaunt to Barnstable Harbor. We will be taking a left on Millway at the lights. Follow Millway down to the Harbor. For a quick seafood bite on the go, pop into Osterville Fish Too. This great Harborside clam shack is renowned for lobster rolls and fried clams that you can eat outside on picnic tables watching the boats as they come and go. (Also for a secret sand-bar spot by boat, at the entrance of Barnstable Harbor from Cape Cod Bay is Beach Point. Only accessible by boat, this white sand sandbar appears at low-tide and disappears at high-tide. It’s a perfect spot to pull up your boat and enjoy lunch.)
Back to our drive, take a right on Commerce and follow the marsh past beautiful Barnstable estates back to Route 6A. We will be taking a left on 6A, which puts us into the area of Cummaquid. Cummaquid is a north-shore area along Route 6A. If you are a golfer, make sure you take note of the Cummaquid Golf Club to your right. We are about to cross over into Yarmouth but will be passing right back into Barnstable. Take a right on Willow Street, which turns into Yarmouth Road, which will lead us to the south shore along Nantucket Sound.
We are going to follow Yarmouth Road into Hyannis. Us locals, lovingly call Hyannis our mini-city. Hyannis is home to many that want to be in the heart of the action, within easy access to all amenities. Home to Barnstable Airport (which now houses JetBlue), Cape Cod Hospital, the Cape Cod Mall, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, HomeDepot, BJ’s and more. Hyannis is also another Steamship Authority port for ferries heading to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Although a busy shopping, mini-city, Hyannis does boast one of the most charming Main Street Downtown’s on the Cape. Let’s go check it out! To get there, let’s take a right on Main Street.
Must visits on Main Street include: Alberto’s Ristorante (Italian), Pizza Barbone (brick oven pizza), Barnstable Town Hall (will be on your left and is the green the Boston Pops by the Sea plays at every year), John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum (replete with full history of the famous family and why they loved Cape Cod so much), British Beer Company (Pub), Katie’s Homemade Ice Cream, Tumi Ceviche Bar & Ristorante (Italian/Peruvian cuisine - ceviche and Pisco sours to write home about), Anejo Mexican Bistro (Mexican), Brazilian Grill (Brazilian steakhouse) and much, much, more.
We are now going to take a left onto Sea Street to head down to the water and into Hyannis Port. Follow Sea Street down until you see sand/sea (Keyes Memorial Beach) and bear right onto Ocean Ave. At the end of Ocean Ave, we are going to take a left onto Hyannis Ave. We are now in charming Hyannis Port. This is the home of the famous first-family, the Kennedy’s (let’s drive by their homes while we are here). Hyannis Ave will turn into Washington Ave. Take a left on Longwood Ave and then a right onto Wachusett Ave. At the end of Wachusett you will take a left onto Scudder Ave and then a left onto Irving Ave. All along Irving Ave you will see the homes that comprised the Kennedy Compound. At the end of Irving Ave, is the Hyannis Port Yacht Club, that offers member and non-member sailing classes for ages 6 and up. We are going to loop back around (left on Iyanough Ave at the Yacht Club and a left onto Wachusett Ave). Back at Scudder, we are now going to take a right to head to the Craigville area of Centerville.
Stay on Scudder Ave and bear left when you see Craigville Beach Road. Follow Craigville Beach Road down past the Hyannisport Club golf course on your left. We are now heading to Craigville Beach, one of Barnstable’s most famous beaches both for its size and fun. On your way down, you will pass a little pizza place on your right, Craigville Pizza and Mexican. It might sound like a strange menu, but they pull it off quite well. It’s more of a grab-and-go spot, but a must-try if you like pizza, burritos and/or waffle fries.
Now that we have hit the ocean, you will see Covell’s Beach to your left and if you continue on Craigville Beach Road you will be driving along Craigville Beach which is right on Nantucket Sound. The Barnacle Snack Bar is great for beach bites and ice cream. We are going to stay on Craigville Beach Road into Centerville Village, but please know that if you want to check out one of Barnstable’s most beautiful hidden beaches, bear left onto Long Beach Road (at the entrance to the Craigville Beach parking lot) and drive down almost to the end of the road. You will see a tiny parking lot on your right that is labeled as a town way to water. If you get here early enough, you can grab a parking spot with a Barnstable beach sticker and walk to the end of Long Beach Road where the town entrance to Long Beach is. This gorgeous, hidden beach is a favorite among the locals. It’s a long sandbar that creates the most beautiful, secluded beach perfect for spending a day enjoying the sand and ocean.
Back to our tour though, we are now going to loop you through charming Centerville Village. At the lights, you will go straight which turns into Main Street (however, if you are craving a sweet treat, take a quick pit stop by taking a right on South Main Street and an immediate left into the parking lot. There, tucked in the parking lot is the infamous Four Seas Ice Cream with arguably some of the best ice cream on Cape Cod. Still oozing the old soda pop fountain aura, make sure you try a hot fudge sundae from this must-visit.). Back to the lights and Main Street, continue on into historic Centerville. Centerville has a public library, an authentic general store, 1856 Country Store, offering penny candy and amazing quintessential Cape Cod trinkets, a kid’s favorite playground and a historical museum. We are going to do a quick loop back through (fancy u-turn) by taking a left on Park Ave, and an immediate left on Henry Place back to Main Street. Head back down Main Street to the lights and take a right onto South Main Street.
We are now on our way to Osterville. When we cross over Bumps River, we are crossing into the village of Osterville. Side note: when you see East Bay Road on your left, take note of the compound on your left. That entire compound has become lovingly known to the locals as ”the Wayfair House”. The owner of Wayfair purchased all the homes in the surrounding area and has turned it into a spectacular family compound.
While we are here, let’s do a quick loop down to Dowses Beach, Osterville’s most desirable public beach and then we’ll come back around to see Main Street. Take a left onto East Bay Road and follow this down along the water. As you approach East Bay, you will see a ramp on your left. As a resident of Osterville, you can get a sticker for East Bay Ramp parking also. Continue down along East Bay and you will see on your left the entrance to Dowse’s Beach. It’s worth a swing in to see this beautiful beach. To the right you will see Nantucket Sound and to your left East Bay. Both offer sandy beaches for swimming and summertime fun. Now, let’s continue our meandering.
Back out of Dowses Beach take a left onto East Bay and then at the end take a right onto Wianno Ave. Wianno is going to bring us to charming Downtown Osterville. If you are looking for a place stop to grab a bite or shop, the Downtown offers many must-sees: Pineapple Caper Cafe (avocado toast / iced coconut cold brew), Lilly Pulitzer (classic Osterville apparel), Five Bays Bistro (delicious evening dining), Crisp Flatbread (make sure to sample their delicious wine collection and definitely place an order for the Truffle Frites - YUM - you will feel like you are living THE LIFE as you enjoy dinner or lunch by the fire pit or sit in the adirondack chairs), Salty Cow (best soft-serve on Cape Cod), Wimpy’s Seafood (classic Cape seafood fare), Earthly Delights (divine vegetarian and vegan option), Fancy’s Market (old fashioned grocer with delicious sandwiches and beach bites to go), Armstrong-Kelley Park (horiculturalist’s delight with secret gardens and all different native plantings - definitely peruse until you see the giant Magnolia tree, absolutely beautiful spot to sit and read a book under), Rescue Me IV & Beauty (have you heard about the Vitamin C, anti-aging IV’s - ask for Kristen), Gone Chocolate (must try their Acai-bowls). Also of note, Osterville is the home of highly-esteemed, private Cape Cod Academy. We will continue on down Main Street which changes names to South County Road as we head back to Route 28. Before we get there, though, there is one more spot you may want to make a quick stop at on your way out of Osterville: Amie Bakery. Amie’s is a treasured spot to locals as a place to meet friends, enjoy a delectable treat of the day, sip on a crafted cocktail or savor a delicious bowl of soup. Recently renovated, this lovely cafe definitely deserves a pop-in. At the intersection of South County Road and Route 28, we will be taking a left onto Route 28.
Let’s continue our tour on our way to Marstons Mills now on our way towards Cotuit. Marstons Mills is a bit more of an inland village, primarily residential and centrally located in Barnstable. The area known as Prince Cove or Baxters Neck are seaside and are where the Prince Cove Marina is located (will be left of 28). Although there are no saltwater beaches in Marstons Mills, the Mills (as locals call this village) is home to several large lakes/ponds (Hamblin's Pond, Mystic Lake, Middle Pond, Muddy Pond, Little Pond, Round Pond, Long Pond, Patty's Pond, Mill Pond, Lovell's Pond, and Shubael Pond on Route 149). Although there truly isn’t a downtown in Marstons Mills, the village center is worth a quick drive through on our tour. Let’s start by taking a right onto Route 149.
As you head down 149 you will pass by Mill Pond on the left. Down this little drag you will find several quaint eateries and shops. Some of our favorites (will be on the left as you drive) are: Fig Tree Cafe (best breakfasts), Plum Porch (unique gifts and one-of-a-kind finds), Morning Glory Cafe (incredible energy bites, veggie burgers and breakfast wraps). Now we’ll do a quick loop around so we can make our way back to Cotuit. To do this, take a left on Lovell’s Lane. Take your next left on River Road which will bring us back out to Route 149. Return on Route 149 to the intersection of 28. At 28, bear right.
We will stay on Route 28 until we see Main Street on our left which leads to Cotuit Village. Take the left onto Main Street and let’s go explore the gorgeous waterside village, lovingly referred to as Little Harvard. The Cape Cod Museum Trail actually did an exhibit in 2020 on “Little Harvard” as this village of “sea captains, fishermen and cranberry farmers - became the first summer resort enclave on Cape Cod largely because of it’s popularity with academics, writers, doctors, scientists, artists and others associated with the Cambridge university.” Known to others as a sister-village of Osterville, Cotuit is the quiet, understated sister. With ample waterfront, bordering Cotuit Bay, Nantucket Sound and Popponessett and Shoestring Bay, you will be wowed by the simple beauty. Driving down Main Street, make sure to stop into the Cotuit Fresh Market (aka Cotuit General Store) for a sandwich (made to order) and a gluten-free brownie. For today, we will turn on School Street (but if you want to check out more of the seaside reasons to live in Cotuit, continue on down Main Street and bear left onto Oceanview Ave which will lead you to Loop Beach - a gorgeous beach at the harbor entrance of Nantucket Sound - staying on Oceanview Avenue will loop you back around to Main Street. You can take a left to check out one other secret beach, Oregon Beach at the end of Main Street.)
For our tour, though, we are going to wrap up our tour taking a right onto School Street. You will be passing Archi-tech Associates, a preferred architect for the classic Cape Cod shingle style homes you see all over Barnstable), Kettle Ho (which looks like a hole in the wall but locals know it has the best burgers, salmon and martinis around), a childrens playground abutting the local library, post office and fire station. We should also mention, Cotuit is the home to the Kettleers, part of the Cape Cod Baseball League, which offers fun summer evening games to go watch as the top scouts come check out our players all summer long. And that, is the quaint village of Cotuit. Keep driving down School Street, which turns into Quinaquisset Ave at Shoestring Bay. At this point, you are also crossing into the Town of Mashpee, which we will save as a tour for a different day.
To wrap up our tour, follow Quinaquisset Ave to Orchard Road which will lead you back to Route 28.
We hope you enjoyed exploring Barnstable with us. We’ve loved directing you around the ins and outs of this beautiful town! If you’d like to take a driving tour of another town, please send us an email and we’ll follow up!
