Bourne Family Fun Guide Things to Do 2024

The town of Bourne is bordered by the 7.8-mile Cape Cod Canal and the warm waters of Buzzards Bay. Known as the gateway to Cape Cod, the town provides relatively quick access to New Bedford, Providence and Boston, making it an ideal location for those commuting to work in those larger cities.

The town was physically divided into Cape and mainland portions in 1914 when the Cape Cod Canal was completed. Both the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges, the Cape’s only links to the mainland other than a railroad bridge, are situated in Bourne.

Bike paths run along both sides of the Canal for roughly 8 miles between the Sagamore Bridge and Bourne Bridge. It’s a popular spot for runners, bikers, and roller-bladers, as well as birders, fishers and photographers. The Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge, an amazing vertical lift bridge crossing the canal waterway, was the longest in the world when it was completed in 1935. It’s now used as a crossing for the CapeFLYER Boston-to-Hyannis passenger train, which operates weekends in season.

Lying within Bourne are the villages of Bournedale, Buzzards Bay, Cataumet, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore and Sagamore Beach. The town is mostly rural and its magnificent shoreline has long attracted fishermen and sportsmen. Several small ponds and rivers dot the landscape, along with inlets and sheltered harbors. Many summer homes have descended through multiple generations, their owners proud of the fact that some of these large treasures did not transition into guest lodging establishments.

At the Aptucxet Trading Post Museum, the nation’s oldest store, visitors will find a replica of what is believed to be one of the earliest remains of a Pilgrim building, as well as the Joseph Jefferson Windmill and the Gray Gables Railroad Station. Both the windmill and the railroad station have ties to President Grover Cleveland, who owned a summer home in Bourne’s Gray Gables Village from 1892 to 1904.

Much like other parts of the Cape, Bourne is filled with artisans who lend their talents to create artwork that highlights region’s beauty. Located in Bourne’s Sagamore Village is Pairpoint Glass, America’s oldest glass company; Burmese Glass creations by Pairpoint were even gifted to Queen Victoria and President Grover Cleveland in 1886. One can watch glassblowers in action as they create their masterpieces, including everything from custom hand-blown glass sconces, vases, and chandeliers to barware, bowls and ornaments.

In Bourne, you will find both the Massachusetts National Cemetery, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and the Joint Base Cape Cod, which includes Otis Air Base, Camp Edwards (the training area for the National Guard) and a base for contingents of the Army, the Air Force and the Coast Guard. It is also home to the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve, the largest piece of protected, undeveloped land on Cape Cod.

Where to eat in Bourne on  your Family Cape Cod Vacation

The Lobster Trap Fish Market and Restaurant Local cuisine, American, Seafood, Gluten Free Options  An Incredible Restaurant for Delicious Fresh Seafood!
Then maybe fish and chips or fish tacos or a fish sandwich.  The lobster roll and grilled swordfish sandwich were well prepared and the se…  … had the freshest Oysters, fried clams, steamers and A MASSIVE lobster rol…

 

 

What to Visit in Bourne  on your Family Cape Cod Vacation

Aptucxet Trading Post is an  open-air historical museum in Bourne, Massachusetts. The main attraction is a replica of the 17th-century Aptucxet Trading Post which was built by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in order to trade with the Wampanoag Indians and the Dutch. The museum also features a replica of a 19th-century saltworks, the relocated 19th-century Gray Gables Railroad Station, and a wooden smock windmill. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.

Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center Discover the rich history, fascinating features and vigilant operation of the Cape Cod Canal and  the US Army Corps of Engineers through various displays, exhibits and public programs

Cape Cod Canal & Canal Bike Paths

Four Ponds Conservation Area
Herring Run Visitor Center
Monument Beach
National Marine Life Center

Buzzards Bay Park Splash Pad in Bourne MA

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