In celebration of our summer pop-up shop, we're excited to share with you a guide of our favorite things to do around town!
Located at the southwest tip of Cape Cod, Woods Hole has a broad deep harbor that holds the ferry terminal to Martha's Vineyard as well as the many research vessels for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
With cafes, restaurants, shops, galleries, harbor views, and an extended science community, Woods Hole is more than just a small coastal village. Below is a guide to the best attractions to explore while here.
DESTINATION ONE
Whether in-person or virtually, visit the Woods Hole Aquarium! A small public aquarium that features marine animals found in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic waters.
Since its inception in 1875, as the first marine aquarium in the US, their mission is to support fisheries research, and educate the public about marine life and marine science.
In the late 20th century, the aquarium took on a third mission: conservation. The aquarium staff now rehabilitates and releases cold-stunned turtles and provides a permanent home for stranded seals that cannot be released to the wild.
DESTINATION TWO
Visitors to the WHOI Ocean Science Discovery Center learn about the Institution's ocean science research, engineering, and exploration.
Climb inside a replica of the personnel sphere of Alvin, their deep-sea submersible, and imagine yourself exploring the ocean floor. Learn about the plight of the North Atlantic Right Whale and many other interactive exhibits.
DESTINATION THREE
Enjoy a coastal nature walk to The Knob, a property of Salt Pond Bird Sanctuaries. The Knob is a nature area on a rocky hill overlooking Buzzards Bay offering hiking paths, swimming holes, and sunset views. On a clear day at the top of the Knob, you can see New Bedford in the west, the canal entrance to the north, and the Elizabeth Islands to the South.
DESTINATION FOUR
The 10.7 mile (17.2 km) bike path is a journey of discovery through four of Falmouth's villages, gently traversing glacier-sculpted natural wonders from Woods Hole on Vineyard Sound to North Falmouth along the shore of Buzzards Bay.
The Shining Sea Bikeway is the only bikeway on Cape Cod that runs alongside the sea, providing views across salt marshes, barrier beaches, and open water. And with almost 25% of the Bikeway abutting conservation land along at least one side, the Bikeway brings you close to a variety of wooded uplands, cedar swamps, and ponds. Wildlife abounds along the bikeway, from the microscopic plankton in the sea to quahogs, bluefish, river herring, eels, egrets, great blue herons, red-tailed hawks, osprey, turtles, red fox, muskrats, and deer.
DESTINATION FIVE
Our guide wouldn't be complete without a playground! Woods Hole playground at Bell Tower Field offers a softball field, two tennis courts, a volleyball court, picnic tables and Taft’s Playground. There is also space for a small soccer field. The park abuts a small marsh and Mill Pond, making it a great spot for birdwatching. There is also a small loop trail near the tennis courts. The playground structure is handicapped accessible.
DESTINATION SIX
Hungry after a full day of exploring? There are many great options in Woods Hole, but a family favorite is Pie in the Sky. Since 1982, they have been making batch-made baked goods daily.
NOW OPEN!
Monday – Wednesday ✺ 10 – 5pm
Thursday – Saturday ✺ 10 – 8pm
Sunday ✺ 11 – 4pm
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