Region guide
Upper Cape
The gateway to Cape Cod — first stop over the bridges.
What is the Upper Cape like?
The Upper Cape is where Cape Cod begins. Cross the Bourne or Sagamore Bridge and you're immediately in a stretch of classic seaside towns wrapped around the Cape Cod Canal. It's the most accessible part of the Cape — closest to Boston and Providence — with quieter beaches than the crowded Outer Cape, the science village of Woods Hole, and the Cape's oldest town, Sandwich. A great base for first-time visitors and families who want the Cape without the longest drive.
Known for
- Cape Cod Canal — 7-mile waterway with a flat paved bike/walking path on both banks
- Woods Hole — world-famous oceanographic science village + ferries to Martha's Vineyard
- Shining Sea Bikeway (Falmouth) — 10.7 mi rail-trail along the coast
- Heritage Museums & Gardens + Sandwich Glass Museum (Sandwich, est. 1637 — oldest town on the Cape)
- Old Silver Beach, Mashpee Commons, Wampanoag heritage
Highlights
- Bike or walk the Cape Cod Canal
- Ferry to Martha's Vineyard from Woods Hole
- Shining Sea Bikeway
- Heritage Museums & Gardens
- Sandwich Boardwalk & Sandwich Glass Museum
- Nobska Lighthouse
- Old Silver Beach sunset
Fast facts
5 towns · ~1 hr 15 min from Boston · Home to the Cape Cod Canal & both bridges · Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod (1637) · Woods Hole = MV ferry gateway
Which Upper Cape town should I visit?
5 towns
How do I get to the Upper Cape?
Cross the Bourne Bridge (to Falmouth/Mashpee) or Sagamore Bridge (to Sandwich) — about 1 hr 15 min from Boston, 1 hr from Providence. Falmouth/Woods Hole is the main ferry port to Martha's Vineyard (Steamship Authority).
When is the best time to visit the Upper Cape?
June–early September for full beach season; late May and September–October are quieter with warm days and lower rates. Canal-side paths and Shining Sea Bikeway are excellent in shoulder season.
What should I know before I go?
- Beach parking lots fill by mid-morning in July/August — arrive early or stay where you can walk/bike in
- Resident/non-resident beach stickers required at many town lots
- The Bourne Bridge backs up Friday afternoons and Sunday — travel mid-day or off-peak
- Woods Hole parking is very limited; use the Falmouth ferry lots + shuttle
Where are the towns in the Upper Cape?
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Which other regions are near the Upper Cape?
Off-Cape (Plymouth/Wareham), Mid Cape and Martha's Vineyard are the nearest regions.