Beebe Woods
Great mountain biking and jogging trails located at the end of Depot Ave. in Falmouth. Also a scenic pond with a rope swing, great for a hot summer day (follow the signs on the trails to the “Punch Bowl”).
Directions:
- Route 28 South past hospital lights to right on Depot Avenue. Continue over tracks and past
Highfield Hall into the parking lot at Cape Cod Conservatory. - (alternate lot) West on Ter Heun Drive from Jones Road and Route 28 lights. Past Falmouth Hospital and Gosnold to parking on left.
Bell Tower Garden
This small park is right on Eel Pond in Woods Hole, next to the bell tower. Go through the gate and enjoy the peaceful view of the drawbridge from benches.
Bigelow Cupola
Bigelow is WHOI’s oldest building. If you climb the side stairs to the top of the building and then walk to the middle of the hallway, you’ll find a collection of old black and white photos of WHOI and a circular staircase that leads to the small gazebo on the roof. An upward sliding door will let you out on the roof. It is a great place for a bird’s eye view of Woods Hole, Eel Pond, the WHOI dock (and whatever ship may be in), Vineyard sound and the islands.
Eel Pond Park
A small grassy area behind the WHOI information office. For WHOI types only. Nice view of Eel pond, and a good place to have lunch.
Fisheries Aquarium
End of Water St. in Woods Hole. Very small aquarium with a cute seal playing outside. Don’t miss the blue lobster.
Goodwill Park
There is a pond with a small sandy beach, volleyball courts, and grills within the park. Some of the time, there is a life-guard to guard a small swimming area, marked with floats. That little area gets crowded sometimes but the rest of the pond is always empty and very beautiful (and not eutrophied!). The entrance is on Gifford Street (from Main St. in Falmouth, turn left onto Gifford. Go through the light at Gifford and Jones, and the entrance to the park will be on your left).
Heritage Plantation
Sandwich, MA. Gardens, art museum, American history museum, and an antique car collection recently featured on WCAI. As their website says, “We offer each of our visitors a unique experience ranging from quiet contemplation to active exploration.” A good place for a stroll.
Long Pond
About 4 miles of trailsthrough the woods around Long Pond, which serves as the drinking water reservoir for the area. There is an entrance and parking area on Gifford Street (on the left as you head north), or if you are not driving, you can enter through Goodwill Park (this driveway is blocked off to cars).
Nobska Light
Surf Drive between Woods Hole and Quissett. Take in views of the coast at this lookout point.
Spohr Gardens
Turn up Oyster Pond Road from Surf Drive and keep right at the Y (near Oyster Pond condos). Make the first right and you’ll see the gardens on the right after a few houses. A private park open to visitors from dawn until dusk. Open only from dawn to dusk. It looks like it’s in someone’s yard because it is. Be sure to check out Spohr’s in the springtime when the daffodils are blooming.
Waquoit State Park
Located on Washburn Island in Waquoit Bay, E. Falmouth. Camping allowed between April and midOctober. Inaccessible to cars, need a boat to get there. Call for reservations, 457-0495.
Coonamessett Farm
Hatchville Road, Falmouth; (508)563-2560. Pick your own vegetables, strawberries, and blueberries in season. Memberships available.
Peterson Farm
Off McCallum Drive off Woods Hole Road. 90 acre farm purchased by Falmouth in 1997. Forms some continuous nature trails/land trust area with Beebe woods. Plus, they have sheep and a lama there. The lambs in the spring are pretty cool and if you go at the right time, you can watch the caretakers of the farm train their border collies to herd the sheep.