Overview
Sandwich is on Cape Cod in Massachusetts at the east end of the Cape Cod Canal, and includes the villages of East Sandwich and Forestdale. It is the oldest town on the Cape, settled in 1637. Sandwich is famous for the glassware produced here in the 1800s. It is also home to numerous gift and antique stores, art galleries, and rare book stores.
11 sights · 2 things to do · 7 places to eat · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sandwich
Sandy Neck Beach
Lifeguards, food, restrooms. Six-mile barrier beach on Cape Cod Bay. Special off-road equipment is required to travel down the beach.
Scusset Beach State Reservation
1.5 miles of beachfront, 98 RV sites and 5 tent-only sites.
Dexter Grist Mill
A working 17th-century grist mill on Shawme Pond, which offers tours (with very knowledgable guides) and fresh corn meal. Be sure to fill up your water bottles at the fresh water fountain nearby and feed the ducks on the…
Hoxie House
This house was built in 1637, and is probably the oldest restored house on the Cape.
Nye Homestead and Museum
This classic saltbox was built in 1685 by Benjamin Nye.
Sandwich Glass Museum
Glass blowing demonstrations here and in many other glass artists around town. Sandwich boasts several other fine glass artists such as David McDermott and Michael Magyar. Michael Magyar is also known around town for his…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Nov. (climate data from nearby Provincetown)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HYA Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Hyannis — 13 mi away. Directions
- EWB New Bedford Regional Airport, New Bedford — 24 mi away. Directions
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 48 mi away (major hub). Directions
Sandwich, is a little more than an hour and a quarter from both Boston and Providence.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $89–$89 a night (typical $106), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$210.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Scusset Beach State Reservation, Sandwich Glass Museum, Dexter Grist Mill
- Lunch Twin Acres Ice Cream Shoppe
- Afternoon Hoxie House, Sandwich Hatchery
- Dinner Marshland Diner
Day 2
- Morning Nye Homestead and Museum, Wing Fort House
- Lunch Seafood Sam's on the Canal
- Afternoon Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen
- Dinner Dunbar's Tea Room
Day 3
- Morning Sandy Neck Beach
- Lunch The Local Tavern and Grille
- Afternoon LauraJay Sportfishing Charters
- Dinner Tomatoes Italian Grille & Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Sandwich, is a little more than an hour and a quarter from both Boston and Providence.
- From Boston take I-93 south to Route 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge. (Becomes Rt. 6). After the crossing Sagamore Bridge any of the first 3 exits off Route 6 leads into Sandwich.
- From Providence or points south take I-95 north to I-195 to Route 25 south to the Bourne Bridge (I-495 also becomes Route 25). At the rotary (traffic circle) on the Cape side of the bridge go almost all the way around and travel along the Canal to Route 6. Any of the first 3 exits off Route 6 leads into Sandwich. Rather than taking Route 6, you can continue straight under the Sagamore bridge on Route 6A into town.
By bus
Get around
The center of Sandwich is very walkable, but generally a car is the best way to get around.
See
Beaches
All require non-resident parking stickers $40/season, Sandwich Town Hall Annex, 145 Main St., +1 508 833-8012.
See Sandy Neck Beach
Lifeguards, food, restrooms. Six-mile barrier beach on Cape Cod Bay. Special off-road equipment is required to travel down the beach.
Museums
See Dexter Grist Mill
A working 17th-century grist mill on Shawme Pond, which offers tours (with very knowledgable guides) and fresh corn meal. Be sure to fill up your water bottles at the fresh water fountain nearby and feed the ducks on the pond. Watch for the huge turtle.
See Hoxie House
This house was built in 1637, and is probably the oldest restored house on the Cape.
See Sandwich Glass Museum
Glass blowing demonstrations here and in many other glass artists around town. Sandwich boasts several other fine glass artists such as David McDermott and Michael Magyar. Michael Magyar is also known around town for his "Giants", large illuminated sculptures seen lining Route 6A during the Christmas season.
Parks
See Heritage Museums & Gardens
The gardens on the 100-acre grounds are always beautiful, with over 1,000 varieties of plants, featuring extensive collections of rhododendrons, hydrangeas and day lilies. Museums have exhibits of antique cars, American history, Native history, folk art (including basket making and scrimshaw), and a 1908 Charles Looff carousel. A windmill built in 1800 is also on the grounds. Various special exhibits, events, programs, performances and reenactments are also scheduled. Gardens Aglow - Thanksgiving to Christmas, 4:30PM-8:30PM. "Hidden Hollow" is the children's interactive outdoor area. New in 2015, an outdoor adventure featuring zip lines through the trees called The Adventure Park at Heritage. This is the only extra charge part of Heritage; all other areas, museums and carousel included. Reservations recommended for the Adventure Park, where fees run from $33 to $43. [ Combo tickets available] which include the other areas. Free handicapped accessible trams with wheelchair lifts can take you between museums on the wooded grounds. Best time to see thousands of rhododendrons in bloom is late May through early June. Summer time features many hydrangeas and day lilies.
Do
Do The Boardwalk
A cool raised boardwalk across Mill Creek to the dunes at Town Neck Beach. Boards are purchased by folks who specify the lettering on them. Parking available.
Tours
Buy
Shop Sandwich Farmers Market
Browse and buy locally grown and/or produced goods such as: produce, organic vegetables, fruits, honey, eggs, breads, cheeses, oils, vinegar, pastries, live lobsters, potted plants, cut flowers, herbs, soaps/lotions, canned goods, crafts, art, gifts and souvenirs.
Eat
Budget
Eat Twin Acres Ice Cream Shoppe
Towards the canal. Popular, but good service. Not homemeade, but many flavors. Beautiful Grounds!
Eat Marshland Diner
Great breakfasts, also lunch and dinner. Catch their bakery next door.
Mid-range
Eat Dunbar's Tea Room
Much more than tea. If you appreciate refinements, don't miss this lunch.
Eat The Local Tavern and Grille
Seafood and American food.
Splurge
Eat Tomatoes Italian Grille & Bar
Traditional and creative Italian.
Eat Amari Bar & Ristorante
Contemporary Italian. Brick oven pizza, on the pricey side.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Go next
- Day trips to Plymouth and other areas of the Cape are quite worthwhile.
- The Cape Cod National Seashore on the Outer Cape is very beautiful.
- A trip eastward on Route 6A winds through a number of interesting villages and past numerous galleries and interesting shops.
- The bridges get very busy on summer Sundays. If leaving the Cape, try to leave before noon or after 8PM.
Nearby
Bourne
City / town · 19 listings · 6 mi away
Mashpee
City / town · 16 listings · 8 mi away
Cotuit
City / town · 6 listings · 10 mi away
Osterville
City / town · 2 listings · 11 mi away
Barnstable Village
City / town · 8 listings · 11 mi away
Centerville
City / town · 7 listings · 11 mi away
Wareham
City / town · 21 listings · 11 mi away
Hyannis
City / town · 39 listings · 13 mi away
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