Overview
The village of Woods Hole administratively belongs to the town of Falmouth, in the Upper Cape area of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Woods Hole has a great natural harbor and was once a fishing and whaling center but now is known for its beautiful beaches, sport fishing, quaint shops (no chain stores here) and marine research facilities.
5 sights · 2 things to do · 6 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Woods Hole
Nobska Light
Nobska Rd. About a 10-minute walk from the village, the lighthouse overlooks Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands, as well as Woods Hole itself.
Marine Biological Laboratories
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Learn about the Institutions research (and their cool boats) with many engaging and kid friendly hands on exhibits.
Woods Hole Science Aquarium
The aquarium has an outdoor seal pool (feedings are at 11AM and 4PM most weekdays), tanks filled with fish and lots of information about local marine life. Upstairs are touch tanks with horseshoe crabs, starfish, whelks …
Woods Hole Film Festival
The Festival is held each year from the last Saturday of July through the first Saturday of August. This eight-day event screens around 100 films submitted from around the world.
Woods Hole Historical Museum
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Oct. (climate data from nearby Newport)
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.
- EWB New Bedford Regional Airport, New Bedford — 18 mi away. Directions
- HYA Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Hyannis — 22 mi away. Directions
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 42 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Marine Biological Laboratories, Woods Hole Science Aquarium
- Lunch Pie in the Sky Bakery & Cafe
- Afternoon Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole Theater Company
- Dinner Woods Hole Market & General Store
Day 2
- Morning Nobska Light, Woods Hole Historical Museum
- Lunch Captain Kidd Waterfront Tavern
- Afternoon Woods Hole Film Festival
- Dinner Quicks Hole Taqueria
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 bus
Long-distance
Within Cape Cod
By boat
Place Steamship Authority Ferries
Year Round ferry service to and from Martha's Vineyard is offered by the Steamship Authority, including car transport.
Get around
On foot
Woods Hole is a wonderful place to walk around; everything is within 15 minutes' walk for people of normal fitness.
By bicycle
The Shining Sea bikeway begins at the end of Railroad Ave, right next to the Steamship Terminal & the Leeside Restaurant. It's a great way to get to Woods Hole from downtown Falmouth, about 4 miles, mostly along the ocean.
By trolley
- WHOOSH Trolley provides local summer service around Falmouth.
See
See Nobska Light
Nobska Rd. About a 10-minute walk from the village, the lighthouse overlooks Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands, as well as Woods Hole itself.
Museums
See Woods Hole Science Aquarium
The aquarium has an outdoor seal pool (feedings are at 11AM and 4PM most weekdays), tanks filled with fish and lots of information about local marine life. Upstairs are touch tanks with horseshoe crabs, starfish, whelks and other animals.
Do
Theatre
Events
Buy
There are many small shops & galleries in the village, many featuring local artists, all within a 5-minute walk. There is an ATM at the bank, at the top of Water St., right next to the U.S. Post Office and Pie in the Sky.
Eat
Budget
Eat Pie in the Sky Bakery & Cafe
Year-round breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great for long hours, friendly service, and made-from-scratch breads, pastries, soups, salads, sandwiches and organic coffees, cappuccino, espresso, cocoa, chai, teas and cold drinks. Their baked goods are delicious in general, but their bread pudding is worth particular mention, as it's particularly moist, made with raisins, and what tastes like a touch of whiskey.
Eat Woods Hole Market & General Store
A Local Staple in the Village of Woods Hole serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Groceries, Fresh Produce, Cut Meats, Full Deli with In House Smoked Brisket , Pulled Pork, House made Pastrami, Extensive Sandwich menu, Salads, Scratch Soups, Homemade Meals To Go. Ice, Farm Fresh Ice Cream, Organic Coffee & Tea, Cold Drinks, Handcrafted Pizza . Located on the water. locals call it the best kept secret. Amazing Decks to view the boats.
Mid-range
Eat Captain Kidd Waterfront Tavern
Year-round lunch and dinner daily. A favorite for fresh seafood.
Eat Quicks Hole Taqueria
Great seafood taco joint -- amazing local salads, lobster tacos, lobster rolls and homemade soups. Great local bands Friday and Saturday 4 - 7 pm in summer.
Eat Shuckers
Lunch and dinner daily. Fun, casual bar atmosphere. Raw bar. Outdoor seating.
Splurge
Eat Landfall
The Landfall is a good restaurant for seafood and meat entrees. The sixty-year-old restaurant sits on a pier overlooking the tiny private ferry for Naushon Island, the home of the Forbes family. This restaurant is worth catching a later ferry for.
Sleep
Many private homes are rented by the week, month, and/or season. WHOI and MBL both maintain links on their websites listing local rental options
Mid-range
Splurge
Go next
Move on to other areas of Cape Cod or the Islands.
Nearby
Falmouth
City / town · 43 listings · 3 mi away
Tisbury
City / town · 26 listings · 6 mi away
Oak Bluffs
City / town · 42 listings · 7 mi away
West Tisbury
City / town · 16 listings · 10 mi away
Edgartown
City / town · 32 listings · 12 mi away
Mashpee
City / town · 16 listings · 13 mi away
Marion
City / town · 1 listings · 13 mi away
Cotuit
City / town · 6 listings · 13 mi away
My experience
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