Mashpee Massachusetts is a microcosm of Cape Cod, with opportunities to relax on a spring, summer or early fall vacation. From tennis and golf at New Seabury Resort to biking and beachcombing around town, Mashpee is an ideal vacation spot for the whole family.
There are a couple of conveniently located beaches right at Mashpee, John’s Pond and South Cape Beach. Contact the Mashpee City Council to determine if you need a beach tag to access. Occasionally when you rent vacation homes in Mashpee, the owners include beach decals for you to use. Some Mashpee vacation rentals also have direct walking access to private beaches. South Cape Beach State Park has more than 3 miles of sandy beaches and there is a maintained trail that winds through marshes and ponds.
For those bringing their bikes or wanting to rent them on the Cape, Mashpee is a great base for biking. Mashpee has its own bike trail, the Route 130 Mashpee Bikeway. This trail runs about two and a half miles and takes you past a couple of Mashpee attractions, the Wampanoag Museum, and the Mashpee River Herring Run. However, when you stay in Mashpee, you’re close to several other popular bike trails, including a six-and-a-half-mile trail along the Cape Cod Canal, the Shining Sea Bike Trail that stretches from Falmouth to Woods Hole, and the 25-mile Cape Cod Rail. Trail running from Dennis to Wellfleet. These bike trails make great day or half day hikes.
A summer vacation in Mashpee is a golfer’s delight. In addition to the New Seabury Country Club, located at the New Seabury Resort right in Mashpee, there are at least six other courses nearby. The Holly Ridge Golf Club in Sandwich is a public par 3 course; Quashnet Valley is also a public 18-hole course, with many picturesque holes in ponds and cranberry bogs. Falmouth has two public courses, Falmouth Country Club and Paul Harney, while the semi-private Ballymeade is in North Falmouth. Lastly, there is the Cape Cod Country Club, located in Hatchville, which is one of the oldest public courses on the Cape.
For those who would like to exercise by walking, but not on a golf course, there are many scenic conservation areas and maintained trails to explore Mashpee and the Cape on foot. John’s Pond Park is a freshwater pond located in the middle of a Mashpee Conservation Area with blueberry bogs. Relax on the beach or stroll through the swamps. For more than a day hike, explore the eight miles of trails along the Mashpee River. This conservation area is dotted with bogs and blueberry bogs. It is ideal for bird watching and fishing. Other interesting natural areas in Mashpee include the South Mashpee Pine Barrens, the Lowell Holly Reservation, the Jehu Pond Conservation Area, the Quashnet River Area, and the Childs River Conservation Area.
If you’re interested in fishing and boating, you may want to consider bringing your boat with you on a Mashpee vacation. There are several ship landings from cities and states in Mashpee, including at Popponesset Bay, Waquoit Bay, Ashumet Pond, John’s Pond, Wakeby Pond, and Santuit Pond.
Mashpee has a long history of Wampanoag Indian Tribe habitation, and the Wampanoag Tribal Council is active in Mashpee today. There are several historical attractions in Mashpee that will give you an insight into the city’s past. The Indian Meeting House was built in 1684 and is the oldest church on the Cape. The Wampanoag Tribe uses this building today for meetings and worship. It is possible to attend Indian services by appointment during the summer.
Learn more about the Mashpee Wampanoags at the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Museum. This 19th century building has a reconstruction of a wigwam like the ones the Wampanoag used to live in. The Wampanoag also host an annual Pow Wow that brings together tribes from across the country to celebrate their heritage. The Pow Wow occurs every 4th of July weekend and includes food, crafts, dancing, and other demonstrations.
Mashpee is a shopping destination on Cape Cod. Among the many small, independent stores in town, you can also shop at Mashpee Commons with restaurants and more than 90 vendors, including stores selling everything from clothing to jewelry. And you won’t have to go far for a fancy or family dinner. Mashpee has more than a dozen restaurants offering fresh seafood, pub grub and country cuisine.
When you visit Mashpee, you’ll want to stay in town and you’ll have plenty of accommodations to choose from. Mashpee has historic inns and bed and breakfasts, as well as several resorts and even a campground. The most common type of accommodation, however, are Mashpee vacation homes and cabins and New Seabury townhomes for rent. If you want space, comfort, and privacy on your vacation, your best options are Mashpee vacation rentals.
