Seniors Visit Oldest Town On Cape Cod

Sandwich, a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts with a population of 21,000, just happens to be the oldest town on Cape Cod and one of the most picturesque towns that senior visitors will see on the Cape.  

The Town Hall is located right next to the Dexter Grist Mill, in the historic district of town. Sandwich is part of the Barnstable – Yarmouth metro area and is located 50 miles southeast of Boston. So when you are visiting one of America’s most historic cities, swing on down to Sandwich. Many of Sandwich’s prominent families have Quaker ties.

Sandwich was settled by the pilgrims in 1634. They arrived in this area with 10 people and founded a settlement with the mission of worshipping freely and producing cotton.

The name was based on a seaport in Kent, England named Sandwich. Though the town initially depended upon agriculture and fishing, at present it is recognized as a tourist spot.

 Seniors Enjoy Old Charm Of Sandwich

The charm of yesteryear has not left this historic village. Its town center boasts beautiful old residences, some of which have been converted to inns, B&Bs, shops and fine restaurants.

The many historic homes in Sandwich include the Benjamin Nye Homestead on Old County Road, formerly known as the original “Old King’s Highway”, and the Benjamin Holway House built in 1789.

TripAdvisor suggests that seniors not miss the Heritage Museums and Gardens and the Sandwich Boardwalk, sometimes called the “Plank Walk”, one of the world’s top ten boardwalks according to National Geographic Magazine.

If you happen to collect glassware, the Sandwich Glass Museum may fill your interests. Glassmaking was started in Sandwich by Deming Jarves in 1825 and today, glassblowers still create magnificent works in studios along Route 6A.

 Seniors Find Walking Paths And Awesome Gardens

Seniors will find picturesque scenes all over town. Google these major sites of interest: The Wing Fort House, Thornton Burgess Museum, Hoxie House and the Dexter Grist Mill. In recognition of the 375th birthday of The Town Of Sandwich, the church in the center of town was turned into the canvas for a spectacular animation called Paintscrapping.

Hit the beach on Town Neck, Sandy Neck or Wakeby Pond. Bring along your best hiking boots or bike. The Briar Patch at Green Briar Nature Center features walking paths and awesome gardens.

Shawme-Crowell State Forest offers camping and great hiking. The Cape Cod Canal Bike Path is a stretch designated for biking, walking, jogging and rollerblading.

I love the Town Motto: Post tot Naufracia Portus (Latin for “after so many shipwrecks, a haven”). Sandwich is indeed a haven for senior tourists like yourself, so plan to spend some quality time enjoying this charming Cape Cod town. -jeb