Local Area Information
Cape Cod is a slim peninsula that pushes out into the Atlantic from the southeast corner of Massachusetts. It has the calm waters of Cape Cod Bay on its north side, Nantucket Sound to the south and the great Atlantic to the east. Composed of sandy beaches, great marshes, and quaint villages, the Cape is suffused with a beautiful light all year long. It's natural beauty, pristine beaches, and relaxed lifestyle has drawn people from all over the world, some who have come for vacations and others who have chosen to stay.
Cape Cod is made up of fifteen towns each with its own personality:
BOURNE - Known as the gateway to Cape Cod, Bourne lies on both sides of the Cape Cod Canal. Home to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and annual Scallop Festival, Bourne is made up of nine villages and offers numerous opportunities for recreation. Click here to search homes in Bourne.
SANDWICH - Referred to as the 'town that glass built' Sandwich is rich in historical landmarks and museums, it has a beautiful village, miles of pristine beaches and numerous fresh water ponds. Click here to search homes in Sandwich.
FALMOUTH lies south of Sandwich with shorelines on Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. It is the jumping-off point for ferries to Martha’s Vineyard from the villages of Woods Hole and Falmouth Heights. Falmouth has a thriving village center and miles of waterfront. Click here to search homes in Falmouth.
MASHPEE is home to the Wampanoag Tribe. Its extensive South Beach facing Vineyard Sound is one of the most popular on the Cape. The center of the town, Mashpee Commons, is a planned village center with shops, restaurants, town offices and facilities. Click here to search homes in Mashpee.
BARNSTABLE is the biggest town on the Cape and is composed of five villages. Barnstable and West Barnstable on the north side face Sandy Neck a wild barrier beach on Cape Cod Bay. Cotuit, Osterville, and Centerville face Nantucket Sound with beautiful beaches and village centers with shops and restaurants. Hyannis is the hub of the Cape and home to numerous businesses and retail stores. Click here to search homes in Barnstable.
YARMOUTH AND DENNIS each run north to south and face both the Bay and the Sound. They are separated by Bass River, a six-mile long tidal river that flows north from Nantucket Sound. These towns possess miles of glorious sandy beaches on both sides. Their north side villages are among the most scenic and well preserved on Cape Cod. Search homes for sale in Yarmouth and Dennis.
BREWSTER AND HARWICH to the east of Dennis were originally one town. Brewster on the north separated from Harwich in 1803. Both towns have the advantage of many beautiful fresh water ponds as well as fine sandy beaches and quaint villages. Harwich to the south has three working harbors busy with both pleasure and commercial fishing vessels. Search homes for sale in Brewster and Harwich.
CHATHAM the easternmost town on the forearm of the Cape faces the Atlantic to the east and Nantucket Sound to the south. It has a popular village center with chic shops and restaurants. It’s Coast Guard station is a popular stopping point for visitors and the town has some of the most expensive real estate on the Cape. Click here to search homes in Chatham.
ORLEANS is at the elbow of the peninsula. It is the market town for the lower and outer Cape. Its many shops and services are busy year round. Nauset Beach has long been one of the most popular beaches. Click here to search homes in Orleans.
EASTHAM, WELLFLEET, AND TRURO march north from Orleans and have beaches on both Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic. Much of the land in these towns is preserved as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Wellfleet has a busy working harbor and is the vacation choice for many artists and professionals. These three towns are among the most beautiful on the Cape. Search homes for sale in Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro.
PROVINCETOWN has been an artist colony since the late 1800’s. It possesses a charm unlike any other town anywhere. Beautiful beaches, fine shops and restaurants and a unique ambiance. Click here to search homes in Provincetown.
