21 Best Things To Do In Falmouth Right Now (Local Secrets Revealed)

Looking for an adventure to take on while visiting Falmouth Massachusetts?

Whether you are planning to try out the local food or participate in water sports, you’ll find the perfect options in Falmouth for trying out new things. 

While you might be charged a fee to access some of our recommendations don’t fret, some places don’t have admission fees and are 100% free for you to enjoy. For instance, if you go on a hiking trip on the Quissett Harbor trails, you won’t be charged any admission fees because it’s always open to the public.

Here are the best things to do while on the Cape in Falmouth Massachusetts. We know you will enjoy them as much as we do!

1. Try out different wines at Cape Cod Winery 

Without a doubt, Cape Cod Winery is one of the most ideal spots for wine tasting.

For starters, this winery offers you more than ten different wines, making it possible for you to taste a wide variety of wines. 

On top of that, everything is set out in an open outdoor space. As a result, you’ll get a chance to try out multiple wines from a beautiful outdoor garden. 

Thanks to the beautiful scenery, this wine-tasting expedition can also be treated as a nature retreat. Once the wine is served, swirl it gently, take a whiff, and taste it as you enjoy the breathtaking views. And if you are lucky enough, the weather conditions might favor you with amazing sunsets. 

To keep you entertained while you are drinking wine, the management team invites artists and bands to play live music. On top of that, this place also offers you different types of board games to keep you occupied while you are sipping wine. 

2. Fish in the nearby waters 

Fishing makes it easier for you to explore different water bodies in Falmouth. You’ll also come across new fish species when you try out new places. Examples of some of the fish you’ll come across include chain pickerel and striped bass.

Many fishing charters will take you to the right fishing spots for an amazing experience. For instance, if you go on a fishing trip in June, you’ll be taken to the water close to Robinsons Hole, Woods Hole, and Quicks Hole. From August to September, fishing charters will take you to other fishing areas, surrounding the Buzzards Bay.  

As the sun sets over the horizon, you’ll see a beautiful orangish reflection on the water, which can be quite breathtaking.

Check out Jakamo Fishing Charters and get a reservation before it’s too late!

3. Go on a cycling trip on the Shining Sea Bikeway

For those who love physical activities, cycling on the Shining Sea Bikeway could be a suitable activity for calming your mind. A large section of the Shining Sea Bikeway neighbors the coast, giving you amazing views of the ocean while you are cycling. Apart from that, other sections of this trail are close to harbors, so don’t be surprised when you see some water vessels docking.     

Make some stops and take a moment to enjoy the ocean views as the breeze blows against your skin. 

While a long stretch of this trail is constructed next to the coastline, you’ll spot some woodlands as you move farther from Falmouth.   

There are a lot of scenic places, which are located along the bike trail, so you’ll get a glimpse of amazing landmarks such as the Nobska Lighthouse.  

4. Go for a swim at the Old Silver Beach 

If you love swimming in the ocean, add Old Silver Beach to your list. It has beautiful sand and spectacular views of the ocean. Since the beach is quite clean, you can go for a swim, and then relax on the beach. 

Speaking of which, the beach has shallow waters, which are ideal for kids. And if you bring your kids along, you can easily watch them while you are relaxing at the beach. The place is not crowded. It’s also worthwhile to note that the beach is packed with different food stands, where you can grab a quick snack.  

5. Visit The O’Malley-Keyes Fine Arts

Packed with countless oil paintings, the O’Malley-Keyes Fine Arts Gallery is one of the most popular galleries in Falmouth. Paintings that are exhibited in the gallery are the life’s work of a local artist, named Julia O’Malley. 

As an artist who grew up in Cape Cod, Julia O’Malley uses her talent to depict how beautiful Cape Cod is. She has painted the most beautiful landmarks on Cape Cod, such as the Quissett Harbor and the Nobska Lighthouse. 

Her paintings always capture the beauty of landscapes, beaches, and waterbodies in Cape Cod, bringing them to life.

By visiting the gallery, you’ll get a chance to view Cape Cod from an artist’s perspective. Not to mention, most paintings are well-detailed to give you a glimpse of picturesque landscapes and landmarks, indulging you in an amazing experience. Since such paintings can evoke powerful emotions, you’ll feel as if you’ve ever visited the landmarks that are captured by the paintings. 

And if you love decorating your home with paintings, you can buy paintings from this gallery to remind you of beautiful places in Cape Code. 

6. Take a nature walk in Spohr Gardens

There’s nothing more satisfying than taking a nature walk in a garden with a scenic environment. 

Spread out on a 6-acre piece of land, Spohr Garden has a beautiful environment, which is covered with lots of vegetation, flowers, and waterbodies. 

Once you get into the garden, you’ll come across multiple trails that cut through different sections of the garden, with different views. 

Your attention will also be captured by flowers, growing on the edges of the trails. Examples of such flowers include daylilies, spring bulbs, and azaleas. Without a doubt, such scenic views will help you relax, improving your overall mood.

The air is always filled with therapeutic sounds of birds chirping and frogs croaking. And if you get tired along the way, you can rest on a bench as you listen to the sounds of nature.   

7. Collect books at The Falmouth Public Library

Designed to accommodate visitors of different ages, the Falmouth Public Library gives you access to a wide variety of books, audiobooks, and DVDs. It is also worthwhile to note that the main library building is partitioned into multiple rooms to separate visitors of different age groups. Due to this, you’ll have an easy time while looking for books.

Besides that, the Falmouth Public Library hosts big book sale events in July. So, if you want to add more books to your home library, attend a book sale event and take a look at the books that are exhibited there. You might find an interesting book. Not to mention, the prices might be lower due to discounts. 

8. Try out local cuisines

Since Falmouth is located right next to the ocean, it has a lot of restaurants that serve seafood and other cuisines. Once you visit these restaurants, you’ll get a taste of delicious food. 

And if you like places with breathtaking views, you’ll love the Flying Bridge Restaurant. It sits on the edge of the coastline, giving you amazing views of the ocean. 

For those who love foreign cuisines, the Osteria La Civetta may be a suitable restaurant for you. It serves Italian cuisine, making it easier for you to sample three different Italian dishes at the same spot.

Visit the Water Street Kitchen if you want to try out the local cuisine. To get a sample of everything that’s featured on the menu, order the seafood platter. It comes with perfectly-seasoned mussels, oysters, and crabs.

9. Watch a live theater performance at the College Light Opera Company

As the name hints, the College Light Opera Company focuses on arts, music, film, and theater. During the summer season, this theater company hosts talented musicians, artists, and actors from all over the country. It educates talented artists and gives them a chance to showcase their skills in theater performances.

Performers usually organize different kinds of shows, musical plays, and drama acts; from the likes of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore to the likes of Thoroughly Modern Millel. 

For those who love theaters and operas, this is everything you could ever dream of! You’ll be indulged in an amazing theatrical experience with beautifully orchestrated drama acts and songs. 

The main theater is designed to give you a clear view of the main stage. On top of that, seats are positioned in sections with a clear field of view. So, whether you are planning to get front-row tickets or third-row tickets, you can comfortably watch live performances from any seat.

Speaking of which, the College Light Opera Company has an outdoor seating area, which is located next to small shops — you can relax here while taking your food, snack, or beer. 

Visit the official website and check the theater’s schedule. This makes it easier for you to know when a show starts. Tickets are also purchased via the official website.   

10. Take a trip to the Nobska Lighthouse and enjoy the views  

A trip to Nobska Lighthouse can be quite rejuvenating!

Surrounded by a beautiful landscape, the Nobska Lighthouse is one of the 

most lovely spots in Falmouth. The road that leads to the lighthouse is a stone’s throw from the ocean. As you are headed towards the lighthouse, you’ll get a good glimpse of the ocean. 

The lighthouse sits on an elevated promontory. And from an elevated point of view, it becomes much easier to view different regions at once. Examples of such regions include Elizabeth Islands, Martha’s Vineyards, Woods Hole Passage, and Vineyard Sound. 

Martha’s Vineyard is one of few islands, which is close to Falmouth town. Elizabeth Island, on the other hand, is an archipelago that’s located a few miles from Falmouth’s coastline. The Vineyard Sound lies in between Martha’s Vineyard and Elizabeth Islands, separating the two sets of lands.  

11. Attend cultural exhibitions at Highfield Hall & Gardens

Highfield Hall is a diversified cultural center that sits on a 400-acre parcel of land. The encircling conservative area features well-trimmed gardens, hiking trails, woodlands, and beautiful vegetation. In short, Highfield Hall & Gardens has the perfect environment for outdoor exhibitions.

The Passing Fancy is an example of a piece of art that’s exhibited in Highfield Hall’s conservative land. It’s a huge stickwork monument, built to convey various artistic concepts. While children love playing around with the Passing Fancy, it might fascinate you, especially if you see it in real life. 

Clearly, this cultural center deals with culinary art, contemporary art, garden-related programs, and musical performances. By taking a trip to the cultural center, you’ll view different art exhibitions such as paintings and artistic musical instruments. 

And if something sparks your interest, don’t hesitate to sign up for the available classes to learn more about the subject. 

Dating back to the 19th century, the Highfield Hall mansion is also an old vintage house, which can give you insight into historical events. 

12. Pet a fish at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium 

Featuring multiple types of aquariums, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium is the home of different types of fish and marine life. And since the government runs this institution, it doesn’t charge you any access fees.

You need to get close enough to an aquarium to get a clear view. The staff gives you insight into different types of marine life and helps you understand how ocean conditions affect marine life. 

Visiting the research section can be quite thrilling. The research section has open aquariums, making it easier for you to pet a fish. You’ll also learn more about the types of marine food that fish consume. 

13. Visit the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

If you’re always amazed by deep-sea mysteries and marine life, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will be the perfect place to look for answers. 

To give you more insight into marine-related research, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will offer you a guided tour that takes you through different research labs and centers.

The Ocean Science Discovery Centre & Store will be your first stop on this tour. Once you get into the research center, you’ll be taken through the types of sea vessels that are often used in ocean exploration. 

And since this institution investigates ocean mysteries, it also gives you a tour of successful discoveries and solved mysteries. One of the biggest mysteries that was solved by this institution is related to the Titanic.

So, everything about The Titanic ship is clearly explained and illustrated in the research center — from the moment it set sail to the moment it sank into the ocean. A lot of pictures are also exhibited in the research center to show you the damage The Titanic took after sinking.

If guided tours don’t have satisfactory answers, you can get more insight by picking the brains of oceanographic scientists. The institution allocates time for one-on-one interactions with scientists.

14. Go on a historical expedition in the Museums On The Green 

The Museums on The Green is made up of multiple vintage houses, monuments, and historical sites. Think of it as a collection of various museums, which are located in a neighborhood, extending over a 2-acre parcel of land. 

As the name hints, the parcel of land is surrounded by a lot of greenery and vegetation, drawing you closer to nature during your historical expedition. Plus, it has multiple nature trails, making it easier for you to walk from one house to the next.  

The Conant house is an example of a vintage house that’s located inside the historically-preserved zone. Dating back to the 1700s, the Conant house preserves artifacts, which depicts Falmouth’s old ways of life. For instance, it has a cannonball that goes way back to the 1800s and a jukebox that dates back to the 1930s.  

The Falmouth Historical Society converted the house into a small exhibition center, extending its functionalities. From time to time, the society offers some exhibition shows, painting a clear picture of past events. 

You might get lucky enough to watch a historical film titled “A Day in the Life: Falmouth in the Forties”. It was recorded in the early ‘40s and captured Falmouth’s way of life in the early ‘40s.

The Hallett Barn is another example of an old structure that preserves Falmouth’s history. Just like the Conant House, the Falmouth Historical Society uses the Hallett Barn to exhibit artifacts that streamlined economic trade. Examples of such artifacts include business receipts from the 1800s, local bank notes, business permits, old wallets, and trading tools.    

15. Play golf at the Cape Cod Country Club

The Cape Cod Country Club is one of the most suitable spots for playing golf. It features an 18-course golf course, which can be quite thrilling and challenging at the same time. Stretched out on a sloped terrain, the golf course has fascinating greens and fairways.

Besides that, the place is surrounded by a beautiful environment, made up of woodlands, ponds, and lots of greenery. It also neighbors the Coonamessett Pond, which happens to be one of the largest kettle ponds in the town. 

Playing golf in such an environment can be quite rejuvenating. When you swing your golf club, you’ll spot a few birds flying to the kettle pond. Not to mention, the sounds of nature will also calm your nerves while you are playing golf.

16. Catch the Sunset at Chapoquoit Beach

Even if you’ve seen a thousand sunsets in your lifetime, you’ll never get tired of catching beautiful sunsets from new spots. Every landscape offers you a unique experience.

Chapoquoit Beach is very popular for its breathtaking sunset views. And the good thing about this beach is that it is very calm and peaceful. So, it is also a perfect spot for an evening beach walk. The sand is clean, making it easier for you to walk barefoot on the sandy beach. 

While you are walking on the beach, sand particles will rub through your toes and feet, just to be washed away by low tides a few seconds later. The feeling can be therapeutic and relaxing, especially if it’s complemented by a light ocean breeze and the calming sounds of ocean tides. 

17. Participate in paddle boarding sports 

Loosen up and challenge yourself by participating in paddleboarding sports. 

Falmouth is packed with water sports companies that rent out paddle boards at an affordable price. It’s also worthwhile to note that these water sports companies can also offer you paddleboarding lessons if you are not so familiar with the activity.

Thanks to the surrounding water bodies, Falmouth has a lot of suitable spots for paddleboarding. For example, the Waquoit Bay is a great starting point for a paddleboarding expedition. It’s in close proximity to interesting places. If you are experienced in paddleboarding, you can easily get to Washburn Island.       

Apart from that, the stretch of water and land, extending from Falmouth to Washburn Island, is surrounded by beautiful scenery. 

Falmouth also has inland water bodies, such as the Great Pond, that are ideal for paddle boarding.   

Be sure to check out Peace Love SUP for a perfect paddle boarding tour/lession excursion adventure.

18. Explore the vastness of The Atlantic Ocean in a sailing expedition

Exploring the Atlantic Ocean can be quite thrilling, especially if you are sailing in an open vessel. A Schooner can be the perfect vessel for a sailing expedition tour. Fortunately enough, you can book a trip on one of the most popular Schooners in Falmouth — the Liberte. 

The Liberte is managed by an enthusiastic team that offers you drinks, food, and light entertainment while you are exploring the Atlantic Ocean. Since the sailing team is familiar with Cape Cod, it steers the schooner towards the most beautiful spots in Cape Cod. 

Depending on the speed of the winds, the schooner might be steered towards the Woods Hole region. From that position, it becomes much easier to get a clear view of the Nobska Lighthouse and the neighboring homes.    

Besides that, the schooner may also get farther into the ocean, offering you clear views of the Elizabeth Islands.  

As the schooner sails toward the South, you’ll get closer to Martha’s Vineyard. The first few things you’ll notice as you are approaching Martha’s Vineyard are the vintage cottages. 

19. Hike in a trail with amazing ocean views and sounds such as The Knob

Found along the Quissett Harbor Trail, the Knob overlooks the ocean and has amazing views of the bay. 

The Quissett Harbor Trail stretches all the way from Falmouth and is surrounded by marshes, thick vegetation, and woodlands. However, you’ll notice a slight change in the environment once you get closer to the coastline. For starters, the hiking trail may get more sandy as you are headed toward the coastline.

Not to mention, different bird species always fly close to the conservative land, neighboring the Quisett hiking trail. And if you are lucky, you’ll see a few birds flying above you. This is an example of a natural experience that makes your trip more exciting. 

Once you get to the Knob, your attention will be captured by the beautiful shores, which are completely covered with boulders. Sunset views from the bay are quite breathtaking.  

20. Experience the thrill of windsurfing 

Falmouth has the perfect spots for winding surfing activities. For instance, if you are a novice, you can practice your skills in some of the tidal ponds that are close to the ocean. Experienced surfers will also find suitable places for showing off their skills.

A lot of beaches have offshore winds, which are fast enough to indulge you in an amazing surfing experience.  The Old Silver Beach is an example of a destination with good offshore winds. Besides that, the place is packed with companies, specializing in water sports activities.

Whether you are looking for surfing lessons or rental offers, check out Cape Cod Windsurfing & Paddle Board a water sports vender that’ll offer you amazing services.

21. Stop counting calories and go get some ice cream at Smitty’s 

Have you been eating good and looking good too? Time to let loose and go to a good ice cream place. Smitty’s is a homemade ice cream place and hangout with open grass, tables & outdoor lights for relaxing a summer treat. Located on the main highway in Falmouth, not downtown but a quick drive nearby.

Smitty’s has a very large variety of flavors, toppings and sundae creations. You just might fall in love with the mint chip ice cream, and the hot fudge is not to be left off any sundae!

What will you choose?

The harbors, the conservative areas, the hiking trails, and the marine research centers deserve a visit. 

All those spots will give you an amazing experience. Don’t forget to visit beautiful beaches such as Old Silver Beach and Falmouth Heights Beach. You’ll have fun as you swim in the ocean. Not to mention, Falmouth beaches have various water sport activities.

And if you love exploring the vastness of the ocean, go on a sailing expedition and learn about marine life.  

Lastly, did we miss anything? Have a recommendation of your own? Contact us here and let us know.