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Drive from Boston on Route 3 south, and take exit 1A toward Buzzards Bay/Falmouth to merge onto US 6 West. Cross the Bourne Bridge and follow Route 28 to the seaside town of Falmouth. From its beautiful beaches to its fun and friendly Main Street, Falmouth is a Cape Cod vacation dream. Falmouth presents travelers with eight distinctively charming villages where one cannot help but enjoy a stroll along the historic Main Street past white picket fences and historic church steeples, explore more than 40 farms, take a step back in time to the town’s very own historic whaling village, or tour one of several world renowned scientific organizations. Falmouth’s essence is defined by the sea with 70 miles of winding coastline and nine public beaches. The mild waters of Vineyard Sound and Buzzard’s Bay, warmed by the Gulf Stream, remain comfortable for swimming and windsurfing deep into autumn. For the culinary tourist, Falmouth boasts more than 50 diverse restaurants ranging from fine to family cuisine and a Jamaican Buffet, farms raising organic produce and local fish markets with their daily catch fresh off the morning boat.

A true haven for outdoor enthusiasts and leisure travelers alike, Falmouth’s landscape boasts the 12-mile long Shining Sea Bikeway that allows cyclists and walkers to wind close to the ocean and through salt marshes, while hiking trails abound on thousands of acres of conservation land. Cape Cod is filled with bike paths and all bike shops have rentals and trail maps. Go to Holiday Cycles to rent your bicycle in Falmouth and collect great information about the Shining Sea path, which ends in the village of Woods Hole. Before or after your ride, stroll Falmouth’s Main Street for a bite to eat in one of the many diverse restaurants, and treat yourself to a homemade ice cream!

Take time to visit historic Hyfield Hall, a Late 19th Century historical home where programs include walking tours, concerts, art exhibitions, children’s activities and culinary programs.

Next take a short drive to Nobska Light House and climb the hill for some magnificent views of Nantucket Sound, or you can just relax on a blanket at Old Silver Beach.

If you have time, a trip to tiny Woods Hole, home of the world-renown marine research facility, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, where you can tour the public exhibits. Woods Hole is also the home of the Steamship Authority, car-carrying ferries bringing visitors to the islands of Martha’s Vineyard (via Woods Hole) and Nantucket (via Hyannis), offering a great day trip for another day.

For those individuals in need of retail therapy, a glorious selection of fine gift and clothing boutiques, antique and art galleries and specialty shops that are sure to satisfy the most sophisticated shoppers. Just to the east of Falmouth is the town of Mashee. Visit Mashpee Commons, a pleasant outdoor shopping center with some wonderful restaurants, so you can shop and have a memorable meal before you leave Cape Cod.