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KIDS ON THE CAPE SUGGESTS...
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 8 Eldredge Parkway off Rte. 6A. Get a free map and other information from the Orleans Chamber of Commerce Information booth. 508-240-2484
BEACH FOR KIDS: Skaket Beach, with its large tidal flats, is one of the best beaches on the lower Cape for kids. Take Skaket Beach Road off Main St. Snack bar and rest rooms. Parking fee. Nauset Beach: Take Main St. East to Beach Road. One of the most beautiful, expansive beaches anywhere, a must see for visitors to Orleans.
PICNIC SPOT: Pilgrim Lake located off Monument Road. Plenty of parking, restrooms, picnic tables, fresh warm water to swim in, gaze at, float on, or cast your line into.
PLAYGROUND: Complete with tunnels and rope bridges, it’s tucked behind the Elementary school, off Eldredge Parkway. Drive to the end of the school’s parking lot and look for the sign pointing left; it’s a very short hike from there. There’s a great little toddler playground located on Eldredge Parkway, behind the tennis courts.
FISHING SPOT: Pilgrim Lake off Monument Road. Rent a rod at the Goose Hummock Store on Rte. 6A across from Stop & Shop.
BIKING TRAIL: The Cape Cod Rail Trail cuts right through the town. Older kids can make it all the way to Coast Guard Beach, just past the Salt Pond Visitor's Center in Eastham. Gain access beside the Mid-Cape Home Center on Old Colony Way -- parking is available there.
HIKING TRAIL: Pahwah Point, in South Orleans, is a beautiful place to hike. It runs along Pleasant Bay. Take Namequoit Rd. off Rte 28. Pack a lunch for this hike—there are picnic tables and a limited number of parking spaces. It’s a perfect distance for little ones.
LIBRARY: Snow Library, Main St. The Library offers an ambitious summer series with loads of kids crafts and story hours. 508-240-3760
BEESWAX CANDLE MAKER: Kids enjoy watching the owner of Honey Candles on Main Street make his beeswax candles in his workshop, right in the store. It’s great fun, and educational, too. 37 Main Street. 888-423-3929
SKATEBOARD PARK: A good-sized, nicely designed area with ramps, etc. located on Eldredge Parkway, mid-way between the tennis courts and the Fire Department. Call for hours. 508-240-3785
CHARLES MOORE ARENA: This ice arena is one place to definitely escape the heat! Public skating; group & tot lessons; Hockey & Skating camps run all summer. Rock Nites for kids 9-14 every Friday night 8-10pm. Public skating Sun., 4-6pm and Tues - Thurs., 2-4pm. Rentals are available. O’Connor Way. 508-255-5902
NAUSET BAND BEACH CONCERTS: Monday nights in July and August at the bandstand. Free!
PIRATE ADVENTURES, TOWN COVE: TThis popular attraction offers 6 boat trips daily from mid-June through Labor Day. Kids have their faces painted like pirates and board a real live pirate ship. Costumed pirate actors lead the group in a search around Town Cove for sunken treasure. Kids man the water canons to ward off the enemy, follow a treasure map and pull up the booty from the deep. Everyone gets a fistful of plunder! Advance reservations are required as trips sell out days ahead. 508-255-8811
CAPE COD BASEBALL LEAGUE: Catch a free baseball game with the hometown Orleans Cardinals. See Cape League Baseball feature story in this issue for schedule.
SAILING LESSONS: Arey's Pond offers sailing instructions for kids 8 and up. Group lessons available; five-day course. Kids take the tiller and sail the first day! 508-255-0994
RECREATION PROGRAMS: The town sponsors a varied recreation program available for residents and visitors. Running weekdays, 9 am - 12 pm, the "rec" programs offer competitive and synchronized swimming lessons, arts and crafts, day trips and more. 508-240-3785
MORE GREAT KIDS PROGRAMS: Nauset Continuing Education offers many fabulous programs for kids this summer. Among them are: sewing, sailing, steel drums, yoga, power boat instruction, kayaking lessons and trips, art classes and more. Sessions vary throughout the summer. Call for schedule. 508-255-4300
ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES: 5 Giddiah Hill Rd. Offers a full range of instruction for children and adults including dance, drama, music and musical theatre. There are sessions in Ballet, Musical Theatre, Drama and Music 508-255-5510
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Orleans became notable during World War I as the only town in North America to be fired upon by the Germans. A German submarine attacked a group of commercial barges off the coast (four of which sank). One shell struck land. The town was originally known as Nausett, "sett" being the Native American word for "near the water." The town broke away from what is now Eastham, and was named Orleans after the Duke of Orleans, who later became King of France.
