Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Discovery Center  Visitors to the WHOI Ocean Science Discovery Center learn about the Institution’s ocean science research, engineering, and exploration. Kids learn about the vessels developed and used by WHOI to explore the ocean, enjoy an exhibit of the Titanic, learn about whales, sharks, and more. They make education fun and accessible. Recommendation: Take the $2 WHOOSH trolley from Falmouth to Woods Hole as there is virtually no parking in this little village

Sandwich State Fish Hatchery This is a fun place to take the kids. There are thousands of fish (all trout I think) that you can feed and watch the water boil. The fish vary in size depending on what tank you’re looking in.

Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center The visitor center is a great place to learn about the canal. They offer lots of kids programming including junior ranger programs, campfires, and more.

Chatham Fish Pier Visitors love to visit the deck of the Chatham Fish Pier to watch the fishing boats come in to unload their catch. Especially amusing are the seals that surround the boats, hoping for some free food.

Nickerson State Park 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park is a wonderful place to spend the day while visiting the Cape. There are miles of hiking trails around the park, as well as paved trails for bike riding. With two swimmable ponds, visitors enjoy gorgeous fresh water access without fear of big surf or sharks! Open for day use, Nickerson also offers more than 400 campsites.

Long Pasture, Barnstable Sandy beaches, butterfly-filled meadows, woodland trails, and farm animals combine to make Long Pasture a unique experience on Cape Cod. Gentle, varied trails lead to a spectacular view, with Barnstable Harbor flanked by the dunes of Sandy Neck Barrier Beach. Explore the expansive tidal flats or join a kayak tour, boat cruise, or family nature program. Affiliated with Mass Audubon.

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Awareness inspires conservation: AWSC’s second outreach facility, Shark Center Provincetown, is the perfect place to be inspired by great white sharks. With a focus on research, education, and public safety, visitors of all ages can explore hands-on, interactive exhibits and dive into the world of our local apex predators. The Shark Center caters to all shark-enthusiasts - making a visit the perfect activity for kids - rainy days included!

Shining Sea Bikeway, Falmouth The Shining Sea Bikeway (SSB) was named for a line in the song America The Beautiful, written by Falmouth native Katharine Lee Bates. It follows the original route of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad that used to run from Buzzards Bay, through North and West Falmouth, around Woods Hole and into Falmouth Station. In the early 1970’s the Town of Falmouth purchased the right of way, tore up the tracks and officially opened the 3.3-mile Shining Sea Bikeway in 1975.   In 2009, a new 7.4-mile section was added, extending the trail to North Falmouth. This addition was built with a $3.2 million federal grant. Now the SSB runs 10.7 miles from County Road in North Falmouth all the way to the Steamship Authority parking lot in Woods Hole.

Cape Cod Rail Trail The  Cape Cod Rail Trail is a paved bikeway that run over 30  miles from Yarmouth to Wellfleet. The terrain is relatively flat with some minor grades in certain sections in the Lower / Outer Cape areas, specifically Orleans and Wellfleet. It easily offers the greatest variety in scenery and natural landscapes of all the regional bike paths. The Harwich Chatham extension runs from the original trail all the way to Chatham.

Provincelands Visitor Center A jewel of the National Park system, Cape Cod National Seashore hosts two visitor centers on the Cape, in Eastham and Provincetown. Both include wonderful visitor buildings that lay out the ecology of the region, and are staffed with rangers who lead tours and are there to answer questions about the park. Both centers are situated on large swaths of protected lands replete with trails and water access for ranger-led hikes and water tours. Check out their respective websites for activities.