I don't make any more money in the summer than I do during the school year, so finding things to do that don't break the bank is critical to us staying within our budget. Our four kids range in age from 6 to 19, which means I've learned a thing or two about what pleases everyone. Plus, our older two are boys, the younger two are girls. Not sure why I mention that, but sometimes it's nice to know that I've been there and done it all on Cape Cod and can honestly tell you what appeals to both. I'm not going to list the obvious mini-golf and ice cream adventures; there are so many worth visiting, and the local person seldom goes there. Food is not an activity for a budget in my house--with six of us, a night out, even at McDonalds, can send us to the poor house (although I will spend a minute or two on favorite local haunts for foodies with kids on a budget)! For this family, the list below are tried and true winners for locals and visitors alike. Shout out to my peeps for contributing to this list: the Bourne residents FB group (too many names to mention but you know who you are!!!) Michelle B,, Laura R, Sherry P, David N, Sue C, Pam O, Ann Marie, Michelle V, Dawn R., Michelle T., Amanda B., Kim P, Ali W., Laura E. and Allen N.
Free or very small fee
Bourne:
-Aptuxet Trading Post Museum, Bourne Village . $5 adults, $2 kids, $10 for families. Super cheap historical fun so close to the Canal. Spend a day in Bourne because it's awesome...ok, I may be a bit biased having grown up there. www.bournehistoricalsociety.org/aptucxet-museum/
-Monument Beach (Bourne) playground "on the water"...can't beat the view!
-ice skating at Gallo in Bourne, Public Sk8 @ $3 for kids, $4 for adults, $3 for rentals... not free, but not bad;) www.galloarena.com/
-Cape Cod Canal & Visitor Center--offers guided ranger talks and walks and activities www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Cape-Cod-Canal/
--be sure to see the train bridge lowered for the trash train or the Cape Flyer to cross! Park in Buzzards Bay on Main street.
-Four Ponds Conservation area--hiking, biking and exploring www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/four-ponds-conservation-area-bourne-town-forest/
-Army Corps of Engineers- Canal park rangers offer interpretive programs during spring, summer and fall. www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Cape-Cod-Canal/
Sandwich
-Sandwich Fish Hatchery --fish food for a quarter. Bring a cup or baggie. www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/about-masswildlife/state-fish-hatcheries.html
-Dexter Grist Mill & Duck Pond, Sandwich center at Town Hall Square
-Green Brian Nature Center and Jam Kitchen, Sandwich www.thorntonburgess.org/HoursAndRates.htm
-Sandwich Boardwalk --and yes, jumping!! Check out #8 on this list: travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/us-boardwalks/#page=2
-Army Corps of Engineers--small museum at marina--has a great small museum in sandwich marina. Actual tug boat inside, pictures of canal being dug. www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Cape-Cod-Canal/
Falmouth/Woods Hole
-Shining Sea Bike Path--parking available in North Falmouth and Falmouth center. www.capecodbikeguide.com/shiningsea.asp
-Goodwill Park, Falmouth--free parking, free everything...don't miss the rope swing! www.300committee.org/goodwillpark.htm
-Beebe Woods property, Falmouth--trails and rope swing www.300committee.org/beebewoods.htm
-WHOOSH Trolley--open air trolley all over Falmouth into Woods Hole www.capecodtransit.org/whoosh-route.htm
"And if you really want to go cheap, park at the bus terminal and take it into WoHo. That's the REAL secret. ;)"--from Pam
-Woods Hole Aquarium aquarium.nefsc.noaa.gov/
-The Knob, Woods Hole/Falmouth saltpondsanctuaries.org/the-knob/
-Spohr Gardens, Falmouth --especially in spring for its daffodils! www.spohrgardens.org/
-Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Waquoit / Falmouth www.waquoitbayreserve.org/about/directions/
Mashpee
-Mashpee Public Library children's events and activity room friendsofmashpeelibrary.org/childrens-events/
-most libraries offer passes for free or discounted admission to various museums and attactions.
-Mashpee Wampanoag Museum www.mashpeewampanoagtribe.com/museum
-Mashpee One Room Schoolhouse www.mospc.org/contact.html
-Free Movie night in Mashpee www.capecodchamber.org/events/free-outdoor-movie-nights
-Lowell Holly Reservation, Mashpee www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/cape-cod-islands/lowell-holly.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
-Mashpee River Reservation--a two + mile hike, a beautiful river for kayaking or trout fishing, and solitude make this a great and easy day hike. Parking available in two spots. www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/cape-cod-islands/mashpee-river.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
-Heritage Park, Mashpee--Splashpad and playground mashpeechamber.com/mashpee-parks/mashpee-splash-pad/
-Mashpee Recreation offers many programs year round. www.mashpeerec.com/info/default.aspx
Barnstable
-Sandy Neck Park, Barnstable ...$5 bonfire permit required for fires. www.town.barnstable.ma.us/sandyneckpark/directions.aspx
-Cape Cod Potato Chips factory tour, Hyannis , free with chips at the end. www.capecodchips.com/about-us/factory-tour.html
Harwich
Lavender Farm www.capecodlavenderfarm.com/
Orleans
Motor Lifeboat CG36500, as featured in the Disney movie The Finest Hours.www.cg36500.org
(If you haven't seen The Finest Hours yet, do so. It's available on DVD or On Demand, and its the (mostly) true story about the motor Lifeboat CG36500 stationed in Chatham that rescued the sinking Pendleton during a vicious Nor'easter in February 1952. Then, you can visit the actual boat, fully restored, at Rock Harbor in Orleans. If you are lucky, hear a local volunteer tell its story and give you a "tour" of it...all for free (donations gladly accepted benefiting the Orleans Historical Society). The daughter of hero Bernie Webber is often in the souvenir shop. Stop by and say hi! Make a late afternoon of it--the sunsets at Rock Harbor or glorious. Bring a picnic dinner and take it all in! )
Cape-wide
-Cape Cod Rail Trail www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/cape-cod-rail-trail.html
-biking the Race Point portion of the trail in P-town is my kids favorite! Read up on that in the "Beaches" page.
-Free concerts in the park--various towns including Onset, Buzzards Bay, Mashpee, Popponesset Marketplace. Falmouth.
-Playgrounds! Always free, all over the Cape. This blog has an extensive list: capecodplaygrounds.blogspot.com/
-Lukes Boundless Love Playground, West Barnstable www.facebook.com/lukeslove.org/info/?entry_point=page_nav_about_item&tab=overview
--Cape Cod Baseball League games (all over the Cape) www.capecodbaseball.org/
Not free but won't break the bank:
-Cape Cod National Seashore, Eastham www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/fees.htm
-Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster www.ccmnh.org/
-Cape Cod Children's Museum, Mashpee capecodchildrensmuseum.org/
-Check out our local children's museum for free on Fridays in the summer! (as do many others in the state)
-National Marine Life Center, Buzzards Bay nmlc.org/
-Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/wellfleet-bay
-Edward Gorey House, Yarmouth www.edwardgoreyhouse.org/
-Butterfly habitat at The Butterflies of Cape Cod in Bournedale www.butterfliesofcapecod.com/
-Coonamesset Farm, Hatchville/Falmouth, day passes available for non-members coonamessettfarm.com/#_=_
-Heritage Gardens & The Hidden Hollow, Sandwich heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/
-Hyannis Sound a capella group concerts (various locations) www.hyannissound.com/
-Sandwich Glass Museum www.sandwichglassmuseum.org/
-Island Queen ferry to Martha's Vineyard islandqueen.com/
-once there, walk to the Flying Horses Carousel, America's oldest carousel mvpreservation.org/properties/flying-horses-carousel/
-and then, hit the ice cream at one of the many shops close by
-Dramafun children's drama program in Sandwich on rt 6A www.dramafun.com/
-Buzzards Bay Sailing School Pocasset, MA.www.buzzardssailing.org/index.php
Check out the Kids on the Cape Events Calendar for current things do to on our little slice of heaven
-- www.kidsonthecape.com/kids-on-the-cape-calendar
Cheap and Free Off-Cape Activities
Gotta get off the island? Feeling like a day trip that doesn't send you to the poor house? Here's a few things my friends and I have done that we'd do again. (You'll notice many are in the historic city of New Bedford which is a very short but worthwhile trip away.)
NRT Sheep Pasture, North Easton. Totally free, fun, friendly and possibly furry! www.nrtofeaston.org/nrts-sheep-pasture.html
Fort Pheonix, Fairhaven --fort-phoenix.blogspot.com/
Myles Standish State Forest, Carver. Great trails, swimming, hiking, biking and camping, $8 parking for MA residents.--www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/myles-standish-state-forest.html
New Bedford Whaling Museum-not super expensive, kids under 3 free. www.whalingmuseum.org/programs/childrens-activities/summer-family-fun
Newport Cliff Walk--totally free and beautiful any time of year! www.cliffwalk.com/
Castle Island, Boston --my boys loved exploring this old fort. Free. www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-boston/castle-island-pleasure-bay-m-street-and-carson-beach.html
USS Constitution, Boston--accepts donations, suggested donation $5 per adult, $3 per kid ussconstitutionmuseum.org/visit/plan/
South Shore Natural Science Center, Norwell--adults $7, kids $3. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org/about-us/plan-your-visit/hours-admission/
AHA! New Bedford-stands for Art, History and Architecture, hosts a free cultural night each week --www.ahanewbedford.org/
Buttonwood Park Zoo, New Bedford. Super cheap admission fees! --www.bpzoo.org/
Buzzards Bay Coalition/ Richard C. Wheeler Bay Learning Center, New Bedford. Free. --www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/richard-c-wheeler-bay-learning-center/
Free or very small fee
Bourne:
-Aptuxet Trading Post Museum, Bourne Village . $5 adults, $2 kids, $10 for families. Super cheap historical fun so close to the Canal. Spend a day in Bourne because it's awesome...ok, I may be a bit biased having grown up there. www.bournehistoricalsociety.org/aptucxet-museum/
-Monument Beach (Bourne) playground "on the water"...can't beat the view!
-ice skating at Gallo in Bourne, Public Sk8 @ $3 for kids, $4 for adults, $3 for rentals... not free, but not bad;) www.galloarena.com/
-Cape Cod Canal & Visitor Center--offers guided ranger talks and walks and activities www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Cape-Cod-Canal/
--be sure to see the train bridge lowered for the trash train or the Cape Flyer to cross! Park in Buzzards Bay on Main street.
-Four Ponds Conservation area--hiking, biking and exploring www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/four-ponds-conservation-area-bourne-town-forest/
-Army Corps of Engineers- Canal park rangers offer interpretive programs during spring, summer and fall. www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Cape-Cod-Canal/
Sandwich
-Sandwich Fish Hatchery --fish food for a quarter. Bring a cup or baggie. www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/about-masswildlife/state-fish-hatcheries.html
-Dexter Grist Mill & Duck Pond, Sandwich center at Town Hall Square
-Green Brian Nature Center and Jam Kitchen, Sandwich www.thorntonburgess.org/HoursAndRates.htm
-Sandwich Boardwalk --and yes, jumping!! Check out #8 on this list: travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/us-boardwalks/#page=2
-Army Corps of Engineers--small museum at marina--has a great small museum in sandwich marina. Actual tug boat inside, pictures of canal being dug. www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Cape-Cod-Canal/
Falmouth/Woods Hole
-Shining Sea Bike Path--parking available in North Falmouth and Falmouth center. www.capecodbikeguide.com/shiningsea.asp
-Goodwill Park, Falmouth--free parking, free everything...don't miss the rope swing! www.300committee.org/goodwillpark.htm
-Beebe Woods property, Falmouth--trails and rope swing www.300committee.org/beebewoods.htm
-WHOOSH Trolley--open air trolley all over Falmouth into Woods Hole www.capecodtransit.org/whoosh-route.htm
"And if you really want to go cheap, park at the bus terminal and take it into WoHo. That's the REAL secret. ;)"--from Pam
-Woods Hole Aquarium aquarium.nefsc.noaa.gov/
-The Knob, Woods Hole/Falmouth saltpondsanctuaries.org/the-knob/
-Spohr Gardens, Falmouth --especially in spring for its daffodils! www.spohrgardens.org/
-Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Waquoit / Falmouth www.waquoitbayreserve.org/about/directions/
Mashpee
-Mashpee Public Library children's events and activity room friendsofmashpeelibrary.org/childrens-events/
-most libraries offer passes for free or discounted admission to various museums and attactions.
-Mashpee Wampanoag Museum www.mashpeewampanoagtribe.com/museum
-Mashpee One Room Schoolhouse www.mospc.org/contact.html
-Free Movie night in Mashpee www.capecodchamber.org/events/free-outdoor-movie-nights
-Lowell Holly Reservation, Mashpee www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/cape-cod-islands/lowell-holly.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
-Mashpee River Reservation--a two + mile hike, a beautiful river for kayaking or trout fishing, and solitude make this a great and easy day hike. Parking available in two spots. www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/cape-cod-islands/mashpee-river.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
-Heritage Park, Mashpee--Splashpad and playground mashpeechamber.com/mashpee-parks/mashpee-splash-pad/
-Mashpee Recreation offers many programs year round. www.mashpeerec.com/info/default.aspx
Barnstable
-Sandy Neck Park, Barnstable ...$5 bonfire permit required for fires. www.town.barnstable.ma.us/sandyneckpark/directions.aspx
-Cape Cod Potato Chips factory tour, Hyannis , free with chips at the end. www.capecodchips.com/about-us/factory-tour.html
Harwich
Lavender Farm www.capecodlavenderfarm.com/
Orleans
Motor Lifeboat CG36500, as featured in the Disney movie The Finest Hours.www.cg36500.org
(If you haven't seen The Finest Hours yet, do so. It's available on DVD or On Demand, and its the (mostly) true story about the motor Lifeboat CG36500 stationed in Chatham that rescued the sinking Pendleton during a vicious Nor'easter in February 1952. Then, you can visit the actual boat, fully restored, at Rock Harbor in Orleans. If you are lucky, hear a local volunteer tell its story and give you a "tour" of it...all for free (donations gladly accepted benefiting the Orleans Historical Society). The daughter of hero Bernie Webber is often in the souvenir shop. Stop by and say hi! Make a late afternoon of it--the sunsets at Rock Harbor or glorious. Bring a picnic dinner and take it all in! )
Cape-wide
-Cape Cod Rail Trail www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/cape-cod-rail-trail.html
-biking the Race Point portion of the trail in P-town is my kids favorite! Read up on that in the "Beaches" page.
-Free concerts in the park--various towns including Onset, Buzzards Bay, Mashpee, Popponesset Marketplace. Falmouth.
-Playgrounds! Always free, all over the Cape. This blog has an extensive list: capecodplaygrounds.blogspot.com/
-Lukes Boundless Love Playground, West Barnstable www.facebook.com/lukeslove.org/info/?entry_point=page_nav_about_item&tab=overview
--Cape Cod Baseball League games (all over the Cape) www.capecodbaseball.org/
Not free but won't break the bank:
-Cape Cod National Seashore, Eastham www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/fees.htm
-Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster www.ccmnh.org/
-Cape Cod Children's Museum, Mashpee capecodchildrensmuseum.org/
-Check out our local children's museum for free on Fridays in the summer! (as do many others in the state)
-National Marine Life Center, Buzzards Bay nmlc.org/
-Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/wellfleet-bay
-Edward Gorey House, Yarmouth www.edwardgoreyhouse.org/
-Butterfly habitat at The Butterflies of Cape Cod in Bournedale www.butterfliesofcapecod.com/
-Coonamesset Farm, Hatchville/Falmouth, day passes available for non-members coonamessettfarm.com/#_=_
-Heritage Gardens & The Hidden Hollow, Sandwich heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/
-Hyannis Sound a capella group concerts (various locations) www.hyannissound.com/
-Sandwich Glass Museum www.sandwichglassmuseum.org/
-Island Queen ferry to Martha's Vineyard islandqueen.com/
-once there, walk to the Flying Horses Carousel, America's oldest carousel mvpreservation.org/properties/flying-horses-carousel/
-and then, hit the ice cream at one of the many shops close by
-Dramafun children's drama program in Sandwich on rt 6A www.dramafun.com/
-Buzzards Bay Sailing School Pocasset, MA.www.buzzardssailing.org/index.php
Check out the Kids on the Cape Events Calendar for current things do to on our little slice of heaven
-- www.kidsonthecape.com/kids-on-the-cape-calendar
Cheap and Free Off-Cape Activities
Gotta get off the island? Feeling like a day trip that doesn't send you to the poor house? Here's a few things my friends and I have done that we'd do again. (You'll notice many are in the historic city of New Bedford which is a very short but worthwhile trip away.)
NRT Sheep Pasture, North Easton. Totally free, fun, friendly and possibly furry! www.nrtofeaston.org/nrts-sheep-pasture.html
Fort Pheonix, Fairhaven --fort-phoenix.blogspot.com/
Myles Standish State Forest, Carver. Great trails, swimming, hiking, biking and camping, $8 parking for MA residents.--www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/myles-standish-state-forest.html
New Bedford Whaling Museum-not super expensive, kids under 3 free. www.whalingmuseum.org/programs/childrens-activities/summer-family-fun
Newport Cliff Walk--totally free and beautiful any time of year! www.cliffwalk.com/
Castle Island, Boston --my boys loved exploring this old fort. Free. www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-boston/castle-island-pleasure-bay-m-street-and-carson-beach.html
USS Constitution, Boston--accepts donations, suggested donation $5 per adult, $3 per kid ussconstitutionmuseum.org/visit/plan/
South Shore Natural Science Center, Norwell--adults $7, kids $3. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org/about-us/plan-your-visit/hours-admission/
AHA! New Bedford-stands for Art, History and Architecture, hosts a free cultural night each week --www.ahanewbedford.org/
Buttonwood Park Zoo, New Bedford. Super cheap admission fees! --www.bpzoo.org/
Buzzards Bay Coalition/ Richard C. Wheeler Bay Learning Center, New Bedford. Free. --www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/richard-c-wheeler-bay-learning-center/