When it is time to start planning your Cape Cod vacation, the first decision that must be made is where to stay. Comprised of 15 beautiful town and a wonderful selection of villages, it could be hard to narrow down your choices to just one, but we at New England Vacation Rentals would like to suggest that Sandwich as a vacation destination that will do justice to your Cape Cod getaway. Offering the natural beauty of the land and sea, a history that is long, rich, and outdates the history of our independent nation, and of course, some of our most popular Cape Cod cottages, homes, and condos, your Sandwich Cape Cod vacation will be one you never forget. We have provided this guide to the top 10 reasons this is so for your anticipation and enjoyment!

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10: Its History Makes Us Proud

Sandwich is the oldest settled town on Cape Cod, having been incorporated 150 years before the war that started our country on its way to independence in 1639. Life was harsh for settlers back then, as they faced a world with strange foods, cruel weather conditions, and hostile natives, (well, we WERE trying to take over their land) but on some levels we can’t help but think how cool it would have been to live here during those exciting times. The first Thanksgiving was held less than 20 miles away, the beaches would have been empty of tourists, and the night skies must have been stunning and impressive in the century before light pollution became a thing! Today, life does look different in Sandwich, but as you explore the Sandwich Glass Museum, visit the Hoxie House, and examine the historic gardens of the Heritage Museum and Gardens, you can catch a glimpse of those long departed days.

9: High Tea, Anyone?

We were settled by the British so it should be of no surprise that high tea is still a thing on Cape Cod and in Sandwich, The Dunbar House Tea Room & Wine Bar, located at 1 Water Street, has been a local staple for many years. Housed inside an 1800s carriage house, the Dunbar House has served many purposes over the years, but its current incarnation as a tea house and wine bar is most definitely our favorite, and we think you will enjoy it as well. For those not familiar with high tea, it originally started as a working-class meal served at high top tables and chairs, (hence the phrase high tea) but today tends to be a meal of light sandwiches, pastries, tea, and in London, you may even enjoy a glass of prosecco with your tea. The Dunbar House Tea Room is an ideal spot for bridal showers, baby showers, and any distinctly female celebration, but honestly, everyone enjoys their time here, especially when the chef offers his once a month 3- to 5-course wine dinners.

8: A Summer in Sandwich is Like Nothing You Have Ever Experienced

Although travelers visit year-round, (there is an idyllic charm to a Cape Cod winter) it is the summer months when Cape Cod, and more specifically, Sandwich, lives its best life. A Cape Cod vacation is something the world dreams about, and even if your adventures involve nothing more strenuous than hanging out at the beach, exploring local restaurants, and relaxing at home, the memories you will make here will be life changing; there’s nearly endless things to do in Sandwich, Cape Cod! Devouring an ice cream sandwich from Ice Cream Sandwich (yes, that’s its name and it is located at 66 MA-6A) on a hot summer’s day, walking hand in hand with your favorite human along the shoreline of Town Neck Beach, watching the sun fall into the sea, even exploring the authentic still working Dexter Grist Mill that has been open off and on since the 1600s—these are all adventures that on paper seem ordinary, even mundane, but when experienced will make memories that will last a lifetime. We do have to mention that the ice cream sandwich isn’t like any you have tasted before, offering two hand-sized cookies sandwiching large scoops of your favorite flavor of ice cream.

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7: Sandwich Fest

Festivals are a great way to get to know the towns you are vacationing in a little bed, and when October rolls around, Sandwich Fest is one of our favorites! Located on Water Street and generally taking place the first Saturday in October, this amazing festival offers vendors selling arts and crafts, food trucks that offer and authentic taste of our town, and a beer and wine garden that will make you forget all about the other stuff we just mentioned. Also offering children’s activities and because we are quite comfortable in our name, a sandwich competition that is both delicious and tongue in cheek, this annual festival has become very popular with the locals and the tourists who stick around after summer ends. Visiting in October is always a great idea as most tourists have left and the town is easier to get around, lines at restaurants are smaller (or nonexistent) and the quiet nights help quiet all the noises in your brain.

6: The Best Place for Antiquing

In today’s world, we have reached a new level of appreciation for recycling and reusing, and the original recycling shops, antique stores, can also help paint a clearer picture of the history of our country and the world. Sandwich, having reached the grand old age of 385 years old, is known for the antique shops that dot its landscape, many filled with pieces that more than likely started their lives out within a few miles of the stores they are resting in today. The Sandwich Antique Center, located at 131 MA-6A and open every day of the week from 10 AM until 5 PM, features 5000 square feet of antiques from all over the world, including furniture, art, and home décor, has been voted best antique store on Cape Cod more than a few times during its twenty years of existence. L&E Antiques, located at 69 Main Street, is another popular antique store, featuring a fine selection of American antiques as well as pieces that come from all over the world.

5: The Glass Studio on Cape Cod, 470 MA-6A

Sandwich is known for its glass, and one of the best attractions in Sandwich, MA, Glass Studio on Cape Cod, has been offering beautiful examples for over 30 years. Showing off the art of glass blowing and selling some of the most creative glass pieces in the entire state, the owner’s most popular wares, Ocean Balls that are glass bubbles filled with sand from our beaches and tiny beach items, including starfish, shells, and even miniature versions of sand dollars, are destined to end up on a shelf in your own home. For winter visitors, however, the opportunity to see his largest works takes place over the Christmas holidays when he creates giant sculptures made of steel, concrete, and glass add glimmer and style to the holiday landscape of Sandwich.

4: Fishermen’s View Seafood Market & Restaurant, 20 Freezer Road

The best vacations are often remembered for the food enjoyed during our adventures and when you want an authentic taste of Sandwich (the town, not the handheld) Fishermen’s View Seafood Market & Restaurant is going to be our first suggestion. The market part of the restaurant is a fantastic place to shop for fresh seafood to enjoy in your New England Vacation Rentals Sandwich sanctuary and is open every day of the week from 8 AM until 6:15 PM. But if cooking for yourself is not something you care to partake in, the restaurant part will bring the best memories, offering a seafood laden menu that changes on a regular basis, and monthly special events that will spoil you for all other meals. Also offering a Sunday brunch menu that includes unusually delicious breakfast martinis, Fishermen’s View is a tradition for our families and is much loved by all who stop by.

3: Titcomb’s Bookshop, 432 MA-6A

Independent bookstores are a dying breed, but Titcomb’s Bookshop in Sandwich is thriving, something we want to continue to see for years to come. Offering author talks, book club meetings, musical nights, and of course, a gigantic selection of books, it has become a tradition for tourists to add this sweet shop to their vacation itineraries, coming into check out their selection of rare & used books, to purchase toys for the children in their traveling groups, and to simply hang out and enjoy being surrounded by stories told by others!

2: The Beaches of Sandwich

You can’t walk far on Cape Cod without ending up with your toes buried in the sand, and in Sandwich, Town Neck Beach is known for being THE beach to get your tan on. Parking or beach passes are required for all Sandwich beaches, with prices ranging from $20 daily to $105 for the entire season, but if you want to save a few bucks, choose one of our New England Vacation Rentals beachfront cottages and avoid the fees. Town Neck Beach is the perfect spot for swimming, relaxing, fishing, and watching the boats glide through the Cape Cod Canal, and although it is a very popular beach in the summertime, it is long enough that it will still be relatively easy to stake a claim on your own private segment of the sand.

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1: Our Sandwich Vacation Rentals

A vacation home should be an integral part of your vacation experience and our Sandwich vacation rentals promise to take your getaway to the next level of perfection. Located everywhere you want to be, including on the pristine beaches of our Cape Cod town, we have listed some of the top reasons our homes are the most popular on the Cape.

Offering the Classic New England Experience

Although we do offer a few sleekly modern escapes, the large majority of our Sandwich escapes are classic New England cottages, featuring weathered shingles on their exteriors and original wood floors inside. Beds of hydrangeas often offer a splash of color in front and back yards, while charcoal grills are more often the popular choice of grills. Lobster pots are our favorite kitchen accessory and an American flag may be swaying in the breezes of the sea.

All the Comforts of Home

Comfort is key to a memorable Sandwich Cape Cod vacation, and if you have ever stayed in a vacation home with lumpy beds, hard sofas, and scratchy towels, you will appreciate the comforts found in our properties. Sink into the plush depths of a slip-covered sofa while surfing the channels of the state-of-the-art television mounted above the fireplace, slide between the silky soft linens that top our premium mattresses for a night of deep sleep and happy dreams, and when you wrap our towels around your slightly sunburned body, we can promise they won’t feel the slightest bit itchy!

Modern Conveniences Matter

A beach house on Cape Cod may not offer Sub-Zero refrigerators or Viking ranges, but the appliances found in our kitchens will always work the way they should, Wi-Fi will be fast and as glitch free as possible, and occasionally, a wine refrigerator will be tucked away under breakfast bars or center islands. New Englanders do prefer the simpler things in life, but that doesn’t mean we will skimp on the amenities; we understand that tired travelers do appreciate being spoiled and pampered and we enjoy being the ones who do the spoiling.

Every Day Will Be the Best Day in Sandwich

A vacation on Cape Cod has been on your bucket list for a very long time, probably since before your first child was born, and we realize the importance of our positions in your vacation dreams. Reserve your favorite Sandwich vacation rental today and discover all the ways your vacation dreams can come true while you rest, relax, and marvel over the perfection of your getaway!

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