The 76-square mile town of Barnstable is comprised of 7 villages, each with its own distinctive qualities. It extends from Cape Cod Bay to Nantucket Sound. I recently had the opportunity to spend a winter’s day visiting the area. Come along!
8am
I began my day by stopping in Barnstable Village, the oldest of the seven villages.. The Village is known for its seaside charm, historic sites, and local community theatre venues.
I can’t properly start my day without caffeine, so I ventured into Nirvana Coffee Company for an iced matcha and a lemon scone. This local cafe brings gourmet coffee to the Cape, using fair trade organic beans. Visitors can grab a cup to go, enjoy their coffee in the comfortable seating area, or purchase a bag of beans to make from the comfort of their home. It was the perfect pick me up to start my day!
9am
Milway Beach is just a short drive from the downtown Village area. The low-tide conditions made for a great walk, as I was greeted by the sight of sandpipers running near the water’s edge. Millway Beach is next to Barnstable Harbor, and were it summer, I would surely have hopped aboard one of the Whale Watcher Cruises!
12pm
My next stop was Hathaway’s Pond, which is surrounded by conservation land and nice trails for walking and biking. . In the summer, this popular pond has limited parking but offers a playground, restrooms, grills, and picnic tables.. Since it was off season, I was able to enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the calm stillness of the pond.
2pm
As an avid history fan, I next made my way to the historical destinations of Barnstable. My first stop was Veterans Beach, located in the village of Hyannis. This popular beach is a favorite due to its views of Lewis Bay, snack bar, playground, grills, and perfect shaded area for cookouts. However, Veteran’s Park also offers visitors two amazing historical shrines. The John F. Kennedy and Korean War memorials are a must see on your trip to Barnstable. After taking in these statues and visiting the beach, I traveled off to my next destination in downtown Hyannis.
4pm
The Kennedy family purchased a home in the area in 1920, and the Kennedy Compound has had an impact on the Cape Cod community ever since. While the John F. Kennedy Museum is currently closed for the season, visitors can use the Museum’s “Legacy Trail” to walk throughout the 10 destinations within a 2-mile distance.
While visiting the downtown area, I noticed Smith’s Family Popcorn and stopped in. This shop offers a fun variety of popcorn flavors, ranging from taco to birthday cake. You can also spin the wheel after a purchase to win a prize! This shop is definitely worth a visit for a unique experience and delicious treat.
To end my day, I decided to grab pizza to go. I visited Pizza Barbone, located right across the street from the John F. Kennedy Museum. I ordered a pepperoni and hot honey pizza, a perfect meal to end my day.
I finished up my day feeling ready for bed, full of delicious pizza, and content. While I visited plenty of great destinations, there are still so many more that I have left on my list for my next visit!