24 Hours in Cape Cod

Ideas for a day trip to Falmouth, MA.

By Olivia Chamberlain

Last year, I wrote an article about five cute towns to visit in Massachusetts. As a California native, I had never been to most of these places in my short time at BU. However, I can finally say that I’ve checked one place off my list: Falmouth, Cape Cod. A couple of weeks ago, my mom and I traveled south to spend the long weekend enjoying all the charm this small town had to offer.

We stayed at the Beach Breeze Inn, right on the beach, and less than a mile from Falmouth's Main Street. The apple cider was hot and available all day, inspiring a new appreciation for the autumn drink.

9:00 AM - Walk to Maison Villatte, a bakery in town. This location is so popular that the line goes out the door every morning! The croissants and other French pastries are unreal, baked fresh every day. Share a quiche epinard (French for spinach), and walk along Main Street to enjoy the quiet morning — you won’t regret it!

11:00 - After breakfast, rent bikes from Corner Cycle! Spend a couple of hours biking along the path right on the beach, and make your way over to Woods Hole, known for its aquatic labs and the ferry port to go to Martha’s Vineyard. My mom and I visited Woods Hole the one day all the aquatic centers were closed, but it seemed as though all the locals highly recommend tourists visit and check them out.

1:00 PM - Have a quick lunch at Coffee Obsession (and get another coffee as a pick-me-up after all that biking), and check out Masterson Made, a boutique home-good store with an abundance of homemade, quality, and affordable items to browse through.

2:00 - Take a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. This trip takes only 45 minutes each way! Whether you stay for a couple of hours or spend the night, this popular destination has many beautiful beaches and charming towns. While we felt like we didn’t have enough time to fully give Martha’s Vineyard the time and attention it deserves, next time being a must visit for a longer period of time!

6:00 - Eat at the most popular dinner place in town: Añejo Mexican Bistro. Make sure you snag a spot before the dinner rush, and order the amazing lobster enchiladas, tacos, and more. But be forewarned: the food is incredible and the portions are huge. We ordered way too much, but it was all delicious and a unique experience!

9:00 - After dinner, grab an ice cream from Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium. The perfect end to an exciting and busy day: a sweet treat! From ice cream to candy to chocolate, they have it all!

Overall, this was a super relaxing weekend in a place with so much charm and activities to offer. I’m already planning my return for Maison Villatte’s baguettes alone. Only an hour and a half drive from Boston, Falmouth is the perfect destination for a 24-hour getaway!