Bourne
Life in Bourne
Where is Bourne?
Bourne is the county seat of Barnstable County on the South Shore of Massachusetts. The county, named after an England city, has a rich history dating back to the Pilgrims and the founding of Plymouth Colony in 1620, and it is known for its gorgeous and historical lighthouses, windmills, and early American architecture.
The town is one of the youngest towns on Cape Cod, having split from Sandwich and incorporated in 1884. With a rich and fascinating history, it was once a major industrial center during the Civil War.
After the incorporation, Bourne saw the beginning of the summer tourist industry, with the railroads spreading through the area, making it possible for wealthy families from Boston to get to the shore.
Many developments started to happen with the construction of cottages and summer houses, and nowadays, the town has become a self-sustaining community with high-tech industries, local businesses, educational facilities, homes, etc.
Neighborhoods in Bourne
The picturesque town has 7 incredible and unique villages. Let’s understand each one better:
Things to do in Bourne
The town of Bourne offers an array of things to do, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. The Cape Cod Canal is the town’s most desired attraction for residents and tourists, with activities including biking, boating, fishing, and great “boat-watching.”
Besides, the town has incredible beaches with pristine waters and white sand, such as Sagamore Beach, Monument Beach, Barlows Landing, and Onset Beach.
But if there’s something Bourne is known for, it’s the culinary. With plenty of restaurants spread throughout the villages, especially seafood dishes that are to die for.
The villages are filled with artisans who lend their talents to create artwork that highlights the region’s beauty. Walking through the villages, you’ll find many art galleries, museums, and handmade crafts, including glass sconces, vases, and chandeliers, as well as barware, bowls, and ornaments.
Water activities, museums, delicious restaurants, and many other attractions are just some of the things that make Bourne a true getaway spot in Cape Cod Bay.
Bourne Schools
Served by the Bourne Public Schools district, the town has four schools dedicated to students in grades pre-K through 12, including two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
The town is also home to the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, a public vocational-technical high school functioning as its own district and serves students from five nearby communities.
For those seeking private education, some options in the area include The Bridgeview School in Sagamore, a private Montessori school serving Pre-K through 6th grade. The South Shore is also home to excellent vocational schools, such as South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School near Hanover and several renowned colleges and universities.
Bourne Community Figures
- Median sales price: $779,000
Neighborhoods of Bourne
The town of Bourne is bordered by the 7.8-mile Cape Cod Canal and the warm waters of Buzzards Bay. Known as the gateway to Cape Cod, the town provides relatively quick access to New Bedford, Providence and Boston, making it an ideal location for those commuting to work in those larger cities.
Buzzards Bay
Buzzards Bay, inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, indenting southeastern Massachusetts, U.S. The bay is 30 miles (48 km) long and 5–10 miles (8–16 km) wide. It extends to the base of the Cape Cod peninsula (northeast) and is bounded on the southeast by the Elizabeth Islands. It is connected to Cape Cod Bay by the Cape Cod Canal (northeast).
The inlet’s jagged coastline is dotted with numerous fishing villages, summer resorts, and yacht clubs. Woods Hole (in Falmouth town) is a centre for marine research. Among the lighthouses in the area are the 19th-century structures of Bird Island, Dumpling Rock, Ned Point, Wing Neck, and Cleveland.
Pocasset
Pocasset is on Buzzards Bay, with Monument Beach to the north and Cataumet to the south. It is just ten minutes over the Bourne Bridge.
Pocasset offers grocery stores and some shopping but is also convenient to the busier town of Falmouth with its many restaurants, shops, and sightseeing possibilities. Ferry boats to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, leaving from nearby Woods Hole, are also easily accessible.
Sagamore
Sagamore has a tight-knit community atmosphere and is a great place for families with children. It’s close to some of the best beaches in the area, making it an ideal weekend getaway spot.
It’s surrounded by great schools and parks, as well as plenty of local shopping and dining options. The downtown area has plenty of unique shops and restaurants that offer something for everyone.
Sagamore Beach
Sagamore Beach is a seaside village in the Town of Bourne located north of the Cape Cod Canal. It is a largely residential area with a small commercial area located near the Sagamore Bridge that includes a few restaurants, convenience store, gas station, hardware store and local Post Office.
A huge draw to the area, the Cape Cod Canal and its bike and walking/running path are located about a mile from the Ocean Pines Development. Fish along the canal, go for a bike ride right into downtown Buzzards Bay or head to Scusset Beach, all are right at your fingertips.
Cataumet
From sailing to tennis, walking trails to ice cream shops, there’s plenty of family-friendly fun to be found in Cataumet. As one of the Town of Bourne’s nine villages, peaceful Cataumet is a true summer destination for those headed to Cape Cod.
For fun and recreation in Cataumet, head to the Cape Cod Canal. Another spot to get out and enjoy nature is the Cataumet Greenway. For fun out on the water, you can always book a guided kayak tour or rent a paddle board and head out on the calm water of Red Brook Harbor. Back on dry land, the Cataumet Arts Center is an interesting little spot to take some art classes, view exhibitions, or enjoy one of the site’s art and cultural events. The Bobby Baker “Art Barn” Gallery is another unique spot. It’s the place to go to view mostly photography in Bourne.
Monument Beach
For a full day of swimming and playing by Buzzards Bay, look no further than Monument Beach in Bourne. The wide, sandy shoreline at this town beach on boat-filled Phinneys Harbor is the perfect place for local residents to enjoy the sunny days of summer.
Monument Beach has everything you need for a relaxing beach day: calm water, lots of sand, and some extra fun features like a volleyball net and a concession stand. It’s a great place for families to gather and enjoy a summer afternoon of swimming and building castles in the sand.
Sharing Some of Our Favorites!
Surrounded by water bodies, interesting destinations, bike trails, and sandy beaches, Bourne is one of the most interesting towns in Cape Cod.
Go Camping
Bourne Scenic Park near the canal offers more than 400 campsites. It’s owned and operated by the Bourne Recreation Authority on land leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Campers can rent rustic cabins, lodges, or stay in tents on the property. Guests can fish, hike, bike, and rollerblade along the banks of the canal or enjoy the campground’s recreation hall, pools, and more.
Eat fresh seafood
Cape Cod is known for its fresh seafood, and Bourne is no exception.
Some eateries serving up delicacies from the sea include The Lobster Trap, Barlow’s Clam Shack, and The Seafood Shanty. Chart Room is also a popular spot!
Catch a baseball game
Between June and August, visitors can head to Doran Field to catch a Bourne Braves baseball game, part of the Cape Cod Baseball League. The games are free, but donations are appreciated. Bleachers and picnic tables are also available.
Go for a swim
Many guests travel to Bourne to visit the area’s beautiful beaches. Monument Beach along Shore road is one of Bourne’s most visited destinations. Visitors can enjoy the clear blue, calm waters as they watch the many boats come into the marina. This spacious beach isn’t often crowded and has a large parking area, so it’s a great, quiet spot to spend a summer day. Sagamore Beach, located off of Standish Road, is another local favorite. Primarily a private beach, this spot offers limited parking but ample beach space. The small waves and rocky jetty make this a fun beach for the entire family to enjoy.
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