Cape Cod Canal Activities

For too many years, I thought of the Cape Cod Canal as a pretty body of water that we crossed over on our way on and off the Cape.

Then I decided to try my hand at creating this website about Cape Cod vacations. And I knew it was time to stop passing over the Canal, and start exploring it.

So this past summer my hubby and I put on our "tourist hats", and off we went on some day trips to the Canal.

We were both surprised to find so many fun - and free - things to do there ...

What we found was a whole lot more than just a plain old average visitor's center.

The Cape Cod Canal Visitor's Center is like a mini-museum and information center all in one.

In about an hour, we learned more than we ever imagined about the Canal, its history, how it was built, and how it operates today.

The Center is educational, but it's entertaining, too.

While my husband tracked boats going through the Canal on a computerized radar display, I took hold of a ships wheel and piloted a vessel under the Sagamore Bridge. Virtually, of course!

Short films about the Canal in the mini-theater, artifacts from construction of the Canal, and interactive exhibits for the kids entertained and informed everyone there that day.

And I'm still wondering how they managed to get a 41-foot US Army Corps of Engineers patrol boat into the building. (Yes, the boat is indoors!)

Set right on the shores of the Canal, the Visitors Center is just a few steps from the Sandwich Marina, and right next door to the Coast Guard station. A great place for picnicing and yacht watching!

Location: 60 Ed Moffit Drive, Sandwich

Admission: Free

Open: Late June through late October

More Info: US Army Corps of Engineers website

And that's exactly what we found alongside the Canal.

Flat, paved bike trails, with lots of places to stop for a rest, a picnic, and some sightseeing.

(Next time, maybe we'll bring our fishing rods along for the ride. Or maybe not. It might be a bit of a challenge carrying a 40" Striped Bass while riding a bike!)

Anyway ...

The bike paths alongside the Canal are a perfect place to ride or walk, no matter what your age, fitness or skill level.

Just one little bit of advice: Pay attention to the wind speed and direction before you set out. When the wind is crankin' up, it's a whole lot easier to pedal with the wind at your back!

Location: Easily accessible from many spots along both sides of the Canal, as well as from the Visitors Center in Sandwich and the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area.

Admission: Free

Open: Year-Round

More Info: Cape Cod Canal bike trails

To put it mildly, my hubby and I are avid fishermen (fisherpersons?).

After thousands of hours on the water stalking Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito and Tuna all over Cape Cod, I can tell you ... if you like to fish, you'll love fishing here.

The Canal is one of the most popular - and productive - spots for fishing in Cape Cod.

No. You don't need a boat to fish the Canal. Plenty of really big fish are caught by casting from shore.

Location: Both sides of the Canal, from one end to the other.

Admission: Free

Open: Year-Round. (The spring and fall migrations bring some absolutely incredible catching, but summer's pretty darn good, too!)

More Info: Sport Fishing Cape Cod