Sandwich offers coastal living in western Cape Cod
Sandwich is a coastal community of Cape Cod, where bayside living meets classic New England architecture in the peninsula’s oldest town. Sandwich was settled in 1637, so some historic homes are mixed in with the housing stock. “Sandwich has some of the oldest homes and history,” Masaschi says. “It is very nice and the people are nice. It’s a small town. It’s interesting and there are different things to do.” Nearly equidistant from Boston on the mainland and Provincetown at the Cape’s northeastern edge, the area celebrates its heritage with preserved sites, museums and a bustling waterfront. “Sandwich is a beautifully historic town,” says Shane Masaschi, a broker associate with Compass Real Estate who also serves as treasurer of the Merchants Association. “Sandwich-y Sandwich is extremely charming.”
Classic New England architecture on the Cape
Most Sandwich housing is on the north and east sides of the community. Properties are typically ranch-style or Cape Cod homes, with some colonial-style homes mixed in. Most properties fall between $550,000 and $1 million, with larger colonial-style properties on the higher end. Homes near the beaches can exceed multi-million-dollar prices. “The water-facing side of Sandwich is some of the most beautiful real estate and natural beauty in that town,” Masaschi says.
Annual football and hockey games for Sandwich Middle High
Sandwich Public Schools serves the community and gets a B from Niche. The Forestdale School earns a B-minus and enrolls kindergarten through second grade. The Oak Ridge School spans third through sixth grade and receives a B. Sandwich Middle High School, which serves seventh through 12th grades, also has a B. The football team’s Cranberry Friendship Bowl is held on Thanksgiving between Sandwich’s Blue Knights and the Mashpee Falcons; the school’s hockey team plays the Bourne Canalmen in the annual Canal Cup.
Outdoor recreation at Cape Cod beaches
Along the coast, Scusset Beach State Reservation offers camping on dry land, along with both fishing and swimming in Cape Cod Bay. Spring Hill Beach, Scorton Neck Beach and Sandy Neck Beach are popular along the water. “Sandy Neck Beach is one of the couple of beaches on the Cape that allows you to four-wheel drive, which is unique,” Masaschi says. “You can take your car out and that’s pretty fun.” Tracts of land, like the Old Sandwich Game Farm Wildlife Management Area, allow hiking and hunting.
Shawme-Crowell State Forest has over 15 miles of trails, along with Shawme Lake. “Shawme-Crowell State Forest is where you can do camping and all the outdoor activities, including hiking and biking,” Masaschi says. Swimming and paddling are favorite pastimes at Snake Pond, which also offers a beach. Extreme sports enthusiasts can go to Cape Cod BMX, which holds bike races. Golfers can hit the links at the public Sandwich Hollows Golf Club or the private Ridge Club. Sandwich Marina fronts Cape Cod Bay.
Shopping and dining near the Sandwich waterfront
Many restaurants in Sandwich are located close to the waterfront. Fishermen’s View Seafood Market & Restaurant offers views of the bay and has an outdoor bar, and Tree House Brewing patrons can sip drinks with a view of Town Neck Beach. Stops along Route 6A include barbecue at Off the Grid, frozen treats at The Shipwreck Ice Cream, and extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menus at Marshland Restaurants & Bakeries. “My favorite restaurant is Marshland in Sandwich,” Masaschi says. “Sometimes I pull off the highway and go there.” Central Sandwich has more options along Cotuit Road. Tomatoes Italian Grille & Bar has international fare, and the nearby Sandwich Taverna is a local steakhouse. Stop & Shop or Lambert’s Farm Market in central Sandwich serve grocery shoppers. Walmart and Target are each under 20 miles from the community.
Driving to Boston or Provincetown in either direction
Massachusetts Route 6 is the busiest road in Cape Cod and runs through northern Sandwich. Provincetown is nearly 60 miles away and Boston is a trip of over 50 miles. The nearest airports are Cape Cod Gateway Airport, around 15 miles east in Hyannis, and Boston Logan International Airport, almost 60 miles away. Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority has bus stops throughout the peninsula, including several in Sandwich. Cape Cod Hospital is less than 20 miles east.
Historic locations showcase Sandwich’s legacy
The history of Sandwich is preserved within historic sites in the community. The Hoxie House is a nearly-350-year-old saltbox house that is now a museum. The Sandwich Glass Museum puts on glass-blowing demonstrations. The Heritage Museums & Gardens offers a collection of rhododendrons popular in the spring and summer, but also includes a variety of other flora and a maze. It also has an automobile museum and the Gardens Aglow event, which takes place each December and features the gardens lined with lights. “People come from all over the Cape to go see it,” Masaschi says. “It’s beautiful, and in the summer, the gardens are so stunning.” Heritage Theaters shows movies in central Sandwich.
