Barnstable, MA Outdoor Activities

A stately colonial clubhouse overlooks Ballymeade Country Club's 18-hole course, where golfers roam across a fertile expanse of rolling Cape Code terrain. The par 72 course presents undulating fairways that give way to multitier greens where even gentle putts send balls rolling over deviously steep slopes. As golf carts ascend to grassy hillcrests, golfers can bask in views of the surrounding landscape, such as the cerulean waters of Buzzards Bay, which is most visible from the 11th green. Journeys through the horticultural haven conclude with majestic flair at the 581-yard, par 5 18th hole, where the fairway doglegs right on its path to a large green stationed behind a small pond.

EcoTourz’s cache of bikes and kayaks furnish unique perspectives of the Upper Cape’s natural splendor and Sandwich’s historical charms. Guides usher small groups of kayakers down Historic Mill Creek, where herons and osprey soar above the tall grass while conspiring to overthrow the neighborhood mockingbirds. On dry land, EcoTourz staff rents out bicycles and divulges prime pedaling spots, such as the marsh-lined Sandwich Boardwalk or some of the Cape’s oldest buildings.

The licensed instructors at Cowboy Jim’s Western Adventures rustle up nostalgia for the Old West through riding on the old ponderosa as well as Western- and English-style riding lessons. Upon arrival, ranch visitors mingle with the stable’s extensive roster of horses, including such breeds as arabians, indian paints, and true western quarter horses, before deciding which to ride based on chemistry cultivated over a mutual appreciation for oats. Lessons commence with a comprehensive instructor demonstration and an evaluation of the student’s riding style and ability. Apprenticing cowboys can round out their Western education through roping, playing the guitar, or barrel riding, which was how cowboys got home from the saloon after friends took away the keys to their horses.

The line to the men's room at Nimrod Restaurant is peculiar because it usually contains both men and women. Near the restroom's doorway, gatherers careen and crane their necks to see a 200-year-old hole and the projectile that created it: a cannonball from the War of 1812. This hands-on history lesson is one of many elucidated by the guides at Phat Tire Bike Tours. They backdrop their classroom against the scenic sights of crashing waves, lush gardens, and bustling downtown shops. Seated on personal bikes or rental bikes that correctly answer the question, "What's my favorite color?", groups can set out on tours of places such as Falmouth, Plymouth, Martha's Vineyard, or Nantucket.

In the depths of Cape Cod swim delicacies such as sea-bass and fluke. With backgrounds in both commercial and recreational fishing, the captains of Helen H Fleet lead anglers on trips for these catches, motoring to fishing grounds such as Nantucket Sound. The four-boat fleet, which ranges from the 30-foot Sea Hawk to the 100-foot Helen H, lets the captains accommodate small charters of one to five anglers as well as party cruises. Crews rent out rods and reels, as well as sell refreshments in between anglers' bouts with feisty bass or boots stuck to the ocean floor. Targeted species change with the season, and Helen H Fleet's captains also charter whale- and seal-watching excursions whenever the creatures migrate along Cape Cod.

EcoTourz’s cache of bikes and kayaks furnish unique perspectives of the Upper Cape’s natural splendor and Sandwich’s historical charms. Guides usher small groups of kayakers down Historic Mill Creek, where herons and osprey soar above the tall grass while conspiring to overthrow the neighborhood mockingbirds. On dry land, EcoTourz staff rents out bicycles and divulges prime pedaling spots, such as the marsh-lined Sandwich Boardwalk or some of the Cape’s oldest buildings.