1. Bay Motor Inn
City: Buzzards Bay, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 759-3989
Address: 223 Main St.
Description: Nestled in three acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, this family-owned and -operated motor inn has been providing vacationers with affordable accommodations since 1965. Bring your bike, fishing rod, and walking shoes, because just across the street is the famous Cape Cod Canal, with miles of paved trails alongside it. Popular with families, retirees, and especially fishermen, the Bay Motor Inn offers 17 clean units, among them poolside, efficiency, and cottage units. According to Fred, most guests favor the Cape “Coddages,” freestanding cottage units complete with cable TV, air-conditioning, phones, and tiled bathrooms. You’ll be close to a wide assortment of attractions and restaurants, or you can simply spend the day lounging by the wheelchair-accessible pool, playing tennis at the nearby courts, or just watching the boat traffic on the canal. Pets are allowed, but Fred and Irene ask that guests do not leave dogs unattended during the day (just down the road is a veterinary service that will watch your pet for a small fee). The Bay Motor Inn is open from Apr 1 to Nov 1.
2. Massachusetts Maritime Academy
City: Buzzards Bay, MA
Category: Education
Telephone: (508) 830-5000, (800) 544-3411
Address: 101 Academy Dr.
Description: The Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the oldest continually operating maritime academy in the country. Bachelor of Science degrees are awarded in international maritime business, marine engineering, marine transportation, facilities and environmental engineering, and marine safety, environmental protection, and emergency management. Some students use their time to earn a Merchant Marine officer’s license or a Naval officer’s commission. The four-year coed course of study includes practical experience on the training ship Patriot State, which gives students an opportunity to visit numerous countries during their semester-at-sea. Nine hundred and fifty students come from across the nation and participate in a full range of activities and athletics. The academic year includes two academic semesters of approximately 15 weeks and a sea term or internship.
3. Bourne Marina
City: Buzzards Bay, MA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (508) 759-2512
Address: 101 Academy Dr.
Description: In town within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, and family recreational facilities, Bourne Marina has 144 slips and can accommodate 60-foot boats with a 6-foot draft. It has fuel, water, 30- and 50-amp electrical service, and pump-out facilities, as well as restrooms, showers, lockers, and a laundry area. You’ll have use of a community lounge, a pressure washer, and pump-out, and a marine and grocery store. The marina is open from May through Oct.
4. Red Top Sporting Goods
City: Buzzards Bay, MA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (508) 759-3371
Address: 265 Main St.
Description: With the Cape Cod Canal at its doorstep, this shop is just a few steps from one of the richest sources of saltwater fish—striped bass, bluefish, flounder, tautog, and mackerel—in the region. This year-round shop (hours are limited in winter) sells fishing tackle and other outdoor gear. It also handles fishing licenses and has tide charts.
5. Ryan Family Amusements
City: Buzzards Bay, MA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (508) 759-9892
Address: 200 Main St.
Description: This popular Upper Cape facility has candlepin bowling, a pro shop, and a game room. Ryan hosts leagues as well as good old recreational bowling and offers birthday party packages.
6. Bourne Council On Aging
City: Buzzards Bay, MA
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (508) 759-0654, (508) 759-0653
Address: 239 Main St.
7. Ryan Family Amusements
City: Buzzards Bay, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 759-9892
Address: 200 Main St.
Description: Ryan Family Amusements offers all kinds of arcade games, pinball, Skee-Ball, and video games along with children’s games such as ride-on horses, air hockey, and basketball.