1. The Josiah Sampson House
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 428-8383, (877) 574-6873
Address: 40 Old Kings Rd.
Description: Built in 1793 in the Federal style of the times, the Josiah Sampson House offers six guest rooms, each with a private modern bath and most with fireplaces. Antiques and period reproductions evoke the era when English businessman Josiah Sampson was in residence at “Sampson’s Folly,” a nickname townsfolk bestowed on his home for its ostentatious elegance. Innkeepers Richard Thomas and Joe Gergyes have maintained the traditional names for the different rooms. The Library Room, which now has a queen-size bed, was in fact Josiah Sampson’s library and still boasts a collection of books. The Queen’s Room has two twin canopied beds and offers excellent views of the yard complete with romantic gazebo. The Rose Room, so called for its floral decorating scheme, has a beautiful queen-size canopied bed. While there are no TVs in the individual rooms, there is a TV with satellite and a player piano in the common area. There is also wireless Internet access and a computer for guest use. A gourmet breakfast is served each morning in the dining room or on the garden-view porch. Guests can also relax in the hot tub. The Josiah Sampson House is open year-round.
2. Cotuit Center For The Arts
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Education
Telephone: (508) 428-0669
Address: 4404 Rte. 28
Description: This thriving arts center offers a wide range of arts classes for all ages. Children as young as 4 can sign up for combined arts and music classes, and teens and adults can sign up for drama, individual or group instruction in drawing and painting, photography, and painting en plein air. There are also computer graphics classes, writing workshops, life-drawing sessions, and more.
3. Cotuit High Ground Golf Course
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Golf
Telephone: (508) 428-9863
Address: 31 Crockers Neck Rd.
Description: If you’re looking for an inexpensive round of golf, then head for the Cotuit High Ground. It’s been owned and operated by the same family for 50 years and is a great place to introduce kids to the game. Greens fees are $20 (and just $15 after 4 p.m.). Seniors and juniors pay $15. This is a semiprivate, 9-hole, par 28 course. The 2,580-yard layout is known for its small greens and narrow fairways. On the par 3 fifth hole, you’ll need to make sure your drive clears the swamp, otherwise you’ll be knee-deep in trouble. Open year-round, reservations are not required during the week; for a weekend tee time, call ahead during the week. A putting green and small pro shop are available, as well as pull carts and three or four riding carts. Individual memberships are $500.
4. The Regatta Of Cotuit
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 428-5715
Address: 463 Rte. 28
Description: This sophisticated year-round dining establishment will delight you in the presentation, taste of your meal, and the impeccable service. The distinguished wine list is everything you would expect from a world-class restaurant. Chef and owner Weldon Fizell has created an attractive menu that includes caramelized jumbo sea scallops and seared filet of North Dakota buffalo tenderloin.A full bar is offered in the small turn-of-the-20th-century piano bar. Reservations are encouraged. The Regatta is open year-round for dinner.
5. Sow’S Ear Antique Company
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 428-4931
Address: 4698 Rte. 28
Description: The Sow’s Ear is in a 1729 house that is considered the oldest in Cotuit. This period home is filled with 18th- and 19th-century furnishings and accessories. Here you might find unusual furniture, rugs, baskets, dolls, decoys, vases, silver, folk art, or other treasures. Blended among the antiques are some new items, such as candles and light fixtures. The shop is open year-round, Tues through Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6. Cotuit Center For The Arts
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 428-0669
Address: 4404 Rte. 28
Description: This busy arts organization broke ground on a new performance center in June 2002, and the glossy new space stages three to four productions a year. The eclectic schedule ranges from Oscar Wilde to Edward Albee. In addition to performances, the Cotuit Center for the Arts offers drama and arts classes for children, teens, and adults.
7. Cotuit Center For The Arts
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 428-0669
Address: 4404 Rte. 28
Description: In addition to staging performances and offering art and drama classes, the recently expanded Cotuit Center features frequent exhibits of artwork by students, teachers, and other established artists year-round.
8. Cahoon Museum Of American Art
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 428-7581
Address: 4676 Rte. 28
Description: Located in a 1775 Georgian colonial farmhouse, the Cahoon Museum is best known for its collection of fanciful primitive paintings by the late Ralph and Martha Cahoon. The building—worth a visit in itself with its wide-planked floors, narrow doorways, and ship’s captain’s staircase—was actually the Cahoons’ home and studio for 37 years. In addition to the Cahoon paintings, the permanent collection features 19th- and early 20th-century American art by the likes of Ralph Blakelock, William Bradford, and William Matthew Pride. The museum also offers special exhibitions, gallery talks, classes, and a gift shop. It is open Tues through Sun (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tues through Sat, 1 to 4 p.m. on Sun) year-round, except Jan, when it closes for a month. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and free for children under 12.
9. Cahoon Museum Of American Art
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 428-7581
Address: 4676 Rte. 28
Description: Located in a 1775 Georgian colonial farmhouse, the Cahoon Museum is best known for its collection of fanciful primitive paintings by the late Ralph and Martha Cahoon. The building—worth a visit in itself with its wide-planked floors, narrow doorways, and ship’s captain’s staircase—was actually the Cahoons’ home and studio for 37 years. In addition to the Cahoon paintings, the permanent collection features 19th- and early 20th-century American art by the likes of Ralph Blakelock, William Bradford, and William Matthew Pride. The museum also offers special exhibitions, gallery talks, classes, and a gift shop. It is open Tues through Sat, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sun, 1 to 4 p.m., year-round, except January, when it closes for a month. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and free for children under 12.
10. Cotuit Center For The Arts
City: Cotuit, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 428-0669
Address: 4404 Falmouth Rd.
Description: The Cotuit Center is a handsome, modern building that serves as a year-round performance space and fine arts center for the Cape’s growing corps of talented visual and performing artists and residents. Ongoing classes are given in pottery, painting, photography, and drawing, and there are numerous workshops for both adults and children. Visitors are welcome to attend the gallery shows, join the weekly Cape Cod drum circle, and take in the concerts and theater productions.