|
 Beaches, Walking and Bicycle Trails
The National Seashore is twenty miles of beach and nature trails, and there are beaches and nature trails, as well, in every one of the Cape villages. The Rail Trail is twenty miles of mostly off-road bicycle trail along the old railroad right of way.  Historic Sites and Genealogy
The 18th century lingers all along Route 6A, originally known as the Olde Kings Highway and one of the 10 most scenic and historic roads in America. There are historic homes, lighthouses, museums devoted to the Cape’s past...especially its maritime history...and a treasure for those of a genealogical bent, the renowned Sturgis Library in the Village of Barnstable. Arts & Crafts, Antiques and ShoppingThere are art galleries and craft studios everywhere, one right after the other. Antique auctions and fairs are frequent during the year, including those at Eldridge’s, a world class auction house. The Cape villages are dotted with quaint craft and country shops and the overall diversity of the shopping on Cape Cod will surprise and delight our guests....and maybe inspire a pre-holiday shopping weekend as a return visit!  Sport Fishing
Barnstable Harbor is the home port of a large fishing fleet which, depending on the season, may be going for striped bass, cod, bluefish or whatever may be in the rich Cape Cod fishing grounds.  Whale Watching
Whale watch boats depart from Barnstable Harbor and from Provincetown, at the tip of the Cape, during a six month season from April through October. On-board naturalists will tell you all about the whales, their habits, their near extinction and recent conservation efforts. And we should not forget to mention the herring run in April and May when hundreds of thousands of herring return inland to lay their eggs while running upstream and jumping ladders!  Golf
Cape Cod is ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. by Golf Digest for our availability of good affordable, public and municipal golf courses. Courses here are among the most scenic to be found with an array of course layouts that will satisfy the most discerning golfers. The Cape is home to 33 public and 13 private courses. Among those closest to Ashley Manor are Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course, Hyannis Golf Club, and The Captain’s Courses (36 holes) in Brewster. Temperatures are mild on Cape Cod and winter golf is common...but it wouldn’t hurt to have one or two orange balls in your bag! Off-Cape ExcursionsDay trips to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are easily done; there are frequent ferry departures from Hyannis as well as air service. The “Plymouth” Plantation, the Rock and Mayflower II are about 40 minutes away. Boston is 75 miles north, about 90 minutes away. Newport, Rhode Island, the site of the “summer cottages” of the Vanderbilts and other super rich of the mid-1800’s to the early 1900’s, is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Ashley Manor. Rich in history, you’ll find the delightful villages of Cape Cod and other New England towns easy to reach from Ashley Manor’s central location!
|
