Woods Hole Aquarium

Did you know that the country's oldest aquarium is located just down the road in Woods Hole?  The Woods Hole Science Aquarium was established in 1875 by Spencer Baird, the first US Fisheries Commissioner.  Today, it is owned by the federal government and operated by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in partnership with the Marine Biological Laboratories.

The Aquarium is a "Must See" during your visit to Falmouth and Woods Hole, with more than 140 species from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic waters; exhibit cases with skulls, bones and teeth; and information about endangered species, marine life and environments, and marine resource management.  Children especially love the touch tanks, where they can observe up-close lobsters, quahogs, several varieties of crabs, and sea stars (starfish). Because it is very much a working aquarium, visitors can watch as staff feed the animals, clean the tanks and maintain the life support systems.

Try and plan your visit around the feeding of the harbor seals, which occurs at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on most days.  Bumper and LuSeal, two of Woods Hole's most famous and popular residents, are non-releasable harbor seals, and enjoy performing for visitors to the Aquarium.

Named by Cape Cod Life as the Upper Cape's #1 rainy day activity, the Aquarium is open year round, Tuesday - Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on federal holidays.  It is located at 166 Water Street, Woods Hole.  Call 508-495-2001 for more information

2013 Falmouth Road Race Registration is Open!

The course as it winds its way
around Nobska Lighthouse.

The registration lottery for the 2013 Falmouth Road Race is now open for non-Falmouth residents.  Registration, through the website only at www.falmouthroadrace.com, will close at 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 19, 2013.  Lottery results will be posted no later than May 24, 2013.

This year's race will take place on Sunday, August 11, 2013.  As those of you who have enjoyed this race in previous years know, it starts at the drawbridge in Woods Hole and proceeds for seven miles to the ball field in Falmouth Heights.  It's been described as one of the best non-marathon races in the country, because of the challenge of the course, the splendid scenery, and the warmth and good cheer of spectators and fans along the way.

Road Race Weekend is a great time throughout the town.  Not surprisingly, accommodations fill up fast, so it's advised that you make your plans soon.

Museums on the Green Open on May 11

The Falmouth Museums on the Green open their 2013 season on May 11. We'll be excited to see the exhibit "A Plate Full of History", which details Falmouth's history as the third largest whaling port on the east coast during the 19th century.  The exhibit notes that during the whaling boom, more than half the male residents of Falmouth were involved in whaling in one way or another.  In fact, entire families, such as the Lawrence family, were devoted to the trade. It was not unheard of for women and children to accompany their husbands on a whaling voyage. Many of our guests have been fascinated to read "The Captain's Best Mate", which chronicles the travels of Mary Chipman Lawrence (Tom's aunt) and her young daughter who joined Mary's husband, Samuel Lawrence, at sea for three and a half years.

The Museums are open Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM and Saturday, 10 AM to 1 PM.

Daffodil Days 2013 at Spohr Gardens

A delightful annual rite of spring in Falmouth is the Spohr Gardens Daffodil Days.  In 2013 they will take place on Saturday, April 20 and Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Imagine the beauty of thousands of daffodils!  

The Gardens are six acres of woodland situated on Oyster Pond in Falmouth, MA, with stunning views of Nantucket Sound and Martha's Vineyard beyond. This magnificent site is open to visitors year around, but springtime is prime time, starting with daffodils, followed by azaleas, rhododendrons and then daylilies. 

From Spohr Gardens, you can also make a visit to nearby Nobska Lighthouse.  Top your day off with some shopping and lunch or dinner on Main Street, Falmouth or in Woods Hole.  

Patriot's Day Weekend 2013 Happenings in Falmouth

If you're not running the Boston Marathon on Monday, how about spending some time in Falmouth, one of Massachusetts' most historic towns. In fact, the First Congregational Church of Falmouth, right on the Village Green, has a bell cast by the  patriot Paul Revere.

Fast forward to 2013. There's plenty of activities going on to make for a fun weekend. Here's just a sampling... On Saturday, April 13, the Woods Hole Model Boat Show features displays of all manner of model boats.  Boat races take place on Eel Pond.

Highfield Hall is offering a lecture by Robert Wyatt on The Golden Age of Jazz. The First Congregational Church in Falmouth is hosting Broadway Celebrates the Sea, The Voyage and Home by Stephanie Miele. If Irish and American folk music is more to your taste, Danny Quinn is in town at Liam Maguire's Irish Pub on Main Street.

The whale watching season has begun, with daily trips by both the Dolphin Fleet (out of Provincetown) and the Hyannis Whale Watcher (out of Barnstable).  This time of year, no matter how mild the temperature, dress warm!  It's cold out on the water, but worth every moment.

A Sure Sign of Spring

We always look forward to the return of Falmouth's seasonal residents from their winter homes in the south. Some of the earliest "snowbirds" to return are the ospreys.  Several of the raptors have already been sighted  in town including this pair who are setting up housekeeping in a nest on Mill Road near Surf Drive.  In addition to the Mill Road nest, there are several others near our Inn, along the Shining Sea Bikeway and on Salt Pond. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has an excellent osprey cam where you can watch the action and learn more about these fascinating creatures.  Even though it hasn't been a successful nest in the past few years, here's hoping for this year!

St. Patrick's Day in Falmouth

"The craic" is a common term in Ireland meaning fun, entertainment, and good conversation. Falmouth is a great place for the craic around St. Patrick's Day.  Many of the restaurants and pubs offer Irish specialties and there's plenty of live music to be enjoyed.  Among the great acts and bands in town for the big day are Danny Quinn, a singer-songwriter who has been doing Irish and American folk music for nearly three decades; and the Brian  Boru Pipe Band.  Check it out!