Heritage Gardens

Saturday June 27, 2009 09:22 PM

Growing up and living on Cape Cod, it's easy to forget all of the great things the Cape has to offer...life simply has a way of getting in the way.

But if you take a moment and think about all of the things you can do on this small peninsula, the list is quite impressive: sun-bathe on pristine beaches, camp or walk at national and state parks, surf-cast for stripers in Cape Cod Bay, hike thousands of acres of conversation lands, dine at one of the hundreds of restaurants, stroll the village main streets, stop in at galleries and museums...the list goes on and on. In my humble opinion, whether you are a year-round resident or just on a weekend getaway, it's important to get out and take advantage of everything the Cape has to offer.

With that in mind, one thing you can place atop your list is the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich. We recently visited the Gardens (the first time I had been in at least 15 years), and were amazed that such a great place was tucked away on Cape Cod. We strolled the gardens for the better part of 2 hours, but easily could have spent an entire day walking the property and checking out the various museums and exhibits. My advice: pick a warm, sunny day...pack a lunch, grab a blanket, snag the camera and head into Sandwich for an inexpensive family-oriented outing. 

According to the museum's website, "Heritage Museums & Gardens consists of one hundred spectacular acres of labeled trees and shrubs, beautiful flowers and sweeping lawns. The gardens are a delight any time of year. Spring features showy Dexter Rhododendrons and flowering trees, while summer boasts brilliant annuals and dazzling daylilies. Autumn highlights blazing foliage and the fall-blooming Franklinia. Winter showcases beautiful heathers, bright berries and noble evergreens."

For a few more photos, head on over to the Photo Gallery.