Cape Cod isn't connected by land to the mainland, but it's not exactly an island, or at least wasn't until the Cape Cod Canal was dug in 1914. The 7-mile-long canal saves ships from having to sail an extra 135 miles around the treacherous tip of the Cape.
The canal is also a great recreational resource bordered on both sides by bike paths that attract not only cyclists but also in-line skaters, power walkers and kids with fishing poles. On a sunny day it looks like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting.
For the scoop on the how, what and why of the canal, stop by the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center , near the Sandwich Marina, where interactive exhibits capture the interest of kids. Follow your visit with a 10-minute walk along the canal to the beach. Unlike at other beaches, parking here is free. The center offers free programs throughout the summer, including guided hikes and bike rides, beach walks and talks; call for the current schedule.
