Bourne

There is a different vibe dependent on which side of the water you reside.

Welcome to Bourne

The gateway to Cape Cod, Bourne is a quiet, coastal town comprised of nine distinct villages

Considered the gateway to Cape Cod because you have to go through Bourne to get to the Cape, Bourne is a mid-sized rural city bisected by the Cape Cod Canal. Bourne comprises nine villages (although some people do consider the Otis Air National Guard Base as the town’s tenth village), including Bourne Village, Buzzards Bay, Cataumet, Monument Beach, Sagamore, Sagamore Beach, Gray Gables, Pocasset, and Bournedale.

All of the bridges on the Cape actually reside in Bourne, making it a commutable town with a great location, plus it’s only about 60 miles from Providence, Rhode Island, and Boston, Massachusetts. With the canal running through the town, there is a different vibe dependent on which side of the water you reside.

The mainland area is more commercialized, with towns like Buzzards Bay and the quaint, seaside village Sagamore Beach, while the “Cape-side” is home to the rural villages of Pocasset, Monument Beach, and others. Peaceful and coastal, Bourne was the first town settled on Cape Cod, and its quiet harbors and inlets are perfect for boating and fishing––shellfishing, in particular, is quite popular here.

What to Love

• Cape Cod Canal is the town’s centerpiece and great for outdoor recreation like biking, boating, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife-watching
• Bourne Scenic Park offers plenty to do and is a great site for camping
• Several unique villages, each with their own charms and individuality

People & Lifestyle

Residents take their Bourne residences seriously. With so many unique villages making up the Bourne DNA, locals have become passionate about where they live. This charming Cape Cod town is known for its close-knit community, lively annual events and affordable housing options. Overall, life in Bourne is known for being laid-back and peaceful. Most people who move here do so for the outdoors, as there are many great options for boating, playing golf, and generally enjoying the natural surroundings.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Some of the best seafood restaurants on the Cape are located in Bourne. Once a neighborhood fish market on the Back River, today Lobster Trap is an excellent, rustic seafood shack with stunning riverfront views. It still functions as a market, too, with a full bar.

Chart Room is another waterfront seafood restaurant in Cataumet. This convivial seafood spot plates lobster salad and other New England classics while offering guests a beautiful look at the harbor. If you’re craving something different, Mezza Luna is a Buzzards Bay hotspot and authentic Italian restaurant perched on Main Street at the foot of Bourne Bridge. Another Buzzards Bay staple is Kura Thai, a great local Thai establishment.

Things to Do

If you’re looking for a chance to get active, the Bourne Scenic Park and campground beneath the Bourne Bridge is ideal for those looking for an opportunity to enjoy the Cape Cod Canal. The nearby Cape Cod Canal Bikeway is a great way to see unique views of the ships and barges gliding between Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay. Enjoy an easygoing, scenic bike ride along a pair of paved pathways, running about seven miles on either side of the canal.

Each year, the Cape Cod Central Railroad hosts a fun holiday event for guests to take a round-trip journey to the North Pole on The Polar Express, inspired by the classic film of the same name. Take a trip to meet Santa while listening to sounds from the official soundtrack!

Schools

Bourne has its own public school district with four schools: two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The town is also home to two private schools, The Bridgeview Montessori School in Sagamore and the Waldorf School of Cape Cod. Additionally, Buzzards Bay features a state maritime college, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.