Cape Cod Old Kings Highway Self Guided Scenic Audio Driving Tour

Explore the charm of Cape Cod on the Old Kings Highway, a scenic drive along Massachusetts Route 6A. This self-guided tour reveals centuries-old villages, picturesque landscapes, and historic landmarks from Sandwich to Provincetown. Discover the stories of early settlers and maritime legends as you meander through colonial homes, cranberry bogs, and art-filled towns. Perfect for history enthusiasts and leisurely travelers alike, this tour offers a unique perspective on Cape Cod’s heritage. Plan for a full day to soak in the sights, whether you’re drawn by summer sun or fall foliage. - Scenic self-guided drive through Cape Cod’s historic Route 6A - Visit charming towns including Sandwich, Barnstable, and Provincetown - Discover colonial homes, art galleries, and cranberry bogs along the way - Ideal for all travelers seeking history and beautiful landscapes

1. 1

   The Three Sisters Lighthouses

   10 min

   Photograph the red-and-white Nauset Light, one of Cape Cod’s most recognizable landmarks, before walking to the nearby Three Sisters. The three small wooden towers were built to create a distinctive navigational pattern that sailors could recognize from the sea.

2. 2

   Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center

   10 min

   This free, family-friendly museum explains the history, engineering, and daily operation of the Cape Cod Canal. Visitors can explore exhibits and watch boats travel through the protected waterway that helped ships avoid the dangerous waters around the Cape.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   10 min

   Explore the oldest town on Cape Cod, settled in 1637 and filled with colonial homes, museums, locally owned shops, cafés, and historic landmarks. Downtown Sandwich is an ideal introduction to the villages and stories found along the Old King’s Highway.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   10 min

   This historic cemetery contains gravestones dating to the early 1700s, including the grave of legendary naval officer Captain John “Mad Jack” Percival. Look for classic New England gravestone carvings featuring winged skulls, cherubs, urns, and willow trees.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   10 min

   Operating since 1639, this historic farm is home to Scottish Highland cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys, and chickens. Visitors can also follow a boardwalk toward Black Flats Marsh for peaceful views of Cape Cod Bay.

6. 6

   Cape Cod Museum of Art

   Pass by

   Discover artwork inspired by Cape Cod’s villages, beaches, people, and distinctive coastal light. The museum features generations of regional artists, while the outdoor sculpture garden can be explored without entering the museum.

7. 7

   Scargo Tower

   10 min

   Climb this 30-foot cobblestone observation tower for one of the widest panoramic views on Cape Cod. Built in 1901, the tower overlooks Scargo Lake, Cape Cod Bay, and the surrounding villages and woodlands.

8. 8

   Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

   Pass by

   Explore exhibits about Cape Cod’s wildlife, marine environments, geology, and coastal ecosystems. Nature trails lead from the museum through woodlands, salt marshes, and tidal landscapes.

9. 9

   Nickerson State Park

   10 min

   This nearly 2,000-acre park contains pine forests, campgrounds, bicycle trails, and eight clear, spring-fed kettle ponds. It is one of the best stops on the route for swimming, hiking, biking, picnicking, and family recreation.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    10 min

    Walk the one-mile Fort Hill Trail for sweeping views over Nauset Marsh, open fields, woodlands, and historic Indigenous sites. Nearby, the Captain Penniman House preserves the grand home of a successful 19th-century whaling captain.

11. 11

    Eastham Windmill

    10 min

    Visit the oldest working windmill on Cape Cod, originally built in 1680 and carefully preserved as one of the region's most iconic historic landmarks. For centuries, the windmill ground corn into meal for local families, and today visitors can admire its traditional wooden construction, learn about early colonial life, and explore one of the Cape's most photographed pieces of living history. It's also located just minutes from First Encounter Beach, where the Pilgrims first encountered the Wampanoag people.

12. 12

    Coast Guard Beach

    Pass by

    Frequently ranked among America’s most beautiful beaches, Coast Guard Beach features expansive sand, Atlantic surf, dunes, and dramatic ocean views. The area is also connected to Cape Cod’s courageous surfmen and shipwreck-rescue history.

13. 13

    Highland Light

    10 min

    Commissioned by President George Washington in 1797, Highland Light was Cape Cod’s first lighthouse. Visitors can explore the grounds, enjoy Atlantic views, and take a seasonal guided climb to the top of the historic tower.

14. 14

    Pilgrim Monument And Provincetown Museum

    Pass by

    Climb the 252-foot granite tower commemorating the Pilgrims’ first landing in Provincetown and the signing of the Mayflower Compact. The museum presents Provincetown’s maritime, Indigenous, artistic, and Pilgrim history, with panoramic views from the monument’s summit.

15. 15

    Pilgrim's First Landing Park

    10 min

    Pilgrims' First Landing Park marks the approximate spot where the Mayflower passengers first came ashore in New England on November 11, 1620, before eventually sailing on to Plymouth. Today, visitors can stroll along the waterfront, read the historic monument, enjoy views across Provincetown Harbor toward Long Point Lighthouse, and stand where one of America's most significant colonial stories began.

16. 16

    Old Kings Highway

    10 min

    Travel the historic Old Kings Highway and learn the stories along the drive.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.