Ambling Down Historic Route 6A: The Old King’s Highway

One of my all-time favorite things to do on Cape Cod, no matter what the weather or season, is to amble along Route 6A, the Old King’s Highway in my sporty little red Mazda Miata, a 50th birthday present from my husband, Rich. Recognized as one of the ten most scenic byways in America, the road winds 34 miles though the villages of Bourne, Sandwich, West Barnstable, Barnstable, Yarmouthport, Dennis, Brewster, and Orleans,

roughly paralleling the coastline of Cape Cod Bay. Route 6A is the heart of Cape Cod and the heart of the Old King’s Highway Regional Historic District, America’s largest designated historic district, which is bounded to the south by the Mid-Cape Highway (Route 6), and to the north by Cape Cod Bay.

Driving along this scenic byway you’ll be transported through centuries of Cape Cod history, passing scenic harbors, great salt marshes, unique galleries, and the distinctive architecture of treasured old sea captain’s homes. But my particular guilty pleasure in driving 6A is that it is lined by hundreds of quaint shops filled with the most unique and unusual items.

Of course, there are the ubiquitous antique stores, dozens of shops featuring handcrafted items, including lanterns, ironworks, baskets, weather instruments, fine jewelry, pottery, fine art, cuckoo clocks, birdbaths, and home and garden items. Tucked amid these are whimsical little places to purchase Christmas collectibles, Cape Cod Angels, antique maps and nautical items, along with an herbal apothecary and a hand weaving shop. And here-and-there along the way are quirky general stores, an even quirkier bookshop, and numerous spots to quench your thirst or sate your appetite.

If you’re not a shopper, 6A can still delight. Strong preservation efforts have resulted in the protection of open lands and historic structures along the corridor. Conservation lands in many towns along the way offer nature trails and several villages have developed walking tours. Some of my favorite museums also line the corridor of 6A, including the Natural History Museum, the Cape Cod Art Museum, the Edward Gorey Museum, the Sandwich Glass Museum, and Heritage Museum and Gardens, with its historic round barn and car museu and my grandchildren’s favorite, a restored, and fully functioning carousel.

Other Sights Along 6A:

Bourne
Aptuxcet Trading Post
Cape Cod Canal Bicycle Trail
Briggs-McDermott House

Barnstable
Olde Colonial Courthouse
Barnstable Comedy Club
Trayser Memorial Museum
Barnstable Superior Courthouse
Cape Cod Art Association

Brewster
Harris Black House and Windmill
Cape Museum of Natural History
Stoney Brook Grist Mill
Brewster Historical Society Museum
Nickerson State Park
Cape Cod Reperatory Theater

Dennis
Josiah Dennis Manse & Old West Schoolhouse
Cape Museum of Fine Arts
Cape Cinema
Cape Playhouse
Scargo Hill Tower

Orleans
Cape Cod Rail Trail Bicycle Trail
French Cable Station Museum
Jonathan Young Windmill

Sandwich
Shawme Crowell State Forest
Sandwich Glass Museum
Dexter’s Grist Mill
Thornton Burgess Museum
Hoxie House
Heritage Plantation
Wing Fort House
Green Briar Nature Center
Nye Homestead

Yarmouth
Bangs Hallet House
Yarmouth Nature Trail
Winslow Crocker House