The Gateway to Cape Cod
Wareham, Massachusetts: The Gateway to the Cape
It’s a special place. It has the quaint, quiet, charm of Cape Cod, and the authenticity of New England coastal towns, without the price tag. Directly bordering the Cape Cod Canal, Wareham is the last town before the Cape. Years ago, before an overpass was built, tourists had to drive through the main street and downtown of Wareham before crossing the bridge to Cape Cod.
On the surface, Wareham seems like a normal town, unassuming, with very little charm about it to differentiate it from other small towns on the South Shore of Massachusetts. In some ways, it might seem like a poor place to live — the town has been plagued by drug issues recently, and much of the town has not been updated since the 70s.
But this is not the Wareham that I know. Sure, there are imperfections about it, every town has them. But the Wareham that I have come to call home is a small beach neighborhood tucked into the harbor. Coastal neighborhoods like mine are everywhere in Wareham. Every turn you make towards the ocean leads towards another pocket of homes, its own beach community.
The Wareham that I know is a series of neighborhoods, each with its own special, indescribable allure that draws you to it, makes you want to be a part of it somehow. The Wareham that I know is eclectic, a mixture of locals who have been here for decades, seasonal residents here for the summers, retirees, tourists, business owners in the small main street, fishermen, shipbuilders, beachgoers, and people who simply call Wareham home with no concrete reason as to why.
Wareham has a selection of local restaurants, many which have been here for decades. Tradition runs deep in Wareham, and many seasoned locals have seen Wareham change over the years and love to talk about it. As unique as each individual neighborhood may be, the town itself is very close knit. Wareham displays pride in the diversity of its residents; the town boasts one of the largest Cape Verdean festivals in America, in alliance with its large percentage of Cape Verdeans living in its subsidiary village of Onset.
And of course, there is the water. The coastline of Wareham borders Buzzards Bay, the site of the Cape Cod Canal. The sandy beaches and homes built into the hillsides jut out into the water, creating a beautiful landscape, especially on sunny summer days. Many of the homes still display the renowned New England beach look, with weathered grey shingles and steep roofs. There are several marinas hosting every kind of boat, and the harbors float hundreds of sailboats, yet again catering to that Cape Cod charm.
What really draws people to Wareham is something of a je ne sais quoi. There’s something in the air that keeps people here, something that encourages visitors to return. It’s indescribable, but its there. The Gateway to Cape Cod is magical.
