130

Town Profiles

Cape Cod Life  /  Annual Life 2021 / ,

Writer: Cape Cod Life Publications

Town Profiles

130

Cape Cod Life  /  Annual Life 2021 / ,

Writer: Cape Cod Life Publications

Mashpee

South Cape Beach by Paul Rifkin

The town of Mashpee is most commonly known for its long history as a Wampanoag settlement. Today, Mashpee is the site of the tribal headquarters and home to most members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, who were recognized by the Federal Government as an official tribe in 2007 and maintain one of the largest concentrations of land ownership in Massachusetts. The town itself wasn’t officially incorporated until 1870 and is currently comprised of many summer homes, shopping centers and an abundance of restaurants, making Mashpee a hub for tourism, with a population that swells to almost 36,000 during the summer months. 

South Cape Beach State Park is a popular recreational spot in the town of Mashpee that sits between Waquoit Bay and Vineyard Sound. You’ll encounter 460 acres of picturesque sandy dunes and trails with one mile of white sandy beach. A popular spot for family activities, such as swimming, boating and fishing, the beach tends to get a lot of visitors who keep coming back each season and even locals who dare to walk the trails in the brisk winter months. 

Trevi Cafe & Wine Bar by the fountain

Trevi Café and Wine Bar is a little Mediterranean restaurant at what feels like the heart of Mashpee Commons, with a Roman fountain replica demanding attention and a penny for a wish, among park benches surrounded by small welcoming storefronts. Trevi is a quaint, classy restaurant, perfect for a quick lunch while taking a break from shopping or for a relaxed night out with friends. Their wine menu is vast, perfect for pairing with each market inspired dish or, if you’re in the mood for a cocktail, they have quite a few specialties, like their Trevi Tini. 

Mashpee Commons Clocktower

The town of Mashpee is a popular tourist destination; in fact, the open-air shopping center, Mashpee Commons, remains one of the top year-round destinations on Cape Cod. The center first opened under the name New Seabury Shopping Center in the 1960’s and was home to a few small shops. The outdoor shopping center changed names in 1986 to what it is known as today, Mashpee Commons. The shopping center has majorly evolved over the years and currently houses over 100 businesses and 77 residential units, with an abundance of locally owned shops, restaurants and cafés. The Commons draws in tourists each year, as many must drive by its busy bustle as they make their way down Cape on Route 28. For many locals, Mashpee Commons evokes the feeling of being in a miniature city, an escape amongst a small coastal town that you could get lost in for hours. 

Cape Cod Life Publications