Discover 9 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Bourne (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Aptucxet Trading Post Museum, Bourne Bridge, and Bourne Town Hall. Also, be sure to include Jonathan Bourne Public Library in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Bourne (Massachusetts).
Table of Contents
Aptucxet Trading Post Museum
Museum in Bourne, Massachusetts. The Aptucxet Trading Post Museum is a small open-air historical museum in Bourne, Massachusetts. The main attraction is a replica of the 17th-century Aptucxet Trading Post which was built by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in order to trade with the Wampanoag Indians and the Dutch. The museum also features a replica of a 19th-century saltworks, the relocated 19th-century Gray Gables Railroad Station, and a wooden smock windmill. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.[1]
Address: 24 Aptucxet Rd, 02532-5434 Bourne (Upper Cape)
Bourne Bridge
Bridge in Bourne, Massachusetts. The Bourne Bridge in Bourne, Massachusetts carries Route 28 across the Cape Cod Canal, connecting Cape Cod with the rest of Massachusetts. It won the American Institute of Steel Construction's Class "A" Award of Merit as the "Most Beautiful Steel Bridge" in 1934. Most traffic approaching from the west follows Massachusetts Route 25 which ends at the interchange with US 6 and Route 28 just north of the bridge. The highway provides freeway connections from Interstate 495 and Interstate 195.[2]
Bourne Town Hall
City or town hall in Bourne, Massachusetts. Bourne Town Hall is the town hall of Bourne, Massachusetts. It is located at 24 Perry Road in the Buzzards Bay section of the town. The two story Classical Revival brick building was built in 1914 to a design by architect James Purdon, and is the town's first and only purpose-built town hall. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.[3]
Address: 239 Main Street, Bourne (Upper Cape)
Jonathan Bourne Public Library
Public library in Bourne, Massachusetts. The Jonathan Bourne Public Library is a public library in Bourne, Massachusetts. Prior to 1891, the town lacked a public library, as it was a part of the town of Sandwich. The town of Bourne was incorporated on April 2, 1884. The Bourne library was named in honor of Jonathan Bourne, who was a New Bedford alderman, major investor in the whaling business, member of executive councils of Massachusetts governors George D. Robinson and Oliver Ames, and namesake of the town of Bourne. Bourne's daughter, Emily Howland Bourne, donated the library's original building in 1897.
The 1897 building, located at 30 Keene Street, served as the library until 1985. During those years, space was on a number of occasions an issue, and the building was repeatedly modified to make room for more books and services. In April 1985, the library was moved to the former Frances Stowell Grammar School at 19 Sandwich Road. The old building has been repurposed as the Jonathan Bourne Historical Center, housing town archives and the local historic society. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.[4]
Address: 19 Sandwich Rd, Bourne (Upper Cape)
Buzzards Bay Antique Center
Park, Relax in park
Address: 61 Main St, Bourne (Upper Cape)
George I. Briggs House
Museum in Bourne, Massachusetts. The George I. Briggs House, locally referred to as the Briggs-McDermott House, is located along Sandwich Road in Bourne, Massachusetts, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, and currently serves as historic house museum operated by the Bourne Society for Historic Preservation.[5]
Address: 22 Sandwich Rd, 02532-3609 Buzzards Bay (Upper Cape)
Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge
Vertical-lift bridge in Bourne, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge, a vertical lift bridge in Bourne, Massachusetts near Buzzards Bay, carries railroad traffic across the Cape Cod Canal, connecting Cape Cod with the mainland.[6]
Bourne Scenic Park Campground
Campsite, Park, Relax in park
Address: 370 Scenic Hwy, 02532 Bourne (Upper Cape)
Old Bourne High School building
School in Bourne, Massachusetts. The old Bourne High School is a historic school building at 85 Old Cotuit Road in Bourne, Massachusetts. Built in 1905 and enlarged in 1937, it is a prominent local example of Colonial Revival architecture. Most recently used by the town as the Kempton J. Coady Jr. Junior High School, it was by the local Waldorf school, and is now being converted to residences. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.[7]