The town of Bourne is the first town you enter when you cross the bridges onto Cape Cod. Opened in 1914, the historic Cape Cod Canal is symbolic of Cape Cod itself. It was built to eliminate the dangerous voyage for seagoing vessels around the outer Cape and today carries boat traffic ranging from pleasure boats to merchant ships of all nations. Recreation paths along both sides of the canal provide the opportunity for bicycling, rollerblading, running, walking, amazingly good sport fishing, or sitting and watching the boats go by. Spanning the canal to connect Cape Cod with the mainland are the Bourne Bridge, Sagamore Bridge, and the Gothic style Railroad Bridge - all located in Bourne. The Canal cut Bourne in two so that some villages of the town are on the "Mainland" and some are on the "Cape side."

What sets Bourne apart from other Cape Cod towns is the diversity of its coastline, from Scusset Beach on the north side of the Canal, to harbors at Monument Beach and Red Brook, providing a richer variety of beaching and boating than one would expect in a medium sized, moderately rural town. Several necks jut out into the waters of Buzzards Bay, including Mashnee Island, Patuisset, Wings Neck, and Scraggy Neck. Since it is the Cape town that is closest to the mainland, it provides easiest access of all Cape town to Boston (about 57 miles away) and the other communities of Massachusetts.

Bourne is known for antique shops and fine dining; the Chart Room restaurant in the Bourne village of Cataumet draws visitors from around the world. There are two public golf courses. Bourne is home to the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League, commonly considered the best collegiate league in the country. The Mainland side community of Taylor's Point is the site of the Mass. Maritime Academy, the nation's oldest maritime college.

Bourne is also renowned for its shellfishing. The Bourne Scallop Festival, held in September each year in the Mainland-side village of Buzzards Bay, becomes more popular each year. A popular band concert is held weekly during the summer in Buzzards Bay Park in the shadow of the Railroad Bridge. There is a surprisingly high number of acres protected in their natural state, providing many opportunities for nature walks and bird watching. Bourne has a rich history dating back to Pilgrim days, while at the same time it is the newest town on Cape Cod. It split off from Sandwich and incorporated as a new town in 1884.

Bourne is bordered on the south by Falmouth, on the west by Wareham, on the north by Plymouth, and on the east by Sandwich.

Visit the Cape Cod Canal webcam.

Town of Bourne Official Website.