The weather on the Cape is starting to get warmer. It’s perfect timing for visiting Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. My family loves visiting these because it’s an activity we can all enjoy—grandparents, parents, and kids. Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is one of my favorites. It’s scenic, easily walkable, and has inside exhibits (and restrooms).
Mass Audubon members are free; otherwise it’s $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $2 for children. The Wellfleet Bay location has both a lovely indoor building and five miles of outdoor trails.
Indoor Fun
There are many fish tanks in the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary building. You’re able to get very close to view the fish, which delighted my daughter when we last visited. My favorite tank is the puffer fish, but there are various other fish, sea snails, and sea snakes as well.
There are also indoor exhibits on birds and other wildlife local to Cape Cod. The staff at the wildlife sanctuary are very friendly and helpful. If you are interested in a specific type of wildlife on Cape Cod, ask them. You may get tips on where to best find that particular animal or bird.
The building’s power is generated by on-site solar power panels. On the day we visited, we were greeted by some wild turkeys relaxing by the solar panels.
Outdoor Fun
If you have kids with you, ask for a “passport to nature” at the admission desk. It’s basically a visual scavenger hunt of things you’ll find on the trails, such as acorns, leaves, and wildlife.
When you start walking the trails, one of the first things you’ll see are some whale bones. My daughter was amazed to see real whale bones!
Only 0.5 miles of the 5 miles of trails are “universally accessible.” However, our group had three generations from kid to grandparent, with one of us using a cane, and it was still easy to navigate. Part of the trails have a wooden boardwalk.
Both the pond and salt marsh have platforms with a few steps for better viewing. The trails also pass by a sandy barrier beach and pine woodlands.
In my opinion, the views are just stunning and I could stay for hours. But my visit length is usually dictated by my child’s attention span.
Any time of year is fine to visit, but keep in mind, you’ll be by water, so bundle up if the weather calls for it.
Are you a fellow fan of Mass Audubon? Where do you like to walk in nature on Cape Cod?
Let us know in the comments.
