Built in 1875 the Sandwich Boardwalk offers one of the most scenic pedestrian routes on Cape Cod. The picturesque Sandwich Boardwalk is composed of wooden planks, which is why it is referred to as “Plank Walk.”
The wood, while beautiful, makes this boardwalk particularly sensitive to harsh maritime conditions and New England winters. It’s been reconstructed several times in its 149-year-long history.
The boardwalk once again reopened this summer after it closed on June 20, 2023, for renovations. Learn more about this Cape Cod staple that was once named one of the “top 10 boardwalks in America” by National Geographic!
How long is the Sandwich Boardwalk?
The boardwalk is exactly 1,350 feet in length. It crosses over Mill Creek and marsh and travels to Town Beach on Cape Cod Bay. Overall, the boardwalk is roughly 0.6 miles in length and takes about 10-15 minutes to cross, but probably longer since you’ll be stopping to take loads of pictures! It’s a great spot for both sunrise and sunset on the Cape.
When will the Sandwich Boardwalk reopen?
The Sandwich Boardwalk officially reopened to the public during Memorial Day Weekend. The new boardwalk is still made of the signature wooden planks but features a sturdier railing system to weather the storms. The renovated boardwalk is now ADA compliant, a key structural component that was not addressed in prior renovations.
Where is the Sandwich Boardwalk?
The boardwalk is in the first established town of Cape Cod, Sandwich, and right near Sagamore Bridge off Route 6, making it an easy stop when entering or exiting the Cape from Boston.
Parking information
If traveling by car, there are two main parking lots with boardwalk access. Park at Boardwalk Road, also known as “Tobey Island,” to travel towards the beach or the Town Neck Beach Parking lot for immediate beach access.
History of the boardwalk
The boardwalk was built in 1875 by Gustavus Howland with $500. The wooden walkway’s been destroyed by blizzards and hurricanes—rebuilt several times over. Most notably, 1991 Hurricane Bob wiped out the bridge. It was rebuilt by selling over 1700 planks that were engraved with personalized messages or local advertisements for businesses.
The new boardwalk does not include these engravings. It took a contract figure of $3,233,220 to rebuild this boardwalk.
Find the Sandwich Boardwalk at:
100 Route 6A Sandwich, MA 02563