Cape Cod's Old King's Highway

A route once traveled by Native Americans that runs parallel to Cape Cod's shore is now home to small artisan shops and inns.

As a 21st century consumer, I recently ventured down Old King's Highway on Cape Cod with a different agenda than the route's 16th and 17th century travelers likely had. I was looking for local artwork or crafts to decorate an apartment and work space. What I found were wooden carvings of local birds and insects, hand-crafted jewelry, glassware, original nature photograph taken on the Cape, many antique shops, and a fresh produce stand advertising blueberries that day. I left with photo of Sagamore Bridge at dusk and a wooden piping plover, but I could have easily spent a lot more money.

Called Route 6A, the road stretches along the northern portion of the Cape, from Sandwich to Orleans, at which point it joins with Route 6. It is also known as "Old King's Highway," and it's an historic scenic byway said to date back to the time when Native Americans were the sole human inhabitants of the region. During Massachusetts' maritime years, the pathway was used by merchants traveling to and from Boston. It was eventually paved, and today it is a windy, tree-shaded road that many visitors use while exploring the more traditional side of Cape Cod. 6A is a photogenic route, with green and blue marshes visible from the road and its colorful, flower-decorated shops. It's lined not only with artisan shops, but with country inns and restaurants, and it is only minutes away from Cape Cod's northern harbors and beaches.

Web Links

Giving Tree Gallery - there are many artisan shops and galleries worth a stop, but this one also features an outdoor sculpture garden
The Old King's Highway - an introduction from the Cape Cod Commission
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History - found along Route 6A and worth a stop

Author: C. Danko
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