:: Orleans
Points of Interest
French Cable Station Museum, Jonathan
Young Windmill, Rock Harbor charter boat fleet & sunsets.
About Orleans
Orleans is a
beautiful town characterized by contrasts--while it's the unofficial business
center of the Lower Cape, containing the all necessities of life, it's also a
mecca for nature lovers. It's the starting point of world-famous Nauset
Beach--known for its unique topography and dramatic weather events. It is also
home to Rock Harbor on the bay side, not to be missed for its sunsets and
fishing boats. Birdwatchers will enjoy the over 300 different species seen in
Orleans every year, in places like Nauset Marsh & Beach, Pochet Island, and
Skaket Beach. While Orleans can certainly be described as traditional
small-town USA, the downtown area contains some offbeat stores and restaurants,
and has a faintly Bohemian flavor which signals Orleans as the true beginning
of the Lower Cape.
History
Orleans (pop.5,754) was
incorporated in 1797. During the early 1800's the main industries were farming,
fishing, whaling and salt making. The windmills that remain on the Cape are a
testimony to the saltworks days-- they were used to pump salt water into
shallow vaults for evaporation. Orleans' Jonathan Young Windmill is located on
Route 28.
The sunset
views from Rock Harbor in Orleans are absolutely spectacular!
Beaches
- Nauset Beach: at end of Main Street in East Orleans. On the ocean
side has big waves good for body surfing.
- Skaket Beach: West Road off Route 6A Pilgrim Lake: Monument Road off
Main Street in East Orleans. On Cape Cod Bay and at low tide you can walk out a
mile, plus there are many ponds in town.
Places of Worship
- Christian Science Reading Room, Orleans Shopping Plaza:
508-255-1948
- Church of the Holy Spirit, Monument Road: 508-255-0433
- Community of Jesus, Rock Harbor Road: 508-255-1094
- Federated Church, Main Street: 508-255-3060
- St. Joan of Arc, Canal Road: 508-255-0170
- United Methodist, Main Street: 508-255-0622
Museums
- The French Cable Station Museum. A history of early communications
and the telegraph. Cove Road & Route 28: 508-255-0343
- Orleans Historical Society, 3 River Road: 508-240-1329
Libraries
- Snow Library, Main Street & Route 28: 508-240-3760
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