Yarmouth Town Profile

For a blend of bucolic and bustling, bet on Yarmouth

Yarmouth is a town with a split personality. On the north side is the calm of Route 6A Yarmouthport, while Route 28 in the south-side villages of West Yarmouth and South Yarmouth have enough hustle and bustle to satisfy any family.

Yarmouthport is your choice if you like the flavor of small-town life. Route 6A in Yarmouthport is lined with old sea captains’ homes, and residents stroll to the post office, the bank and Parnassus Book Service, an old-fashioned store that even has a round-the-clock outdoor book stall (slip your payment under the door).

Illustrator Edward Gorey lived in Yarmouthport until his death in 2000. His house has been turned into a memorabilia-filled museum. Nearby is his favorite restaurant, the ever-casual Jack’s Outback II. But not all of Yarmouthport is tied to old New England. Inaho, a Japanese restaurant, draws diners from all over.

Behind the Yarmouthport Post Office are the town historical society’s botanical trails. One of the highlights is a 150-year-old weeping beech tree that provides a natural “room” for contemplation. Other recreational opportunities in Yarmouthport include a golf club and a rod and gun club. Hikers enjoy the Callery-Darling Trail and the Bass Hole Boardwalk.

The south-side villages are more abuzz with activity, hosting the town’s supermarkets, high school and shopping districts. West Yarmouth and South Yarmouth also offer some of the more affordable homes on Cape Cod.

Busy Route 28 connects the two villages and provides a long stretch of restaurants and stores. Dining options in West Yarmouth include the Keltic Kitchen, the Black Rock Grille and Clancy’s. Popular restaurants in South Yarmouth include Seafood Sam’s and the Yarmouth House.

Route 28 in Yarmouth is also one of the Cape’s centers for family-oriented fun. Part zoo, part aquarium, the Zooquarium in West Yarmouth offers a close-up look at farmyard and wild animals. Pirate’s Cove in South Yarmouth, a mini-golf course, recently was named one of five “must-dos on Cape Cod” by Northwest Airline’s in-flight magazine.

Along with rotating gallery shows, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth offers concerts, classes and workshops.

Dennis-Yarmouth High School is home to the Cape League’s Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. Gray’s Beach on the north side and Sea Gull Beach are among the town’s 15 fresh- and saltwater beaches.

Annual events include the Yarmouth Art Guild’s outdoor shows, the Yarmouth Seaside Festival and the Yarmouthport Christmas Stroll.