Woods Hole Pub Crawl

There are few places as perfect for a summer pub crawl than the village of Woods Hole. Perched at the very end of a penisula, Woods Hole is surrounded by water and most restaurants are either built on docks, or very close to the sea. In the summer, warm air blows off the Gulf Stream and the sun sets as late as nine pm. Is there anything better than a draft beer at sunset? Or a pinot grigio while the moon rises over the water? How about a margarita looking over the marina? With many restaurants and bars to choose from, you might not make it to all that Woods Hole has to offer, but it is worth a try!

Start at the Martha's Vineyard ferry terminal with the old-school Leeside where Budweiser rules and the television is always tuned to the best local game. Then wander across the street to the 65-year-old institution that is the Landfall Restaurant. Expert bartenders will make you a fresh squeezed juice cocktail and you can dip your toes in the water out on their dock to enjoy it. Time it right (4 - 6 pm) and you will catch the 15 cent appetizers to compliment your fresh-squeezed Cape Codder.

Back across the street, you will find a great house-made sangria at Quicks Hole, and this might be just the opportunity to pace yourself with an overstuffed burrito or fresh tortilla chips with guacamole. Wander from there on Water Street to the Fishmonger Cafe or Phusion, where you can watch the real working drawbridge let pleasure boats in and out of the harbor.

Sailing in, you might consider setting your course to 41° 31’ 28. 28” N 70° 40’ 13. 65” W, the nautical directions to the next stop, the Captain Kidd Century Old Bar on Water Street. Long an institution in town, the "Kidd" -- as locals call her -- is dominated by an antique mahogany bar and 1930's-era wall paintings of the famed pirate who legend has it spent time in these waters.

Next stop, run do not crawl to Shucker's World Famous Raw Bar where all the cocktails are freshly squeezed and the dock-side setting is sure to please. It's not too late for a platter of chilled Sippewissett oysters on the half shell, or little necks raked from Falmouth harbors earlier that day. Keeping it fresh and local is what Woods Hole is all about.

Next year, consider trying the crawl in the opposite direction. Have fun, drink responsibly. Late night coffee is always available at Pie in the Sky bakery cafe.