Orleans
As the only town on Cape Cod without an English or Native American name, Orleans is thusly called in honor of Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, in acknowledgement of the assistance France provided the colonies during the American Revolution. Positioned where the Lower Cape bends toward the Outer Cape, Orleans is truly a magical merging of land and sea. The town takes environmental preservation seriously, just as residents and visitors rejoice in the wide variety of recreational activities available on ponds, in parks, and especially on the scenic stretches of ocean and bay beaches.
From the fun and surf of Nauset Beach on the Atlantic to the stunning sunsets and tidal pools of Skaket Beach on the bay, Orleans is replete with aquatic opportunities. An early economy based around salt and fish has led to a modern-day emphasis on kayaking, paddleboarding, ecotourism, boating, and other water sports. Landlubbers have plenty to relish as well, with acres of forested woodlands, meadows, marshes, and bogs in which to stroll, bike, birdwatch, and relax.
POINTS OF INTEREST
• Academy of Performing Arts
• French Cable Station Museum
• Rock Harbor
• Addison Art Gallery
• Jonathan Young Windmill
• Skaket Beach
• Cape Cod Rail Trail
• Nauset Beach
• Town Cove
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