Things to Do Near Route 134 in South Dennis

Dennis is full of great activities, and where you spend your time likely depends on your vacation rental’s location.

In Dennis Port and West Dennis, you’ll have direct access to Nantucket Sound and incredible beaches like Sea Street, Glendon Road, Haigis, and West Dennis.

Those staying in Dennis Village and East Dennis, on the other hand, will find Cold Storage Beach, Corporation Beach, Chapin Memorial Beach, and Mayflower Beach, all on Cape Cod Bay, easily accessible.

When traveling between Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound on Route 134, you’ll pass through South Dennis, the town’s lone village without ocean access. After crossing over the Mid-Cape Highway, you’ll enter a commercial and industrial zone that might not look like much, but is actually full of great activities for the entire family.

You might miss out on these activities if you don’t know what you’re looking for, so be sure to research these great attractions before your arrival.

Cape Cod Rail Trail

The entrance to the Cape Cod Rail Trail in South Dennis is a little hidden, but, rest assured, there is a parking lot just north of the Bank of America building on Route 134. You’ll pass under the bridge in this area, which signals the lot’s location.

Once you get on the Rail Trail, you can head as far north as Wellfleet or ride west to Yarmouth. There are plenty of places to stop along the trail, as it winds through seven Cape Cod towns while passing ponds, forests, and restaurants along the way.

If you didn’t bring your bike, there are two rental shops – Barb’s Bike Shop and the Dennis Cycle Center – in this section of South Dennis, as well.

Tony Kent Arena

Turning off Route 134 onto Theophilus F. Smith Road and then South Gages Way will take you to Tony Kent Arena. This skating rink is well into South Dennis’s industrial zone but worth visiting if you want to hit the ice on your vacation.

The arena is open throughout the summer, so have a look at their schedule to see when they have drop-in ice available for visitors.

You might also visit the arena because of its notoriety. That’s because Tony Kent Area is where Nancy Kerrigan trained for the 1994 Olympics following the physical attack on her arranged by rival Tonya Harding. In fact, the attack almost took place at a training session at Tony Kent Arena, but Kerrigan had already left by the time the assailant arrived at the rink. The assault ended up happening at a later event in Detroit.

For a short time, the media circus surrounding this area made it the most famous in the country, and you’ll have the chance to step on the ice while on the Cape.

Cartwheels Family Fun Center

Across the street from the rink, you’ll come across Cartwheels Family Fun Center. This venue might be a bit hidden by its obscure location, but it provides hours of family fun thanks to its go-karts, batting cages, arcade, speed pitch game, and trampoline basketball court. The center also has an ice cream shop.

There are numerous pricing options for your visit, as you can pay per game, buy bulk tickets, or purchase a bracelet that gives you access to a little bit of everything.

Cartwheels Family Fun Center is generally only open on weekends between mid-April and Labor Day Weekend. Still, if you’re in the South Dennis area, this family-owned operation is worth checking out.

Devil’s Purse Brewing Company

Devil’s Purse Brewing is around the corner from Cartwheels Family Fun Center and an excellent place to stop if you’re looking to grab a few beers to bring back to your vacation rental. This local brewery first opened its doors in 2013 and is a Cape Cod favorite because of its simple, yet delicious, beer offerings.

The brewery is best known for its Handline Kölsch, a German-style beer that you can pick-up in a four-pack or 12-pack. You’ll also find rotating taps featuring various IPAs, ales, and stouts, all of which are usually available in four-packs.

Devil’s Purse is a beer-only venue, so you can’t get any food, but you can hang out in the taproom to enjoy a tasting flight if you aren’t sure which option to buy. Keep in mind that there isn’t any indoor seating, although the brewery does have a few picnic tables you can use if the weather cooperates.

Patriot Square Plaza

Perhaps the most visible attraction in South Dennis’s industrial zone is Patriot Square Plaza, a major shopping center on Route 134. This mall is popular with locals because it offers one-stop shopping with a grocery store, clothing stores, an insurance office, and a drug store. At the same time, visitors will appreciate its restaurants and liquor store.

Patriot Square Plaza is also home to Entertainment Cinemas, so if you want to catch a movie in the evening after a day spent enjoying South Dennis’s other attractions, this shopping center has you covered.

Enjoying What South Dennis Has to Offer

With so much going on near Dennis’s waterfront areas, visitors often overlook South Dennis. However, that shouldn’t be the case because its central position means you’re only minutes from Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound while having easy access to the Mid-Cape Highway and Route 28.

South Dennis also has a myriad of activities to call its own, so if you have a vacation rental in this village, you’ll never be short on things to do with the entire family.