Penelope of Is This Seat Taken? is giving us an inside look into Cape Cod!
I grew up “on the Cape” through the summers. My happiest reminiscences are biking to the seaside, leaping within the automobile for ice cream, or taking the boat to the native Clam Shack. My knees have been skinned, my hair salty, my pockets crammed with oyster crackers.
It was summertime perfection!
As an grownup, I now recognize the fine-dining, music venues, and historic properties. However the attraction and nostalgia of the seaside bike trails and quaint marketplaces are doubtless why households, {couples}, and buddies return yearly. I all the time stay up for being again on “Cape time.”
Right here’s my native’s information to visiting Cape Cod!
The Finest Time to Go to
Through the summer season the hydrangeas are in full bloom, outside seafood shacks are booming and the waterfront shores are full of life. Calendars can refill shortly with concert events, baseball video games, and neighborhood occasions.
Although every little thing is at its peak from June by means of August, that is additionally when vacationers take over. September and October are nonetheless heat, however the site visitors tapers off and the actions and points of interest are extra accessible.
Even through the summer season, the climate tends to be cooler on the Cape, so packing a jacket and sporting layers are all the time advisable!
Getting Round
You’ll undoubtedly desire a automobile when you journey to the Cape and to discover completely different areas! There are automobile rental locations by the Hyannis airport and a lot of the bigger cities.
Cape Cod has 15 cities and is often outlined as Higher Cape, Mid-Cape, Decrease Cape, and Outer Cape.
Heads up: It’s nearly inconceivable to go to them multi function journey.
Provincetown is the one exception for not needing a automobile. The Bay State Cruise Company and Boston Harbor Cruise ferries go straight from Boston to “P-City” and it’s straightforward sufficient to spend a weekend there.
The place to Keep
White Wind Inn is a renovated Victorian mansion with unique woodwork and nautical particulars preserved from 1845. The Inn is situated on Business Road in Provincetown, so company are proper in the course of the hustle and bustle. The rooms are comfortable, the house owners are accommodating and the porch is good for folks watching.
Chatham Bars Inn is the picture-perfect setting for a Cape Cod keep. It additionally has the entire facilities: pool, tennis courts, golf course, and eating places on web site. CBI’s non-public seaside is full service and there’s even a ship shuttle that may take you on a harbor tour or drop you off at North Seashore Island simply throughout the cove.
In the event you don’t keep right here, you’ll be able to nonetheless expertise their Clambake Dinner, a seaside custom with regionally caught seafood.
The Escape Inn is a clear and minimalist lodge in South Yarmouth. It’s an inexpensive fee and inside driving distance from all of the Cape has to supply!
Wood’s Hole Inn is a B&B that’s all in regards to the private touches. It’s been just lately reworked so the rooms have the Cape Cod attraction but in addition fashionable bogs. Their delicious breakfast could have you able to journey the Shining Sea bike path or hop on the ferry, each situated simply steps away.
Local Highlights in Outer Cape
Sitting at the northernmost tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown boasts miles of beautiful white sandy beaches. The two most notable have very different landscapes. Race Point options dunes, surfer waves, and sea life, in the meantime, Herring Cove on the bay aspect guarantees calmer waters.
Business Road
Business Road is the middle of city with artwork galleries, boutique shops, and a few lovely homes and gardens. Although it sounds peaceable, P-City additionally has the excellence of being dwelling to the LGBTQ neighborhood and it will possibly get a little bit rowdy!
For a barely edgier expertise, be sure to cease by one the drag reveals or cabaret performances. Peregrine Theatre Ensemble is Provincetown’s model of Broadway. Celebrities typically cease by, host, and check out new tasks on these phases.
Out of doors Actions
Guests ought to completely lease a motorbike to discover the realm! Province Lands Trail is 5.25 miles of all of the sights: dunes, marshlands, and cranberry bogs. For getting out on the water, the Dolphin Fleet offers the very best whale watching excursions.
From Provincetown, it’s a brief drive to Truro, which is basically undeveloped. There’s a small winery, which has a tasting room and picnic tables.
My different advice can be a brief hike up Bearberry Hill, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, Pamet River Valley, and Ballston Seashore. It appears to be like just like the setting of a romantic comedy!
Beachcomber in Wellfleet
Cease by Wellfleet
The subsequent city over is Wellfleet. Positively deal with your self to a day on the Beachcomber, a restaurant perched on a excessive dune overlooking the ocean and Cahoon Hole Seashore. The meals is normal New England fare, so it’s the seaside social gathering ambiance you go for.
There may be additionally a enjoyable drive-in movie theatre right here that runs double options through the summer season. Through the day it’s the host of the longstanding Wellfleet Flea Market which has over 200 distributors (most are money solely!).
Through the week it may be a little bit of a dud, however the weekends can unearth all types of treasures. The city itself is small with galleries, farm stands, fish markets, and marshland strolling trails.
Native Highlights in Decrease Cape
Chatham is the right place to remain for a extra refined Cape expertise.
The city has lovely seashores, golf programs, high-end style boutiques, and stylish eating places. It is a excellent place for guests who need the quintessential Cape aesthetic, leisure actions, and a soothing trip.
The principle public seaside is Lighthouse Beach. After strolling down the steps from Chatham Gentle, go proper and stroll alongside the ocean.
You’ll cross the spooky Chatham South Seashore Shack, an artwork challenge product of driftwood and different washed-up supplies.
This may result in a peaceful inlet with sandbars throughout low tide. Since there are not any facilities right here, it retains the seaside from turning into overcrowded.
Pack a picnic to make the most of the day!
Simply subsequent to Lighthouse Seashore is Monomoy National Refuge with trails that wind round dunes and marshes. It’s the prime viewing spot for birds and seals.
Extra just lately, vacationers journey to the realm hoping to see the “summer season dwelling of the Nice White.” Simply to be secure, the seaside warning indicators now depict a shark and are available hooked up with an emergency blood-loss first help package.
Decrease Cape provides wildlife boat excursions too. Although the birds and seals are described as the primary points of interest, most tour guides will probably be looking out for sharks.
Local Highlights in Mid-Cape
Staying in Mid-Cape gives you the advantage of being within an hour’s drive (without traffic!) of pretty much everything. These towns have fewer hotels, and instead are jam-packed with motels and inns. An alternative option is renting a house or cottage within walking distance to a beach.
Hyannis is the main mid-Cape town with nearly 70% of the population residing here. It can get crowded and lacks New England quaintness. On the “pro side” are the airport and ferry terminals, and boat excursions that leave from the Harbor.
Outdoor Activities
Deep-sea fishing, sunset cruises, or catamaran tours are offered daily during the season. It is also home to the famous Kennedy Compound which is mostly obscured from the street and nearby Hyannisport beach. Instead, there is a well-regarded museum and self-guided legacy trail which you could comply with on the town.
To get away from the crowds, head to the northern aspect of the Cape. Gray’s Beach is a small bayside seaside with a picnic space and boardwalk. Throughout low tide, the sandbars can stretch all the way in which to the island throughout the way in which. If this seaside is full, Mayflower Seashore and Company Seashore are close by favorites as properly.
Meals + Leisure
A lesser-known Mid-Cape city Is Osterville. The principle avenue is a good vacation spot for lunch or dinner. In the event you drive alongside South Primary Road additionally, you will be rewarded with views of the nicest waterfront properties in Massachusetts.
For leisure, the Cape Playhouse and Melody Tent are small venues that attract a shocking quantity of celebrities and well-known artists. Close by West Yarmouth is the place the unbelievable mini-golf programs are situated, together with the legendary Pirate’s Cove.
Native Highlights in Higher Cape
If you would like a extra genuine Cape expertise, head to North Falmouth and Wooden’s Gap. This Higher Cape space has actions and points of interest with out the crowds and vacationer traps.
Old Silver Beach is a pleasant seaside day choice with white sand and heat, shallow water. In the event you’re not watching the sundown at this seaside, plan an after-dinner stroll to The Knob, a picturesque peninsula that extends into Buzzards Bay.
The very best strategy to see the Higher Cape is by way of the Shining Sea Bikeway path that stretches from North Falmouth to Woods Gap. This 10.7-mile former railroad path options fowl sanctuaries, marshes, forests, cranberry bogs, and sea views.
Verify Out Wooden’s Gap
The placing Nobska Light is situated on the tip of Wooden’s Gap. On a transparent day, you’ll be able to see the Islands from right here! The Wooden’s Gap harbor is the place magnificent sailboats and schooners just like the Liberté dock. A day sail is an unforgettable expertise and each journey is completely different relying on the wind!
From the harbor, it’s additionally a simple ferry journey to Martha’s Winery and Nantucket.
Wooden’s Gap is dwelling to a few of the world’s most esteemed marine and environmental science facilities. The Marine Biological Laboratory provides free excursions and the Oceanographic Institution Discovery Center is each baby and adult-friendly.
To point out off a few of your new marine information head simply 20 minutes south to Waquoit Bay. This hidden gem has forestry trails, seaside walks and a shallow bay for kayaking. You can too paddle to Washburn Island which is among the largest undeveloped websites on the Cape.
Issues You Have To Eat
Lobster, fried clams, oysters on the half shell, clam chowder, and fish and chips are all worthy dishes on Cape Cod.
Actually anyplace that provides recent seafood is probably going good. For a bona fide expertise, cease by one of many native markets and have a seafood feast at dwelling or on the seaside! Chatham Pier Fish Market, Mac’s Seafood, and Falmouth Fish Market carry solely the very best so all you need to do is put together it!
Massachusetts, and particularly Cape Cod, is chargeable for most cranberry manufacturing. There are bathroom excursions situated all through the Cape if you wish to study extra or see the harvesting first hand.
Due to this, you’ll discover cranberries in pastries, pies, and ice cream. Certainly one of my favourite methods to embrace the cranberry is with First Crush Winery’s Cranberry Wine Slushie accessible within the hotter months.
Cape Cod mudslides are additionally notably good with some ocean air and waterfront views. The Chart Room and Baxter’s excel at these chocolaty concoctions. Phrase to the sensible: they’re undoubtedly stronger than they seem!
Restaurants You Must Try
For Breakfast
Pie in the Sky in Wooden’s Gap is an distinctive bakery and produces a few of the finest pastries on the Cape. Get there early as a result of objects promote out shortly!
Hanger B is a no-frills brunch spot in Chatham. Their menu is seasonal however the cult favorites embody the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and the Huevos Rancheros Tacos.
The restaurant is situated on the Chatham Municipal Airport so you’ll be able to watch the Cessnas and Biplanes take off. If you would like a fowl’s eye view of the Cape, the airport additionally provides excursions!
For Ice Cream
New Englanders love their ice cream so there are alternatives in every single place you go. My favourite is Four Seas in Centerville.
The shop has been serving home made ice cream since 1934. They’ve the dignity of unintentionally creating “chip chocolate” ice cream: melted chocolate that solidifies when it hits the frozen ice cream.
Yum!
For Lunch or Dinner
The Raw Bar is situated within the Popponesset “Poppy” Market. I grew up spending my summer season days right here however there’s additionally an adults-only bar and restaurant hidden in plain sight. Locals come for the lobster roll and quahog however keep for the vibe.
Glass Onion is simply off the primary avenue in Falmouth and is my advice when you’re on the lookout for an upscale expertise and romantic setting.
For a extra informal choice, Añejo is down the road and has perfected the tableside guac, lobster enchiladas, and margarita.
CRISP is a more recent addition in Osterville however shortly has develop into a fan favourite. Order a salad and pizza to eat inside or take pleasure in on their patio with garden video games and a firepit.
Captain Parker’s Pub is situated on a busy avenue in West Yarmouth. A whole lot of eating places listed below are marketed for vacationers however this place is the actual deal. Go for the clam chowder and recent seafood.
THE red INN was inbuilt 1805 and provides seasonal indoor and outside eating. That is the place to be within the afternoon when they’re serving their Uncooked Bar Glad Hour menu. It’s additionally on the identical seaside that the Pilgrims first landed within the nation (sure, that’s the reason there’s a Pilgrim Monument!).
For an alternate, The Club is situated on Business Road and close to all of the motion. The restaurant has an important outside view, pleasant workers, and full of life inside (image neon pink partitions, illuminated dance ground, and reside band.)
Chatham shouldn’t be recognized for its nightlife, however the native watering gap on Primary Road is the Chatham Squire which is the very best place for a beer, cup of chowder, and a few reside music.
Useful Ideas
Don’t drive in case you are inside strolling or biking distance to the seaside. The heaps can refill shortly through the summer season and the parking charges may be as a lot as $30.
Verify the Cape Cod On-line occasions calendar earlier than your journey. There are Cape Cod Baseball Leagues, farmers’ markets, neighborhood concert events, and festivals occurring on a regular basis!
When you’ve got time, a visit to Martha’s Winery or Nantucket ought to undoubtedly be in your to-do listing! There are ferries that journey there from each Hyannis and Wooden’s Gap.
