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 automotive for ice cream, or taking the boat to the native Clam Shack. My knees have been skinned, my hair salty, my pockets stuffed with oyster crackers.
It was summertime perfection!
As an grownup, I now recognize the fine-dining, music venues, and historic houses. However the allure and nostalgia of the seaside bike trails and quaint marketplaces are probably why households, {couples}, and mates return yearly. I all the time look ahead to being again on “Cape time.”
Right here’s my native’s information to visiting Cape Cod!
The Finest Time to Go to
In the course of the summer time the hydrangeas are in full bloom, outside seafood shacks are booming and the waterfront shores are energetic. Calendars can refill shortly with live shows, baseball video games, and group occasions.
Although every thing is at its peak from June via August, that is additionally when vacationers take over. September and October are nonetheless heat, however the site visitors tapers off and the actions and sights are extra accessible.
Even through the summer time, 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 positively desire a automotive if you happen to journey to the Cape and to discover totally different areas! There are automotive rental locations by the Hyannis airport and many 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 unimaginable to go to them multi function journey.
Provincetown is the one exception for not needing a automotive. The Bay State Cruise Firm 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 authentic woodwork and nautical particulars preserved from 1845. The Inn is situated on Industrial Avenue in Provincetown, so visitors are proper in the course of the hustle and bustle. The rooms are cozy, the homeowners 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 website. CBI’s non-public seaside is full service and there’s even a ship shuttle that can take you on a harbor tour or drop you off at North Seaside Island simply throughout the cove.
In the event you don’t keep right here, you may nonetheless expertise their Clambake Dinner, a seaside custom with regionally caught seafood.
The Escape Inn is a clear and minimalist resort in South Yarmouth. It’s an affordable charge and inside driving distance from all of the Cape has to provide!
Wooden’s Gap Inn is a B&B that’s all concerning the private touches. It’s been not too long ago transformed so the rooms have the Cape Cod allure but additionally fashionable loos. Their delicious breakfast may have you prepared to journey the Shining Sea bike path or hop on the ferry, each situated simply steps away.
Reserving.com
Native Highlights in Outer Cape
Sitting on the northernmost tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown boasts miles of gorgeous white sandy seashores. The two most notable have very totally different landscapes. Race Level options dunes, surfer waves, and sea life, in the meantime, Herring Cove on the bay facet guarantees calmer waters.
Industrial Avenue
Industrial Avenue is the middle of city with artwork galleries, boutique shops, and a few stunning homes and gardens. Although it sounds peaceable, P-City additionally has the excellence of being residence to the LGBTQ group and it could possibly get somewhat rowdy!
For a barely edgier expertise, be sure that to cease by one the drag exhibits or cabaret performances. Peregrine Theatre Ensemble is Provincetown’s model of Broadway. Celebrities usually cease by, host, and check out new initiatives on these phases.
Out of doors Actions
Guests ought to completely hire a motorbike to discover the world! Province Lands Path 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 vineyard, which has a tasting room and picnic tables.
My different advice could be a brief hike up Bearberry Hill, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, Pamet River Valley, and Ballston Seaside. It seems to be 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 Seaside. The meals is normal New England fare, so it’s the seaside celebration ambiance you go for.
There may be additionally a enjoyable drive-in film theatre right here that runs double options through the summer time. In the course of the day it’s the host of the longstanding Wellfleet Flea Market which has over 200 distributors (most are money solely!).
In the course of the week it may be a little bit of a dud, however the weekends can unearth all kinds 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 keep for a extra refined Cape expertise.
The city has stunning 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 fundamental public seaside is Lighthouse Seaside. After strolling down the steps from Chatham Gentle, go proper and stroll alongside the ocean.
You’ll go the spooky Chatham South Seaside Shack, an artwork venture made from driftwood and different washed-up supplies.
This may lead to a peaceful inlet with sandbars throughout low tide. Since there aren’t any facilities right here, it retains the seaside from changing into overcrowded.
Pack a picnic to make the most of the day!
Simply subsequent to Lighthouse Seaside is Monomoy Nationwide Refuge with trails that wind round dunes and marshes. It’s the prime viewing spot for birds and seals.
Extra not too long ago, vacationers journey to the world hoping to see the “summer time residence of the Nice White.” Simply to be secure, the seaside warning indicators now depict a shark and are available connected 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 sights, most tour guides will likely be looking out for sharks.
Native Highlights in Mid-Cape
Staying in Mid-Cape provides you the benefit of being inside an hour’s drive (with out site visitors!) of just about every thing. These cities have fewer inns, and as an alternative are jam-packed with motels and inns. Another choice is renting a home or cottage inside strolling distance to a seaside.
Hyannis is the primary mid-Cape city with practically 70% of the inhabitants residing right here. It will possibly get crowded and lacks New England quaintness. On the “professional facet” are the airport and ferry terminals, and boat excursions that go away from the Harbor.
Out of doors Actions
Deep-sea fishing, sundown cruises, or catamaran excursions are supplied day by day through the season. It’s also residence to the well-known Kennedy Compound which is generally obscured from the road and close by Hyannisport seaside. As a substitute, there’s a well-regarded museum and self-guided legacy path which you could comply with on the town.
To get away from the crowds, head to the northern facet of the Cape. Grey’s Seaside 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 Seaside and Company Seaside are close by favorites as effectively.
Meals + Leisure
A lesser-known Mid-Cape city Is Osterville. The fundamental avenue is a good vacation spot for lunch or dinner. In the event you drive alongside South Fundamental Avenue additionally, you will be rewarded with views of the nicest waterfront houses in Massachusetts.
For leisure, the Cape Playhouse and Melody Tent are small venues that attract a stunning 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 need a extra genuine Cape expertise, head to North Falmouth and Wooden’s Gap. This Higher Cape space has actions and sights with out the crowds and vacationer traps.
Previous Silver Seaside 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 best possible means to see the Higher Cape is through 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.
Test Out Wooden’s Gap
The hanging Nobska Gentle is situated on the tip of Wooden’s Gap. On a transparent day, you may 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 totally 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 residence to among the world’s most esteemed marine and environmental science facilities. The Marine Organic Laboratory provides free excursions and the Oceanographic Establishment Discovery Heart is each youngster and adult-friendly.
To indicate 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 likely one of 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 wherever that gives recent seafood is probably going good. For a bona fide expertise, cease by one of many native markets and have a seafood feast at residence or on the seaside! Chatham Pier Fish Market, Mac’s Seafood, and Falmouth Fish Market carry solely the very best so all you might have to do is put together it!
Massachusetts, and particularly Cape Cod, is answerable for most cranberry manufacturing. There are bathroom excursions situated all through the Cape in order for you to be taught extra or see the harvesting first hand.
Due to this, you’ll discover cranberries in pastries, pies, and ice cream. One in all my favourite methods to embrace the cranberry is with First Crush Vineyard’s Cranberry Wine Slushie out there 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 clever: they’re positively stronger than they seem!
Eating places You Should Strive
For Breakfast
Pie within the Sky in Wooden’s Gap is an distinctive bakery and produces among the greatest pastries on the Cape. Get there early as a result of gadgets 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 may watch the Cessnas and Biplanes take off. If you need 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 all places you go. My favourite is 4 Seas in Centerville.
The retailer has been serving do-it-yourself ice cream since 1934. They’ve the respect of by chance creating “chip chocolate” ice cream: melted chocolate that solidifies when it hits the frozen ice cream.
Yum!
For Lunch or Dinner
The Uncooked Bar is situated within the Popponesset “Poppy” Market. I grew up spending my summer time 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 if you happen to’re in search of 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 moderen addition in Osterville however shortly has turn out to be 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 lot of eating places listed below are marketed for vacationers however this place is the true deal. Go for the clam chowder and recent seafood.
THE purple 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 Completely happy 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 another, The Membership is situated on Industrial Avenue and close to all of the motion. The restaurant has an amazing outside view, pleasant workers, and energetic inside (image neon pink partitions, illuminated dance ground, and reside band.)
Chatham shouldn’t be identified for its nightlife, however the native watering gap on Fundamental Avenue is the Chatham Squire which is the very best place for a beer, cup of chowder, and a few reside music.
Useful Suggestions
Don’t drive in case you are inside strolling or biking distance to the seaside. The heaps can refill shortly through the summer time and the parking charges will be as a lot as $30.
Test the Cape Cod On-line occasions calendar earlier than your journey. There are Cape Cod Baseball Leagues, farmers’ markets, group live shows, and festivals taking place on a regular basis!
You probably have time, a visit to Martha’s Winery or Nantucket ought to positively be in your to-do checklist! There are ferries that journey there from each Hyannis and Wooden’s Gap.