There’s extra to Cape Cod than sea and sand. Among the coolest issues to do on the long-lasting Massachusetts “arm” happen off the seashore.
Get out on the water for implausible wildlife watching; indulge within the area’s best seafood and hottest nightlife; store until you drop within the artwork galleries and vintage retailers; discover the distinctive landscapes and lovely gardens that bedeck the Cape.
From enjoyable within the solar to vibrant cities to sudden adventures, listed below are the perfect issues to do in Cape Cod.
Cease and odor the flowers at Heritage Gardens
There’s all the time one thing blooming at Heritage Museum & Gardens — 100 acres of landscaped gardens and strolling trails in Sandwich. Could and June are one thing particular, when the Dexter Rhododendron Backyard bursts into magnificence, whereas the Hydrangea Show Backyard lights up from July to September with 1000’s of blossoms.
Moreover the flowers, there’s an vintage automobile assortment, a beautiful (working!) classic carousel and a enjoyable outside play space for youths, making this place considered one of Cape Cod’s greatest locations for households.
Eat at a beachfront seafood shack
Whether or not it’s fried clams or lobster rolls, contemporary seafood tastes greatest when consumed at a picnic desk overlooking the water. That is the place you may breathe the salty air, stare upon expansive vistas and savor the ocean’s bounty. A few of my favourite seaside seafood shacks are the Beachcomber at Cahoon Hole Seaside and the Sesuit Harbor Café in Dennis.
Frolic in Cape Cod Bay at low tide
When the tide goes out, Cape Cod Bay turns into an expansive, ever-changing interaction of daylight, sea and sand. The scene is otherworldly and unexpectedly attractive.
Now, the seashore is now not for swimming, however reasonably for sandcastle constructing, hermit crab looking and perhaps some frisbee throwing – a Cape Cod must-do for households with children of all ages. The west-facing bayside seashores are additionally prime spots for sundown watching, particularly Mayflower Seaside in Dennis and Level of Rocks in Brewster.
Store for antiques on Previous King’s Freeway
Between Bourne and Orleans, Route 6A is named the Previous King’s Freeway – what was the primary east–west thoroughfare alongside Cape Cod. This can be a pleasant drive, with white picket fences framing flower-filled gardens and stately outdated properties.
The most important focus of historic properties is in Yarmouthport, the place almost 50 sea captains’ homes are lined up alongside Essential St, aka Captains’ Mile. Vintage retailers are sprinkled all alongside the Previous King’s Freeway: cease to browse and also you’ll certainly come house with some treasure.
Watch the “stars of tomorrow” hit one out of the ballpark
When you like baseball, you may love the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of many nation’s oldest and most prestigious collegiate baseball leagues. That is world-class baseball – greater than a thousand gamers have gone on to the most important leagues – with out the commercialism and massive worth tags. The truth is, admission is free! A Cape Cod custom since 1885, this baseball league is a enjoyable all-American summertime exercise and a singular factor to do in Cape Cod.
Hike the paths at Sandy Neck
In Barnstable, Sandy Neck is a 6.5-mile lengthy barrier seashore fronting Cape Cod Bay, with miles of mountaineering trails meandering among the many undulating dunes, salt marshes and maritime forests.
Go strolling within the early morning or late night for the perfect probability to identify wildlife like crimson foxes and shorebirds. Don’t skip the post-hike cease on the Snack Shack for fried clams or an ice-cream deal with: you earned it.
Spy on seals in Chatham
It’s commonplace to glimpse a candy whiskered face peeking out of the ocean close to Cape Cod — house to some 50,000 grey and harbor seals. If you wish to make sure, take a ship journey out to Monomoy Islands, the place you’ll see them bobbing within the water and hauling out on the seashore.
Throughout mating season (particularly September and October), the sheer variety of our bodies is superb: the lengthy slender seashore is filled with lots of of seals piled on high of one another, like anchovies in a tin. You may normally additionally spot seals from the remark deck at Chatham Fish Pier (which can be a implausible place for a lobster roll lunch).
Cycle the Cape Cod Rail Path
There are various implausible bike trails up and down the Cape, however the queen of all of them is the Cape Cod Rail Path – 25-plus miles of flat, paved, scenic, off-road using. The path stretches from South Yarmouth to Wellfleet, traversing forests and farms, kettle ponds, cranberry bogs and salt marshes. The previous couple of miles run parallel to the Nationwide Seashore, permitting a straightforward facet journey to the seashore for a dip to chill off.
Paddle round Nauset Marsh
With calm waters and prolific wildlife, Nauset Marsh is Cape Cod’s greatest kayaking vacation spot (particularly for novices). Amid the scenic salt marsh, keen-eyed paddlers would possibly spot seals and otters, along with the wealthy chicken life. Lengthen your journey into Salt Pond Bay and even out to Coast Guard Seaside to get a style of various ecosystems and more difficult situations.
Watch a film on the Wellfleet Drive-In
After an exhilarating day of surf, sand and seafood, when the sky begins to darken, motor over to the Wellfleet Drive-In: it’s time to sit down again and luxuriate in a double function. The know-how and the flicks are up-to-date, however the drive-in expertise is straight out of 1957. A playground and mini golf maintain the kiddies entertained between flicks.
Browse the galleries on Provincetown’s Business Avenue
Wander down the primary drag in Provincetown for the Cape’s greatest window procuring, gallery hopping and people-watching. Whether or not you’re available in the market for a humorous t-shirt, an idyllic seascape or an erotic sculpture, you’ll discover it on the market on Business Avenue. Once you want a break, Aqua Bar is the right perch to sip a cool cocktail and watch the solar set into Provincetown Harbor.
Get down with the LGBTIQ+ vibe in Provincetown
Relating to being out and proud, Provincetown wins. The flamboyant road scenes and unbridled nightlife make this the liveliest city in Cape Cod and the most popular LGBTIQ+ vacation spot within the northeast. To get a style of it, attend the afternoon Tea Dance on the Boatslip, catch a drag present on the Crown & Anchor or finish the night time at A-Home.
Slurp oysters on the half-shell
The candy scent, the salty style, the graceful texture and ice-cold temperature, the tantalizing sound of the slurp… consuming uncooked oysters is an undeniably sensual expertise that embodies the whole ocean in a single chew.
And Cape Cod is among the greatest locations on the east coast to expertise it, because of the celebrated merroir of Cape Cod Bay. Order a dozen and slurp them down on the Bare Oyster in Hyannis or Mac’s Shack in Wellfleet.
Play golf on the seaside Highland Hyperlinks
Based in 1892, that is considered one of Cape Cod’s oldest and most scenic golf programs, laid out on bluffs overlooking the Truro shoreline. The distinctive course and lovely setting make Highland Links among the best locations to play golf in Cape Cod. The nine-hole course is a standard links-style course, with pure tough, coarse grasses and spectacular surroundings, capped off by the picturesque Highland Lighthouse.
Look ahead to whales and dolphins at Stellwagen Financial institution
There’s nothing like the joys of seeing an imposing whale launch its large physique out of the water and into the air, or flip its tail as if greeting its followers.
These kind of sightings are (nearly) assured on a cruise to Stellwagen Financial institution, a nationwide marine sanctuary that is among the world’s richest feeding grounds for marine mammals and birds. Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch cruises depart from Provincetown.
Discover the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore by bike or truck
Stretching alongside the outer fringe of the Outer Cape, the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore is 40 miles of paradise – pristine seashores, sand dunes, pine forests and kettle ponds, with just a few lighthouses for impact.
It’s unattainable to see it multi function go to, however the Province Lands bike path presents a wonderful sampler alongside the surprisingly rigorous 5.45-mile loop — one of many high issues to do on Cape Cod. Finish your trip at wild and wonderfulRace Level Seaside to chill off within the waves.
The formidable sandscape of the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore can be accessible by 4WD (with a allow). When you don’t have the proper car, the educated guides at Artwork’s Dune Excursions showcase the historical past and geology of this place – all within the consolation of an all-terrain suburban – an informative tour and a singular Cape Cod exercise.
Go to the seashore (clearly)
That is what you got here for, proper? It doesn’t matter what your sport – swimming, sunbathing and even browsing – Cape Cod has an ideal seashore for you. The summer time is good for solar and enjoyable. Within the low season, the crowds disperse, creating preferrred situations for beachcombing, wildlife watching and romantic rendezvous.
Even in winter, the spectacular seascape and altering surroundings beckon for lengthy walks on the seashore (ideally adopted by sizzling chocolate). Irrespective of if you go to Cape Cod, life’s a seashore. Correctly.
