One thing people unfamiliar with the Cape might not realize is that it's 500
square miles! There's no way you're going see it all in one day—so where should
you go and what you to do? Well, I'm going to tell you All About It!
Cape Cod is an arm-shaped peninsula with over 400 miles of coastline forming the
easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts.
Although Cape Cod was originally connected to the mainland, the Cape Cod
Canal transformed Cape Cod into a large island and to get to Cape Cod you must
cross one of two bridges. Cape Cod is actually made up of 15 distinct towns
divided into four areas. Those areas are known as the Upper Cape, including the
towns of Sandwich, Bourne, Mashpee, and Falmouth; the Middle Cape, and we refer to
it as the Mid-Cape, which includes the towns of Barnstable, Dennis, and Yarmouth;
the Lower Cape, including the towns of Brewster, Harwich, Chatham, and Orleans;
and the Outer Cape, which include the towns of Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and
Provincetown. Each of these areas and towns offer different experiences and
feels. Are you looking to shop on Main Street, maybe
take in a historical spot or two, maybe take a ferry to one of the islands for
the day? Then you might consider staying in the
Upper Cape. The towns of Sandwich, Bourne, Mashpee, and Falmouth are all on the
Upper Cape and are the first towns you reach when you come over the bridges. The
calm waters of the protected beaches in Bourne are a fantastic way to spend the
day. Then there's shopping on Main Street in Falmouth and perhaps a trip out to
Woods Hole to visit Nobska Light, or to catch a ferry to one of the Islands. The
town of Mashpee boasts a local shopping mecca: Mashpee Commons! There are
enough stores restaurants and activities here to keep you busy for quite some
time! And Sandwich, the oldest town on the Cape, is home to many historical sites
including the Sandwich Glass Museum, The Hoxie House, and the Old Mill. Also
found in Sandwich are a number of beautiful bayside beaches. If you're
looking for a good mix of family fun and activities take a look at the Mid-Cape.
The towns of Barnstable, Dennis, and Yarmouth offer many opportunities for
fun. From an inflatable park to the bike path,
and southside beaches and bayside beaches, there is plenty on the Mid-Cape
to keep you busy. Barnstable is home to several villages, one of them being Hyannis,
and perhaps the most popular village due to its Kennedy connections.
Visit the Kennedy Museum while in Hyannis or catch a show at the Melody
Tent. There are no bad seats at this small venue! And the Cape Cod Rail Trail,
with over 25 miles of bike trails, pass through the towns of Dennis and Yarmouth
on their way toward the Lower Cape. There are many opportunities to get off the
path to cool off at a local beach or at an ice cream shop. Off of Route 28 in
Yarmouth and Dennis you will find a ton of fun for the younger generation.
There's the Whydah Pirate Museum, a few mini-golf spots, and the inflatable park,
as well as a number of southfacing beaches on Nantucket Sound offering
waters full of playful surf, as well as bayside beaches with calm waters and
tidal pools left behind to explore when the tide goes out. In Dennis you will find
a thriving cultural center as well. Be sure to catch a show at the Cape
Playhouse and the Dennis Cinema. And don't forget to visit the Cape Cod Art
Museum, as well. Everyone knows there's no shortage of great beaches on Cape Cod
but if you're looking to visit both the bayside and the oceanside, head to the
Lower Cape. The towns of Brewster, Harwich, Chatham, and Orleans are packed
with amazing beaches. The town of Brewster has 10 bayside beaches. Make
sure to check out the flats at low tide— the miles of beach left behind are
perfect for beachcombers. If nature is your thing, be sure to visit the Museum
of Natural History, as well, where you can learn about the local natural life and
take one of our favorite hikes out to Wing Island.
Farther down Cape is the upscale, seaside town of Chatham. It is one of the spots
for great shopping. A walk down Main Street offers the opportunity to stop in
to many art galleries, iconic restaurants, and on Friday nights there is a band
concert—a true Cape Cod tradition. Another town center offering a number of
great restaurants and shopping is the town of Harwich Port. Be sure to take in
the gorgeous views of Whychmere Harbor on your way there. You'll also find an
incredible selection of south facing beaches in the town of Harwich. And
speaking of beaches, one of the most popular ones on the Lower Cape is Nauset
Beach and it can be found just down the road in the town of Orleans. This quiet
hub of the Lower Cape offers more great shopping, art galleries, and restaurants.
And finally, if you're looking for relaxing, but with a little bit of spice,
definitely check out the Outer Cape. The farther out you head, the more serene and
untouched you will find the Cape to be. Not only are there tons of beaches on
both the bayside and oceanside within short distance of each other, there are
incredible restaurants, most which have stood the test of time, having been
around for decades! In Eastham you will find world-renowned Coast Guard Beach
and Nauset Light Beach. These beaches are part of the many National Seashore
beaches that line the Outer Cape's oceanside. In Wellfleet you will find
fantastic art galleries and shopping in the town center, as well as the Wellfleet
Bay Wildlife Sanctuary offering extensive hiking trails. And don't miss a
starry evening taking in the movies at the Wellfleet Drive-In. It is the only
drive-in left standing on the Cape. The beauty and tranquility of the town of
Truro will definitely set your mind, and soul, at ease.
The rolling hills of the Truro Vineyards, and the gorgeous panorama seen from
Highland Light are something not to be missed. And then, my friends, the Cape ends
at my favourite town, the delightful, colorful town of Provincetown. The site
of the Mayflower's first landing, this town's history is rich and diverse. Once
a booming fishing village and artist colony, it is now considered a gay mecca
and offers many incredible restaurants, eclectic shopping, and gorgeous beaches.
So now you know all about the different areas of the Cape, but if you're coming
for a visit you're going need a place to stay . . . and I know where you can find one!
If you're ready to book your trip to the Cape and Islands and need to find the
perfect vacation rental, definitely visit our website, WeNeedaVacation.com. From
large to small, luxurious to modest, WeNeedaVacation.com offers many
options when it comes to vacation homes on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and
Nantucket. The best part of all? You get to communicate directly with the
homeowner and we don't charge booking fees! That's right, when you book a home
through our site, we will not charge you booking fees. Save your money for
something else, perhaps a ticket to a show at one of the Cape's many theaters
or a seafood feast and one of its many awesome restaurants. Sounds good to me! As
you can see the Cape has a lot going on, but now you know All About It!