Experience the Charm: 23 Unforgettable Things to Do on Cape Cod
TABLE OF CONTENTS
From Vacation Rentals to Must-See Attractions
This is the most complete guide for things to do on Cape Cod in 2024. In other words, you don’t need to worry about reading out-of-date stuff.
Courtesy of Christopher Ryan via Unsplash
Why should you trust me to write a complete guide? Because I’ve been going to the Cape for over 40 years and not just for the summer!
Plus, I travel a lot and I really hate when I look for guides on new places I’m going and they only have some stuff, but not everything I need. So I put together everything you’ll need! With that, let’s get going!
Let’s start with where Cape Cod is. Cape Cod (or “the Cape” to locals) is a peninsula in southeastern Massachusetts. It’s divided from the rest of Massachusetts by the Cape Cod Canal and connected by the Bourne Bridge and the Sagamore Bridge.
The first question is always when should you visit the Cape. Summer is the obvious choice since the Cape is known for its beaches, ice cream, and clam rolls, i.e., being the quintessential summer vacation spot. If you visit in the summer you’ll have beautiful beach weather, but you’ll battle the crowds. My favorite time of year on the Cape is early fall and late spring/early summer. In June and September (my pick would be September because you get better weather), the crowds either haven’t arrived or have gone. You get beautiful weather in June and September, although better beach weather is more likely in early September. You’ll also miss the sometimes-stifling humidity July and August bring to the Cape. My favorite beach gets crowded in June and is empty in September (it’s lovely).
The Cape consists of 15 towns, some of which have villages. The towns are organized into four regions: the Upper Cape, Mid Cape, Lower Cape, and Outer Cape.
UPPER Cape
BOURNE
Bourne is one of the Cape's gateways, home to the Bourne Bridge. As the first town visitors encounter when they cross the Cape Cod Canal, Bourne instantly welcomes it with its iconic lighthouses, scenic coastal views, and historic windmill. Bourne runs along the Canal, where you can watch the boats (and the very occasional whale) ride through. Although Bourne is one of the easiest to access, it’s not one of the more popular towns for visitors. Bourne’s lack of popularity with visitors is because it’s quite far from the rest of the Cape and the beaches in Bourne aren’t as nice as the rest of the Cape.
FALMOUTH
Falmouth, in the southwestern corner of the Cape, is full of charm and beauty. The town is a mix of peaceful, tree-lined streets and exciting energy. Small shops with unique finds and gourmet restaurants that serve fresh, local food can be found throughout Falmouth. Falmouth also has some of the most beautiful beaches on the Cape and is a perfect spot for a Cape Cod vacation, although it is quite far from the rest of the Cape.
MASHPEE
Mashpee, located between Falmouth and Barnstable, is one of the most residential towns on the Cape. It’s also home to Mashpee Commons, where you’ll find a mix of local and chain stores and restaurants. Mashpee has beautiful beaches along the ocean and quiet ponds nestled behind trees, perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking.
SANDWICH
Sandwich, located in the northwestern corner of the Cape, is a gem on Cape Cod. It's a place where history comes alive, with old houses that whisper tales of the past. You can stroll along peaceful beaches with the sand under your feet and enjoy the mix of quiet, tree-lined streets and lively energy. It's a perfect spot for a Cape Cod adventure.
Mid-Cape
BARNSTABLE
Barnstable is one of the largest towns on the Cape and has seven smaller villages. Barnstable has a diverse feel from a quaint, picturesque village in Centerville to the bustling Hyannis. Barnstable is popular with visitors because of its picturesque beaches, the charm of Hyannisport, and the convenience of having the commercial areas of Routes 28 and 132 nearby. You may only see some of the quintessential Cape charm in Hyannis because it has such a large commercial area. But don’t rule Barnstable out, the six other villages are idyllic Cape retreats, with the convenience of being near Hyannis’s commercial neighborhood.
Courtesy of Logan Hughes via Unsplash
DENNIS
Dennis is in the middle of the Cape, making it a convenient base for any trip to the Cape. Dennis is full of quiet neighborhoods and quaint shops along Cape Cod Bay. Dennis’s commercial hub is closer to the Nantucket Sound. There is plenty to keep you busy if you don’t want to wander far during your trip. Dennis has ample beaches, access to the Rail Trail, and the Cape Playhouse.
YARMOUTH
Yarmouth is a lovely spot on Cape Cod. It's home to the unique Whydah Pirate Museum, the only place on the Cape where you can see pirate treasure. Yarmouth has beautiful sandy beaches and small, unique shops. Like Dennis, Yarmouth has peaceful, tree-lined streets and exciting, vibrant energy.
Lower CAPE
BREWSTER
Brewster, Massachusetts is a charming spot on Cape Cod, known for its relaxed atmosphere and natural beauty. Like other Cape towns, Brewster is home to stunning beaches, but it stands out with its tidal flats. Brewster’s tidal flats are the largest in North America. You can walk miles on the exposed seafloor at low tide, a truly unique experience. Brewster offers a vibrant art scene with its many galleries and studios, something that art lovers will surely appreciate.
Courtesy Omri Cohen via Unsplash
CHATHAM
Chatham is a captivating town on Cape Cod with a lot to offer. It's home to the Chatham Lighthouse, a historic landmark with a stunning ocean view. Like most of the Cape, Chatham has beautiful beaches, like Lighthouse Beach, where you can relax and soak up the sun. But what sets Chatham apart is its vibrant downtown area, full of unique shops and delicious local restaurants. For example, you can visit the Chatham Candy Manor for sweet treats or dine at the Impudent Oyster for fresh seafood.
HARWICH
Harwich is a charming destination in the middle of the Cape, making it a convenient base for any visit. Harwich has three freshwater ponds, perfect for swimming and boating. Harwich is also home to the Cape Cod Lavender Farm, a unique attraction you won't find anywhere else on the Cape. You can take a ferry to Nantucket from Harwich, or enjoy the shops and restaurants on its Main Street.
OUTER Cape
EASTHAM
Eastham is known for its quiet charm and natural beauty. Eastham is known as the "Gateway to the National Seashore." The Cape Cod National Seashore has some of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Eastham is more residential, without a concentrated commercial or main street area. Eastham is close to Provincetown, which is only a 30-minute drive.
ORLEANS
Orleans is a special spot on Cape Cod. During low tide at Skaket Beach, the water recedes for miles, letting you walk into the bay. This is a sight you’ll only see in a few other places. Orleans is also home to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a bike path that runs through several Cape towns, giving you a fun way to explore the area. Orleans has a charming downtown area with shops and restaurants. For example, you'll find local gem Cottage Street Bakery, renowned for its dirt bomb pastries, a must-try when you visit.
Courtesy of Taylor Rooney via Unsplash
PROVINCETOWN
Known as Ptown to locals, Provincetown sits at the very end of the Cape. It’s where the Pilgrims first landed (five weeks before they arrived in Plymouth). Ptown has stunning beaches and a lively downtown area. It has the fun nightlife of Hyannis and Falmouth, without the commercial feel. You’ll find quaint shops and quiet residential neighborhoods within a short walking distance to each other.
TRURO
Truro is the quietest of the Cape towns. Home to the Cape Cod National Seashore, Truro offers miles of pristine, protected beaches. You can explore Highland Light, a working lighthouse, or Truro Vineyards, for their local wine.
WELLFLEET
When visiting Wellfleet you can’t miss the Wellfleet Drive-in, which is exactly what you think of when you hear of a drive-in. Wellfleet has some of the world’s best oysters, which are celebrated during the annual Wellfleet Oysterfest.
Courtesy of Omri D Cohen via Unsplash
The Cape has many accommodation options, from quaint inns and bed and breakfasts to vacation home rentals and hotels.
Vacation Rentals on Cape Cod
You can find vacation rentals in every part of Cape Cod. There are too many options to list out in a blog post, but according to Conde Nast Traveler, here are the 15 best:
Modern Fireplaced Carriage House with a Beach Permit
This studio-style Airbnb is located in Barnstable and comes with a coveted beach permit, which allows holders to visit resident-only beaches within Barnstable. The Airbnb comes with a king-size bed and kitchenette.
Bayshore 9 Waterfront Renovated Condo with Parking
This one-bedroom waterfront condo has 180-degree views of Provincetown Bay. You can watch the sunset from your private balcony, or walk to the shops and restaurants
Luxe Waterfront Getaway - 1 Mile to Ferry & Beach!
This 4-bedroom house has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a pond. You can walk to the ferries, the restaurants along the Hyannis Harbor, or Hyannis’s Main Street.
Renovated Chatham Windmill! Walk to Beach/Town!
Enjoy your visit with a stay in a renovated windmill. You can enjoy water views and walk to Oyster Pond Beach and Chatham’s Main Street.
A 2-bedroom home in Eastham with a private path to Nauset Beach.
The front door to this cottage opens to stairs to the beach, where you can see farmers collecting clams and oysters at low tide.
A Seaside Retreat in West Falmouth
This 3-bedroom home is located on the Shining Sea Bikepath, giving you easy access to Woods Hole.
Quintessential Waterfront Historic Cottage
Stay in this quintessential cottage on a quiet pond in Sandwich. You have a short walk to the village center and the beach is less than a mile away.
E. Sandwich Cottage. Dog's OK, Restaurants, Beach
No need to leave your puppers behind if you want to stay in this East Sandwich cottage. Plus you’re only a short drive from several beaches and have access to a seasonal pool.
Beautiful Serene Lakefront home in Sandwich, Cape Cod
This 4-bedroom home sits on a lake in Sandwich. It has easy access to the shops in Mashpee and Hyannis.
Ideal Beach House, Waterfront on Barnstable Harbor
This 5-bedroom home sits on Barnstable Harbor and has private beach access from the back door.
Updated 4BR/Furnished, Yarmouth Home w/ Deck, Heated Pool & Hot tub
This 4-bedroom home has an expansive backyard with a heated pool and is close to local beaches, restaurants, and shopping.
Walk to the Beach from a Family-Friendly Home in Chatham
This 3-bedroom home is in a quiet, ocean-side neighborhood. It’s a 10-minute walk to the beach and only two miles to Chatham Village.
This 5-bedroom home gives you access to three exclusive member’s clubs in North Chatham.
Featured in Condé Nast Traveler! The Farmhouse
This townhouse is in downtown Provincetown and has two balconies and two parking spaces.
Hotels and Inns
If you would rather stay in a hotel or inn than a vacation rental, here are a few to choose from.
Courtesy Nik Lanus via Unsplash
The Chatham Bars Inn is consistently voted one of the best hotels on Cape Cod.
The Cape Codder is perfect for families with children. The indoor water park will keep everyone happy, even on rainy days.
This is one of the more unique places to stay on the Cape. You can try out glamping or rent an Airstream.
Wequassett has a golf course, tennis courts, boat rentals, fishing charters, and a children’s center.
Located at the ends of Route 6 and the Old King’s Highway, this historic beachfront hotel features murals of Provincetown’s past and views of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Courtesy of Katherine Hanlon via Unsplash
If you’re heading to the Cape you’ll want to head to the beach. Which beach you visit will largely depend on where you stay, but if you’re looking to branch out or haven’t figured out where to stay, here are a few of my favorite beaches on the Cape.
Craigville Beach
Craigville Beach is in Centerville and is my absolute favorite beach. It can get busy and parking fills up, so arrive early or plan to bike or walk.
Long Beach
Just down the street from Craigville Beach, Long Beach is Craigville’s quieter neighbor. There is VERY limited parking, so plan to walk or bike to Long Beach.
Marconi Beach
One of the Cape’s most well-known beaches, Marconi Beach is part of the National Seashore in Wellfleet. It’s backed by sand dunes and has consistent waves for surfing.
Mayflower Beach
Mayflower Beach is absolutely stunning. You can walk for miles at low tide, making it a great place to watch the sunset. Located in Dennis, Mayflower Beach is convenient to most towns on the Cape.
Race Point Beach
Race Point Beach is a great place for surfers, but inexperienced swimmers should use caution in the water.
Beach not your thing? Or just need a break from the beach and looking for other outdoor activities? Don’t worry, the Cape won’t disappoint.
Courtesy of Christopher Ryan via Unsplash
Yup, it’s an old-fashioned drive-in. They have two movies each night. You pay once and can stay for both of them.
The Cape Cod Baseball League is enormously popular. The Cape Cod Baseball League has a tradition of hosting the best college players, a lot of whom go on to play professionally. It’s a great chance to watch great baseball and see tomorrow’s stars.
Mini Golf
Of course, there’s mini golf on the Cape! No matter where you stay there’s likely to be mini golf near you, but here’s a list of a few places:
Steve and Sue’s in Hyannis: note they also have soft serve ice cream and are cash only
Shining Sea Bike Path
The Shining Sea bike path runs from North Falmouth down to Woods Hole. It runs along the beach in places and through quiet woods in other places. It’s a lovely place for a bike ride or a walk.
The Rail Trail
The Rail Trail is a 25-mile long trail that runs through six Cape towns. It runs from South Dennis to Wellfleet. You can park for free at:
Stations Ave in South Yarmouth,
Route 134 in South Dennis,
Headwaters Drive in Harwich,
Route 137 in Brewster,
Orleans Center,
Salt Pond Visitors Center in Eastham,
National Seashore at Marconi Area, and
LeCount Hollow Road in Wellfleet.
The Heritage Gardens sit on 100 acres of gardens and nature trails in Sandwich. They have nine gardens and lots of activities for kids.
Golf
Like the beaches, there are plenty of golf courses on the Cape. A number of them are private, but I’ve listed the public courses here.
Sadly, it does rain on the Cape. The Cape is largely centered on beach tourism, but there are a number of options to keep everyone occupied during rainy days. A lot of these places can get crowded on rainy days, so I suggest going early.
Movie theaters
There are a few things you need to try to make your vacation a truly Cape vacation.
Clam roll
Clam rolls are my favorite summer food. They’re best served with a side of coleslaw (but it has to be good coleslaw). My favorite spots for a clam roll (in no particular order) are:
Baxter’s in Hyannis Harbor
Osterville Fish in Osterville for take-out
Osterville Fish Too in Barnstable
Lobster roll
I like lobster rolls. They aren’t my favorite summer food, but they’re up there. One summer we decided to try all the great spots for lobster rolls and pick our favorite. We weren’t able to pick a favorite, but my top two are:
Spanky’s Clam Shack in Hyannis Harbor
Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis (FYI, they’re cash only)
Ice Cream
What is a summer vacation (or a fall vacation) without ice cream? The best ice cream on Cape Cod is fiercely debated, even within my family. I grew up on Four Seas and I am loyal and I still think it’s the best ice cream on Cape Cod. Some think Polar Cave is better and some think Sundae School is the best. I’ve tried both of those and still think Four Seas is better. You can google the best ice cream on Cape Cod and come up with other options, but they shouldn’t even be in the running. Try these three places for the top three.
And that’s your complete guide to Cape Cod! Enjoy your vacation! Heading out on vacation? Here are some tips to make sure you come home to a clean apartment!
If you come up with any spots you love on the Cape, drop them in the comments!