Discovering Cape Cod Vacations
I've compiled this resource to answer your questions on planning Cape Cod Vacations. You'll discover where to go, what to see, and where to stay.
I've been taking Cape Cod vacations since 1981 and I want to grow old taking them.
You see, from my first steps onto this peninsula I've felt at home and in harmony with the Cape and never tire of its seasons and hidden delights. For two wonderful years I lived in Orleans and discovered the Cape Cod that most tourists miss and that I'll share with you here.
Though justly famous for its white sand beaches and scenic dunes, the Cape also has hikes, swamps, marshes, kettle ponds, and bogs. And there's no better way of seeing the Cape than on a bike traveling the miles of paved paths, or taking to foot and exploring the nature trails that showcase the diversity that makes Cape Cod the jewel of New England.
Cape Cod vacations are a chance to explore a geological wonder, a historical kaleidoscope, and a fragile and ever-shifting environment - but more than all these - it's a gift for you to discover and enjoy.
The door is open so why not step inside and discover the Cape with me.
And like the best cape antique shops, browsing this page is definitely encouraged.
Table of Contents
- Scenes from Cape Cod Vacations
- What is Cape Cod and What's with the Name?
- My Favorite Resources for the History of Cape Cod
- My Favorite Beaches of Cape Cod
- Weather Forecast for Cape Cod
- Cape Cod Destinations and Attractions
- Vote for Your Favorite Thing to Do on Cape Cod Vacations
- Cape Cod Captured in Movies
- Getting to Your Cape Cod Vacation
- Where to stay on your Cape Cod Vacation
- Cape Cod National Seashore
- My Favorite Guides and Resources on Cape Cod
- Destinations and Happenings from Around New England and Cape Cod
- Cape Cod Souvenirs and Collectibles
- More Massachusetts Resources:
Scenes from Cape Cod Vacations
Cape Cod is one of the most popular vacation spots in the United States, always appearing in the Top Ten for destinations and reader choice polls. And here's the reason why ...
Click any of the thumbnails to see a full size image and learn more more about the talented photographers who took these Photos of Cape Cod.
..
..
What is Cape Cod and What's with the Name?
20,000 years in 40 seconds...
But to understand the Cape Cod of today you've got to go back to the last great glacial age - a mere 20,000 years ago. The area represented the southern extreme of the glaciers and the constant retreating and advancing action of the glacial flows deposited sediment which accumulated.
This vast amount of sediment was the raw material that the ocean current and wind, ground down to the amazing white sand that is Cape Cod today.
The cold Atlantic and great sand banks in the vicinity attract a rich supply of fish and whales that didn't go unnoticed by early European explorers and fishermen, and it was the plentiful supply of cod fish in the area that most agree was the basis for naming the peninsular Cape Cod.
Though hard to imagine now, once there were forests when the pilgrims first landed. But by the 1850's, when Thoreau took his famous treks along the outer cape and coined the phrase the Great Beach of Cape Cod for the outer beaches, the trees were mostly gone - all used for building and firewood.
All that remains today of these forests are the familiar stunted pitch pine. But the sand and dunes remain.
My Favorite Resources for the History of Cape Cod
Cape Cod Companion: The History and Mystery of Old Cape Cod
This is a book of already published essays about shipwrecks, lighthouses, the towns of the cape and the history of settlement. Full of interesting facts and places to visit, this is a perfect book to take on your Cape Cod vacation with you.
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/03/2008) 
Usually ships in 9 to 11 days
The Outermost House: A Year of Life On The Great Beach of Cape Cod
Henry Beston's timeless classic and subtitled "A Year of Life on the Great Beach of Cape Cod." Beston transports you to a Cape Cod of dunes and ocean, lighthouses, and nature sounds - written during the year he spent in 1926 in the house destroyed by the great storm of 1978.
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 12/03/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Cape Cod
Henry David Thoreau's masterpiece of life on Cape Cod a century and a half ago, just at the dawn of the Cape being discovered. It's an authentic and unsentimental account of his journeys and the landscape and peoples he met. Cape Cod is a compilation of four essays Thoreau wrote on his trips to the Cape.
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
My Favorite Beaches of Cape Cod
and this is just a few of hundreds...
Seriously, the Cape has many of the best beaches on the east coast - there are about 115 public beaches including the National Seashore beaches.
The ocean side beaches of the National Seashore are spectacular and popular with sunbathers and beach walkers, however, many have dangerous undertows and so be careful with small children, and the water can be refreshingly cool as well - that means... cold!
The Bay side beaches tend to be calmer and warmer, and offer safer swimming opportunities.
Instructions on using the map: I've noted the location of my favorite beaches on the map below and if you click the markers a bubble will appear with information on each and you can also get directions. The markers sometimes are mapped to the road the beach is on and appear to be not on the shoreline, but follow the road and believe me, you'll hit the beach!
These are personal choices and yes, I do favor the Outer Cape beaches for my own Cape Cod vacations, but you won't be disappointed with any one you choose.
Weather Forecast for Cape Cod
Hey, if you're heading to the beach better know what to expect. Find out with this weather widget.
Cape Cod Destinations and Attractions
Resources about what to see and what to do...
- Cape Cod Vacations Guide
- This resource covers a broader selection of destinations on the Cape in an article format. All the popular attractions are covered, including the Cape Cod National Seashore and it's history.
- Cape Cod National Seashore
- This is the official National Park Service Cape Cod National Seashore site and they've done a nice job making it informative with a healthy dose of nature and wildlife facts. Covers all the beaches with directions and parking fees.
- Cape Cod Bike Trails
- Biking on the Cape is a popular and favorite mode of getting around and enjoying the day. This site covers both paved paths and off-road (for the serious) trails. Also has an extensive listing of bike shops and rental places. All-in-all a solid resource.
- Lighthouses of Cape Cod
- At one point there were twenty lighthouses around Cape Cod. Now there are less but they remain a fascination and magnet for visitors every year. This site covers each remaining lighthouse together with its history and location.
- Martha's Vineyard
- Martha's Vineyard is a 45-minute ferry ride from Wood's Hole in Falmouth and worth a day trip if you can spare it. This resource will give you all the details on what to do and see there.
- Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II
- While it was at Provincetown the Pilgrims landed first in the New World after a few days they had headed across the Bay and settled in today Plymouth. The living museum at Plymouth and the replica Mayflower make another compelling day trip off cape. It's about 20 miles north of the Canal off Route 3. This resource gives you all the what to expect and do during your visit.
- Whale Watching around the Cape
- This resource contains information about whales and the types you see around the waters of Cape Cod, and lists the excursion boats with contact information. All the boats head out to Stellwagen Bank just off the tip of Provincetown.
- Art's Dune Tours
- Yeah, sounds fascinating doesn't it. As far as I know this is the only company authorized to take you on tours through the dunes around Provincelands. They also do sunset and clambake tours as well.
- Cape Cod Scenic Train
- Meandering along through cranberry bogs, kettle ponds, salt marshes, woodlands, and the Mid-Cape towns is the Cape Central Railroad scenic train. This is a favorite summer and fall trip running from Hyannis to Sandwich. This is the official site for information.
- Heritage Museum and Gardens
- Located in Sandwich, the Heritage Museum and Gardens features history and art museums, an impressive antique car collection, a windmill, and the Carousel. The gardens alone are worth the trip, but go in May when the Dexter Rhododendrons are in full display.This is the official site for the museum.
- New England Vacations Guide
- And just in case you're interested in knowing what else is in New England to go and visit then this resource covers the whole region including the lakes and mountains and coastline.
- New England Getaways
- This resource focuses on getaways and news from New England and covers Cape Cod.
Vote for Your Favorite Thing to Do on Cape Cod Vacations
and add yours...
So I'll start this off with my list of what I like to do when I'm on Cape Cod, and you get to vote on my list... and please add some of your own.
Cape Cod Captured in Movies
For when pictures are not enough...
These people went the extra mile to put together the sights and sounds of Cape Cod vacations and trips. Check them out and vote for your favorite...
Getting to Your Cape Cod Vacation
The gateway to New England and Cape Cod is Boston - it has the most flights and choice. Stay for a few nights and enjoy the City sights before driving your rental car the short 60 miles on Route 3 and over the Sagamore Bridge onto Route 6 and also known as the Mid-Cape Highway.
The Dunes of the Cape!
Where to stay on your Cape Cod Vacation
Hotel or B&B or Rental?
With a hotel you get the convenience of service and most have breakfast and a restaurant close by and cater for families. A B&B or Inn is a better choice for a romantic getaway or off-season vacation.
A rental home for a week gives you the ultimate freedom and is a popular choice for many families as many second homes are purchased on the cape with the purpose of renting them out during the summer months. The choice is limited though after Labor Day.
Here are some resource links to check out for each of the types of accommodation. Cape Cod is very popular and fills up quickly so book early:
- Cape Cod Hotels
- Here you'll find hotels in each of the Cape towns along with reviews by people just like you and me - that is people that have actually stayed in these places. Make sure you check them out before booking anything. Most of the family-oriented hotels are around the Dennis, Harwich and Yarmouth locations.
- Cape Cod B&B and Inns
- Here you'll find Bed and Breakfasts and Inns to check out. If you're a large family with children under 12, you should ensure this accommodation will work for you. While these are great for small families or couples or getaways I don't recommend them for high-energy kids. But for that off-season vacation you can't beat them.
- Cape Cod Cabins Cottages and Campgrounds
- As you travel along the cape highways and main roads you'll discover that staying in cabins and cottages is popular. These are collections of small buildings with one or two rooms that provide very reasonable rates but with no frills. The Cape is also popular with the tent camping and RV crowd, so if this is you you'll be welcome on the cape. As before check out the options and reviews at this link before you part with any money.
- Cape Cod Vacation Rentals
- This resource is the largest one I could find covering all the towns of Cape Cod and it has an easy-to-use map to help pinpoint the area that interest you. There are no reviews on this site but my advice is to call and talk with the property owner directly rather than just the realtor. I'm biased towards Orleans for a rental, or out towards Eastham, Wellfleet or Truro. But as always your budget will be a major part of the decision.
Cape Cod National Seashore
Photographs and Text to Rember her by
Cape Cod National Seashore (New England Landmarks.)
Amazon Price: $12.11 (as of 12/03/2008)
This is one of those books that mixes beautiful photographs and snippets of text and quotes from people. Andrew Borsari supplies the photographs and Amy Whorf McGuiggan pulled the text snippets together.
Here you'll find the Cape in winter when the huge storms redistribute the sand and reshape the land for the next summer. A summer in pictures of places where the warm sun of a vacation can be escaped behind the dunes and sand cliffs or where you can take endless walks in solitude.
If you love the Cape and the seashore then add this to your bookshelf and browse and remember this special place in New England on your own time and conditions.
My Favorite Guides and Resources on Cape Cod
Fodor's Cape Cod, Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides)
Another in the Fodor's Gold Guide series, and packed with information compiled by local writers. The Fodor guides tend to be updated frequently so they are mostly current - mine is a little dated but still valid.
Amazon Price: $13.46 (as of 12/03/2008)
Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket: An Explorer's Guide, Seventh Edition (Explorer's Guides)
Part of the Explorer's series and a new edition released in 2007. Kim Grant continues to bring her own traveler's eye to the Cape. What I love most about this book is that it gives "out of the normal" suggestions and then tells you how to go about doing them.
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 12/03/2008)
Destinations and Happenings from Around New England and Cape Cod
topic and timely news and events
Check out these daily updates for news, events, destinations and attraction ideas from the New England region.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCape Cod Souvenirs and Collectibles
some are fun, some are great deals, and some should never have been made...
This is a chance to browse in a Cape Cod antique store or the Wellfleet Flea Market (wow, try saying that fast five times) without actually going there. Like many stores you just never know that you may find. Good hunting.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by