amiranachman

The best of Boston coast and cape code in a week . We are planning to fly to Boston and from there enjoy some of the highlights of Boston area and cape code. Would like to include Martha Vinyard and Nantucket if possible. What is the best itinerary? I have lookes in some travel books and I am very confused.

Thank you,

Amira

emalloy

For less in the way of crowds and traffic do the Boston touring on the weekends and Cape Cod mid week. There are several threads here on touring Boston. On the cape, ferries run from Hyanis, Falmouth and Woods Hole to the islands. What time of year are you going on your trip? What do you want to do: swimming, sunbathing, shopping, history, fine dining? Check some of the other threads using the search box.

Jaya

Here is a recent Fodor's thread on Boston (thanks to YK). Further, what kind of things do you like to do? Museums, shopping, restuarants, history? I will help us direct you to specific things.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rroundings.cfm

irishswampyankee

Well, just to start - The Vineyard and Nantucket are 1 day each for quick tours because you'll spend hours on the boat, esp to Nantucket. If you were planning to take a car and don't have reservations for the ferry, forget it. You can walk on with not many probs unless you go on a weekend or holiday. You can take local tours on the islands or rent bikes. Having said that, driving through the Cape doesn't offer great scenery from the main roads. You may want to figure out which area interests you and use that as a base. Chatham is a good central location although not that convenient to the island ferries. If you like history, the Freedom Trail sights in Boston can be done in a day. In addition, there are museums, duck and trolley tours. Hotel reservations should be made ASAP for both Boston and the Cape so my suggestion is you do some more research and figure out where your interests lie. IMO, Boston, the Cape, Nantucket and the Vineyard is pretty ambitious for 1 week.

capecodshanty

The best and easiest thing for you to do, is decide where you would like to be on the Cape- Upper Cape, Mid-Cape, Lower Cape or Outer Cape. You can search Cape Cod on these forums, and will fine much to describe many of the villages.Go to Boston.com, Travel, Cape Cod, and you will find more information on the various areas of the Cape. Decide if you wish to do either M.V. or Nantucket. You only have a week!
It is crpwded on the Cape during the summer, so make sure you have a place to stay in the area you wish to explore. The Cape is a large place, with much to do.Coose you base, and go from there.

amiranachman

We like fishing villages, coastal scenary,walking,shoppingwhale watching fine dining and history. I understand that my plan is ambitiouse. This is why I need your help. What itinirary should I look into to omitt traffic and have the most enjoyable trip in July or August?

Thank you,

Amira

amiranachman

We like fishing villages, coastal scenary,walking,shopping,fine dining and history. I understand that my plan is ambitiouse. This is why I need your help. What itinirary should I look into to omitt traffic and have the most enjoyable trip in July or August?

Thank you,

Amira

Jaya

Getting around Boston is easy with public transportation - the MBTA - or locally called "The T". If the weather is pleasant, many areas are nice to walk around.

Boston popular spots:
-Faneuil Hall (Historic building with food and shopping)
-The North End (Italian neighborhood with amazing restuarants)
-Copley Place/Prudential Center (Upscale shopping mall)
-Freedom Trail (walking tour of historical Boston)
-Duck Boat Tours (land and water tour of Boston - see the sights of Boston and learn the history without having to drive yourself).

Also look at the link I posted above and see if anything there strikes your interest.

Also, cross the Charles River and explore Cambridge too (MIT and Harvard are there). Lots of shops and eating places.

minnehappylis

I HIGHLY recommend walking the Freedom Trail. You will want to stop along the way at the various sights.The North End is full of great neighborhoods and restaurants. Faueuil Hall is neat to see from a historic standpoint but i felt the shopping was mostly standard tourist fare. The Freedom Trail took us two days of touring to complete. You said you like history so I am sure you would enjoy it. We enjoyed meals at Hamersley's Bistro and The Barking Crab. (the first is lovely, the second is like a seafood picnic on the wharf) Have fun!!!!

amiranachman

Thank you for your comments you have been very helpful. Any recommedation for accomodation in midcap?

Thanks,

Amira

tmagyari

Fort Hill B & B in Eastham is a really wonderful central location. We saw this establishment last summer when touring the Penniman House. Amazing view. From Fort Hill you are a stone's throw from the National Seashore (which has various history hikes/tours on a daily basis), First Encounter Beach, and a reasonable drive out to Provincetown for whale watching and down the cape to the ferries.

http://www.forthillbedandbreakfast.com/rates.html#terms

There are other B and B's on the town coves of Eastham and Orleans that you also might enjoy. Personally we like staying above the Orleans traffic circle as its less developed.

I'd encourage you to book a reservation ASAP--many places on the cape will be completely booked for July and August by now. If the B and B's are full, or you prefer a motel, we've also stayed at the Eagle Wing Guest Motel on Rt. 6 in Orleans--each room is quite large for a motel, has a small patio out back, kitchenettes, breakfast included, free wi-fi, just north of the Orleans traffic circle: www.eaglewingmotel.com. Owners are very helpful about local arrangements.

tmagyari

http://www.oldetavernmotel.com

Haven't stayed here but there are great reviews for this motel on tripadvisor, also in Orleans.

moraben

Wow, you are ambitious. You could spend an entire summer on the Cape and not see it all. If all you have is a few days, go mid-week, like others are advising, and chop off Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. There are so many quaint places on the Cape itself that you don't have to spend $$ and time on the islands. There are many B & B's that are wonderful, I like tmagyari's recommendation for the Eastham location. You can do P-town from there (many colorful characters and beautiful beaches and dunes) and also all the Rte. 6A (the quiet side of the Cape) shops and explorations. The beaches in Dennis (on the 6A side of the Cape) are breathtaking. I hate tourists so I always go to the 6A side. I love the whale watches that go out of either P-town or Barnstable Village. There is a fabulous restaurant in Barnstable Village called the Dolphin....lots of locals and great seafood. Mid cape is perfect of going in either direction. Avoid Rte. 28, traffic sits forever if you don't know the back roads. Get a good AAA map of the Cape and you can figure out alternative routes. Be less ambitious and you will enjoy Boston and the Cape more. Do the Freedom Trail in Boston, eat at any restaurant in the North End and poke around there for wonderful history and neighborhoods filled with character. You can't get lost. Eat at Giacomos for the best Italian food ever, and cheap prices, but long lines. Get there at opening.....5 PM....no reservations. Walk around Beacon Hill and the South End. Enjoy! I love Boston and the Cape and have lived here my whole life.