Winkz40

Hello everyone! Well, I'm five weeks away from my trip to the Cape. I've done a lot of research, have purchased Kim Grant's guidebook amoung a few --have even read, "Cape Cod" by William Martin (I believe it was yellowbyrd's suggestion) and am starting to read "A Widow's War". I've had our 8 day itinerary all mapped out for months... but now that I'm so close, I have a few more questions.

Background: We'll be staying in Brewster the week of Sept 10th and have a car. I believe I have a good itinerary, but still have a few more questions.

Our 1st day will consist of traveling from Logan to the Cape. I'm going to save the Glass Museum in Sandwich as a "rainy day alternative" and instead head to Chatham (after checking into the inn). Question: I'd like to see the fishing boats come in as well as a sunset. I believe the "Fish Pier" is where we need to go from 2-4 pm -- but where we can watch the sunset? Is there a restaurant we can have dinner at while watching the sunset? Doesn't have to be in Chatham.

2nd Day will be in P-town. Aside from Whale Watchng, Arts Dunes Tours and Pilgrim Monument, is there another "must see"? I fear my motion-sickness is going to prevent me from boarding a boat or taking a dune tour. Also, I'd like to visit Truro on the way back to Brewster, can anyone recommend a good, informal restaurant or must see spot in Truro?

We are taking two day trips to Martha's Vineyard and renting a car on one of the two days in order to visit the back end ("up island"?) of the Vineyard; Aquinnah,Menemsha, etc. How long does it take to drive from the Ferry drop-off in Oak Bluffs to Aquinnah or Menemsha? During our second day-trip, we'll be taking public transportation to get to Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, etc... Any suggestions for a rainy day alternative on the island?

Lastly, any suggestions on keeping a travel journal?

Thanks again for all your help!
;-)

Gene

Drive north along route 28 from Chatham Village to the Wequasett Inn. Their 28 Atlantic restaurant overlooks Pleasant Bay. Although not facing West the view at sunset should still be magnificent.

A longer drive to the Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis will provide you with a sunset across Cape Cod Bay in a more casual outside atmosphere.

paulg

We just returned from Cape Cod and had one rainy day out of four. I can't say we found a better rainy day alternative than to swim in the motel's indoor pool, but that was absolutely fine with my kids.

As for the whale watching and dune tour, which we did both of, they are not bad at all. I don't know your level of motion sickness, but the dune tour is done in a large Suburban and they drive on a well established sand road. We enjoyed it, but with as much publicity as it gets, it's just OK in terms of an off-road or unique experience. If you've been to dune beaches or off-roading before, there's not too much special there. Although the sand is very nice to walk on and the dune shacks have a neat history. We probalby got lucky on the whale trip, but the water was glass smooth and you never felt any motion. Plus, for $30 we got to see about 10 humpbacks up close, including several mother-child pairs ... very much worth it.

escargot

How long does it take to drive from OB to Aquinnah- so you are renting a car in OB - and returning to MV the next day to do the rest of the island, is that right?

I will then assume you want, the day you have the car, to really explore - so while you could drive from OB to Aquinnah in probably 40 minutes I don't think yuo want to do that - I would assume you want to drive up one way and back the other - on the way up stopping at galleries, shops, Chilmark chocolates, Polly Arboretum, that type of thing - all the way up to the lighthouse - maybe eat at the top -great views - then walk down the trail and around on the beach and see the cliffs and views - then stop at Menemsha (unless you hit that on your way up) to see Menemsha harbor,etc - and all along making little stops perhaps Lamberts Cove area - or look on www.thetrustees.org for some nice short easy walks thru the woods and out to a beach -
drive back and head to South Beach side of island - farms, more great beach spots, etc - and into Edgartown adn take the On Time Ferry over to Chappy and see the Mytoi Gardens and maybe do a lighthouse tour if they are still operating.

You might want to check times/schedules since it sounds like this might be after Sept 6 -
I know the transit goes on a new scheudle usually around the 3rd.

Coming back the next day you could use the transit
-vineyardtransit.com - and go do the other things -

but I do wonder why you don't do them in one day - it would be a long day but you could do it unless you really want to hike or something -

If you ferried over early, got your car, drove into Vineyard Haven and walked thru the downtown (which will take all of an hour max unless you are wanting to shop in each store - VH is a very small main street - you might even do it in 20 minutes if you aren't a shopper -

then drive up , stop at any open galleries, or the arboretum, Menemsha ( which again, there are a handful of stores and a few food/ice cream places) - and onto Aquinnah by lunch - eat up by the lighthouse, maybe you'll be happy seeing the cliffs from there and don't need to walk the beach -

on the way back hit Edgartown (shopping) - if it interests you the ferry over to Chappy and the gardens, or straight from there into OB -
return the car - walk thru the campgrounds/gingerbread cottages/tabernacle -see the old carousel - have dinner at Sweet Life Cafe in the garden - and go back to the Cape,.....

this older thread might help you schedule your days on MV
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34692877

Rainy day alternatives on MV:
not many
there are very few inside things to do -
a movie, a nature center/lobster hatchery - things you can do in no time or on the mainland -

truthfully, I don't know that I would go on a rainy day - unless you area shopper and want to hit all the stores - there's better day trips for rainy days on the Cape -

when we have rainy days on MV, we tend to watch a movie, play cards and games, or eat out a long lunch !

Winkz40

Thanks everyone! I'm going to make a note of your suggestions while updating the travel binder (yes, it is that thick... LOL).

As for MV, I didn't want to feel rushed and spread the trip over two days. The day we have the rental car I want to take the tour of Cape Poge/Lighthouse, Mytoi Gardens also visit Chilimark Chocolates, see the cliffs Aquinnah, Menemsha, etc. I wanted to take my time to relax, hike a trial, etc.

I'll look into the publc transport itinerary, since we'll be there we week after Labor Day.

BTW... Where can I find a detailed road map for the Cape, MV and Nantucket?

Also, any suggestion on how to keep a travel journal? I'd like to post a trip report among other things.

Thanks!
;-)

capecodshanty

Rainly day alternative's on the the Cape. I honestly never, and I mean never, on a rainy day try to go to another town, village,or destination outside of the town I am staying in. Rt 6, is jammed- with everyone on a gray or rainy day deciding to do exactly what you have decided. If you are staying in Brewster, on a rainy day stay put!!! There is the wonderful Brewster Ladies Library with all kinds of activities. There are bookstores, who have local Cape authors coming in , story hours, lectures, tours of the Brewster Historical Society, tours Audubon conducts in the old cemetaries, antiquing along 8A in the town, the Drummer Boy Museum, in town, The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History- only two miles up the road. And the terric board games, puzzles, books to read, The conservation trails to explore, the flats at low tide- yes in the rain- the last thing I would do is travel afar! The Cape Codder, a weekly newspaper comes out on a Friday. Get a copy at the Brewster General Store, and read the many things going on in your town.
Learn about Brewster, before heading to Chatham. The best place to see the sunset is not on Nantucket Sound, but on Cape Cod bay, in the town you are in. Any beach- sit and be amazed. Bring a bottle of wine and a hunk of cheese and enjoy. You will have plenty of time for the fish pier, the lighthouse, and Shore Road in Chatham, and shopping,and it's magnificent homes on another day!
For dinner at sunset, Provincetown is the town with most restaurants on the water.Fanizzi's by the Sea, Betsy's on the Bay The Mews,Sal's Place, there are many. Go to the new Provincetown Library and see the to scale model of the Rose Dorothea, that won the Lipton Cup at the turn of the century.Walk the side streets and see the beauitul gardens.Truro, though lovely, has no village, but the most interesting ride is up the old Rt 6A, past the old Cape Cod cottages, right on the bay. Highland Light, and the Museum next door on the ocean side is open every day but Sunday, and it is fun to climb to the top and see the breathtaking views.
Wellfeet has an art gallery tour on Saturday nites, from 5-7, which is quite festive, with wine and goodies being served. Square dances for the entire family are held on Wed. nites. Free concerts on Tuesday's, and free Shakespeare on Mondays.
You will not have time to do all you would like- without going far afield!
Click on my name, if you'd like, and it will take you to other threads with more info.
Have fun!

capecodshanty

Just an update- today's Boston Globe has a great article on Brewster things to do and see. Go to Explore New England.com, and in the search column, put in Brewster.

Winkz40

Thanks, capecodshanty!

Thank you all for the great recomendations!

You guys are the best!!!
;-)