not to be missed
Jun 12th, 2011, 08:25 PM
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not to be missed
planning a nice trip to cape cod. If those of you who have been there list 2-3 places or things not to be missed, I will have a nice list to take on vacation. thanks
Jun 13th, 2011, 02:21 AM
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The National Seashore, visit both the VC in Eastham and also Provincelands, hike or bike the trails, visit the beaches.
Go to Provincetown and some of the towns/villages along the way like Welfleet, Chatham, etc.
Take a boat ride from Chatham to Monmoy, see the seals, bring a box lunch.
Go on a whale watch from Provincetown.
Go to Provincetown and some of the towns/villages along the way like Welfleet, Chatham, etc.
Take a boat ride from Chatham to Monmoy, see the seals, bring a box lunch.
Go on a whale watch from Provincetown.
Jun 13th, 2011, 04:49 AM
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Route 6A from Sandwich to Brewster. A winding 250 year old road lined with beautiful houses, interesting shops, and nice places to eat. Not to be mistaken for US 6, a four lane divided highway.
Every town on 6A is worth lingering over.
Every town on 6A is worth lingering over.
Jun 13th, 2011, 07:57 AM
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Definitely the beaches, especially those of the Cape Cod National Seashore, which are world-class. Water's cold, though.
For my taste, the best Cape Cod downtowns to visit are Provincetown (eccentric feel), Wellfleet (small, quietly artsy feel), Chatham (upscale feel), and Falmouth (somewhat more suburban feel). Downtown Hyannis also has plenty to do and has a slightly more urban vibe.
For standard attractions, I'd consider the Sandwich Glass Museum and Heritage Museum and Gardens. I would not recommend the Kennedy Compound, as it's private property and you can't get close enough to actually see anything.
Four Seas (Osterville) is one of several worthy ice cream destinations, along with Sundae School (Orleans, Dennis, Harwich), Ice Cream Smuggler (Dennis), Twin Acres (Sandwich), and Ice Cream Sandwich (Sandwich). Many clam shacks also sell soft serve ice cream. My preference is for Sundae School and Ice Cream Smuggler.
See these threads as well:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-cod-visit.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...cod-august.cfm
and do some research in some guidebooks.
For my taste, the best Cape Cod downtowns to visit are Provincetown (eccentric feel), Wellfleet (small, quietly artsy feel), Chatham (upscale feel), and Falmouth (somewhat more suburban feel). Downtown Hyannis also has plenty to do and has a slightly more urban vibe.
For standard attractions, I'd consider the Sandwich Glass Museum and Heritage Museum and Gardens. I would not recommend the Kennedy Compound, as it's private property and you can't get close enough to actually see anything.
Four Seas (Osterville) is one of several worthy ice cream destinations, along with Sundae School (Orleans, Dennis, Harwich), Ice Cream Smuggler (Dennis), Twin Acres (Sandwich), and Ice Cream Sandwich (Sandwich). Many clam shacks also sell soft serve ice cream. My preference is for Sundae School and Ice Cream Smuggler.
See these threads as well:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-cod-visit.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...cod-august.cfm
and do some research in some guidebooks.
Jun 13th, 2011, 10:44 AM
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I highly recommend the Edward Gorey House in Yarmouthport if you get a rainy day, or just have a little extra time. If you've ever seen the "Mystery" series on PBS, he did the black and white macabre drawings that they show at the beginning of the episodes. The tour is a lot of fun.
Jun 14th, 2011, 04:57 AM
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maribeth, you wrote: "Please suggest a few more restaurants- quaint- on the water, good food, etc. thanks for all"
Did you look at the two threads referenced above? There are better than 50 food destinations of all kinds listed between them, most specified by food type and town of location.
Did you look at the two threads referenced above? There are better than 50 food destinations of all kinds listed between them, most specified by food type and town of location.
Jun 14th, 2011, 10:39 AM
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maribeth, where are you staying on the Cape, & when are you going?
I definitely recommend the Cape Cod National Seashore for its beautiful beaches & sand dunes, such as Coast Guard Beach, Head of the Meadow, Herring Cove Beach, and/or Race Point. This is the lower or outer cape & the best part of the cape, IMO. Less touristy & not as commercialized.
Biking, hiking or walking on the National Seashore trails. Both visitor centers are interesting with great views & access to some easy trails.
For rainy day activities, the Sandwich Glass Museum & shopping/eating/people watching in places like Provincetown, Wellfleet & Chatham. My personal favorite is Wellfleet, with its art galleries, boutiques, cute shops, general store, outdoor book sale (depending on when you are there.)
Many people go on whale watches or sand dune tours, but I haven't done either. I've heard you don't always see a whale.
one of my favorite "activities", depending on when we arrive on the Cape, is to have lunch at the Boookstore Restaurant in Wellfleet, overlooking Mayo Beach, then spend a couple hours at Mayo Beach.
Another nice beach is Skaket Beach in Orleans, on the bay side, so it's warmer & calmer than the ocean beaches.
Other restaurant suggestions: Moby Dick's, Rt 6 in Wellfleet (BYOB), Lobster Pot or Surf Club in P'town, Edwidge in P'town (pricier), or Lobster Claw in Orleans.
HOpe this helps!
I definitely recommend the Cape Cod National Seashore for its beautiful beaches & sand dunes, such as Coast Guard Beach, Head of the Meadow, Herring Cove Beach, and/or Race Point. This is the lower or outer cape & the best part of the cape, IMO. Less touristy & not as commercialized.
Biking, hiking or walking on the National Seashore trails. Both visitor centers are interesting with great views & access to some easy trails.
For rainy day activities, the Sandwich Glass Museum & shopping/eating/people watching in places like Provincetown, Wellfleet & Chatham. My personal favorite is Wellfleet, with its art galleries, boutiques, cute shops, general store, outdoor book sale (depending on when you are there.)
Many people go on whale watches or sand dune tours, but I haven't done either. I've heard you don't always see a whale.
one of my favorite "activities", depending on when we arrive on the Cape, is to have lunch at the Boookstore Restaurant in Wellfleet, overlooking Mayo Beach, then spend a couple hours at Mayo Beach.
Another nice beach is Skaket Beach in Orleans, on the bay side, so it's warmer & calmer than the ocean beaches.
Other restaurant suggestions: Moby Dick's, Rt 6 in Wellfleet (BYOB), Lobster Pot or Surf Club in P'town, Edwidge in P'town (pricier), or Lobster Claw in Orleans.
HOpe this helps!
Jun 14th, 2011, 12:14 PM
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We go all of next week, with our two small dogs. that definitely limits our activities. I found all of the wonderful restaurant suggestions, plan to shrink all that info, type it up and take it with me. WE are staying in SKaket Beach Motel. Near or in Orleans. I remember a beach with many many steps down, and will probably rule that one out because of my knees.
Jun 15th, 2011, 04:02 AM
#14
Skaket Beach is on the bay side. No high dunes there. Great walking at low tide. Beaches on the ocean side that have high dunes and lots of steps are located from Eastham through Wellfleet. But Nauset Beach in Orleans is on the ocean and does not have high dunes, and Coast Guard Beach in Eastham is level also. No parking at Coast Guard Beach, you have to take a shuttle from a parking lot past the Salt Pond visitor center.
Nice walking trails in Eastham, not far from you, at the Fort Hill area, where you can also tour the Captain Penniman house.
For activities, walks, and trails at the national seashore:
http://www.nps.gov/caco/upload/2011M...ivitiesweb.pdf
For activities at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary:
http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Co...leet/index.php
Unfortunately, you will probably not be able to bring your dogs on some of these walks. Here is the national seashore pet policy:
http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisi...ograckcard.pdf
Nice walking trails in Eastham, not far from you, at the Fort Hill area, where you can also tour the Captain Penniman house.
For activities, walks, and trails at the national seashore:
http://www.nps.gov/caco/upload/2011M...ivitiesweb.pdf
For activities at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary:
http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Co...leet/index.php
Unfortunately, you will probably not be able to bring your dogs on some of these walks. Here is the national seashore pet policy:
http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisi...ograckcard.pdf
Jun 15th, 2011, 04:38 AM
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Hi marybethp,
We have stayed at Skaket Beach Motel several times & enjoyed our stay there. We used their pool & I remember they served delicious complimentary muffins & coffee in the morning. Not sure if they still do; that was about 10 years ago.
Skaket Beach is very pretty & will be perfect for you. It is flat because there aren't any high sand dunes. The water is warm & as Nikki says, there is great walking at low tide. There is also a snack bar if you don't want to bring a cooler, & restrooms & changing rooms.
We have stayed at Skaket Beach Motel several times & enjoyed our stay there. We used their pool & I remember they served delicious complimentary muffins & coffee in the morning. Not sure if they still do; that was about 10 years ago.
Skaket Beach is very pretty & will be perfect for you. It is flat because there aren't any high sand dunes. The water is warm & as Nikki says, there is great walking at low tide. There is also a snack bar if you don't want to bring a cooler, & restrooms & changing rooms.
