JLBRN

We'd like to rent a pet friendly house by the beach next summer somewhere between quaint Chatham and artsy Provincetown. I've found some nice homes on-line in Orleans and Eastham but am unfamilar with these towns. Can someone please compare the towns in terms of their general ambience, local beaches, shopping, restaurants ie, if there's any significant difference at all. Thanks

Gene

Orleans is the central community between the lower and Outer Cape towns.

It has great beaches on the ocean (Nauset) as well as on the Bay (Skaket).

Orleans is loaded with great places to eat including: Land Ho; Captain Elmers; Jailhouse Tavern; and many others. There are some good shops here as well including Snow's Home and Garden and a Christmas Tree Shop.

Eastham is just north of Orleans with it's own good beaches but less places to dine and or shop.

charli

Gene is right, it won't really make much difference as the towns are right next to each other. Eatham is also the beginning of the National Seashore which extends all the way to the end of the Cape near Provincetown. Whichever one you choose this is the best part of Cape Cod! (Biased opinion)

AmyCal

They are right next to each other. WE stayed in Orleans (a hotel though not a rental) and the downtown is somewhat walkable as far as going to shops and restaurants. We only drove through Eastham on Route 6 so I am not sure how walkable any of it is. I don't think it will make that much difference if you have a car.

gomiki

Eastham has more beach (bay on the left for 5 miles), ocean on the right (Nauset Beach .. not the same as Nauset in Orleans...and Coast Guard Beach.) Orleans has more ambience and shops and restaurants. No village center in Eastham.

The restaurants Gene mentioned are casual. Others not so casual are Mahoneys, Abba, The Beacon and Academy Ocean Grill.