Wendy Northcross, Director of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce just released a statement that bookings for the Cape are earlier and way ahead of past years.

She attributes this to high gas prices and according to her that the Cape is within one full gas tank of 30 million people.

While I find this astonishing I cannot dispute her findings and urge anynone planning to stay on the Cape this Season to make reservations Asap.

I agree. My cottage was fully booked by Feb. some were repeats the rest were new.
As we speak, I'm getting more requests as people are scurrying. For those interested, try away from the water as the waterside cottages, B+B's and hotels are pretty much scooped up.

I believe the 30 million people figure. All of MA, RI, CT, most of Vermont, NH and some of Maine are all within 1 tank. Also, New York City is within 1 tank. Will be on fumes but probably included in that figure.

It's at times like this that the local chambers of commerce provide one of the best sources of accommodation listings and availability. The small B+Bs, some of them on the water, usually fill up after the more commercial places, simply because they do less advertising. Many of them do not even list with the regional chamber that Wendy Northcross represents. So folks looking for accommodations would do well to check the local chamber web sites for the towns they are interested in. Here are two to get things started: www.easthamchamber.com www.wellfleetchamber.com

Provincetown already feels busier than usual. This weekend will be a big bell weather for the Summer. I suspect the Cape will reap some rewards from the high gas prices...plenty of tourists this year.

The problem is that restaurant owners/hotels/motel and golf courses cannotbringin temporary help from Europe as in past years and service maybe lacking. Then again as a Bostonian we havent been to the Cape for many years because of the uncertainty of the weather, overpriced restraurant and crowded roads..

As I sit in my office, on a Friday afternoon, I do believe Wendy is correct. This weekend the beginning of the season, will be a good one, if early traffic is any indication.
Yellowbyrd is correct- do contact the individual chambers, or even the sites such as weneedavacation.com and cyberrentals.com which are owner rentals, usually on a weekly basis, and you will find some vacancies, for they are not advertised in the Chamber sites.
Parrot Mom, If you come during the season, do't try to drive from Boston on a Saturday,or leave on a Sunday, and you'll be fine. Stay within the town you are in on a rainy day- go to the beaches in the town you're staying in- do your touring on a Sunny day, when all are at the beach! Every town has it's "secret" place to get away from it all!

"overpriced restaurants" ???? have you eaten out in Boston recently?

his is not a scientific objective observation, but our perceptions are as follows:

1) fewer places are available. We could not find anything we liked.

2) More Bed and Breakfasts are refusing young children than before.

3) Prices are much higher this year.

In short, we are taking our summer vacation with our daughter to Maine this year.

"Also, New York City is within 1 tank. Will be on fumes but probably included in that figure."

I believe that NYC is included in that "one tank" estimate. My Ford Focus holds 13 gallons and gets 35 MPG on the highway; that's 455 miles, or almost enough to get from NYC to Hyannis and back again. My RV holds 33 gallons and gets, well, let's not talk about that, but more than enough to get to NYC on one tankful.

Busy, busy, busy....the outer Cape is as busy this memorial Day weekend as it is during the peak of the Summer.... looks like a great start to the Summer for merchants!

Well, it doesn't hurt that the weather this weekend is absolutely fabulous, in wonderful contrast to a rather bleak spring.