Cape Cod Day Trip from Newport, RI
 

My husband and I are staying in Newport for a long weekend in October. We would like to take a day trip to Cape Cod. We probably don't want to take the time to go all the way to Provincetown. Where should we spend 1 day? And what should we do while there? It obviously won't be beach season, but we are interested in good food, history, quaint towns and fall colors. What town best fits that bill?

You could go to Woods Hole, a nice small town, with it's oceanographic institute and aquarium. Waterfront dining.From there drive through pretty Osterville. Or head to the north side of the Cape to historic Sandwich. These are located on the western end of the Cape. If you want to drive farther, take Rt.6 east out to Chatham. My Cape Cod family leaves the Cape to see the fall leaves, heading to NH and VT.There are lots of scrub pine on the Cape. Newport is a great place to visit, lots to see and do.

MA route 6A from Sandwich to Brewster on the north side of the Cape, is called the King's Highway because it has been there a long time. It has quaint houses, lots of antique shopping, places to eat. At the end of 6A, you can go down to Chatham for an early dinner, then blast back to Newport via US 6 and 1-95.

We are currently in Newport, R.I. for a friend's graduation from the Naval Justice School. We stumbled onto a wonderful little restaurant on Thames Street. It's called Thames Street Kitchen or TSK. Reservation are highly recommended. It was a wonderful mean and they use local produce and organic. The food was exceptional. I highly recommend it if you get a chance.

http://www.farmfresh.org/food/member.php?fn=1123