Last minute help needed with a mother/daughter (22 years old) trip to the Cape – staying in Dennis Port. We have never been to Cape Cod and need some expert advice:
1) Driving from Pennsylvania to Dennis Port on Saturday - Should we take the Borne or Sagamore Bridge?
2) Suggestions for where to see a good sunrise and sunset?
3) Thinking about a whale watching tour out of Hyannis (since its closer). Are these worthwhile? What do people take on these tours – food, water??? I’m assuming lots of sunscreen.
4) The following day long outings have been suggested to me. Any additional thoughts on these would be great:
- Sandwich to Brewster on 6A
- Provincetown and Wellsfleet
- Orleans and Chatham
- Cross the Cape Cod Canal and go through towns to Woods Hole

5) Is Provincetown/Wellsfleet a one day trip or should they be done separately? I don’t want to spend all week driving but want to see the best of the Cape.
6) Provincetown – Any advice on Art’s Dune Tour. Would this be of interest to a typical 22 year old?
7) Wellsfleet – is the Beachcomber restaurant casual? Is it a good place to see a sunset?
8) Should Hyannis be on our itinerary? Sounds crowded and touristy.
9) How do the beaches work w/ passes, etc? I am thinking that if we go to Chatham, to check out the town, we would also go to the beach. Same with other towns – are there separate passes for each?
10) Any suggestions for outdoor/fun bars and/or restaurants ? Looking for a few fun places for mother/daughter drinks.
Thanks!!!!!!

1. Driving from anywhere to Cape on a Saturday is nasty - most rentals are Sat-Sat so you get stuck with everyone else. Since you are leaving PA on Sat, it is not reasonable to say arrive early - so arrive late - after about 6 PM - to limit traffic.

3. It does not matter a great deal from where you get a whale watch. Most companies I have seen have a website that tells you what they have on board - most sell over-priced lousy food, some include lunch - you may want to bring something. It gets cold on the water - even if it is 90 degrees on land, and can be misty or even rainy. While all boats have some form of covered deck, a windbreaker at least is nice. Usually long pants rather than shorts are more comfortable, but you might want to throw a pair of shorts in a bag just in case it is really hot. Motion sickness medication for many people is good - seas in this area can be a little rough.

4. Some good suggestions. Most people who spend a week on the Cape do not "see" the Cape but relax on the Cape - think light summer reading, beach chair, iced tea - rather than running around.

5. By the way, it is Wellfleet (no S) - not important unless you try to do a search on mapquest or similar place. Wellfleet/Truro/Provincetown are all close and would be one day. When it rains on the Cape, traffic is horrendous - everyone is looking for something to do.

9. Beaches - are either run by individual town or Cape Cod National Seashore. Towns set own rules regarding passes and parking fees. Most, if you are renting a cottage, have some provision for buying a pass by the week. Some towns have "residents Only" beaches - and that means either entire summer or year round residents. Do not have current info on Dennis beach passes - but I am sure it is available locally or perhaps even googling town info (By the Way, towns are mostly set up by one name, such as Dennis - then East Dennis, West Dennis, Dennisport all refer to areas within the town) Cape Cod National Seashore works on National Park Service pass.

Thank you Gail - great info!

Chamounix, Saturday traffic will be a headache no matter which bridge you go over. The Bourne bridge will be the closer coming from Pennsylvania. If you want to keep your eye on traffic as you get closer to the Cape, 1030AM on the radio (WBZ-Boston) has "traffic on the threes" all through the day (9:13, 9:23, etc.). On Saturdays they keep close tabs on the Cape traffic.

From Dennisport, you don't have to go over the bridges to get to Woodshole.

For the whalewatch trips, don't forget sunscreen even on an overcast day. Most of them are only 2-3 hours so you proably don't need food unless you want to slip a snack into your pocket and carry a waterbottle if you are one who needs frequent hydration.

You might consider one of the whale watches from Barnstable Harbor as that is easier to get to than P.town and keeps you out of the traffic mess that is Hyannis these days. From Dennisport take 134 to rte 6A and head west to Barnstable, a pleasant ride. The road to the harbor (Mill Way) will be on your right as you come down the hill into Barnstable village. From Barnstablew Harbor the whalewatch boat goes past Sandy Neck and its light house out to the whale area.

If you want to go swimming, usually the water on the oceanside is warmer than that on the Cape Cod Bay side.

The Sandwich area is the one with which I am most familiar. Down by the canal in Sandwich is a good sunset and sunrise view. However, for sunrise this time of year, you would have to get up fairly early to get there from Dennisport.

From 6A at the second set of lights in town (just beyond the police/fire station) take a right on Tupper Road. Take the first right (Town neck Road) over the tracks and then take first left down past Seafood Sam's and you can park along side of the canal on either side of the marina. Pick up lobster rolls or other seafood to go at Seafood SAm's, park canalside, watch the boat traffic, birdlife, and sunset, while you have supper.

If you want to eat inside, you can do that at Seafood Sam's. Also right down the road is a little less casual and a little more expensive, Aqua Grill which has tables that look at the canal.

You can also drive over the Bourne Bridge (drive around the rotary for Buzzards Bay) and ride down to the old rail station. With some luck, you might see the railroad bridge going up and down for the sunset dinner train. You can also go up Rte 6 (take the exit just before Sagamore Bridge which will take you to a set of lights, take a left and (still rte 6), go about 5 miles. when you see the Gallo skating arena on your right, start looking for the next right, Sandwich Rd, which will take you under the Bourne Bridge access road to a 5 way intersection, take the road not immediately to your right, but sort of straight ahead and you will soon see the tracks on your right, continue right and you will come to a road which turns down by the railroad bridge for a real close up view.

I don't know if you like biking, but you can rent a bike in Sandwich, one place is just beyond the Stop and Shop (Merchant's Square) plaza on 6A on your right as you come up from Dennisport. Then you can bike on the Service Road along the canal. Only bikers and walkers. It is fairly level and a pleasant ride to watch boat traffic and relax.

Another sunset spot is down by the Boardwalk in Sandwich. As you come up rte 6A, take a rt on Jarvis street (first traffic lights in the village proper.) At the end of Jarvis, left on Factory, rt on Boardwalk Rd. to the parking area. Walk over the Boardwalk to the beach or just park and enjoy watching the tide come in or out.

One thing to keep in mind is that the dunes are a very fragile environment, so please keep to the posted walkways whatever beach you visit.

Rte 6A is indeed a picturesque drive and there are lots of places which will tempt you to stop and take pictures or shop for antiques.

In Sandwich there is historical museum which dedicates most of its space to Sandwich glass history and displays. there is a glassblower who will enthrall you with her spiel and skill. There is short film about the glass industry in Sandwich as told by those who take the part of workers, etc. There is also a historical display and narration of a nineteenth century diningroom and the tale of a whaler's wife who brought the ship safely home after her husband died of some tropical illness.

Across the street from the museum is an old gristmill to visit, the Thornton Burgess Museum, and a short walk up to the Hoxie House, the oldest house in town (1639?).

In Brewster is the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. Interesting displays and some great nature walks. Also during the week they sometimes have slide shows or talks on various topics to do with the natural world.

In Falmouth you might want to visit Nobska Light which has a good view out towards Martha's Vineyard. Katherine Lee Bates (America the Beautiful) was born in Falmouth. You can see the house--not sure if there are still tours through the house.

Well, I guess I have told you more than you want to know. Have a great trip!

To answer a couple of the questions, I would skip Hyannis. I really loathe whale watches, I almost always get seasick and overall, I just think they're not very exciting.

The Beachcomber is super casual, people come right up from the beach. It would be a decent place to see sunsets, your daughter will probably enjoy it.

I really like Race Point Beach is Provincetown if you're down that way and want to hit a beach.

When in Sandwich take in the wonderful glass-blowing workshop of the artisan Michael Magyar. On Rte 6A just east of town (I believe)

Thanks for all the wonderful info!

If you are staying in Dennisport .. I would definitely go to Mayflower Beach in Dennis (6A side).. It is a lovely beach .. not to be missed with a snack bar/rest rooms ... I would for sure go to the Sesuit Harbor Cafe (6A side .. straight pass the intersection of 6A and Rt 134) for breakfast, lunch or dinner .. very casual, outside on the sand and beach .. food is very good and it is fun .. (you can also take a cruise around Sesuit Harbor from there).. In Dennis (6A side) I would go to the Marshside Restaurant for lunch or dinner .. lovely views of the marsh and Sesuit Harbor .. actually you would pass it if you went the Sesuit Harbor Cafe .. Check out the schedule at the Dennis Playhouse and the Dennis Cinema (both 6A side) ... I would spend an afternoon exploring 6A .. you can drive down Rt 6 and pick up 6A in Sandwich and work your way back down 6A .. If you get as far as Brewster and your timing is good .. there is a lovely restaurant there right on 6A .. the Brewster Fish House .. no views .. but the food is wonderful .. often difficult to get in for dinner .. but I don't ever have much of a problem for lunch .. I would visit the National Seashore .. check out their website at NPS.gov .. they have a complete schedule of their offerings listed .. I would definitely spend a day at Nauset Beach in Orleans .. and/or Marconi in Wellfeet if possible .. both beautiful .. I would definitely go to Harwich .. which is very close to Dennisport (Rt 28 side) The Harwich Junior Theatre (West Harwich) often has wonderful plays .. Also one of
my favorites .. Lavender Farm in Harwich .. visit on line at at (capecodlavenderfarm.com) ... I would for sure spend an afternoon in Provincetown .. dunes are beautiful .. lots of unique shops .. a fun afternoon .. Also spend an afternoon in Chatham .. Chatham Bars Inn offers a great lunch at their outdoor Beach House right on the sand .. and then visit Chatham Center .. A great place to walk around .. visit the shops .. see the lighthouse ... As far as Woods Hole .. a wonderful place to visit .. The Oceanographic Institute there not to be missed .. Time permitting you might to do a little exploring in Falmouth .. Falmouth Heights has a public beach .. Falmouth Center .. busy but some nice shops ..
As far as Hyannis .. it is a city .. with lots of traffic .. rainy days .. very difficult .. but there are some sites to see .. you can catch ferries to the islands .. also Hyannisport .. a very busy downtown ..
Visit the local Chambers in any of the towns you visit .. they have lots of info available and are usually very helpful .. I would buy the local newspapers .. take a look through .. see what is happening .. Have a wonderful time on Cape Cod .. !

Chamounix:

Saving for future reference. Thanks for the question.

Sandy

You will not see the sunset on the ocean side, the backshore, as we call it, and that is where the Beachcomber is.
Sunsets are on the bay side. Best place- Sunset Point, if you are in Wellfleet. The end of Chequesset Neck Rd.-right by Great Island, or any bay side beach from Brewster to P'town.
Sunrise on any ocean beach- get up early!!

You have very sound advice here. Also, the headline of today's Globe says that traffic is down on the Sagamore Bridge...

I usually just pay the one day pass for the West Dennis beach. You can check into weekly passes, but you may not spend all your time in Dennis. I would recommend seeing at least one national seashore beach (ocean), a Cape Cod Bay beach (Mayflower?) and Dennis is on Nantucket Sound. The Cape Cod Bay beaches will give you the low tides where you can walk out pretty far. (If you are squeamish about crabs, you might want to pack tevas or surf shoes).

Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham can give you any local information as well as schedules of ranger tours if that interests you. Across the street is Little Capistrano's Bike shop where you can rent bikes. It's a terrific rail trail.

The Beachcomber is loads of fun with a great view - yes, very casual. Don't be put off by the crowds. I usually find it worth my while to wait for a deck table - we just grab a drink and sit out front and watch the boats.

Have a great trip!

forgot to mention- lots of ideas if you punch my name, and you'll get many Cape Cod threads, with comments from many of us who live here on the Cape.

Meant to add, Heritage Plantation in Sandwich is a beautiful spot if you have the time.

The boats at the Beachcomber in Wellfleet????-Surfers, yes, boats-no!!
No harbor here, just the ocean. Tbe Beachcomber is a former life-saving station, now a casual lunch venue, with rock bands at night.

capecodshanty, I stand corrected. I confused it with the Bookstore Restaurant in Wellfeet - sorry about that! I haven't been to the Beachcomber in years - NO boats there!

carolv- It's so funny- I ran to Cahoon Hollow, the beach of the "Beachcomber", as I hadn't been to that beach this year after I posted-just in case Barry Clifford of "Whydah" fame, had positioned his research boat out there in search of another shipwreck, and I had somehow missed it!!
I do things like that all the time. Not to worry- just didn't want the poster to be surprised when she saw no boats!

Michael Magyar's glass workshop (previously mentioned by sobster) is in East Sandweich about 4 miles out of town on rte 6A. If you are driving west from Dennis, it will be on your left shortly after you cross the Scorton Creek bridge. If you are driving east coming from Sandwich it will be on your right just after you pass the East Sandwich post office on your left. He has some glass pieces hanging out in front on top of and near his mailbox.

capecodshanty, well, at least we are keeping the information accurate : )
Lucky you, running to Cahoon Hollow! (sorry you didn't get to meet Barry Clifford).

Hi Chamounix, we visited Cape Cod last September and enjoyed the Lavendar Farm in Harwich, the gorgeous grounds at the Brewster Grist Mill, Marconi Beach and the Nauset Marsh Trial at the Salt Ponds Visitor's Center.

Art's Dune Tours is a blast! Think it should be a must on everyone's P-twon itinerary!

As for restaurants, I think you'd enjoy Mahoney's Atlantic Bar and Grill in Orleans.

I posted a trip report, so if you search "Cape Cod Trip Report" it should come up.

Have a great time!
;-)