My husband and I would like to rent a house for a week at the end of August and have never been to the cape before except to catch a ferry to the Vineyard!

I think we've narrowed it down to a group of town based on recommendations from the people at weneedavacation.com, but wanted some advice from those of you who have experience with each town. Perhpaps you can tell me briefly what each offers that distinguishes them.

Basically, we are looking for some quiet R&R but would also like to be able to walk to a nice beach and bike to quaint shopping, restaurants, etc.

The towns I'm considering are Chatham, Harwich, Brewster, and Orleans.

Any other suggestions or input on those places would be most appreciated.

Thanks!
Rachel

My family stayed in North Truro for a week last summer. It is up near the top of the cape, close to Provincetown, the sand dunes, and with many beaches. We liked it. We stayed here, very clean and comfortable.

http://www.eastharbour.com/

Good luck.

I've never stayed in any but have driven through...

Chatham has more shopping in one area, it's still quiant (at least a few years ago it still was).

The Northen end of the National Seashore is the most beautiful beach you'll see.

If I had to pick four towns, they would be Chatham, Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown.

BuzzyJ-what do those towns offer that others do not? I've also been thinking about Barnstable and Sandwich. Any input on those as well?

Any one of the four towns you are considering: Chatham, Harwich, Brewster and Orleans would be excellent choices. They all kind of border each other and make up the elbow of the Cape.

Chatham may come closest to what your looking for if you rent close to the village center. This would allow you to walk or bike to the shops and restaurants on Main street as well as the Chatham beaches which are spectacular.

In Harwich you would want to be in the village of Harwichport for the same reasons above. Harwich beaches are on Nantucket Sound (warmer water).

Brester is a very lovely town stretched along 6A with beaches facing north on Cape Cod bay. These beaches are great to walk on during low tide where the flats extend out over a mile. Brewster doesen't really have a town center.

Orleans has a bigger town center that is more spread out than the others but has beaches on the Atlantic (Nauset) and the bay side (Skaket).

I would stay in one of these four which are centrally located on Cape Cod. From here you can always make a trip to visit other towns and sites.

I will second Gene's descriptions and advice. We have vacationed in Eastham/Orleans for 10 years and bought a house in Brewster a year ago. All are great. And all are accessible. Don't miss the national seashore--we especially like the bike rides to Coast Guard Beach in Eastham and the Provincetown bike trail. You've got a great website...also try www.cyberrentals.com (that's where we list our house). You will have luck with the last week in August--it's the toughest to rent because many kids go back to school that week. If you can hold off until early September, there are even fewer crowds, the water is warmer and the rates are down!

have a blast!

Here's another recommendation to hold off until September. The traffic is much reduced as most of the summer folk, vacationers, day trippers, are gone. The weather is still nice, but the crowds are gone. The rates may or may not be substantially lower, as the season has "extended" a bit in recent years as the word has gotten around.

My mother and I stayed in Chatham a couple of years ago and I think it would be perfect for you. It is quaint, but with many good shops and restaurants. Don't miss Pisces--a small restaurant in what used to be a house. We had the best meal and service there! I hope it's still there--you'll love it!

Thank you all for your most helpful replies! I can't wait. I'm leaning toward Chatham, but have also found an adorable house in Hyannis in our price range.

I'd love to wait until September, but my husband is a teacher, so unfortunately we're locked in. Oh well! I'm sure it will be beautiful just the same

Thanks again,
Rachel

Can't help but put another two cents in here (see my earlier post)...if you take the house in Hyannis, make sure you get out of the "city" and see the rest of the Cape. Hyannis is nice but also has more of the "honky tonk" factor depending on where you are!

Hi,
Went to the cape for the first time last August. We brought our bikes along and used them every day.
The bike paths farther out are not to be missed. Bike from the visitors center right out to the northern beach.
R&R to the max!!
I agree w/ the above statements, stay out by the "elbow" or farther up the coast. Quaint & quiet...
IMO
Pete & Wendy

Why not Nantucket or the Vineyard?

You can't go wrong with any of the aforementioned towns .. but also consider East Dennis ... Dennis has some magnificant beaches ... and is a central spot on the Cape .. you aren't all that far from Provincetown or Falmouth should you decide to go exploring ... I prefer East Dennis because it is a bit quiet compared to Dennisport or West Dennis .. but don't discont Dennis .. lots to see and do and a great location .. Enjoy !