Cape Cod visit in August
 

We will be spending a week in a cottage rental near Buzzard's Bay in August. We are staying there to be close to a weekend gathering of friends. But we will have several days free to explore before the weekend events. Looking for ideas for must see places to visit, places to eat, etc. And yes, we will have a car.

From roughly where I guess you will be located, I would explore by back road down to Quissett Harbor and Woods Hole. Go north on similar back roads to Grey Gardens and the Rotary. This is all Olde Cape.

From the Rotary, take US 6 to Sandwich, where there is charm galore in town, a great Episcopal thrift shop in the middle of tow, the Sandwich Glass museum, a classic car museum, and -- as they say on TV -- more.

Route 6a, the two lane King's Highway, follows the north shore of the Cape picturesquely as far as Brewster. This is historic Cape. You can blast back on the soulless but speedy US 6.

Another day, you could go to the outer Cape. Provincetown, Truro, and Wellfleet are to the north, Chatham to the south, Eastham and the National Seashore in between.

The south shore of the Cape is miniature golf, souvenirs. Hyannis is sprawl, completely different from Barnstable, it's twin on 6a just a couple of miles north.

You need to lay in a supply of goodies, drinks, board games, and books in case it rains. The Cape, particularly near the shopping centers like Mashpee and Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis jam up traffic for mikes on a rainy day.

Thank you so much, exactly what I was looking for.

The cape has a great rail trail that runs for 25 miles from Dennis to Wellfleet. You can rent bikes and have a great time. We like to bike from around Nickerson State Park in Brewster to the National Seashore in Eastham. There are nice trails right to Coast Guard beach.

http://trurovineyardsofcapecod.com/index.php enjoyed the wine tasting here and great food truck in the front yard with picnic area.

We saved room for the Lobster Pot in P town though.

Ackislander summed it up - I would only add that sandwich glass is really worth the trip and consider a trip to Martha's Vineyard (no car needed) for the day.

Again, very much appreciated.

Expanding a bit on Ackislander's list - try to make your trip to the outer cape (Wellfleet east) on a T, W or TH. Start early AM - don't sleep late. Either meander out that way and zip back on Rte 6 or head directly to Provincetown (about 90 minutes) and meander back. (I would pick the latter).

Browse the cute shops in P-town. On the way back stop you could include a stop at the National Seashore (entrance clearly marked in Eastham). Parking is in a lot off-beach with Park Service shuttle to actual beach, which is one of the most magnificent in mainland US. (If you have a National Parks pass by any chance, bring it and parking is free or much cheaper).

Well fleet is a nice and authentic town with a Cape-y feel and worth a turn off the road. Dennis has art galleries, working crafts-people galleries and antiques.

Eat seafood. If you find inexpensive seafood, it is some farmed crap from Asia and you can get it at home. Eat the real stuff. Whiny are in Provincetown, find a place to eat bluefish - even if you do not like oily or stronger fish. There is still a Portuguese influence in food on that part of the Cape and the bluefish is certain to be fresh and local in August.

Emphasizing Ackislander's thoughts on weather and traffic - don't even think of making this drive if it is rainy. The traffic all the way out and back will make you regret you ever left wherever home is.

There is a very scenic, safe 11 mile paved bike trail that follows Buzzards Bay from woods Hole to North Falmouth, the Shining Seas Trail - highly recommend it. Lots of good places to eat in Falmouth - Anejo (mexican), Jacks a neighborhood place which has live music, la Cuchina Sal Mere (Italian), and for casual seafood, Sams is fun. Drive the back roads of Woods Hole to see some amazing homes and scenery. Nobska lighthouse is a very picturesque spot between Falmouth and woods Hole. Just fyi, Buzzards Bay has the warmest water on the cape.

Again thanks. I had already figured out our day trip to the outer Cape will be on a weekday. And our friends gathering is planned for the weekend, think we will be good on that.

The whole Buzzard's Bay area is pretty compact, so things aren't horrible far from each other (we're talking the land of my in-laws). However, roads can get winding and confusing (at least that's my impression).

In the little hamlet of East Wareham you'll find a really good old-school seafood eatery on Cranberry Highway called Lindsey's:

http://lindseysrestaurant.com/

Nothing nouvelle or trendy (other than a handful of "gluten-free" choices), nothing too fancy, but lots of very, VERY tasty food. LOTS OF IT. Lots of clams: fried clams of every permutation (including Ipswich whole-belly), steamers, stuffed quahogs, clam chowder, clam cakes,.... Lobster dishes in season, down-home fish preparations, lobster rolls, full bar. Not too expensive, delicious, mostly a local crowd even in season.

Bailey's Surf N Turf is just down Cranberry a little. It's fine, but not as good as Lindsey's:

http://m.mainstreethub.com/baileyssurfturf

Papa Gino's for take-out pizza can fill the bill for a quick meal. It's nothing incredible, but at least it's better than Little Caesar's:

http://www.papaginos.com/

In August, you'll find lots of roadside places to get quick eats (fried clams, burgers, fries, linguiça sandwiches, etc.) and ice cream-based treats, like the good ol' coffee frappe (authentic frappes are hard to find outside of New England) . In Acushnet you'll find one of the best: Country Whip Ice Cream, which has great frappes IMHO:

http://countrywhip.weebly.com/

Next time we go, I hope to find a Chinese joint selling New England-style chow mein, which my husband raves about. Maybe someone else will have an idea about that. Or a good Portuguese restaurant (we have never dined at a really good one, unfortunately, even though they MUST exist).

Provincetown is a must-see, although I must warn you: In August the Cape is extraordinarily busy, P-town especially. Driving can be quite an adventure even on nice days. And be prepared. P-town is possibly the gayest place on earth (get used to drag queens walking around advertising their shows in full face, in character, at all hours of the day and night). West Hollywood during its Pride Festival looks like a tractor pull/Chuck Norris film festival in Branson compared to P-town. Not that there's anything wrong with that. In fact, P-town is THE MOST FUN TOWN ON EARTH in summer. The sheer amount of talent just walking around the streets is staggering; the slate of entertainment headliners performing in town during the summer will make your jaw drop. And to see everyone just getting along together joyously is heart-warming. Couples of all persuasions walking around hand-in-hand, families of every type having fun, the indescribable, magical, delusional anarchy of Dina Martina (I have NEVER laughed so hard at a show in my life)....

Lots and lots of good places to eat on the outer Cape. But the Lobster Pot in P-town is a must.

Great.... Must. Have. A. Lobster. Roll...!!!

Rjw_ wrote

"Next time we go, I hope to find a Chinese joint selling New England-style chow mein, which my husband raves about. Maybe someone else will have an idea about that."

Try Evelyn's Drive Inn in Tiverton, RI, just south of Fall River. Lobster chow mein sandwich. But they run out.

"Or a good Portuguese restaurant (we have never dined at a really good one, unfortunately, even though they MUST exist)."

I loved Atasca in East Cambridge, but it is gone, apparently . There are other Portuguese places in East Cambridge that I believe are better than those in Fall River, New Bedford, and Providence, though I would be delighted to be proved wrong.

rjw_lgb_ca. I love your description of P-Town. I've been going there for many years and have a hard time describing it and why I love it so much. Yours was great!

Guess we should actually get our plane tickets, since we now have a house and all these great ideas. Thanks.

bookmarking