Couples' Getaway - Cape Cod/Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard?
 

My husband and I are planning a brief getaway at the cape or one of the islands in late September. We'll fly into Boston on a Friday evening, but he doesn't actually have to be in the city for meetings until Sunday afternoon.

That gives us 2 nights and 1-1/2 days somewhere.

Can you recommend a place that fits these criteria?
(1) Accessible from Boston via a ferry or other public transportation - just because we don't want to deal with a rental car for such a short trip.
(2) A "nice"/quaint hotel that's not too high-priced - for us, that means $250-400/night.
(3) Walking distance to the beach, but also easy access to good food and maybe a little town we can walk around in.

We're in our early 40's. Although we love to participate in a variety of other sightseeing, recreational, and adventure activities, given the short timeframe, we're content to limit ourselves to just a peaceful weekend together without the kids :)

Not sure about the rates at that time but http://www.sherburneinn.com/index.php on Nantucket would be perfect

Traffic is still likely to be pretty heavy in late Sept, and you'd be traveling during the peak traffic times. I'm not sure of the schedule, but you might see if you could get the ferry from Boston to Provincetown. Stress-free travel and there are a lot of nice beaches and things to do in Provincetown.

I love the Vineyard and Nantucket but I think it may be a bit stressful trying to get there on a Fri night and leaving on a Sun.

Where are you coming from?

You may be able to fly directly to Nantucket on JetBlue, USAir, Continental, or Delta, then on to Boston on Sunday afternoon. All these offer service in the summer, but they all shut down by Columbus Day and you are stuck with Cape Air from Boston. Shut-down dates vary from year to year.

Nantucket would be perfect for what you want.

Agree with wyatt, take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown. There are lots of places to stay that are within walking distance of the ferry/center of town and that would totally avoid the traffic situation.

If it were me, I'd head for Rockport, Newburyport, or Salem, all charming seaport towns, which can be reached by commuter rail.

I totally agree that heading to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard on a Friday night for a two night stay is probably not so worth the effort. You'd really need a car to get to either one, yet park it and take a ferry...

Thanks - this helps a lot!

We're coming from Cincinnati, and yesterday I checked flights directly to Nantucket from here, and found that Continental would be our only option for those dates. But the prices were double from just flying into Boston, so I'll have to consider the pros/cons.

So unless we fly directly into Nantucket, it looks like it and MV are probably out, due to the travel time. (Would love to head there sometime when we have longer to stay!)

Thanks for the other suggestions, as well. I'll look into them today. Provincetown seems most appealing at this point, as we were hoping to stay on the cape or one of the islands since we've never done that.

Your advice has been very helpful!

Have you checked air fares Boston/Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard? Late September is a beautiful time to visit either, as both are very quiet and you can often find shoulder/off season rates.

But, it would be much more economical travel to Rockport, Newburyport, Salem and stay in oceanfront lodging. All those towns are easily walkable, scenic, full of fine dining (with plenty of seafood) and with lots to do.

September, obviously, isn't beach weather, but the scenery in any of those places is terrific.

We stayed at the Martin House Inn on Nantucket - walked to the beach and good restaurants from there. Our room had a fireplace and private little balcony/porch area. We flew over from Boston.

I would take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown for a stress-free couple of days. For all of your travel options check out this comprehensive site for travel around the Cape and Islands. http://www.smartguide.org/capecod/sea_links.html

I'd get myself to Nantucket or Provincetown for the weekend. The ferry to Provincetown from Boston is rather expensive, in my opinion, but you may be fine with that.

I think Ptown is a great little town that can be reasonably explored on foot for a few hours and will inspire you to return to explore the Cape more thoroughly.

Downtown Nantucket is also exceptionally lovely and you'd be able to easily spend the weekend exploring the island. You can rent a little jeep or scooters on Nantucket and explore the island that way too.

Provincetown enjoys its gay enclave status and some of the best restaurants, galleries, and shops on Cape Cod can be found there.

For all of your travel options getting to and around Cape Cod and the Islands take a look at
http://www.smartguide.org/capecod/land-links.html

For just a weekend without a car I would take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown on Friday, spend the day on Saturday in and around Provincetown/Race Point area and then head back to Boston on the ferry on Sunday. There is something very nice about approaching Cape Cod from the water...certainly, it is great way to experience your first exposure to the Cape. Do try to get to the National Seashore Provincelands to see what draws so many people to Cape Cod. The pristine natural beauty of the seashore is a sharp counterpoint to the exciting, colorful gaiety of Commercial Street in Provincetown.

Bay State Cruises and Boston Harbor Cruise Company have ferries that will deliver you to Provincetown from Boston.

Thank you for all the recent replies! I've gotten sidetracked the last couple of weeks, but I'm back to figuring out this little trip. I'm off to check out the smartguide.org site!

Has anyone travelled to the Cape in November? If so where have you stayed?

SIN2014

This is a 10 year old thread, start thread of your own to get some good advice.