Help w/ Cape Cod - need advice/info
Jul 1st, 2008 | 06:26 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Help w/ Cape Cod - need advice/info
Heading to Dennis Port the first week in August w/ my 22 year old daughter as a post college graduation gift - a mother/daughter weekend. We have never been to the Cape and have no idea what to expect.
Looking for advice on good day trips w/ scenery, restaurants for lunch and dinner (on a budget but would love restaurants w/ good food, atmosphere, scenery), fun towns, adventures, nightlife - we'll be celebrating her graduation (need some close suggestions too as we don't want to drink and drive). Any and all info, suggestions, websites, etc. will be greatly appreciated! Thanks Fodorites!
Looking for advice on good day trips w/ scenery, restaurants for lunch and dinner (on a budget but would love restaurants w/ good food, atmosphere, scenery), fun towns, adventures, nightlife - we'll be celebrating her graduation (need some close suggestions too as we don't want to drink and drive). Any and all info, suggestions, websites, etc. will be greatly appreciated! Thanks Fodorites!
Jul 2nd, 2008 | 03:36 AM
#2
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
General advice:
1. The early bird gets the worm. Most people on vacation want to sleep in, so they all get up at the same time and try to eat and visit the attractions at the same time. Going off cycle will lead to a better experience.
2. If it is rainy, avoid Hyannis and really anywhere on Route 28 like the plague. Every rainy day, everyone on the Cape decides that they will go to Hyannis Mall or one of the others to kill the day. See 1 (above) for the result. Gridlock.
3. Bunch up where you go to save gas and energy. Thus 4 suggested days below:
A Olde Cape Cod: Route 6A from Sandwich to Brewster. This is not US 6, the main highway. 6A is lined with beautiful old homes, cafes and restaurants of all sorts, and many, many antique shops and boutiques. Sandwich has great charm and is the site of the Sandwich Glass Museum. You can spend a day on this route. The water is not often visible, but many side roads go down to it.
2. Provincetown and Wellfleet. Advice on getting there early especially applies to Provincetown, if you want to park. See the town, which you may or may not find interesting, then visit the National Seashore to see the dunes. Return through Truro and wander through the back roads of Wellfleet. Stop for ice cream in Wellfleet village.
3. Orleans and Chatham. When you need an urban fix. Both are towns that vary between pleasant and lovely. Good food, nice buildings, good shopping, where you might come for a second visit to the Cape.
4. Back to the other end of the Cape. Start at the Rotary (traffic circle) next to the Bourne Bridge across the Cape Cod Canal. Drive slowly south through Grey Gardens, Pocasset, Cataumet, and Sippewisset to Woods Hole. Stop wherever the spirit moves you, and keep turning right down side roads to the water (or left should you do this in reverse.) Check out the museum/aquarium at the Woods Hole research facility, watch the ferries arrive and depart for Martha's Vineyard and Naushon Island. You could go to the Vineyard but not Naushon Island. Like all the Elizabeth Islands, it is privately owned.
So that's four days. Sleep in a couple of days and go to the beach or play miniature golf or go back somewhere you liked.
Next time, come to Nantucket!
1. The early bird gets the worm. Most people on vacation want to sleep in, so they all get up at the same time and try to eat and visit the attractions at the same time. Going off cycle will lead to a better experience.
2. If it is rainy, avoid Hyannis and really anywhere on Route 28 like the plague. Every rainy day, everyone on the Cape decides that they will go to Hyannis Mall or one of the others to kill the day. See 1 (above) for the result. Gridlock.
3. Bunch up where you go to save gas and energy. Thus 4 suggested days below:
A Olde Cape Cod: Route 6A from Sandwich to Brewster. This is not US 6, the main highway. 6A is lined with beautiful old homes, cafes and restaurants of all sorts, and many, many antique shops and boutiques. Sandwich has great charm and is the site of the Sandwich Glass Museum. You can spend a day on this route. The water is not often visible, but many side roads go down to it.
2. Provincetown and Wellfleet. Advice on getting there early especially applies to Provincetown, if you want to park. See the town, which you may or may not find interesting, then visit the National Seashore to see the dunes. Return through Truro and wander through the back roads of Wellfleet. Stop for ice cream in Wellfleet village.
3. Orleans and Chatham. When you need an urban fix. Both are towns that vary between pleasant and lovely. Good food, nice buildings, good shopping, where you might come for a second visit to the Cape.
4. Back to the other end of the Cape. Start at the Rotary (traffic circle) next to the Bourne Bridge across the Cape Cod Canal. Drive slowly south through Grey Gardens, Pocasset, Cataumet, and Sippewisset to Woods Hole. Stop wherever the spirit moves you, and keep turning right down side roads to the water (or left should you do this in reverse.) Check out the museum/aquarium at the Woods Hole research facility, watch the ferries arrive and depart for Martha's Vineyard and Naushon Island. You could go to the Vineyard but not Naushon Island. Like all the Elizabeth Islands, it is privately owned.
So that's four days. Sleep in a couple of days and go to the beach or play miniature golf or go back somewhere you liked.
Next time, come to Nantucket!
Jul 2nd, 2008 | 05:48 PM
#4
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 0
Provincetown for a day trip is always fun. Arrive early...about 1 hour or slightly more from Dennisport. Plan to do a whale watch or Arts Dune Tour. Plan a couple of hours to walk the town and lunch with a view of the water. Ptown is diverse, bright, fun, traditional and just a lot of fun for everyone!
