Thanks for the help!

I'll post again when we narrow things down.

We might go into Boston for a bit. We've been before but took the train into the city from out near Walden Pond. We'll have a car this time. Is there a good place/area to drive into or just outside of the city, park and get downtown to walk around?

Do eat at the Gloucester House restaurant. Fabulous every single time, every thing I try, every time!!! I would not try to do Nantucket/MV with your timeframe, but I'd highly recommend Nantucket if you had more time. IT IS HEAVEN!

I don't understand the trip you are planning. Where are you coming from? Glouster and the cape are in different directions from Boston. With only two days you should concentrate on just one, most likely the cape. The National Seashore is quintessential cape. You can get there along 6a which is also charming and great cape stops along the way, the ice cream shops mentioned, Sandwich Glass, Sydenstricker Glass, Thorton Burgess Museum etc. Once you get out by the National Seashore take in a movie at the Wellfleet Drive-In or a night time bonfire on the beach arranged by the park rangers. The town of Chatham is also charming with fishing boats that unload, a lighthouse to visit and band concerts and the well-known Cape Cod baseball teams (hel in many capd cod towns). You can do Martha's Vineyard in one day but without a car (reservations on the ferry are tough) you can't see much unless you are an avid bicyclist. Glouster is nice but just doesn't compare.

Maybe we are trying to fit in too much. We are flying into Providence, RI. We will be on the road around 9am Friday and have the rest of that day and all day Saturday. We are flying back home Sunday morning.

Watching the fishing ships unload is something I would like to see as mentioned with Chatham. Any other areas where I'd get a good view?

jedivader,
Yes, you are trying to do way too much, cover too many miles on a weekend at that with lots of traffic to contend with and in different directions as well. Since you are flying into Providence, I think that Cape Cod would be the most efficient use of your time and energy of the places you mentioned. Roughly a 2 hour drive from airport to middle of the Cape, very much depending on traffic. Forget all the posts on Gloucester, Boston this time, they are too far away and you will spend all your time in the car. I live on Cape Cod all year and I can attest that this is one of the busiest summers we have had in years with visitors and traffic. Bring patience with you wherever you go.

Your time is very limited, but just letting you know there's currently a ferry between Gloucester and Provincetown. I'm not sure how many more weeks it will be running, but they do a whale watch during the trip.

We are going to be up there from 9/5 - 9/7.

Does that make any difference in traffic/vacationers?

OK......

As of right now, my wife and I have decided to just drive from Providence to the Cape area and only do the Cape.

If we just stick to the cape, would it work for us to visit or stay on either Martha or Nan?

If you go over to either island without your rental car, what is the best way to get around and see as much as possible.

The Cape is just beautiful when you are going so unfortunately you will encounter traffic, but getting on there early on Friday is a good thing. You can get to Martha's Vineyard from Wood's Hole (near Falmouth) and traveling around there by bicycle or taxi but it is trying to do alot in a short time. If you really want to do it, I would suggest doing it on Friday as soon as you get to the cape. Check the ferry rides for the last possible ferry home. If you have a choice, land at Edgartown. Then the next morning you can get up early (Saturday is turn around day, so if anyone is vacationing still they will be coming) and head to the outer cape for Chatham, Provincetown and National Seahore. Orcourse that means you are way out and it will take a little longer to get back on Sunday morning. If you want a more leisrely cape experience, skip Martha's Vineyard this trip.

I suggest, again, that you just stick to Cape Cod. Yes, we have weekend traffic all of Sept. and well into October. If you must go to Martha's Vineyard, you can take a ferry from either Wood's Hole or Hyannis and you can either take an island bus tour, or buy a day pass on their public bus system which is excellent (you really don't need a car). If you plan to do the public bus, do some research as to where and what you want to see. Nantucket has passenger ferry service from both Hyannis (MA Steamship Authority or Hy-Line cruises) or Harwich (Freedom Ferry). Take a tour of the island by bus or van rather than fuss around on your own. We have tons of bus tours here on Cape Cod in Sept/Oct, luckily for you most of them come on Sun or Mon and depart by Friday.

Thanks for all the help, it's given me a better idea of what we can fit in.

THANKS!!