marly528

Hi cambe. We did an almost identical trip from the UK last Summer and here are a few suggestions.
When in Boston take the tram tour (or duck tour which includes a boat ride)as soon as possible, that way you can return to the places that interest you, or get off the tram at places of interest.It's a hop on hop off service.
We loved Quincy market area. Lots of shops and craft stalls and eateries.Also it's just across from the harbour area.
On Cape Cod, Provincetown and Falmouth are at opposite ends, but both are worth a visit if you have the time.We stayed in Hyannis for 3 nights and 4 nights in Falmouth. We enjoyed both, but preferred Falmouth.We can recommend a good hotel there. Shoreway Acres Inn. Historic Shore St.Just off the main street.(walking distance) It has cosy rooms, spread over a few buildings surrounding a large lawn and pool. There are sun beds and umbrellas on the lawn. Great for relaxing. It has a fab indoor pool too and a complimentary hot breakfast.It was affordable, but I can't remember exactly how much.
It's in a great spot with the beach in one direction and a lovely street with shops in the other direction.All walking distance. Also an Irish pub, Liam McGuires, with live music every night. We went every night as the food is also good!
From Falmouth you can get the bus to Woods Hole then the ferry to MV or Nantucket.
We found Provincetown to be a very lively, fun place. It's quaint with lots of bars and restaurants if that's what you like. We do! Other places are more peaceful, except for Hyannis which is also lively with lots to do and ferries to MV and Nantucket.
You will have to decide whether to take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown, then work your way around, or whether to leave Boston heading for Plymouth. Plimoth Plantation worth a visit. (That's how they spelt Plimoth in the 1600's).The Plantation has an authentic village with actors playing the Pilgrims and they answer all your questions, but as if it is still the 1600's. Very amusing.
Also don't forget the whale watch, it goes from several places on the Cape. We went from Barnstable.
Hope you enjoy this trip as much as we did.

yellowbyrd

We love to visit Provincetown, especially with our gay friends who always guide us to appropriate (for us) beaches and entertainment. We have never stayed there because we prefer to stay and relax in a more "authentic" natural environment on Fort Hill in Eastham and to take day trips to more high-energy places like Provincetown, Falmouth and Chatham. Some of the lodging in Provincetown caters to mostly gay clientele so you would be wise to check with the inn keepers giving them your preferences. Places like the "Ranch" for example are for men, clothes are optional and there are no doors on the rooms...you get the picture. On the other hand, many places welcome everyone, providing nice accommodations and a friendly welcoming atmosphere. So e-mail the places you are interested in and ask them if they have anything suitable for you.
As for the FLEX, my understanding is that hearings are being held for public comment and a task force is looking at alternative means of funding. Everyone agrees that public transportation on the outer cape is essential to the population that lives there and to the tourists who visit but no one knows how to make it work within the current budget. Keep watching the flex web site and also articles in the Cape Cod Newspaper www.capecodonline.com

givemesun7

My husband likes to say that P-town is where more people hold hands than anywhere!!!

capecodshanty

The Provinctown Business Guild, is primarily the gay friendly site for rentals, B&B's and Inns.
The Provincetown Chamber of Commerce, would be the site for those who did not want only a gay Inn.

cambe

Thank you again

I have confirmed my itinerary for NYC, Boston, Martha's Vinyard and Cape Cod.

I am taking the bus from Boston to New Bedford and onwards by ferry to Martha's Vinyard.

Stay there for 3 nights

Ferry to Hyannis and onwards by bus (I hope) to Provincetown. I won't see Falmouth/Woods Hole but from all I have read I am sure I will be back.

Provincetown for 4 nights - accommodation not as yet confirmed but all cater for all tastes.

This area of the Cape has intrigued me from the start.

I want to go Whale Watching, do a Dune Tour and visit Wellfleet on a Sunday.

I also want to visit Provincetown as this is the location that covers the above and the ferry back to Boston/Onwards to the Airport -minimum amount of stress.

I am happy with the itinerary and will report back.

Having said that I want to thank everyone who has answered my questions.

I couldn't have done it without you.

Helen

ccrosner

Sounds like a well-thought out plan, Helen, and one that will give you a nice taste of Cape Cod and its beauty. And we'll all keep our hopes up that the FLEX bus is still running for you and others that depend on it. If it isn't, I'll bet you could arrange for a taxi or car service to take you. It wouldn't be cheap, but it would work.

And did any of us tell you to rent a bike once you get to Ptown? One of our favorite things to do is to go biking on the trail out to Race Point beach. It's just so beautiful.

Enjoy!

kealalani

I am thrilled your travel plans are coming together cambe!!!

While on the Vineyard, if you happen to make it by Chilmark Chocolates, stop by. It is a special program with special needs kids program who help make the chocolate. A very admirable endeavor.

Oh and the fried clams at the Bite in Menemsha may be the best!!!

Congrats on your success. Hope you find some great lodging in PTown. Happy Hunting!

'lani

cybor

Hi cambe,
Here's a lovely inn on the water that's walking distance to town and many other attractions. It looks like it falls within your price range.
I haven't stayed there but have eaten lovely meals overlooking the water.http://www.theredinn.com/rates.html

Another place that is quite nice and in a quiet side street (not on the water but close to everything) 'Carpe Diam B&B' - I stayed there a few years ago in one of the suites in the carriage house - very nice.

You could also try motels, cottages and condos in Truro on the rte. 6A. I know of a nice one that's down the street from us - the Crow's nest. It's on the water and when the tide is out you can walk up to P-town and take the trolley back. You're also close enough to get to quite a few national seashore beaches by bike.

A bit of advice - book now. Most of my weeks that I rent out are already spoken for. They start renting in January.
Good luck!

cambe

Cybor, one of the hotels/guesthouses I was looking at was Carpe Diem and I have booked it (the only single room I could find). I am so glad that someone on Fodors has recommended it.

I am also interested in The Red Inn for a nice meal ( I have it bookmarked).

Kealaline, Do you have the adress of the Chilmark Chocolates?

ccrosner, yes bikes rides are on my itinerary- my problem now is how to fit all of this into 4 days on Cape Cod!!

When I posted my 1st question I had thought of Cape Cod as a lazy, laid back sort of place. How wrong I was - it is teaming with History.

O Well, I don't sleep on planes so I can catch up with my reading on the Looooooooooooog flight back home.

Thanks again

marly528

P.S. cambe. We had the best Fish and Chips ever in Provincetown.! Can't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was on the main street and you went up steps to an outdoor balcony.

yellowbyrd

The Lobster Pot is the quintessential fish restaurant in the center of Provincetown. It sits on the main street, Commercial Street, and has an upper level that looks out to the Bay. Ask for a table by the window. The Red Inn is also on Commercial Street, but on the end of town furthest out, called the west end. Food is very good (not the best in town) but the atmosphere is wonderful and will give you a memorable dining experience. Once you get to town, stop into the Chamber of Commerce for additional things to do. There are things like sailing on Cape Cod Bay aboard the Bay Lady II at sunset, T-dance, theater etc. www.celebrateprovincetown.com should give you some idea of what to expect.
I have heard nice things about Carpe Diam B+B and it would be my choice rather than the Red Inn which is primarily a restaurant.

cybor

cambe,
Glad you decided on Carpe Diam.

Let us know what types of food you like and your budget and I'll try my best to make rec.
As for the Lobster Pot, it can be considered quite touristy and high priced.
They don't take reservations, so there can be a very long wait. I only go when forced by out of towners. They're usually disappointed.

I guess yellowbyrd has had a bad meal at the Red Inn. I've eaten there on quite a few occasions and find the food/wine superb - somewhat pricey though.

Although I haven't stayed there, I have toured their rooms and they are lovely. Most have water views.
So I'm not sure about yellowbyrds comment on the Inn being mostly a restuarant.
Perhaps he/she can elaborate as I have sent out of towners there and they enjoyed their stay and loved the location.

As for the mentioned T dance, just so you know, it is mostly gay.
Hope you love P-Town. It's got great energy and is amazingly close to so much natural beauty.

yellowbyrd

I never meant to have a negative tone about the Red Inn. I'm sorry if it sounded that way. If someone gave me a gift certificate there, to dine or to stay, I would be thrilled! For location and atmosphere, it simply can not be beat. The meals we have had there were memorable but, never having stayed at the inn, I can not claim to know what the rooms are like. It's just that most of their advertising seems geared toward the restaurant business rather than the hospitality end. Please forgive any suggestion of negativity. Additionally, Carpe Diam is a first-rate place to stay (as is the Brass Key) and there are many excellent choices for fine/casual dining...some more "touristy" than others. The Lobster Pot is one of them that even locals take their guests to.

sandypaws3

Cambe,
You may find the Peter Pan bus line helpful. It goes to some of the towns in Cape Cod, including Woods Hole, where you can catch a ferry to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

http://www.peterpanbus.com/

http://www.steamshipauthority.com/

Sandy

capecodshanty

Cambe, just to let you know, the lower Cape towns have voted to keep the fex bus going, but at reduced hours and a bit higher price.

yellowbyrd

Here's the latest on the FLEX bus which services the outer cape.
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pb...NEWS/802150332

kealalani

Wow it is good to be in an area with a group that follows thru. Thrille your public transportation is working out just fine.

If you happen to have a few ideas for me.....

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=35109852

cambe

Thank you Capecodshanty and Yellowbyrd, great news.

I like to think my email's (although I never received a reply) helped!!
I don't have a problem with the price as it is still a bargain and the areas that I want to visit are still there.

Sandypaws3, I have looked at Peterpan and have their website as a favorite. It was the one I was going to use from Falmouth to the Airpot but I have changed my plans and will now go from Provincetown. Thanks it is still in there.

Kealalani, this has been the most informative post (for me) - I really can't thank everyone enough.

I have read your post but I live in N Ireland and I don't know if I can help you as your itinerary is the South West. Sorry

Helen

kealalani

Just thrilled your trip is working out! I have heard Northern Ireland is beautiful. This trip is about heritage and family roots. Perhaps the next will include the north.

seafox

wow - i am pretty impressed with fellosw fodorites for the great advice given to cambe. I mised this thread earlier and have just read through it. I live in Provincetown about 50% of the time. A few additional thoughts for cambe. T dance is almost exclusively gay and in fact the only straight women there are with their gay boyfriends. In terms of beaches, the far end of Herring Cove tends to be exclusively gay and naked. It is a long walk to get there and you are not likely to stumble upon it.

The Red is is EXCELLENT. Make your dinner reservations there and at all restaurants in Ptown as soon as you are able. August is very busy and table can be hard to get. Far Land Provisions on Bradford Street makes great food to take to the beach or on a bike ride. We generally eat out at The Red Inn, The Mews, Front Street or or Cafe Edwige.

You might want to fit two things in your schedule. Go to Flyer's Boat rental on Commercial street (behind Lorrain's) and take the shuttle to the beach on long point. They also rent kayaks/small boats which if the water is calm can be fun. Also, consider taking Art's Dune tour. They take you 4WD vehicles into the dunes and give a great narrated tour.

Feel free to ask detailed questions, I'll be happy to answer.