My husband and I are thinking of doing a long weekend in cape cod this summer, but don't know much about the different areas. We'd like a town where we can drive to the hotel or inn, park the car for our entire stay & just walk everywhere- to the beach, shops, restaurants, etc. Is that possible? Your input is appreciated!

Jacquee,
I don't think you'll all of your "walk everywhere" goals. But to get close, I'd suggest the three major centers:
Hyannis: very busy, commercial center with good beaches nearby...teeny bopper hangout.
Chatham: At the elbow, and the image of the Patti page song. Beautiful, quaint, some would say "old".
Provincetown: Diverse (read: gay...I only mention it if it would be an issue to you), bohemian, funky, busy, picturesque.
Were it me, I'd spend my time between P'town and Chatham.
Have a ball!

IMHO: Chatham or Nantucket.

We stayed in North Truro last summer, for a week in a small cabin. It is just a few miles from Provincetown, has the park and dunes very near, and you can enjoy the tides on the west side of the cape.

Both the outdoors wild, and if you are of a mind, the Provincetown wild as well.

Falmouth is a possibility as well as Chatham. Do research on those areas. But for the most part there is always some driving for a Cape vacation as the towns did not develop along the beaches but rather near the most hosptitable harbors for fishing etc. So if you want to be in town then the beach will be about a mile or so away. The best beaches are part of the National Seashore - Eastham -Truro - Wellfleet.

One of the things I don't like about the Cape is that there's a lot of driving to get around and few spots where you can walk to everything. As mentioned, P'town is a possibility, but if this sort of thing matters to you, it's heavily gay.

N'tucket, is a possibility, but it's expensive and, strictly speaking, not part of the Cape.

I would suggest Chatham or Provincetown. You will have to decide what is a higher priority - really nice beach or really nice restaurants/shops. In general, the beautiful beaches are not walkable to lodging, shops and restaurants. As mentioned, National Seashore is an incredible stretch of beach, but not walkable (it is bike-able at some points) to what else you are seeking.

Be advised that much of the Cape is not the serene place most of us imagine. Much of it is honky-tonk and, if it should rain, absolutely gridlocked with traffic. In general, the further out you go, the less congested. Do not know from where you are arriving, but it is possible to take passenger ferry from Boston to Provincetown and stay intown and walk to everything, although the town close-in beach is not all that great. Provincetown, although touristy, has some nice restaurants, galleries and interesting shops. If you go, you should be aware that it also has a large and identifiable gay population - no reason that should effect your decision; this is just for information. We have been many times as a traditional family with kids and felt totally comfortable.

Thank you all for your great insights- I am so pleased to get so much feedback.
After taking it all in- I can more specifically say our wish is mostly to enjoy the beach & hopefully good weather during the day, then walk around town & dine at night. So, I guess I should focus in on a town that has a nicer beach area. I admit my own naivety- I thought that beaches were the main "thing" at the cape. If I can ask- how else can you spend 4 days on Cape Cod?

Hi-My family & I have been spending a week every summer in Orleans. While you do need to take your car, everyting is convenient: beach,(Nauset Beach is one of the best on the Cape, in my opinion) restaurants, shopping,etc. Our place is on the Rock Harbor side.

Jacquee,
Where are you coming from? Maybe we can help you map out an itinerary.
Cape Cod is southern New England's Ocean playground (with due consideration given to Rhode Island). The Cape Cod National Seashore, stretching from Eastham to P'town, is comprised of some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere.
Besides beaches, you have great shopping and dining, excellent golf, fishing, whale watching, people watching etc.
Yep, it's centered around the ocean, but remember that you're in a rich historical area (The Pilgrims stopped in P'town before they landed just up the street in Plymouth, I believe). And there is a lot here.
jmho

Since some people are recommending P'town and Nauset, I should give you a warning about the beaches. The water is very cold! Whether it's too cold depends on where you're from or what you're used to.

Ooops,
Forgot to mention ice fishing! 8^)

to be honest i went to the cape in september and it was a good job the weather was nice or i would have been bored outta my skull as there is very little to do (nighttime wise)the beaches were not that good either ! sorry cape you werent for me !

GC:
I appreciate all your input. We'll be coming from NYC.

My pleasure. A slow day.
Here's your drive. See how it fits with your schedule.

http://www.mapquest.com/rtp/route.ad...9bf%2d400c2521

GC:
OK- I got it- so is your suggestion to do one day in each place? Or to incorporate these 3 spots in our trip overall?
(I hear ya' about the slow day thing...)

Jacquee,
I put those spots in as reference points and to show you the travel times involved.
So, assume you have two travel days. I'd get to Chatham and make that your base. Others can give you more specific advice on where to stay, but there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. If you want to really experience the Cape, assuming you haven't been before, or in a long time, you do need to spend time in P'town. You might want to take the greater part of a day on Coast Guard or Marconi beach, then go to P'town late for drinks, people watching and dinner.
Of course, another alternative is to head for Falmouth and / or Hyannis and take the boat to Martha's Vinyard or Nantucket.
You've got lots of time to decide.

Thanks a bunch GC & everyone! I still welcome any other input! I love these boards!!!!

What most people who are looking for a "cape" experience don't realize is that it can still be found, but really only in 3 areas.

The islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, which still have the same environment and feeling the cape used to, as development is kept strictly in line. (Either of these would be perfect for Jacquee). Also, the area from Chatham north to P-town, where development has been kept in check because of the park.

If you are looking for what most people expect the cape to be liike, these are the places to go.

dont do it Jacques!! Don't go there!! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..It stinks!