Visiting Cape Code, MA
May 19th, 2015, 07:10 AM
#2
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Well, I was just there last week, though only for a couple of days. Do you have lodging booked? What sort of advice are you looking for: things to do, places to eat, best beach, shopping, where to stay, what?
I hope you know where you're staying, because August is high season and many places are already booked.
I hope you know where you're staying, because August is high season and many places are already booked.
May 19th, 2015, 08:00 AM
#3
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Not knowing your interests, I can just suggest what my family enjoyed doing on the Cape.
First of all we liked staying waterfront in Provincetown. There is so much to do there!
For example.....During low tide it is fun to walk out on the flats and find all the interesting creatures left behind. There are lots of good restaurants and interesting shops. Nearby you can rent bicycles and ride all through the National Seashore on paved bike paths. One day you can go on a fishing boat. Another day go on the Dolphin Fleet to observe whales. All that and more can be done in Provincetown.
First of all we liked staying waterfront in Provincetown. There is so much to do there!
For example.....During low tide it is fun to walk out on the flats and find all the interesting creatures left behind. There are lots of good restaurants and interesting shops. Nearby you can rent bicycles and ride all through the National Seashore on paved bike paths. One day you can go on a fishing boat. Another day go on the Dolphin Fleet to observe whales. All that and more can be done in Provincetown.
May 19th, 2015, 08:35 AM
#4
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Sorry but your question is much too vague - sort of like saying you are hungry and want to know what you should have for dinner.
You really have to tell us more like:
How old are your family members?
How long a trip are you planning?
Do you want to stay in one area where everything is in walking distance or are you willing to travel around the island?
What kind of things do you like to see & do?
What type of accommodations do you need - hotel, guest house, rental cottage???
What's your budget?
Where on Cape Cod do you plan to stay?
Cape Cod is a fairly big island, some 350 sq. miles with 15 distinct towns and many tiny hamlets. It's about 65 miles long and 20 miles wide at it's wides point and it has about 400 miles of coastline. The thing is, if you are going for a typical week's vacation you can't see it all.
You really need to do some first hand research and the internet is your friend. Start by looking up Cape Cod on Wikipedia for general info, then do a google search for "Things to do on Cape Cod" and "Where to stay on Cape Cod". You'll find tons of information.Study the material to narrow down your choices then come back and post specific questions.
We visited Cape Cod several times when our kids were young and enjoyed it a lot. Good luck!
You really have to tell us more like:
How old are your family members?
How long a trip are you planning?
Do you want to stay in one area where everything is in walking distance or are you willing to travel around the island?
What kind of things do you like to see & do?
What type of accommodations do you need - hotel, guest house, rental cottage???
What's your budget?
Where on Cape Cod do you plan to stay?
Cape Cod is a fairly big island, some 350 sq. miles with 15 distinct towns and many tiny hamlets. It's about 65 miles long and 20 miles wide at it's wides point and it has about 400 miles of coastline. The thing is, if you are going for a typical week's vacation you can't see it all.
You really need to do some first hand research and the internet is your friend. Start by looking up Cape Cod on Wikipedia for general info, then do a google search for "Things to do on Cape Cod" and "Where to stay on Cape Cod". You'll find tons of information.Study the material to narrow down your choices then come back and post specific questions.
We visited Cape Cod several times when our kids were young and enjoyed it a lot. Good luck!
May 19th, 2015, 08:36 AM
#5
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I didn't book yet. But, as you mentioned, I am now planning to book. Regarding the place to book, probably will do in Provincetown. Now, as a family of four with two children of 6 and 16, need some suggestion to places to visit, fun things to do for the whole family. Thanks !
May 19th, 2015, 12:49 PM
#10
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Provincetown is full of families. Gay couples, straight couples--they all have families these days.
Provincetown does book up early though as do many parts of the Cape so it might be a matter of finding a vacancy for a week.
Suchda, if you don't find an apartment, I have friends who have stayed at the Even'tide Motel in Wellfleet on Rt. 6. The rooms have a small refrigerator, there is a large indoor pool for those rainy days, and it is on the main road, Rt. 6, but set back among the trees. It is right on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a long bike path, and very near Marconi Beach, part of the National Seashore.
In Provincetown, take a tour of the dunes with Art's Dune Tours, and visit the National Seashore offices in Eastham or Provincetown. They offer many kid-friendly activities during the week.
There is also an Audubon Sanctuary in Wellfleet, which offers children activities. One of the last drive-in theaters in Massachusetts, is also in Wellfleet. It's a good family night time activity.
After you know where you are staying, you can get more advice.
Provincetown does book up early though as do many parts of the Cape so it might be a matter of finding a vacancy for a week.
Suchda, if you don't find an apartment, I have friends who have stayed at the Even'tide Motel in Wellfleet on Rt. 6. The rooms have a small refrigerator, there is a large indoor pool for those rainy days, and it is on the main road, Rt. 6, but set back among the trees. It is right on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a long bike path, and very near Marconi Beach, part of the National Seashore.
In Provincetown, take a tour of the dunes with Art's Dune Tours, and visit the National Seashore offices in Eastham or Provincetown. They offer many kid-friendly activities during the week.
There is also an Audubon Sanctuary in Wellfleet, which offers children activities. One of the last drive-in theaters in Massachusetts, is also in Wellfleet. It's a good family night time activity.
After you know where you are staying, you can get more advice.
May 19th, 2015, 02:40 PM
#11
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P-town is definitely the more nature oriented part of the Cape. Think art studios, large sandy dunes, lots of bed and breakfasts. And you should be aware that there is a large homosexual population in P-town - if only to ensure your kids arent going to be a bit surprised. The whale watches out of the area are AMAZING and a must do with the kids.
Mid-cape is the Yarmouth area and surrounding towns - chain restaurants and mini golf courses abound. Also home to some nice beaches, but not with the same dunes/waves as you'll find in the Lower Cape (which is the northern part of Cape Cod - yes, it makes zero sense but when in Rome...). Also has whale watch options but you will spend more time travelling to the area where the whales are versus in P-town the travel time is much shorter,
Upper Cape is Falmouth area - more residential, and as someone who lives there I would say theres less to do in this area as a vacationer.
Day trips to Marthas Vineyard (shortest ferry is out of Falmouth) and Nantucket (ferry out of Hyannis) are popular. Theres a JFK memorial in Hyannis as well. You can also drive to the Kennedy Compound - depending on the day and guards somedays you will get farther in than other days!
If it was me I would probably split the trip between Lower and MidCape and take advantage of the different options in each location.
Mid-cape is the Yarmouth area and surrounding towns - chain restaurants and mini golf courses abound. Also home to some nice beaches, but not with the same dunes/waves as you'll find in the Lower Cape (which is the northern part of Cape Cod - yes, it makes zero sense but when in Rome...). Also has whale watch options but you will spend more time travelling to the area where the whales are versus in P-town the travel time is much shorter,
Upper Cape is Falmouth area - more residential, and as someone who lives there I would say theres less to do in this area as a vacationer.
Day trips to Marthas Vineyard (shortest ferry is out of Falmouth) and Nantucket (ferry out of Hyannis) are popular. Theres a JFK memorial in Hyannis as well. You can also drive to the Kennedy Compound - depending on the day and guards somedays you will get farther in than other days!
If it was me I would probably split the trip between Lower and MidCape and take advantage of the different options in each location.
May 19th, 2015, 07:09 PM
#12
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I would never suggest that Ptown would be inappropriate for families. That is just crazy talk suze. How can teaching children about tolerance and diversity be a bad thing? I was simply commenting, since I think it important to go in with eyes wide open.
http://ptownchamber.com/family/
http://ptownchamber.com/family/
May 20th, 2015, 02:56 AM
#13
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suchda: In case you haven't figured it out yet, Provincetown is a favorite destination for gays. If that's an issue for you, stay away. But it's really not a big deal. Plenty of heterosexual families vacation in the area.
Be aware that the ocean water can be quite cold in that part of the Cape, even in midsummer, and high waves are common. On some of the beaches, you can drive up and down the dunes if you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and park on the beach for a picnic. The kids like that.
If you don't have a place rented by now, you better hurry.
Be aware that the ocean water can be quite cold in that part of the Cape, even in midsummer, and high waves are common. On some of the beaches, you can drive up and down the dunes if you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and park on the beach for a picnic. The kids like that.
If you don't have a place rented by now, you better hurry.
May 20th, 2015, 03:09 AM
#15
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Pt own is full of families, but with a family I would stay in one of the places along the water on rt 6 in North Truro, or rent a house. Outside ptown you will get much more space for your money.It is very late to do so for August., unless the latter part as many kids return to school by then and thing loosen up.You can take the free trolley into ptown and the beaches from there.
Visit the National Seashore visitor center in Eastham to learn about the area . Eat at Moby Dicks on rt 6 in well fleet for lobster and Arnold's or PJ for fried clams.
Take a whale watch out of Provincetown.
If your family likes small shops and galleries, both Well fleet and Ptown are heaven.
When we went to the cape with kids we always played mini golf. It is fun to try different ones but we liked Poits the best .
Visit the National Seashore visitor center in Eastham to learn about the area . Eat at Moby Dicks on rt 6 in well fleet for lobster and Arnold's or PJ for fried clams.
Take a whale watch out of Provincetown.
If your family likes small shops and galleries, both Well fleet and Ptown are heaven.
When we went to the cape with kids we always played mini golf. It is fun to try different ones but we liked Poits the best .
May 20th, 2015, 03:12 AM
#16
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I have been going to Provincetown for over 50 years, with out kids initially, then with kids and now without. My kids at all ages loved it there! It is a whole different experience to be at the tip of Cape Cod with the wonderful National Seashore for biking, the Tidal Flats, whale watching,etc.
Inappropriate for families? How bias are you, Suze and inakauaidababy.
Inappropriate for families? How bias are you, Suze and inakauaidababy.
May 20th, 2015, 08:10 AM
#18
Hey I love Provincetown!! just like I like Key West, Lahaina, Venice Beach, any of many funky honky tonky beach towns.
I just assumed with kids you'd want (as others have described) something not quite so 'vibrant'or alternative... like a cottage on a beach somewhere where kids would play outside, rather than a densely populated area of bars, shops, tattoo parlors, etc. P-town is one very busy place.
I just assumed with kids you'd want (as others have described) something not quite so 'vibrant'or alternative... like a cottage on a beach somewhere where kids would play outside, rather than a densely populated area of bars, shops, tattoo parlors, etc. P-town is one very busy place.
