Weekend at Cape Cod
 

My husband and I are flying into Providence about noon on a Friday in October and staying on the Cape until Monday evening. First, are there any great fall foliage routes we should take on Friday afternoon before we head to the Cape or should we try to hit Plymouth on Friday afternoon or should we just head for the Cape?(I am concerned about traffic). We like to hike and bike (but not too long) and we love the beach. We do not like "tours" and do not enjoy shopping that much. We would rather be outside on our own. We definitely want to spend a day at MV (thinking about Saturday) and we definitely want to go whale watching from Provincetown (thinking about Sunday). Any comments on which days are better for which activities? What are the "must-sees" when we only have 3 1/2 days. Also, where are the best places to eat - good food, but not so "touristy" (lobster is a must for one night).
Thanks so much for any advice!

There are a couple of threads about Cape Cod and M/V right now with good info. Do a search in the search box for Cape Cod. I will be back later and try to answer some of your questions but there is a lot of good current info if you do the search.

Once you fly into RI (Warwick not Providence) I would just drive straight to the Cape.

Be happy with whatever leaf color you happen to see along the drive and then enjoy your stay on the Cape.

Trips to MV and Whale Watch from Provincetown are both good options for your short stay.

Once you arrive you will find that there are all sorts of free publications listing sites to visit as well as restaurants.

I did the search and did find some great info. Thanks so much. I am a first time user - so I appreciate the help.

nikol, when are you planning to come and where are you staying...what town? If you know that we can offer some suggestions or answer your questions. And welcome to Fodors!

here is link to a recent thread that might give you some ideas:
http://tinyurl.com/kvgl7

and welcome !
I would ask what you are expecting to see in Plymouth, your interest in history, etc - or time you want to spend there, or b/c you need to see 'the rock' and the Mayflower? or are you interested in Plimoth Plantation - depending on what attracts you to Plimoth, I might be of the opinion to skip it and do MV for a day and the whale watching instead....

We are coming next weekend and are staying in Sandwich. No big draw to Plymouth, just thought we might visit since we are going to be in the area, but certainly don't have to see it. What are some good places to have lunch in the mid cape?

nikol: I have relatives in the area and have frequently been to Plymouth; it is a lovely little harbor, with the Mayflower, Rock, some cute lunch spots, etc - but I would leave it for an 'if' you get bored on the Cape, where in my opinion, there are so many lovely places to stay and visit, beautiful beaches and harbors, that to leave it to go to Plymouth I would think about that -

many find the Plymouth rock a disappointment, where it is somewhat small - the village (Plimoth Plantation) is a historic replica type experience, if that interests you -

if you do go, try and snake your way and make it a day going on old rte 6A or 3A depending on where you are so you can stop at little antique stores, galleries etc along the way - and the straight highway back or vice versa to mix up the ride.

you can google the plantation, etc and see if it is worth giving up a day on the cape to you - I would want to savor the Cape

I'm sure many others can help you with lunch spots, I tend to be going straight to a relatives or past them onto the vineyard, so other than Wimpy's in Osterville I am not much help...my husband will eat anywhere along the way that has clam chowder or seafood !! He's always just rying somewhere new..

If you go to MV for the day, do a search here by putting Martha's Vineyard into the search this forum box above, there are several ongoing threads right now on things to do there -
ifyou go and land in Oak Bluffs, my favorite lunch spot is Slice of Life Cafe on Circuit Ave...I love their fried green tomato sandwhich ! But you will be surrounded by many choices. You don't enjoy shopping, so go to the side of Circuit Ave where you'll see the gingerbread cottages and walk through that campground area - it is historic and quaint.

Take an early ferry so you can hop on one of the tours and go out to Aquinnah/Clay Cliffs/Lighthouse,, etc - or take advantage of the transport between towns like Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and if in Edgartown, enjoy the harbor area, and side streets, beach, etc - I know you don't like tours, so

think about renting a jeep for the day and driving it yourself so you can stop when you want -you'll have more freedom than the bus transport or tour and can stop all along the coast for some gorgeous scenery - that will also give you the ability to go across in Edgartown on the Chappy On Time Ferry which holds about 3 cars at a time and is about a minute across and you can go to the Mytoi Gardens and drive out and see some great beaches there too - and out at Aquinnah, the lighthouse and walk down the path along the beach to the clay cliffs they are beautiful - stop also at Menemsha Harbor just for the view and quaintness -

if you do, get the map or check out things on
thetrustees.org
go to martha's vineyard and you will get a feel for all the beautiful sites, trails to walk (easy and flat but through some nice woods out to great ocean and beach spots)

Here is a link on MV you also might find helpful- it had a lot of info on trails, hikes, and going it on your own, etc.

http://tinyurl.com/jvpkz

WOW - Thank you so much for all the info and the links. I spent most of the weekend researching and planning, and then re-planning. My husband thinks I am crazy for doing all of this. He is soooo laid back. Anyway, I still haven't finalized everything because there is so much to do and so little time, but the postings have helped tremendously. I will let you know what I decide. : )

Nikol, I'm sure you'll find some great ways to spend your time whether you stay on the cape or go to Plymouth. There's certainly much more to Plymouth than the Plimoth Plantation and the (very disappointing) rock. The sights and attractions section of the Destination Plymouth website has a good list of things to do, including museums, tours, and other attractions.

sorry ... forgot to note the website -- it's www.visit-plymouth.com