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Cape Cod, Massachusetts is an exquisite getaway destination for any time of the year. With beaches, nature, classy places to stay, and culture of all kinds, there’s a lot to explore, learn, and experience. But where should you start? What are the best places to visit in Cape Cod? Let’s take a look at some of the most distinctive and enticing factors about the many wonderful Cape Cod towns, so you can start planning your next coastal adventure.
Best Cape Cod Towns for Beachgoers
If you’re planning a trip to Cape Cod with one mission in mind – spending as much time in the sun, sand, and sea as possible – then these towns are for you! While every single one of the Cape Cod towns is surrounded by water, these ones offer especially good opportunities to enjoy yourself on the beach.
Dennis
Dennis spans the length of the mid-Cape, with shores on both Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean/Nantucket Sound. The ever-popular Mayflower Beach on the Cape Cod Bay side of town has calm, warm waters and an expansive shore to relax on all day long. Corporation Beach, also situated on Cape Cod Bay, is popular with families, for its similarly placid waters and fascinating tidepools that have plenty to discover.
On the ocean side, try out West Dennis Beach, where you’ll discover three miles of public coastline. As a popular vacation town, there are plenty of vacation rentals available all year long. Given its central location, it’s also the perfect launching point if you plan to visit all the towns of Cape Cod during your trip.
Eastham
A beach town to its core, Eastham is situated on the Outer Cape with beaches on both the Atlantic side and the Cape Cod Bayside. As the home to Coast Guard Beach, which routinely ranks as one of the best beaches in the United States, it may come as no surprise that Eastham is one of the top places to visit for a spectacular coastal experience.
Coast Guard is just one beach along the Cape Cod National Seashore, a stretch along the Atlantic coastline full of beaches with big waves, picturesque sand dunes, dazzling beach cliffs, and iconic lighthouses just waiting for you to explore. First Encounter Beach is a quiet Bay-side beach with expansive views and balmy, tranquil water. What makes it especially amazing is that it is a no-frills, hidden gem of a beach, where you can really get away and let the beach work its magic on you.
Falmouth
If you’re searching for a town where the beach is ingrained in its identity but it’s not too distant a drive from Boston or other places in New England, then Falmouth is a great place to stay.
One of the westernmost Cape Cod towns, Falmouth has incredible beaches. There’s Old Silver Beach, which boasts clear water, a wide swath of sand, and spectacular sunsets. Chapoquoit Beach (or “Chappy”) is a special place located on a peninsula in Buzzards Bay. Its secluded location and small size mean it’s quieter than the bigger beaches, but it’s worth it for the amazing swimming in deep waters, salt marshes and animals that live in them, and superb westward views of the sunset.
Once you’re done with the beach, be sure to visit Falmouth’s beach-town-perfect Main Street, which has candy shops, souvenir shops galore, and amazing places to eat everything from Chinese food to surf & turf.
Wellfleet
For a town that offers variety, head to Wellfleet, a blissful escape route to myriad saltwater and freshwater beaches. Here, you’ll discover amazing ocean shorelines like the popular Marconi Beach, a part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, and the quieter Whitecrest Beach. There are also smaller freshwater beaches like those on Gull Pond and Long Pond.
This community embodies the beachy lifestyle, and visitors who love sand and surf will savor spending time here. Over sixty percent of the land is along the Cape Cod National Seashore; how much of it can you traverse during your stay?! For those looking to make the seaside atmosphere last into the night, a visit to the Beachcomber is a can’t miss experience for live music and a beach bar. Movie lovers will enjoy capping off their day at the old-school Wellfleet Drive-in theater.
Best Towns for Nature Enthusiasts
While many towns of Cape Cod are known for their beaches, sandy shores aren’t the only place to get outdoors while down the Cape. With unique marine habitats, pitch pine forests, and trails of all kinds, Cape Cod is a nature enthusiast’s paradise and offers plenty of venues for essential summertime activities. Whether your goals are to hike, birdwatch, paddleboard, or something else entirely, there’s plenty of nature to explore and activities to be discovered in these Cape communities.
Sandwich
Home to Shawme-Crowell State Forest, Sandwich is a great getaway for beach and forest lovers. With 15 miles of trails and almost 300 camping sites, Shawme-Crowell is the place to stay if you like sleeping under the stars.
Sandwich is also home to the Heritage Museums and Gardens. It has acres of luxuriously manicured gardens and miles of trails, where your mind will be at ease as you walk and admire the flowers. Plus, Heritage Museums and Gardens has a can’t-miss antique automobile collection, a historic carousel, and a treetop adventure park.
The tidal flats of Cape Cod Bay off Sandwich are a gorgeously scenic place to get out on the water. Rent a kayak or paddleboard from Rideaway Adventures and get out on the water to soothe yourself, see crustaceans and seabirds, and take a walk in the landscape. And when you’re ready for the ocean? Check out Town Neck Beach and don’t miss the boardwalk! Sandwich is also a perfect launching point if you plan to visit the beaches of Buzzards Bay.
Bourne
Known for its namesake bridge that carries people, automobiles, and bikes over the Cape Cod Canal and onto Cape Cod proper, Bourne is home to countless outdoor adventures. Adjacent to the canal is a 7-mile long path, where runners, walkers, bikers, and meanderers enjoy time off the road to observe the canal and everything in it. Rent a bike nearby or take a stroll.
Whether it’s an up-close look at a boat or a fish, there’s a lot to see in the canal separating the Cape from the mainland. For those fascinated by aquatic animals, be sure to visit the National Marine Life Center, which has an education center as well as an animal hospital. Hikers will enjoy hitting the trails at one of several properties managed by the Bourne Conservation Trust. Some especially gorgeous trails can be found at the Bourne Sisters Woodland, Little Bay & Monks Park, and Red Brook Pond Conservation Area.
Yarmouth
Yarmouth, a town situated mid-Cape, is the perfect place to go if you’re seeking an active vacation. The newest section of the Cape Cod Rail Trail is located in Yarmouth, connecting the town with other Cape communities and amenities to the east. This flat pathway is great for bicycling, walking, jogging, and exploring!
For the perfect place to take in a sunset, head to the end of the 900-foot boardwalk at Grey’s Beach in Yarmouth Port. It’s a trek to get out there, but the sensational views over Cape Cod Bay make it worthwhile.
Head to Crab Creek Conservation Area or anywhere along the Bass River for a glimpse of people crabbing and coastal life galore. If you want to get out on the water yourself, rent a kayak or paddleboard (try Bass River Kayaks and Paddleboards, just on the other side of the river in West Dennis) and paddle your way along the Bass River.
Best Cape Towns for a Refined Oceanside Getaway
If you’re looking for a fancier coastal getaway, these towns are where to go in Cape Cod! With upscale dining, a winery, and posh places to stay and visit, you’ll have a resplendent time in any of these towns.
Hyannis
If the Kennedys vacationed there, it’s got to be a classy spot – right? Technically a village in the enormous Town of Barnstable, Hyannis offers a refined and charming getaway on Nantucket Sound. Take a walk along Main Street for chic restaurants and shops. For dinner, try the Naked Oyster, and for delectable handcrafted pastries or Brazilian cuisine, patronize Mayflour Bakery and Cafe.
A visit to the JFK Hyannis Museum in Hyannis Port will give you new insights into this former president’s life and family, contributions to society, and connection to Cape Cod towns. After visiting the museum, take a stroll along Main Street for charming sites and shops.
Hyannis is also a great launching point for a day trip to ever-classy Nantucket, as the Steamship Authority, located in Hyannis, provides hour-long ferry service to the island. For a luxurious place to stay, book a room at the High Pointe Inn, which offers the epitome of relaxation and ambiance.
Brewster
A stay at one of Brewster’s inns in Cape Cod towns will invariably ease your mind, letting you slip right into vacation mode! Try out Bramble Inn, Brewster By The Sea Inn, or Old Manse Inn for an unforgettably relaxing and ambient experience. The Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club is a fine place to stay or to spend the day; after teeing up, pay a visit to the spa or dine at one of several restaurants and cabanas on the property.
To learn about Brewster’s history, take a tour with the Brewster Historical Society – there’s even an option to participate in a Sea Captain’s Tea at the Captain Freeman Inn! For fine shopping, walk along Main Street, where you’ll find the Brewster Bookstore, Wisteria Antiques, and HandCraft House. Or, go to the Lemon Tree Village Shops, for artisan goods and galleries. In the mood for a show? The Cape Repertory Theatre has indoor and outdoor performances that will please anyone’s desire for culture.
Chatham
One of the classiest Cape Cod towns and villages around, you’ll relish a stay in this sophisticated Outer Cape community. Book a room at the Chatham Bars Inn and you’ll delight in gracious hospitality, farm-to-table dining, gardens overflowing with hydrangeas, and beachfront cabanas. Or, just book a table and enjoy a cocktail on the veranda or a meal at one of the property’s oceanview locations.
Visit Chatham Light for a scene straight out of a classic Cape Cod postcard. For a story, you’ll be sharing for ages to come, book an oyster tour with Chatham Shellfish Company. You’ll even get to participate in the harvest and of course, enjoy some of your catch after the tour’s over.
Read More: Top 10 Things to do in Chatham MA
Truro
For a simple and romantic getaway, Truro is the place to go. Its rural charm is in contrast to some of the busier, more developed Cape Cod towns, but you’ll still get a healthy dose of coastal magic in this community.
For a refined afternoon in this Outer Cape destination, take a trip to Truro Vineyards. The 19th-century farmhouse tasting room and rolling lawn will make you want to linger and savor the day.
Book a boat tour with Pamet Tours to take in the views of scenic and quiet Pamet Harbor and Cape Cod Bay. What’s more romantic than seeing the sunset over the water?
For dinner, try out Blackfish for an excellent dining destination with upscale local fare in a rustic setting (the building is a former blacksmith’s shop!) and the Whitman House Restaurant and Bass Tavern, a historic venue with both pub-style and seafood menu options.
If you’re searching for a place to have a romantic walk on the beach, Truro is just the place. Head to Corn Hill at sunset for an especially picturesque time.
Best Towns on the Cape for Culture and Arts
Many towns of Cape Cod are home to artists and artisans all year long. From artists colonies to exquisite fare to historical and cultural festivals and more, these towns will spark your sense of intrigue. Whether you’re staying in one of these towns or another nearby, spend some time at any of the destinations in these communities shared below to learn, let loose, and ignite your sense of creativity.
Provincetown
Provincetown, situated at the very top of the Cape Cod peninsula, is a community rich in culture and culinary treats. Visit the Provincetown Art Association and Museum for exhibits featuring artists who called the Outer Cape home, as well as works that draw upon the unique landscape of the region. The Provincetown Museum will teach you about the native and colonial impact and maritime culture, and the presence of each today.
If you’re looking for an event that illuminates the significance of Cape Cod Towns to the LGBTQIA community, check out PTown Carnival in August and Women’s Week in October. Provincetown is a destination where you’re just about guaranteed to have a spirited and memorable vacation.
Harwich
Harwich is a friendly community chock full of festivals that showcase the relevance of the landscape to local culture and society. Harwich Cranberry Arts and Music Festival, a weekend celebration featuring local music, arts and crafts vendors, and a taste of local flavors, takes place each September.
Harwich is also home to Cape Cod Lavender Farm, which vends lavender products of all varieties. Delight your senses on a visit to the farm, where you can take in the 11 idyllic acres.
For another treat, head to First Crush Winery, where you can participate in one of several tastings or be served by the glass. The tasting room is decorated with displays of winemaking tools old and new, which are sure to capture your sense of curiosity.
Mashpee
This town, situated on the upper Cape not far past the Cape Cod Canal, illuminates the intersection of Native American culture and nature. Visit the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Museum to learn about the traditions, history, and modern culture of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. In August, visitors can attend the Mashpee Pow Wow, a festival of dancing, crafts, food, and culture.
Those who admire art should not miss the Cahoon Museum of American Art, which features both historic and contemporary works, accentuating New England tradition.
If you want to head outdoors, visit the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Reserve. This protected area on Nantucket Sound is home to aquatic life and their habitats, and visitors can attend public programming and partake in outdoor amenities that will suit many interests, including swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, birding, and more!
Orleans
With tons of art galleries along its main streets, visitors won’t be surprised to learn that Orleans is a designated Cultural District in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Visit Tree’s Place, Addison Art Gallery, or the Artisan Cottages at Orleans Market Square for art, gifts, decor, and more.
If you want to learn more about the history of Cape Cod Towns, check out the Orleans Historical Society, which is housed in the old meetinghouse and offers walking tours, exhibits, and lectures.
Its artsy scene crosses over to restaurants, where you’ll find funky establishments including the Jailhouse Tavern (located in a former prison), The Barley Neck (a spot with local fare in a former sea captain’s house), and Hog Island Beer Co, which is named after the local island that is rumored to have buried treasure!
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Mallory grew up in Connecticut, and after some time living in Ireland, Montana, and Virginia, she felt called back home to New England. She lives in Boston and writes about the intersection of urban living, outdoor adventure, and enjoying the simple things at SimpliCity Outside. Her favorite New England adventures involve hiking, finding ice cream shops, and exploring small towns.