Whether you are vacationing with friends, family, or just getting away on your own, Cape Cod has countless ways to spend an ideal get-away. There are many activities to enjoy, including exploring the beaches, hiking trails, historical sites, and more. Here are the top 10 activities to enjoy on the Cape:
1. Visit the Cape Cod National Seashore: This beautiful 40-mile stretch of beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. There are also plenty of hiking trails to explore, including the 1.5-mile Nauset Marsh Trail, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the marsh.
2. Take a whale watching tour: Mid-Cape Cod is known for its abundant marine life, including whales. Several companies offer whale watching tours that take you out into the Atlantic to see these magnificent creatures up close. Some whale watch companies even offer guarantees that you will see a whale!
3. Go for a bike ride and see the Cape in a different way: The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a 22-mile bike trail runs through the heart of Mid-Cape Cod and offers scenic views of the local landscape, including forests, marshes, and cranberry bogs. In the upper-Cape, the Shining Seas bikeway is a 10.7 mile ride along the coast in Falmouth, and it features some of the most beautiful views on the entire Cape.
4. Dine out: Cape Cod is widely considered to have some of the best sea food in the world. Several restaurants prepare their meals with seafood caught that same day. There are even some restaurants (Captain Parker's and The Skipper Chowder House) that make clam chowder that is SO good, they aren't allowed to enter local chowder festival competitions. If seafood isn't your thing, Cape Cod still offers some of the best restaurants in New England with some of the best views in the country! After dining out, be sure to wash it all down with ice cream from one of the many local ice cream shops.
5. Go kayaking on the Bass River: The Bass River is a popular spot for kayaking, with calm waters that are perfect for beginners. There are several rental companies in the area that offer kayaks and guided tours.
6. Find your favorite sunset: The Mid-Cape Cod area is home to several sailing companies that offer sunset sails, which are a great way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area while relaxing on the water. If boats aren't your thing, you can still find the most picturesque sunsets scattered all over the Cape. My personal favorites include Grey's Beach in Yarmouthport and The Knob in Falmouth.
7. Visit the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History: This museum, located in Brewster, is dedicated to the natural history of Cape Cod, with exhibits on local wildlife, geology, and ecology. It also has several hiking trails that take you through the surrounding forest and marshland.
8. Explore the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory: It might not be a very long "tour", but any time you can walk away with free potato chips, it's a win! This factory tour takes you through the process of making the famous Cape Cod potato chips, from slicing the potatoes to packaging the finished product. (Did I mention you'll also get to sample some of the chips along the way?)
9. Go shopping! Cape Cod may be famous for its sand dunes and salty air, but a vacation here would not be complete unless you had a keepsake to remember your trip by. Several towns have Main Streets where you can find anything from a straight-from-the-ocean starfish to a comfy Cape Cod sweatshirt that you can wear during the winter while you long for your next trip back to the Cape.
10. Last on the list, but certainly not least, relax on the beaches: Cape Cod is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, including Coastguard Beach, Mayflower Beach, and Sandy Neck Beach. Whether you want to swim, sunbathe, or just relax with a good book, there's a beach for everyone.
John Tierney
General Manager
Harwichport Resort Club