From beaches, to wonderfully sculpted landscapes, to culture, Cape Cod offers a variety of attractions. Cornered by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Cod is known for the beautiful sandscapes, mesmerizing lighthouses, and quaint harbors. This trip is definitely for people of all ages and preferences. This tourist spot is perfect for vacations and is known to be a hot spot for New England summers. Cape Cod offers a variety of events for whatever season you find yourself in town. From their summer hydrangeas to Mardi Gras festivals, they are ready for you! But of course, it’s always good to have an itinerary prepared for your trip. It is best to spend time and money wisely no matter where you do. We’ve compiled for you the best things to do in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
1. Behold whales dancing over sparkling waters
Take a cruise from Provincetown all the way to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. This is known to be a whale-watching cruise where guests will be visiting whales’ protected feeding grounds. Local on-board naturalists will help guests observe and look out for different whale species, such as the humpback, finback, pilot, minke, and right whales. Taking into account your comfort, the boat is well-equipped with a climate-controlled cabin and outdoor viewing deck to get past any kind of weather.
Boston Whale Watching Cruise - Klook
2. Take a two-hour date with the sea (from USD 98.0)
Behold the sunset over Martha’s Vineyard. This leisurely two-hour cruise is a perfect way to detoxify yourself and take yourself away from the stresses of city life. This cruise is set on a beautiful lobster boat, passing by Edgartown Lighthouse and Nantucket Sound, and journeys towards mesmerizing landmarks in Martha’s Vineyard coast. Travelers are even welcome to bring aboard their own snacks and drinks.
Two Hour Martha's Vineyard Sunset Cruise
Duration: 2 hours
3. Explore a sanctuary by the hillsides and shorelines
Wellfleet Bay showcases Cape Cod stripped down to its natural beauty. Having unparalleled beauty on the hillsides as it meets the shoreline, this area overlooks Wellfleet Harbor. During this trip, you’ll experience a trail that is accessible for all. This extensive 5-mile (8-kilometer) trail has a panoramic salt marsh, beaches, and large pine woodland trees. If you’re lucky, you might be able to even catch a glimpse of wildlife. To end your day, you can even spend the night at a small camp site for Mass Audubon members.
Wellfleet Bay
Address: 291 State Highway, Route 6, S. Wellfleet, MA 02663
Website: Wellfleet Bay
Opening hours: 9am - 4:30pm (daily)
Price: 3 - 5 USD
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4. Indulge your curiosity and travel inside a restored lighthouse
Nauset Light is officially known as the Nauset Beach Light. This is a refurbished lighthouse along the Cape Cod National Seashore, close to Eastham, Massachusetts. Tours are free to the public and are done through an open-house style. However, Nauset Light only has specific tour dates and times as specified in their calendar. The lighthouse itself can only fit around 10 to 15 people at a time, which may mean waiting lines during peak season. The lighthouse is funded mainly through donations and local partners, which means any amount helps in preserving the Nauset Light for everyone to enjoy.
Nauset Light
Address: 120 Nauset Light Beach Rd. Eastham, MA 02642
Website: Nauset Light
Opening hours: See website for tour dates and times
Price: Free admission
5. Take a pleasant walk along Cape Cod Lavender Farm
Cape Cod Lavender Farm is surrounded by 75 acres (30.35 hectares) of land with woodland walking trails. This is located right in the within 12 secluded acres (4.85 hectares). This farm is a family-owned business that has proudly bloomed over seven thousand plants. The farm that once grew from selling lavender plants and organically made lavender soap now presents various offers that will delight any travelers’ senses and palate! The lavender harvest occurs between mid-June to mid-July. It is a perfect tour if you find yourself dropping by Cape Cod during spring season.
Cape Cod Lavender Farm
Address: Island Pond Trail, off Weston Woods Road, Harwich, MA 02645
Website: Cape Cod Lavender Farm
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm
Price: 10 USD
6. Detoxify and take yourself on a relaxing bike ride
Cape Cod has a paved bikeway, Cape Cod Rail Trail, which runs 25 miles (40 kilometers), beginning in South Dennis all the way to Wellfleet. The name comes from an old railroad parallel to the current trail. This was an original trailhead which led passengers to Cape Cod back in the early 1800s. At present, it offers cyclists, walkers, inline skaters, and runners a smoothly paved surface with some minor grading in Orleans and Wellfleet. Give yourself time to relax and enjoy the natural landscapes. Don’t have a bike? No problem! There are bike rentals available directly along the trail.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Address: 3488 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
Website: Cape Cod Rail Trail
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Price: 5 - 10 USD
7. Immerse yourself in nature's beauty
In the heart of Cape Cod, Nickerson State Park offers a multitude of activities to keep you entertained throughout your day. This is known to be one of Massachusetts’ most popular campgrounds with over 500 campsites within pine and oak forests. These areas slope down towards the banks of eight shimmering fresh water ponds. The park provides travelers and locals alike with bicycle trails, freshwater swimming, fishing activities, and spacious campsites.
Nickerson State Park
Address: 3488 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
Website: Nickerson State Park
Opening hours: 6:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 8 - 15 USD
8. Forget Netflix and chill, enjoy movies the old way
The Chatham Orpheum Theater brings movies to the Main Street as a quaint yet state-of-the-art movie theater in Cape Cod. This movie-house-slash-cultural-center is made available and affordable to the public. Being community-driven, this theater provides programs for children, elders, and families. This is managed by a small, lovely group of people backed up by a huge team of volunteers.
Chatham Orpheum Theater
Address: 637 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633
Website: Chatham Orpheum Theater
Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)
Price: 8 - 11 USD
9. Walk and glimpse through time in the Museum of Natural History
The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History promotes itself as museum of natural history, nature education center, and steward of conservation land. This museum aims to preserve and showcase pieces of history. They also engage individuals of all ages to take part in learning about the facets of the natural world, as well as the mutual effects that humans and nature deal upon each other. It is a perfect experience for beginning naturalists.
The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Address: 869 Route 6A Brewster, MA 02631
Website: The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Opening hours: See website for calendar
Price: 6 - 15 USD
10. Celebrate the art and eccentricities of the late Edward Gorey
The Edward Gorey House exhibits and preserves the works of the late Edward Gorey. He is a known American author, illustrator, playwright, and set and costume designer. Gorey had lived the final 14 years of his life residing in a two-century-old sea captain’s house. Here, travelers and locals can behold more than a hundred works of literature as well as a home cluttered with Gorey’s effects. This displays his unique and extraordinary talent and personality.
The Edward Gorey House
Address: 8 Strawberry Lane, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
Website: The Edward Gorey House
Opening hours: Sun: 12pm - 4pm; Thu - Sat: 11am - 4pm (closed Mon - Wed)
Price: 2 - 8 USD
The Cape Cod experience from cruises to hillsides
Cape Cod offers a variety of activities. Ranging from sea-focused activities such as enjoying cruises and waterside activities to hiking up trails and farmscapes, travelers and locals will definitely have an adventure in the Cape Cod experience. Within only a few days, you will definitely feel that you’ve gone as far as either ends on the multitude of activities that this place as to offer. Regardless of your age, preference, and beliefs, you will surely spend a great time creating moments that take your breath away.
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