10 Best Things To Do In Cape Cod, Massachusetts

things to do in cape cod
Keira
Keira 
Updated
| 4 min read

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

things to do in cape cod | behold whales dancing over sparkling waters
Source: www.klook.com

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.

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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.

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Two Hour Martha's Vineyard Sunset Cruise

Duration: 2 hours

3. Explore a sanctuary by the hillsides and shorelines

LeCount Hollow beach - look left
Source: Photo by Flickr user Rebecca Siegel used under CC BY 2.0

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

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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

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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

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7. Immerse yourself in nature's beauty

things to do in cape cod | immerse yourself in nature's beauty
Source: instagram

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

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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

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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

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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

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The Cape Cod experience from cruises to hillsides

lighthouse by the sea
Source: Pexels

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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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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