Cape Cod, a preferred trip vacation spot in Massachusetts, is residence to many stunning locations to go to. Whereas the Cape is extra of a summer season vacation spot, a few of these sights are literally open year-round.
Nevertheless, the very best climate on Cape Cod is mostly in the summertime season. In case you plan to go to any of those locations, make sure you test working hours to verify it is open throughout your journey.
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11 of the Greatest Locations to Go to in Cape Cod
Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore
Make no mistake. Any of the Cape Cod seashores are pretty, from the serene boardwalk at Grey’s Seaside in Yarmouth Port (with shallow water) to the favored Mayflower Seaside in Dennis. Whether or not they’re on Cape Cod Bay or alongside the Nantucket Sound, these seashores are all standard vacationer sights. Nevertheless, among the most stunning sandy seashores are a part of the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore.
The Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore is a Nationwide Park that features 40 miles of shoreline, seashores, marshes, ponds, and a customer heart. It encompasses a number of seashores, together with Coast Guard Seaside, Nauset Gentle Seaside, Herring Cove Seaside, Marconi Seaside, Race Level Seaside, and Head of the Meadow Seaside.
In the summertime months, all of those seashores might be standard. So you may need to arrive early to get a parking spot. It is the proper place for nature lovers and among the best issues on the Cape. Be taught extra concerning the Cape Cod Nationwide Seashore on its web site.
Cape Cod Inflatable Park
Touring to Cape Cod with youthful youngsters? The Cape Cod Inflatable Park, situated in West Yarmouth, MA, is a good place for them to burn off their vitality. Along with the most important inflatable park in the USA, there’s the Depraved Waves Water Park. Each of those parks provide a variety of enjoyable actions and sights for households.
When buying tickets, you possibly can select between shopping for single-park tickets or combo tickets. Park entry after 4 p.m. is discounted. Cabana and locker rental add-ons can be found for a further charge.
The Cape Cod Household Resort is situated adjoining to the inflatable park. It contains two buildings, the household resort and the household Suites, and pet-friendly rooms a block away. Visitors who guide their keep immediately by means of the Cape Cod Household Resort additionally obtain combo tickets to the parks. Verify their web site for particular particulars.
John F Kennedy Hyannis Museum
Cape Cod is called the summer season trip residence of the Kennedy household, together with the thirty fifth president, John F. Kennedy. Go to the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum to study extra concerning the Nineteen Sixties and the Kennedy household.
The museum presents a wide range of reveals, together with one on JFK’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy. Hours are seasonal, so test their web site earlier than planning your go to. Timed and dated tickets can be found on-line.


Pilgrim Monument
Provincetown, MA, is situated proper on the tip of Cape Cod and is likely one of the most stunning locations in Massachusetts. For a stunning view of the realm, go to the Pilgrim Monument, a monument constructed within the early 1900s commemorating the Mayflower touchdown in Provincetown. The pilgrims initially landed in Provincetown and later sailed to Plymouth, MA.
To climb the 252-foot tower, you should purchase a ticket to the monument and the adjoining Provincetown Museum. Timed advance tickets have to be bought and embrace each the monument and the museum. It’s a fantastic place to go to, and the monument presents stunning views.
Provincetown, on the Outer Cape, is among the many greatest Cape Cod cities to go to. While you’re in Provincetown, make sure you go to Industrial Avenue.
There, you may discover artwork galleries, eating places, and retailers which are enjoyable to discover. Do not miss the Provincetown Portuguese Bakery for some scrumptious treats.


Whydah Pirate Museum
Do you’ve got pirate-loving youngsters in your loved ones? Make sure you cease by the Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth, MA. As an alternative of specializing in the myths and legends of pirates, this museum focuses on genuine pirate artifacts discovered on a shipwreck.
The Whydah Pirate Museum is nice for each youngsters and adults. I used to be fascinated to study that among the myths aren’t true. You will additionally see the one genuine pirate treasure on the earth.
In contrast to different Cape Cod sights, the Whydah is open year-round. Hours and days within the low season are restricted. Sometimes, they’re open on weekends and through faculty holidays throughout winter, however test their web site upfront.
Timed tickets can be found upfront, and it’s a good suggestion to ensure admission at a particular time (particularly within the busy season). Do not forget that many households need to go to the museum on wet days on Cape Cod, so buy your tickets as early as doable.


Cape Cod Rail Path
As you drive into Cape Cod from the mainland of Massachusetts, you may see many automobiles carrying bikes. A method that households like to discover Cape Cod is by bike.
Whereas there are lots of bike paths and trails, the Cape Cod Rail Path is the preferred. It is a 25-mile-long path for climbing, biking, and operating. It stretches by means of six Cape Cod cities, and you’ll select to do exactly a part of the path. There are many parking areas, together with some free tons, within the following places:
- South Wellfleet Trailhead (LeCount Hole Highway)
- Nationwide Seashore at Marconi Historic Website
- Salt Pond Guests Middle in Eastham (which is ½ mile from the Locust Highway intersection with the path)
- Rock Harbor Highway, Orleans
- Orleans Middle
- Rt 137 Brewster
- Headwaters Drive Harwich
- Rt 134 South Dennis
- Station Ave South Yarmouth (the path finish on the jap facet)
Not planning to journey together with your bike? You may as well lease bicycles for your loved ones from varied distributors all through Cape Cod.
Whale-Watching Excursions, Fishing Journeys, and Dune Excursions
While you’re on Cape Cod, it is a fantastic thought to expertise among the space’s pure magnificence. There are many enjoyable issues you are able to do with youngsters, together with whale watching, fishing journeys, and dune excursions.
If you wish to expertise a whaling journey, some choices go away from totally different elements of the Cape. You will discover some in Hyannis, Provincetown, and different Cape cities. Whereas excursions run from April to October, peak season is June by means of September.
One other enjoyable exercise is fishing. If you do not have your gear, you possibly can take many Cape Cod fishing journeys. If you’re renting a trip residence or stay within the space, you possibly can have your fish filleted and packaged so you possibly can take it again your trip rental to prepare dinner.
A extra distinctive exercise is touring the dunes of Provincetown in an SUV. These excursions, which run from April to November annually, will also be organized privately. You’ll find out extra data from Artwork’s Dune Excursions.
Cape Cod Museum of Pure Historical past
Discover Cape Cod’s distinctive nature with a go to to the Cape Cod Museum of Pure Historical past in Brewster. This museum presents a butterfly playhouse, a small aquarium, reveals, and trails.
One of many museum’s extra distinctive actions is the sphere stroll, the place you possibly can register to take a 90-minute path stroll. Throughout this stroll, a naturalist will clarify the path’s ecological options. These walks are included with admission, however you may need to test the museum’s web site to seek out dates and instances after they’re provided.
Tickets to the museum might be bought on the door; they aren’t bought upfront. When you could take into account visiting the museum when the Cape climate is not cooperating with a seashore day, the museum’s outside areas are greatest visited on a dry day.
Heritage Museums and Gardens
The Heritage Museums and Gardens presents 100 acres of grounds in Sandwich, MA. This museum features a hydrangea backyard, an herb backyard, a pond, and a lot extra. It is not particularly kid-friendly, so it’s best visited with older youngsters who could also be within the gardens.
Involved in seeing particular flowers? Their web site will let you already know what particularly is in bloom every month.
The Heritage Museum and Gardens additionally hosts a preferred hydrangea pageant every July. You will get to see varied species of that beloved Cape Cod flower.
Tickets might be bought upfront and are dated. The museum is open rain or shine, though I like to recommend visiting on a transparent day if doable.
Nickerson State Park
Positioned in Brewster, MA, Nickerson State Park is a well-liked Cape Cod vacation spot, particularly in the summertime. This 1,900-acre state park boasts 400+ campsites, eight freshwater ponds (4 stocked with trout), a motorbike path that connects to the Cape Cod Rail Path, climbing trails, and far more. The outside actions provided by this park are among the many greatest issues to do within the Cape.
In season, a day by day parking charge is charged, with a reduction for Massachusetts residents. In case you simply need to use the Cape Cod Rail Path, it is best to park at a spot with a free car parking zone.
The Cape Playhouse
The Cape Playhouse is the longest-running skilled summer season theater in the USA, situated in Dennis, MA. Along with conventional Broadway-style productions that run all through the summer season, there’s additionally an out of doors theater with youngsters’s reveals. Verify their web site for particular particulars on reveals, dates, and instances.


Different Widespread Issues to Do on Cape Cod
Different standard issues to do and locations to go to on Cape Cod embrace the next:
- Attend a Cape Cod Baseball League recreation
- Woods Gap Oceanographic Establishment
- Nauset Lighthouse
- Sandwich Glass Museum
- Chatham Lighthouse
Staying in Cape Cod
In search of a spot to remain on Cape Cod? Search the map under for all kinds of accessible choices throughout your trip.

