Cape Cod, a hook-shaped peninsula of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, is a popular summertime destination. It's the site of quaint villages, seafood shacks, lighthouses, ponds and bay and ocean beaches. In the large town of Hyannis, the John F. Kennedy Museum is the first stop on the Kennedy Legacy Trail through downtown, where ferries depart to the resort islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
Water Activities
Boating on the waters that surround Cape Cod is why many visit, and why many stay! Area charter and tour boat companies transport hundreds of thousands of visitors out onto our waters each year for fishing, sightseeing, swimming and relaxation. Cape Cod marinas host scores of visiting yachtsmen and provide water access to countless recreational boaters from all over southeastern New England. Guided kayak tours, solo rentals and kayaking eco-tours are a popular option for exploring our peaceful salt marshes, bays and lakes!
There is something for everyone, from the flats on Cape Cod Bay where children can enjoy the warm water tidal pools at low tide, to windsurfing locations at Hardings Beach in Chatham and Kalmus Beach in Hyannis, to barrier beaches with off-roading trails like Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable. A walk along Coast Guard Beach in Eastham - which regularly ranks on Dr. Beach's annual list of the Top 10 Beaches in America Opens in New Window - is spectacular, especially at sunset. Old Silver Beach in North Falmouth, Nauset Beach in Orleans, Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown and Mayflower Beach in Dennis are also among the more popular beaches for visitors.
Cape Cod tests all public bathing beach waters. Monitoring results from previous seasons indicate exceptional water quality on Cape Cod, and the Cape Cod National Seashore beaches are part of the Blue Wave Campaign for quality.
Remember, we share our Cape Cod National Seashore beaches with native wildlife, including sharks and seals. Here are shark safety tips for things to do beaches/ for all beachgoers.
Listed below are just some of the pristine Cape Cod beaches in our area.
BARNSTABLE
Covell Beach, Craigville Beach Road, Centerville
Dowses Beach, E. Bay Road, Osterville
Kalmus Beach, Ocean St., Hyannis
Long Beach, Long Beach Road, Centerville
Loop Beach, Ocean View Avenue, Cotuit
Sandy Neck Beach, Sandy Neck Road, West Barnstable
Sea Street (Keyes), Ocean Ave., Hyannis
Veterans Beach, Ocean St., Hyannis
Craigville Beach, Craigville Beach Road, Centerville
BOURNE
Monument Beach, off Shore Road
Scusset Beach, off Sagamore Rotary via Scusset Beach Road
Town Beach, Buttermilk Bay off Rte. 28 and Head of the Bay Road
Sagamore Beach, Standish Road
BREWSTER
Breakwater Beach, Breakwater Beach Road
Crosby Landing Beach, Crosby Lane
Ellis Landing Beach, Ellis Landing Beach
Robbins Hill Beach, Long Road
Sheep Pond Beach, Fisherman's Landing Road
Paine's Creek Beach, Paine's Creek Road
CHATHAM
Cockle Cove Beach, Cockle Cove Road off Rte. 28
Hardings Beach, Barn Hill Rd., from Rte. 28
North Beach, southern end of Nauset Beach on Atlantic Ocean (only accessible by boat)
Ridgevale Beach, Ridgevale Road off Rte. 28
Chatham Light Beach or South Beach, Shore Road by Chatham Light
DENNIS
Chapin Memorial Beach, Chapin Beach Road
Cold Storage Beach, Cold Storage Road
Corporation Beach, off Rte. 6A to Corporation Road
Howes Beach, Howes Street
West Dennis Beach, West Dennis Beach Road
Mayflower Beach, off Rte. 6A to Bayview Rd. to Dunes Road
EASTHAM
Coast Guard Beach, off Rte. 6, Coast Guard Beach Road
First Encounter Beach, Samoset Road
Coast Guard Beach, off Rte. 6, Coast Guard Beach Road
Outdoor Activities
With our seemingly endless coastline, water sports Opens in New Window are always a popular attraction on the Cape. Perhaps your perfect day involves lying under an umbrella at one of our sandy beaches for things to do beaches/ with a good book and picnic lunch. When on land, a game of mini golf is a Cape Cod tradition. The Cape Cod Baseball League Opens in New Window , the nation's premier summer collegiate baseball league and the launching pad for Major League talent, has free weekly games each summer. And our natural beauty can be appreciated best along our well-maintained nature trails, perfect for scenic walks or bike rides Opens in New Window .
Lively festivals, village celebrations and seaside events are happening across Cape Cod all year long, bringing a healthy dose of fun to every season! Here are some of our best bets to put on your calendar.
Brewster in Bloom Opens in New Window (May)
Route 6A is a treasure at any time of year, but it bursts into action for Brewster in Bloom weekend, with hundreds of daffodils along the way and a weekend of family activities. Events include a 5K Bloom Run, self-guided arts & antique tours at local galleries, an outdoor band concert, Kid Fest at Drummer Boy Park, a juried arts & crafts show, and the colorful Brewster in Bloom parade.
Yarmouth Sand Sculpture Trail Opens in New Window (May-October)
Ever seen beach sand transformed into beautiful art? Watching the professional sculptors at work on Yarmouth's Sand Sculpture Trail is almost as intriguing as the finished product. The trail is the largest in the U.S. and features family-friendly sand sculptures across town from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Past sculptures have depicted everything from mermaids and lobsters to unicorns and whales. Download the trail map at yarmouthcapecod.com Opens in New Window and start exploring! Bring your camera - spectators are encouraged to snap photos along the way for a chance to win.
Wellfleet Restaurant Week Opens in New Window (Late May/early June)
This week-long dining event is the perfect way to kick off the season. Enjoy special menus and offerings at everything from beach bars (think Wellfleet Beachcomber) to high-end bistros like Pearl on Wellfleet Harbor, where you're sure to get some of those succulent Wellfleet oysters you've heard about. After your meal, stroll the downtown area for one-of-a-kind finds at unique galleries, boutiques and clothing shops.
Hyannis Father's Day Car Show Opens in New Window (June)
The sight of traffic stopped along Hyannis Main Street is never sweeter than during the annual auto show, featuring rare, antique, classic and muscle cars on proud display. Even non-enthusiasts may fall for a vintage convertible or sleek 70s Charger. This annual Father's Day tradition also includes kid's games, prizes, a craft fair, and discounts at local restaurants and shops.
Harwich 5K Road Race Opens in New Window (June)
Can't stop, won't stop! That's the mantra of the Harwich 5k Road Race, presented with Koko Fit Club Cape Cod. Founded with the intent of keeping kids and adults moving, the race through scenic Harwich Port village features awards for the top three finishers in each division and an after-party celebration where you can celebrate your time or congratulate the runners.
Old-Fashioned Clambake in Dennis Opens in New Window (June)
Welcome summer in true Cape-Cod style at the town's Old Fashioned Clam Bake. Watch a traditional clambake prepared right on the beach, and savor The Lighthouse Inn's feast of clam chowder, steamers, lobster, steak, corn-on-the-cob, and cornbread. Live music livens the party, but you may not stop munching all the goodies long enough to notice.
SandwichFest Opens in New Window (June)
Take a bite out of Sandwich (literally) at the annual SandwichFest. This community street festival on Water Street has great food, music, arts & crafts, and family activities. It's also home of the “Best Sandwich in Sandwich” competition, where chefs from local restaurants compete for bragging rights and trophies. Past winners have included Marshland Restaurant's Sweet Elvis sandwich, a mouth-watering mix of homemade banana bread, peanut butter mousse and bacon-whipped gamache that would stop even “The King” in his tracks.
Live in Orleans! Opens in New Window (July and August)
The stage has been set for the new music series Live in Orleans! An exciting line-up of local musical talent will perform each Tuesday from mid-July through mid-August (5 to 7 pm) in various locations throughout downtown Orleans. There truly is something for everyone – each of the weekly concerts will feature four bands, playing everything from jazz and folk to blues and rock. Bring your beach chair or blanket and soak up the summer sounds.
LaTavola: Italian Feast Under the Stars Opens in New Window (August)
If you've never starred in a romance set in Tuscany, you're about to. LaTavola is a five-course feast on the corner of Market and Fountain Streets in Mashpee Commons—featuring family-style tables, checkered table cloths, and live Italian music. You will eat, you will drink, you will be merry, and you will dance. It's the al fresco dinner party of your dreams!
Provincetown Carnival Opens in New Window (August)
Some things in life don't live up to their hype, but Carnival Week in Provincetown will never be one of them. Get ready for a week of pool-partying, boat-cruising, pride-flag raising and costume-parading fiestas. The crown jewel of the week is a larger-than-life parade (held on the Thursday of Carnival), featuring elaborate costumes, over-the-top performances and colorful floats centered around a specific theme.
Truro Agricultural Fair Opens in New Window (September)
Local land and sea harvests are the stars of the show at the town's annual agricultural fair, held on the beautiful banks of Pamet River. Sample everything from local oysters and just-picked fruits & veggies to locally sourced honey. Relax to the sound of fiddlers as you watch the action unfold; everything from pie-eating contests and barnyard beauty competitions to zucchini car racing and rutabaga bowling.
Eastham Windmill Weekend Opens in New Window (September)
In the final weeks of summer, there's no better place to celebrate the changing seasons than the annual Windmill Weekend on the Eastham town green, a three-day festival of crafts, raffles and music that culminates in a parade along Route 6. Other highlights include a pancake breakfast, tricycle race, car show, and sand art competition. The backdrop for the festivities is the scenic Eastham windmill, a 1680 working gristmill.
Cape Cod Canal Day Opens in New Window (September)
Any day that celebrates the beautiful Cape Cod Canal is a great day in our books. Buzzards Bay Park plays host to food trucks, live music in the gazebo, kids' activities with National Marine Life Center, and a whole bunch of family fun. Sample craft beer and wine, peruse the work of local crafters, and compete in a heated corn hole tournament. Make a (Canal) day of it!
Falmouth Holidays by the Sea Weekend Opens in New Window (December)
Forget summer. The weeks leading up to Christmas may just be the most wonderful time of the year on Cape Cod. Where else can you welcome Santa Claus by boat? Santa's highly anticipated arrival is just one of the highlights of this holiday weekend, where a nostalgic vibe of yesteryear is ever-present. Sing Christmas carols at Nobska Lighthouse, gather at the historic village green for the annual lighting ceremony, stroll the merrily decked downtown area, and line the street on Sunday for the annual Falmouth Christmas Parade, where Clydesdales and clowns walk among festive floats and marching bands.
Chatham Christmas Stroll Opens in New Window (December)
If ever a seaside town were to be made into a snow globe, quaint Chatham surely would be the one. In between the candy-cane-making, tree lighting, carriage rides, hot chocolate, a Historic Inn Tour, and greeting Santa at the Kate Gould Park bandstand, be sure to carve out time for holiday shopping on Main Street.
Cape Cod is a family-friendly destination, and we have a wide variety of kid-friendly restaurants – from waterfront dining to casual establishments. Great stops for lunch or dinner between the beach, mini-golf and the drive-in! These restaurants have children's menus and serve up the perfect meal in an atmosphere that will satisfy the whole family.
4940 Brickhouse
4940 State Highway, Eastham, MA 02632
Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar
Visit WebsiteCape Cod is far more than a world-class vacation destination – it is a real place, offering top-notch health care, quality public and private education, vibrant communities, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Massachusetts recently ranked #2 on a list of Best States to Raise a Family Opens in New Window . Read why these Cape Codders love living and working here!
- Cape Cod's 15 towns are not unlike siblings: metaphorical brothers and sisters, sharing some qualities, yet remaining refreshingly different. The Cape is divided up into four sections commonly referred to as: Upper Cape, Mid Cape, Lower Cape and Outer Cape.
- The Cape offers 559 miles of coastline buttressed by 213 miles of high-speed broadband internet connection.
- The world-renowned Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution and Marine Biological Laboratory, leaders in marine science research and technology development, are based on Cape Cod. Hydroid makes “the best robot on the planet” per WHOI scientists.
- Cape Cod boasts excellent public schools, private schools of all types, and top-ranking Charter public schools. In 2016, US News & World Report ranked Sturgis Charter School in Hyannis as the #11 Charter School in the US and the #33 high school in the nation. In 2017, two Cape Cod public high schools ranked on Niche's list of the Top 100 High Schools in Massachusetts (Nauset Regional High School and Barnstable High School)
Higher education includes Cape Cod Community College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. - Cape Cod Healthcare has been named one of the nation's Top 15 Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics, along with an impressive lineup of honors and accolades
- Cape Cod's Entrepreneur Resource System combines a cadre of proven professionals with access to capital.
- Development ready sites in growth incentive zones offer business addresses, while protecting the Cape's exquisite environment, including the Cape Cod National Seashore and the Old King's Highway Historic District.
- The Town of Barnstable is listed in the Top 4 places to retire in the USA and top 5 places for your “second act”.
- Arts and culture are embraced here, emanating from Provincetown, the oldest art colony in the USA and once awarded top 25 arts destination status
- A vibrant Cape Cod Young Professionals Opens in New Window serves over 800 members from all career paths.
- Cape Cod is host to the largest athletic fundraiser in the USA – PanMass Challenge and home to the country's oldest collegiate baseball league – Cape Cod Baseball League Opens in New Window
- Barnstable ranked #5 on Today.com's 2016 list of the Happiest, Healthiest Cities in the U.S. Opens in New Window
- Cape Cod was named one of ABC's Good Morning America's 10 Most Beautiful Places in America Opens in New Window
- Cape Cod is widely recognized as
