This guide is not intended to be a complete guide to Cape Cod. I've tried
to fill in information around the postings from myself and the others named
above. If you would like to add information or opinions to this file please
send them to me at csellers@whoi.edu and I will incorporate them into
this guide. [CJS]
The local phone books in all towns in Cape Cod have a special guide for
tourists. It is located between the White and Yellow Page sections. It lists
most museums and tourist attractions and provides alot of other good
information as well. [CJS]
'The Cape' is shaped like an arm. The part of the arm closest to the mainland
is called the 'upper cape' and the end farthest from the mainland is referred
to as the 'lower cape'. This is a little counter-intuitive since much of the
'lower cape' is actually north of the 'upper cape'. [CJS]
'Upper' Cape towns include Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich.
'Mid' Cape towns include Barnstable, Brewster, Dennis, Harwich, and Yarmouth.
'Lower' Cape towns include Chatham, Eastham, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, and
Wellfleet. Also in the area are the Islands of Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket,
and the Elizabeth Islands including Cuttyhunk. And not on the Cape but of
interest and on the way from Boston: Plymouth, Mass which is the site of the
first Pilgrim Settlement. [CJS]
Cape Cod is a large sand bar. What people do is go to the beach.
(Nothing wrong with that.) The Cape has been populated by Europeans since
the 1620's so there is a fair amount of historical stuff still left. [JL]
The Cape is hopping in the summer, so a lot depends on your own
preferences. The main reason most people head to the Cape in the summer ...
is to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. The water is relatively warm
for a place as far north as Massachusetts because the arm of Cape
Cod is struck by the Gulf Stream from the south Atlantic. If you
hit a stretch of bad weather and/or you need a little more action,
Boston is no more than a couple hours away, with its museums, plays,
concerts, colleges etc. Have a great vacation! [JB]
I have been on Cape Cod in July/August on a number of occasions.
Descriptions of the Cape frequently refer to the Inner Cape and the Outer Cape
and the line is theoretically everything on the east-west portion of the cape
(out to but not including Chatham) is the Inner Cape, and the north-south
part (from Chatham to Provincetown) is the Outer Cape.
The North Shore of the island is very 'old money'. THere are some developments
there - but they're usually built around a golf course and/or marina - so
they're very pricey. There are a number of bed&breakfasts in this area and
quite a few nice restaurants.
The only things NOT TO MISS on the Cape are the beaches and the scenery. The
rest of the stuff is interesting but not of DON'T MISS quality. [TG]
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Cape Cod National Seashore - Salt Pond Visitor Center - Rt. 6 Eastham
Open late June-Labor Day daily 9-6; Winter hours daily 9-4:30; Jan. &
Feb. weekends only. (508)255-3421
Offers information about guided and self guided walks in the area as
well as a museum, films, and a gift shop. The National Seashore also
maintains some beaches the most popular of which seems to be
Marconi Beach. But note: the water is very cold!!
[ This is a great place to start your exploration of the Lower Cape!
The walking trails are generally easy and fun. There are one or two
at the Center but most are driving ( or biking) distance away. CJS ]
Technophiles might like swimming at Marconi Beach, where there is an exhibit
commemorating one of Marconi's early trans-Atlantic stations. There's nothing
left of the station itself, it fell into the sea due to beach erosion long ago.
Nice beach, though. [JL]
[Actually there are still the remains of some of the antenna anchors and
a nice diarama (sp?) of the station as it was when it was built CJS]
The best beaches are probably those run by the U.S.
Parks Service as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Marconi
beach is one of my favorites. There is a charge for parking for
all of the National Seashore beaches, and a resident sticker is
required for access to some individual town beaches. [JB]
Much of the area is owned by the National Seashore - and there are
some spectacular beaches - particularly on the Atlantic side. The beaches and
nature trails out here are not to be missed. If you only go to one beach I
would suggest Marconi Beach - particularly when the tide is coming in. [TG]
There are a few beaches around that nude bathing is generally acceptable at -
although every once in a while the local police (or the National Park rangers)
crack down and arrest a few people - usually after complaints about
'promiscuous behavior'. [TG]
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If it rains, my wife always likes to drag me to one of the many
'Christmas Tree Shops' to look for bargain prices on Chinese porcelain, lamps,
housewares, etc. [JB]
[ 'Christmas Tree Shops' is located in the following towns:
Falmouth, Hyannis, Orleans, Sagamore, West Dennis, W. Yarmouth and
Yarmouth CJS]
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[Between South Dennis & Eastham] is the Rail Trail (an old railroad line
with the tracks removed on which you can ride bikes and horses only. It's
[19.5] miles long). [TG]
[ The Rail Trail has been extended into Wellfleet CJS 4/95]
[Other bike trails exist in Falmouth, Eastham & Provincetown as well as in
Nickerson State Park in Brewster and Scusset Beach State Reservation in
Sandwich. The local Phone book has a special section. CJS]
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Walk along the Great Atlantic Cypress Trail which starts off
the access road to Marconi Beach. You can't believe how different the
scenery/vegetation is from the dunes that are a few hundred yards away. [TG]
Also, the Audubon Preserve in Wellfleet and the trail by the [Something?] House
in Orleans are truly spectacular. [TG]
[ The Penniman House is a restored whaling captain's house in Eastham at the
head of the Fort Hill trail. My personal favorite. Go in late June to see an
amazing number of wild roses climbing the trees. CJS]
[ The National Seashore maintains several trails between Eastham and
Provincetown. Info. available at the Visitors Center on Rt 6 in Eastham
CJS 4/95]
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The Chamber of Commerce will send you a package to help you find a place to
stay. They will also give your name to realtors if you wish.
Here's some numbers:
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce (508) 362-3225
Martha's Vineyard C of C (508) 693-0085
Provincetown C of C (508) 487-3424
Canal Region C of C (508) 759-3122
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Provincetown at the tip of the cape is quite a peculiar little town, with
a combination of Portugese fisherman, artists, and gay bars, all of which
get along surprisingly well, considering. [JL]
Provincetown [is] at the tip of the cape, shops, galleries, restaurants, etc.
I'd particularly recommend Ciro and Sal's for GREAT italian. [RAY]
[I'll second that. CJS]
Provincetown, at the very tip of the Cape is also worth
a visit with its artist colonies, unusual shops and unusual people.
It also has a large gay contingent. [JB]
Provincetown is very interesting. There are a lot of artisans shops
and restaurants (which tend to the fancy burger, nachos, veggie style), and
there is a very large gay community - with a lot of gay bars and leather
stores, etc. [TG]
There's just so much to see. A favorite place of mine is The Surf Club. at
least I think thats the name. as you walk out on the big pier (also a good
place to park) it's the last building on the left. There's a band there every
nite in the summer called The Jug Band - good folksy rock music. $2 cover!
[CJS]
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The dunes around Truro are also a lot of fun. [JB]
Could you mention our company Atlantic Spice in your section about when
it's raining a good place to go is...
It has been a favorite tourist destination on rainy days and has free
parking. Over 400 herbs, spices, teas and potpourri ingredients.
Our web site address is http://www.AtlanticSpice.com
Their address is Route 6 at Route 6A in North Truro. Thanks alot! [NH]
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For a change of pace, you may consider taking the ferry from Wood's Hole (in
Falmouth) to the island of Nantucket. The cobblestone streets, old sea
captain's houses and Whaling Museum are quite interesting. Bikes can be
rented for trips around the island. Allow a full day for this
as the ferry takes about 3 hrs. each way (Nantucket means 'Far
Away Isle' in some Indian language). [JB]
[ You can get to Nantucket from the ferries in Hyannis also. CJS]
[ You can no longer take the ferry from Woods Hole to Nantucket.
Service stopped years ago. Now all boats leave from Hyannis. |
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