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Only 70 miles long, Cape Cod is a curling peninsula that encompasses hundreds of miles of beaches and more freshwater ponds than there are days in the year. The ocean's many moods rule this thin spit of land, and in summer, it has a very sunny disposition indeed. And little wonder. The "arm" of the Cape has beckoned wayfarers since precolonial days. More than 17 million visitors flock from around the world to enjoy nature's non-stop carnival, a combination of torrid sun and cool, salty air.
On the Cape, days have a way of unfurling aimlessly but pleasantly, with a round of inviolable rituals. First and foremost is a long, restful stint at the beach (you can opt for either the warmer, gently lapping waters of the bay or the pounding Atlantic surf). The beach is generally followed by a stroll through the shops of the nearest town and an obligatory ice-cream stop. After a desalinating shower and perhaps a nap (the pristine air has a way of inspiring impromptu snoozes), it's time for a fabulous dinner. There are few experiences quite so blissful as sitting at a picnic table overlooking a bustling harbor and feasting on a just-caught, butter-dripping, boiled lobster.
Be forewarned, however, that the Cape can be a bit too popular at full swing. Although it's hard to fathom why the settlers waited nearly 3 centuries to go splashing in the surf, ever since the Victorians donned their bathing costumes there's been no stopping the waves of sun-, sand-, and sea-worshippers who religiously pour onto this peninsula and the Islands beyond every summer.
Experienced travelers are beginning to discover the subtler appeal of the off-season, when the population -- and prices -- plummet. For some, the prospect of sunbathing with the midsummer crowds on sizzling sand can't hold a candle to the chance to take long, solitary strolls on a windswept beach, with only the gulls as company. Come Labor Day (or Columbus Day, for stragglers) the crowds clear out, and the whole place hibernates until Memorial Day weekend, the official start of "the season." It's in this downtime that you're most likely to experience the "real" Cape. For some, it may take a little resourcefulness to see the beauty in the wintry, shuttered landscape (even the Pilgrims, who forsook this spot for Plymouth, didn't have quite the necessary mettle), but the people who do stick around are an interesting, independent-minded lot worth getting to know. While crowds diminish at the end of summer, the best-kept secret is that the early fall in New England is generally warm, dry and gorgeous. Finally giving way to Indian summers and beautiful foliage. This is a great time to visit the Cape.
Things to do:
Stop in one of the cape's many seaside villages, such as the quaint towns of Chatham, or Wellfleet, MA. Here you can stroll among shops, walk past the Chatham lighthouse to swim at the local beach. And in the evening (each town chooses a different evening, Chatham's is Friday) spread out a blanket on the grass at the Chatham Bandstand where kids dance the bunny hop with parents while releasing balloons up into the starry night sky. Other options are a trip to Provincetown, where you can stroll through interesting shops and take a recommended whale-watching tour to see several varieties of whales at play, including humpbacks, and occasional killer whales. Also worthwhile is a trip to Nauset Beach, a National Seashore, with colder but more dramatic open Atlantic water, and an opportunity to walk for miles, in solitude, finding brilliant colored stones, polished by the waves.
Guide
Events/To Do
Boston
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Providence
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Newport
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Cape Cod
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The Islands
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Block Island
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Stay here!
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| Only an hour away, Boston is world renowned for its history, academic institutions, parks, culture, and shopping. Take a Daytrip to Boston. |
Thirty minutes from the South Coast Region, Providence has a recently revitalized downtown and is undergoing a cultural renaissance. |
Just thirty minutes away, Newport is great for yachting, beaches, shopping, dining, and has a vibrant summer nightlife. |
Only thirty minutes from the South Coast Region, Cape Cod has 100 miles of beaches, National Seashores, Audubon preserves, lighthouses, and picturesque seaports. |
Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cuttyhunk islands; the rich and famous "summer" here; hardy New Englanders have made it their year-round home for 350 years. |
Accessible by Ferry from Newport, RI, this small island offers safe harbor, bike rentals, beautiful sea cliffs, beaches, seafood, and a plethora of summer wildflowers. |
Last but not least, stay local and explore the South Coast's many back roads, museums, beaches, zoos, parks, antique shops, and more. |
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