The best way to enjoy a Cape Cod vacation is by dividing your stay into segments. Spend two days in Chatham, taking family photos at the Chatham lighthouse, and then head to Harwich for another couple of days, making time to ride along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, and for a grand finale, take at least two days to explore the adventures that Brewster has in store for their visitors. Here’s some Brewster activities for your 48 hours in town—enjoy!
New England Vacation Rentals wants to make it easy for you to forget that you only have two days to explore Brewster, so wipe the sleep out of your eyes, slip into your walking shoes, and start the adventure with breakfast at Brewster Coffee Shop. Offering outdoor seating, hearty breakfast choices (including a strawberry and banana waffle that will give you the energy for your day ahead) and strong, dark coffee to keep the caffeine headache away, Brewster Coffee Shop is a local favorite. And don’t forget the famous Brewster General Store for old fashion cool treats and Cape Cod souvenirs.
After breakfast, you’ll head to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History for a morning of education and entertainment. Located at 869 Main Street, Route 6A, the museum is a smaller one, but it packs a punch inside its four walls. Featuring everything from an Archeology Exhibit to a Butterfly House, an Osprey cam, live honeybees and Pollinator Path, families with younger children will really appreciate the exhibits offered here.
Exploring the natural wonders found at the museum will make you hungry, so lunch at Cobie’s, a local institution since 1948, is the best way to stave the hunger pangs. Try the lobster roll; it will change your life!
An afternoon at Breakwater Beach finishes off your first day of fun in the sun in Brewster. If you’re too tired for dinner, Stone L’oven Pizza serves pasta, pizza, calzones, and more, and because they offer take-out, you can enjoy it in your jammies back at your NEVR vacation escape!
Because you were smart yesterday, chances are you stopped in Eat Cake 4 Breakfast and picked up some pastries for this morning’s meal, allowing you to start in on the day’s exploration immediately. Today is about museums, so again, make sure to wear your walking shoes!
We’ll start with a visit to The Crosby Mansion, only open on Sundays in August and located at 163 Crosby Lane in the morning. Built in 1888 and known for its famous visitors, which included Hellen Keller, the Crosby Mansion is also known for its extensive art collection.
In the afternoon we’ll visit another grand manor, the Nickerson Mansion, built in 1907 and located at 2871 Main Street. Finishing off the day with a romantic dinner at the Brewster Fish House, your time in Brewster must draw to a close.
Make sure you make time to visit Ocean’s Edge for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a sunset cocktail and enjoy the views and top service.
Nickerson State Park in Brewster is famous for its 1900 acres of nature and beauty. Take a walk, take a swim, take a bike ride around –you decide.
As the stars twinkle brightly in the night sky, your time in Brewster will remain a shining moment in a vacation filled with wonders. Your last night’s sleep in one of our classic New England cottages will be the best one yet—reserve yours today! Contact us today to learn more about Brewster things to do.
Here on Cape Cod, we are fortunate for two things: fresh ingredients and establishments with history and tradition. When you combine these two things, something magical truly happens, and it means there are a number of wonderful local restaurants ready to serve you up some delicious quick bites to eat! The next time you’re visiting the Cape Cod area, here are a few places to eat in Cape Cod you should check out:
Standing as a true local landmark for five decades now, Chatham Squire has become legend in the Cape Cod area with its incredibly unique license plate lined walls and delicious seafood and pub style eats. Chatham Squire provides an atmosphere unlike anything else you’ll find in all of Chatham. From its vibrant bar to live entertainment and karaoke, there’s no better place to spend a Friday night! You can also enjoy their delicious menu with some of the freshest seafood available, including shrimp, lobster, swordfish, and more.
Winner of countless awards and arguably home to the best clams in all of Massachusetts, Captain Frosty’s is happy to welcome in customers to enjoy their delectable fried eats for over 40 years! The key to Captain Frosty’s success is their commitment to only providing you with the freshest ingredients, and you’ll be able to taste the difference that this commitment makes from your first bite until your last. From their award-winning lobster roll to fresh clam strips fished up locally in the Chatham area, you’ll be certain to find something for every taste on Captain Frosty’s menu!
Now surely, we could talk about the fresh seafood we’re fortunate to have all day long, but Cape Cod is much more than fish! Marion’s Pie Shop is a locally owned and operated establishment that has been proudly serving the Chatham area since 1947, and whether you’re looking for something sweet or something savory, they’ll have something for you. To get that kick start you need in the morning, you can visit them for one of their fresh baked blueberry crumb muffins, or for comfort food that’ll stick to you ribs, visit them later for an amazing shepherd’s pie and much more!
Cape Cod is home to a number of local establishments with a wide variety of options, but when it comes to picking the best place to stay on your next Cape Cod vacation, there’s only one option you can trust: New England Vacation Rentals. NEVR is the premier rental property company on all of Cape Cod, and our dedicated team is ready to find you the perfect home or condo to fit your exact needs today!
Ok, we have a secret to confess: It never really gets unbearably hot on the Cape, but every once in a while, the temperatures DO rise up over 80, and if you’re not used to the heat wave, you’ll be looking for ways to keep cool like everyone else! Summer vacations spent on Cape Cod are magical experiences that you never want to end, and when the suns shining bright overhead, we’ve come up with these Cape Cod activities to help you keep your cool! Get out your tank tops, slip into a pair of flip flops, and start planning your unforgettable Cape Cod vacation. Life doesn’t get much better than this!
The wind in your hair, the sun shining down from overhead, and the feel of the cool ocean water cradling your body are just a few reasons why a day at the beach cures all ills. Why not make it your first stop on a vacation that will be filled with magical moments from the first day to the last?
Yes, you can see a movie anytime, but when is the last time you spent a day going from theater to theater and catching ALL the movies you’ve been dying to see in the same day? The Chatham 14 Movie Theaters offers crisp and cool air conditioning and the chance to escape into a fantasy world for a few hours at a time—take advantage of it!
The Woods Hole Science Aquarium isn’t a large one, but when you’re looking to escape the heat for a few hours at a time, there’s no better place to explore! Teaching our kids that education can be entertaining, the touch tanks are especially fun for those with gentle hands, while the outdoor seal exhibit will have your entire family laughing as you watch the antics of these canine-like creatures that make their home here!
Not all our homes have pools, but if you plan ahead and rent one that does, you may discover your family never wants to leave your backyard! Greet the day with a refreshing swim, do cannonballs with your kids after a long morning of sightseeing, or float on your back at night, watching the stars above wink and twinkle. Your vacation in one of our New England Vacation Rentals homes with a pool will take you to places you never dreamed possible. Reserve yours today and discover how the RIGHT vacation rental can make all the difference!
If you have visited Cape Cod before, you may think you know everything there is to know about our slice of paradise, but we’re betting we will manage to surprise you with this list, and we promise not to take the fun out of your exploration of Harwich as we do it! Whether you’ve dreamed of visiting for years and this is your first time traveling here, or you’re an old hat at Cape Cod life, your vacation can only be improved by learning these five things prior to your Harwich vacation!
Remember when you were young and visited your grandmother’s farm on a hot summer’s day? The first thing you wanted to do, after eating her cookies, of course, was head to the swimming hole! Harwich is home to more than a couple of kettle ponds (22 to be exact) which make perfect swimming holes, offering sandy beaches and cool water that feels great against overheated skin.
You’ve probably seen the commercial where the two spokespeople are wearing waders and standing hip deep in a sea of cranberry bogs. Well, believe it or not, cranberry bogs do exist,
and one of the best cranberry farms is located in Harwich! Offering tours starting in April and costing $15 per person, these colorful tours are fascinating and beautiful!
Nantucket Sound and Martha’s Vineyard provide a barrier that keeps the Harwich side of Cape Cod warmer, including the water! This makes Harwich a popular place to swim for families, so our beaches will often be a tad more crowded than the ones on the other side of the Cape.
If something is working fine, we don’t see a reason to fix it. The Pleasant Lake General Store, a staple along the Cape Cod Rail Trail for quite a few decades, closed down in 2015, but instead of tearing down the historic building, it was purchased and reopened as a sandwich shop, keeping the historic flavor of the building as the new owners added a little flavor of their own!
Harwich is a popular vacation destination, and it shows in the numbers, but still never seems to lose its quiet ambience and homey appeal, just like our New England Vacation Rentals vacation escapes! Exploring the port city of Harwich is simple when you stay in town, and our Harwich MA rentals offer the same charm and quiet beauty as all our other Cape Cod rentals. Reserve yours today!
We can’t think of anywhere we would rather spend our nation’s birthday than right here on Cape Cod, not far from our humble beginnings as a country, and if you’re reading this right now, chances are you feel the same way! Celebrating Cape Cod 4th of July is about as patriotic as you can get, and because the towns and villages are so close and intertwined, you have the option of choosing any town and any fireworks show for your celebration pleasures. Here’s a list of the top 4th of July fireworks show on Cape Cod!
Firework shows held over the water double your chances for oohing and ahhing; the water’s reflection of the colorful explosions in the sky also give your neck a chance to relax! And because we can’t wait to get a start on the celebrating, this year’s fireworks show will be held on July 2, starting as soon as the sky is completely dark! The best part is you can view the show from multiple locations; the fireworks can be seen from Linnell Landing Beach and many other bay side beaches as well!
The day starts with the famous old-fashioned parade through downtown Chatham, lasting from 9:30AM until 11:30 AM with a theme of “Hooked on Chatham.” Our Chatham residents take pride in this parade, as it’s one of the oldest 4th of July celebrations in all the nation! Featuring floats, marching bands, and even a boat or two, over 20,000 visitors flock to Chatham each year for this annual event. The fireworks show starts at nightfall, visible from Oyster Pond. Our suggestion is you double your pleasure by watching the Fireworks Over Rock Harbor on July 2nd, and then continue the celebration in Chatham with Cape Cod 4th of July; it’s the holiday that keeps giving!
While we can’t guarantee that you will be able to see the big shows from your back porch, there is a chance that you’ll catch a few rogue fireworks shows from the neighborhood. Grab a sweatshirt and a beach chair and head to the closest beach to see amateur displays. Or, there’s always blending up some frothy margaritas and turning on the television to watch fireworks displays from all over the country. Reserve your New England Vacation Rentals getaway today and celebrate our nation’s 242nd birthday in the style you can only expect from one of our vacation rentals!
As we move deeper into this wild new millennium, we find ourselves realizing that the old ways we have scorned for so long have new merit. Family meals held around the dinner table without cell phones, morning walks that are good for your constitution, and eating more fresh and organic foods and less processed ones are all on the table again! It turns out there really is a substitute for ease and convenience, and when you taste the local foods you can purchase from your regional farmers’ markets, you begin to understand why fresh is so much better!
Getting used to farm fresh fruits and vegetables can quickly become your newest obsession, and the good news is that healthy living doesn’t need to stop during your unforgettable Cape Cod vacation. We’ve compiled this list of local Cape Cod farmers market for you to visit during your stay in our cozy New England Vacation Rentals homes.
Held on Thursdays from the middle of June through the middle of October (3-6PM) the Harwich Farmers’ Market is a prime example of everything wonderful! Offering locally harvested fruits, flowers, vegetables, and herbs, an afternoon spent wandering the aisles will put you in a peaceful state of mind.
Saturday mornings are meant for sleeping in, quiet breakfasts, and when you’re vacationing on Cape Cod, trips to the Orleans Farmers’ Market! Held every Saturday from 8AM (a cowbell will ring signifying shoppers can begin to shop!) until noon, this market offers the usual and the delicious: ripe juicy tomatoes that are fat and healthy, fragrant garlic to add spice to all your meals, and delectable homemade items that include pies, cakes, jams, and jellies!
The magic of Tuesdays on vacation are knowing there’s nothing you HAVE to do and so many things you want to do, and when you spend that vacation on Cape Cod, Tuesday mornings from 9AM until 1PM are the best time to enjoy the wonders of the Sandwich Farmers’ Market! A celebration of all the hard work done by local farmers and artisans, this market even offers healthy treats for your favorite fur-baby, tasty Vietnamese food, Greek foods from Monopati Farms, and so many other delicious items that you may have to plan another trip to the Cape to discover it all!
It’s the simple moments that bring about the most memorable experiences: coffee at sunrise, family meals served with laughter and love, and waking up after a deep night’s sleep in a cloud soft bed, feeling cozy and rested. All these activities, and many more, can be experienced when you rent a New England Vacation Rentals classic cottage. Reserve yours today and make this family vacation a magical one!
Compared to the sprawling metropolises of Chicago, Los Angeles, or Phoenix, the Cape Cod towns and villages like Harwich may seem tiny, but that doesn’t mean they’re not full of things to do! Challenge yourself to see how much you have access to from a quaint small town, the list below will show you some of the great Harwich attractions has to offer!
One of the biggest draws to Harwich is its many lovely nature trails and beaches. Hawksnest State Park is one of these secluded natural treasures. While it doesn’t receive as much love in the maintenance department as some parks, the views make up for it, with plenty of ponds and lakes to enjoy. Indeed, its lack of amenities is one reason people love it so much. Dirt roads and fallen branches accentuate the feeling of seclusion, despite being so close to all the other wonderful parts of Harwich.
When it comes to Cape Cod, there are plenty of local restaurants that’ll vie for your attention, Harwich is lucky enough to boast some of the best in the area. For example, if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, it’s hard to beat George’s Pizza House on Main Street in Harwich Port. The 400 East is also a busy place thanks to its variety of options and cozy feel. On the other hand, if money’s no object, a romantic evening at Twenty-Eight Atlantic at Wequassett Resort can’t be beat. Open to the public, its gorgeous views of Pleasant Bay and top-quality service will make it a night to fondly remember!
If you extend your search to neighboring towns, Chatham is home to the Marconi Maritime Center, an exciting place to visit for any history or technology buffs. The building started as a receiving station in 1914, but came into its own as secret Navy Post in World War II, when it was used to eavesdrop on German U-boat conversations. Many exhibits showcase the beginning and growth of wireless technology, a fantastic chance to show the kids just how far technology has come!
New England Vacation Rentals features an array of beautiful homes to stay in across the Cape. We’re perfect for romantic getaways for honeymooners and retirees alike, and with multiple-bedroom, pet-friendly options available, we also make the perfect family getaway option. If you’ve never experienced the beauty of a Cape Cod summer, make this the year! Call 508-432-0900 to set up your vacation today.
As Memorial Day and the endless days of summer draw closer, we begin to think of how we want to celebrate the day that honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to our country. Many years we simply spend it at home, celebrating with the family and being grateful that we can sleep in an extra day. This year, however, we think we should all shake things up a little and step out of comfort zones. It’s time to celebrate on Cape Cod in the Harwich village of Pleasant Lake!
Pleasant Lake is the kind of town that will bring a smile to your face long after your adventures here have concluded. You may not party the night away or run into celebrities, but a picnic on the beach in one of our kettle pond swimming holes offers more gratification. The melting of glaciers formed the kettle ponds thousands of years ago, and the scenery will take your breath away. Long Pond and Seymour are just two of the more popular ones, but tucked away as they are, you won’t have to fight the crowds for a good spot.
Even though we were a part of the biggest change of all—the fight to become an independent country—we New Englanders are not a fan of change, as evidenced by our General Store. In business for over 150 years, the General Store offers an idyllic spot to enjoy a simple Memorial Day breakfast or lunch. Featuring everything from bagels to burritos and hot dogs to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the food is simple, hearty, and delicious.
The sacrifices made by our soldiers is what this special holiday is all about, and Chatham offers a progressive walking ceremony to five different sites. At each stop there will be a ceremony, a wreath placement, rifle salute, and finally, Taps will be played. Solemn and sweet, these brief ceremonies teach us the importance of remembering.
Our New England Vacation Rentals Harwich homes offer quiet places to enjoy your day with your family. Rent a waterfront cottage on Long Pond and spend the morning fishing for the evening’s dinner; nothing tastes better than a Memorial Day meal that you caught, prepped, and created with your own two hands! Sit in colorful Adirondack chairs on wooden decks with a tropical drink in hand watching the sun set over the horizon, or spend an evening watching patriotic movies with a fire in the fireplace. There’s no rules on this Memorial Day getaway, just fun, laughter, and the joy in realizing that memories are being made—reserve yours today!
We live in a body conscious world, one in which we try to stay as active as possible-except during vacations, when we tend to go a little crazy in the calorie department and start taking elevators instead of the stairs. We rationalize our lapses in good judgment by promising ourselves that as soon as we get back to real life we will get back on the treadmill and eat rabbit food until we regain the slim and svelte figure we were so proud of. But this year is going to be different, with a little help from your friends here at New England Vacation Rentals. This year, this vacation on Cape Cod will be an active one; one that will help you stay fit and slip easily back into your real-life exercise routine.
Everyone knows that the best way to keep your shapely figure taut and slim is by using the stair climber at the gym, but during your vacation in Chatham, take the opportunity to climb the 44 steps (plus 8 on a ladder) to the top of the Chatham Light and Lifeboat Station. The tours held every Wednesday are free, and the views from the top will take your breath away!
Having a strong core is important to your health, and stand-up paddleboarding is the latest fitness craze to hit our nation! Stop by Adventure Chatham for equipment rentals and lessons and discover how this challenging workout can change your life as you glide across a serene pond.
All the trails that cross Cape Cod are excellent, but the ones you will find in Chatham offer a little extra magic for your workout pleasures. Follow the wood planked bridge through the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, keeping an eye out for the creatures that make their home there, or walk along the sandy shores of Cockle Cove Beach as the sun rises or sets over the water. Walking in sand increases calories burned, allowing you to have that lobster roll without consequence!
The Old Colony Rail Trail is a paved path that leads its followers from Chatham to Harwich and back again. Rent bikes for the whole family from the Wheelhouse Bike Company, located at 48 Cromwell Road in Chatham, and take a leisurely ride along the Old Colony’s abandoned railroad. Need to feel the burn? Kick up the pace and let your legs do their thing!
Some of our Chatham vacation rentals come with their own private pools or community pool access, and since we know that an hour of fast swimming can burn up to 590 calories, starting your day with a swim will mean that second breakfast can be a thing! Reserve your New England Vacation Rentals Chatham escape today!
Ready to visit Chatham? Our amazing vacation rental homes are ready to welcome you! Book your stay with us today!
People often come to Cape Cod for the incredible beauty and the one of a kind culture-oh, and endless stretches of pristine beaches never hurt either! But many people do not think of the amazing opportunities that come with such a vibrant community. Regardless of the time of year, you can expect to find endless celebrations and events throughout the Cape that will provide for lasting memories. One thing is for sure, the people here know how to throw a celebration.
From March 15th to the 18th, you can enjoy an amazing event in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Of course, this is a celebration of amazing film, but it would not be a Martha’s Vineyard celebration without also celebrating what we love about food and wine! All of these elements come together during this festival to offer a fun and delicious way to spend a weekend.
Okay, so this event is not technically a springtime event, but it is one that everyone should seriously consider attending. Each year in February, this amazing event is held in the town of Eastham. This is the perfect celebration for anyone who loves nature, as many of the features will be documentaries focusing on the natural world. Throughout the festivities you will find awe in the amazing topics covered along with endless beauty and a little bit of learning. Though this year’s film festival was held February 18th, there’s always next year.
This is not one specific event, but the springtime brings with it countless amazing live performances. On March 11th, you can enjoy the event, “Shower the People: The James Taylor Tribute Band, In Concert.” This is a must-see performance. You can also enjoy countless “Dinner Theater” performances in Hyannis. On March 16th, the Noel Henry Irish Show Band is taking the stage featuring Loretta Laroche. You can also enjoy amazing comedy like you will find with the “Psychic Mind Blowing Comedy Show with Jon Stetson.” Check Cape Cod’s calendar of events for more details on the perfect show for you and your group.
This synopsis does not even begin to scratch the surface of all the opportunities that await on Cape Cod. Regardless of what you are interested in, you will find a festival and a celebration that will provide for a memorable experience when in stay in one of our New England Vacation Rentals homes or condos.
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