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Cape Cod’s Top Towns for a Vacation
When you are ready to start planning your Cape Cod vacation, you may not know much about the towns that make up our island home, unsure of where you want to land, even if you already know that it is a New England Vacation Rentals vacation sanctuary you want to land in. Because of your foresight in choosing us, however, you have what many would consider an ace in your pocket, knowing that we do more than just provide comfortable and luxurious lodgings for travelers from all over the world; we also have a passion for our historic home, and we love to share it with our guests. This guide to Cape Cod’s top towns for a vacation will give you a better idea of what town you want to call home during your life-changing Massachusetts vacation.
Bourne’s Charms
Our first town on the list (we are going in alphabetical order so we don’t show preference) is the town of Bourne. The first town on Cape Cod, Bourne, is considered its gateway, and in its early days was the center of trading activities, with the Aptucxet Trading Post being its main business. Today, the town is centered around the Cape Cod canal that cuts through it, attracting fishermen and women as well as ships making their way out to sea. The Bourne Scallop Festival, held every September for over 35 years, offering rides, art shows, live music, and of course, the sweet and delicious scallops that are the reason behind the festival. If you don’t manage to visit during the festival or you just want to sample a taste of the town, the Lobster Trap Restaurant & Fish Market, located at 290 Shore Road, has been a Bourne tradition since 1969.
Brewster Is Great Too
Although you may not think of Cape Cod as a golf destination, the Captains Golf Course is going to prove you wrong. Offering two courses, the Port and the Starboard, and designed by famed golf course architect, Brian Silva, the only thing that may be slightly better than the courses is their 19th hole, Freeman’s Grill. Unusual for a golf course restaurant, Freeman’s has made the best restaurant list in Brewster, serving an elevated pub grub menu that includes hot dogs, nachos, and a fresh and wonderful Catch of the Day. Its Brewster in Bloom festival that takes place in May celebrates the end of winter, the beginning of spring, and all the colorful beauty that accompanies the season. Offering three days of music, arts and crafts shows, food, and a parade, the Cape Cod 5 Bloom Run adds another layer of fun to a fantastic festival.
Charming Chatham
Chatham was once a quiet farming and fishing village, but when the well-to-do started to discover the joys of seaside vacations, they started to make their way to this quaint town. Pristine beaches and a charming downtown area makes it very popular, as does the sight of the Chatham lighthouse standing guard over seafaring travelers. Still in use 24 hours a day, there is something comforting about its presence, and if your journey brings you here during the summer months, free tours are offered every Wednesday in July and August and every other Wednesday in September. Visitors are not allowed inside unless they are taking the tour, but we can tell you that family photographs taken with the lighthouse in the background are popular. And even though the kitchen in your New England Vacation Rentals escape may entice you to make a meal or three during your stay, there are so many wonderful restaurants in the area you will have to explore, starting with breakfast (or lunch) at the Chatham Filling Station. Offering comfort foods including pancakes that are light, fluffy, and made from scratch, your best Chatham adventures will begin after being seated at their table.
Laidback Dennis
Named after the first minister in the area, Josiah Dennis, the town of Dennis offers a truly laidback vacation experience which contrasts interestingly with its array of colonial mansions, including the Josiah Dennis Manse Museum, located at 61 Whig Street and offering a fascinating glimpse into the life of that minister. Built in 1736 and open for tours during the summer months, it also offers an example of the classic New England Saltbox house and inside it has been fully restored, looking almost as if the minister has stepped out to give a sermon and will be back for Sunday dinner. Beach days at Mayflower Beach are popular ones, especially during the annual sand sculpture contest that takes place every August, and if you want to venture beyond the casual yet authentic fare served at the Sesuit Harbor Café, we suggest you explore the elevated dining options available at the Pheasant. The centuries old bar that houses this wonderful restaurant will send you back in time while the French inspired meals will feed your soul as they fill your stomach.
Eastham Wonders
All of the towns on Cape Cod could be considered all-American—they are the setting of our nation’s birthplace after all—but there is something about Eastham that seems to surpass them when it comes to all-American charm. Maybe it is the Nauset Lighthouse, a picture of which graces the front of the Cape Cod Potato Chips bag or maybe it is the Red Barn Pizza & More establishment that just exemplifies everything that makes a summer day in America absolutely perfect. Located at 4180 US-6, this fun spot offers pizza, video games, even miniature golf and unlike other amusement spots that may be similar, the pizza is actually wonderfully delicious! The Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, is the center of everything artistic, featuring stunning exhibits of local art as well as offering classes and workshops that visitors are welcome to attend, including Paint Nights that are always fun and inspirational.
Is Harwich for You?
Harwich has always been considered a happy place, offering miles of pristine beaches that invite guests to stake their claim on a section and soak in the serenity that accompanies the sea. Offering seven villages to explore, including Harwich Port, (in which New England Vacation Rentals also offers properties) a village that is known for its quaint shops and art galleries as well as being the site of several wonderful restaurants. The Guild of Harwich Artists, 551 MA-28 in Harwich Port, offers seasonal art shows, community paint sessions (what a great souvenir a painting you did yourself would be!) and a juried gallery filled with the best works of some of the most talented artists in Harwich. The Mad Minnow Bar & Kitchen, 554 MA-28 in Harwich Port, is one of our favorite seasonal restaurants, offering a blended menu of swimmers and runners (surf and turf) and an innovative cocktail selection. Although the Yankee Doodle shop is in another village of Harwich, West Harwich, we urge you to explore its selection of Americana gifts, bringing home something that will forever remind you of the time you spent in our tranquil Cape Cod village.
The Kennedys and Hyannis
It is hard to think of Hyannis without thinking about the Kennedys, as this seaside village was a second home to our 35th president and their compound is still a favorite of the family’s today. A visit to Hyannis wouldn’t be complete without exploring the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, 397 Main Street, and if you want to further walk in the president’s footsteps, one of the family’s favorite restaurants is still open for business. Baxter’s Boathouse has been a local (and Kennedy) favorite for nearly 70 years, and once upon a time you wouldn’t have been able to eat there without rubbing shoulders with a Kennedy. Located at 177 Pleasant Street and offering strong meu of seafood dishes, it has been in business as long as it has because the food is that good!
Families Love Orleans
Orleans is one of those classic Massachusetts small towns that is just loaded with charm and its position along the Cape Cod Rail Trail makes it a popular town for bicyclists, with Orleans Cycle offering a colorful selection of bikes for rent or sale. Home to the Blue Claw Boat Tours, 69 Barley Neck Road, this family owned business offers seal tours, sunset tours, beachcomber tours, and even shipwreck tours, taking guests to some of the major shipwrecks in the area. Life moves at a slower pace in Orleans, and whether you are casually riding your rented bike through town or along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, are spending a few hours exploring the quaint shops you find in the downtown area or are simply relaxing in the backyard of your New England Vacation Rentals cozy cottage, you will also want to take the time to explore the menu of Rock Harbor Grill, 18 Old Colony Way. Offering a menu filled with classic American favorites this family friendly eatery welcomes everyone with a hearty meal and a cheerful vibe.
It All Began in Plymouth
As we near the end of our adventures on the Cape (there’s one more town left after this one) we go back to where it all began in the town of Plymouth. Known as America’s Hometown, it is where the Pilgrims first stepped foot on what would become American soil and of course, you can see the famous rock during your stay here. Pilgrim Hall Museum, 75 Coast Street, tells the story of those intrepid travelers as well as offering a deep exploration of the Wampanoag People, the people who inhabited this area for thousands of years before the colonists stepped ashore. Burial Hill, a cemetery used by the pilgrims since the 1620s, and although it may sound a little unusual, it is a fascinating place to visit, even if you can’t see the grave stones of the earliest burials. They were made of wood and did not survive the centuries, but the earliest still legible and surviving one dates to 1681. Tavern on the Wharf, 6 Town Wharf, offers an eclectic menu of seafood, pizza, Mexican, and Italian favorites, ensuring there will be something that everyone in your traveling party will enjoy.
Savoring Sandwich
Did we save the best town for last, or are we just continuing with our alphabetical selection of towns? We will let you be the judge of that, and as we enter the city limits of Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod, there is a LOT to unpack. Starting with its history, dating all the way back to 1637 (although the town wasn’t incorporated until 1639), visitors often can say they hear the echoes of history as they explore the town. The Hoxie House, built in 1675 offers tours during the summer months, amazing people with just how primitive life was back then but what’s even more fascinating is the realization that the Wing Fort House, built in 1641, is even older. Also offering tours that tell the story of centuries of change, both homes are high on our list of places you must see during your visit. The Dexter Grist Mill, located in the center of town still mills cornmeal and you can purchase a bag as a souvenir and when you want a sweet and frosty treat on a hot summer’s day, Ice Cream Sandwich, 66 MA-6A, is the first place we’d send you, offering handmade ice cream sandwiches in a variety of flavors.
All Roads Lead to New England Vacation Rentals
We hope you enjoyed our Cape Cods top vacation towns guide. No matter which of these wonderful towns you choose to land in for your unforgettable Cape Cod journey, the best news is learning that all roads lead to our New England Vacation Rentals cozy, spacious, and luxurious Massachusetts retreats. Offering idyllic spots in which to relax and unwind, you will feel at home with us, even as you are hundreds of miles away (or more) from your own home sweet home. Reserve your favorite Cape Cod sanctuary today!
