As our tour of Cape Cod continues, we find ourselves exploring the Harwich Villages area, a town comprised of seven villages destined to add a depth of joy to your vacation that you may not have believed possible. Harwich, considered the nation’s second happiest seaside town (Although we would debate that fact, feeling it deserves to be known as the happiest seaside town!), it has been a leading grower of cranberries since the mid-19th century and tours of its bogs are quite a popular activity for visitors who have only seen such a thing in commercials on their televisions. Our Harwich, MA vacation rentals, are another thing this part of Cape Cod is famous for, offering a style and personality that matches the artsy vibe of the area, and when you choose these spaces to make your own, you will never be far from something wonderful to explore.
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The Harwich villages offer the picturesque charms you expect from Cape Cod, but the beauty runs deeper. Perhaps it is the happy people who live here, people that will wave at you when they drive by and in spite of our innate Yankee reserve, have never met a stranger. The seven villages—Harwich, East Harwich, Harwich Port, North Harwich, Pleasant Lake, and South and West Harwich—each have something special that attracts travelers from all over the world, offering a coastline that is mostly beach with a few harbors punctuating the sandy shores. Rich in history, Harwich was settled in 1665, becoming incorporated in 1694, and although you may not recognize the names of the people who settled here, you can be sure that all played a part in the revolutionary war, making them heroes in our books. The arts and culture vibe of Harwich runs deep, with the Cape Cod Theater Company calling it home and as you explore the shops in the villages, you will notice that the galleries are filled with the works of some of the most talented people in the world.
Although we think that any season is the best season to visit Harwich, for those who aren’t that fond of crowds, spring and fall (what we call shoulder seasons) will give you the adventures you seek and the peace and quiet you crave. The weather is still quite nice during these times, but we’ve never been a big Spring Break destination (thankfully), and in the fall, most travelers are settling back into real life, making these times absolutely perfect for travelers who don’t follow the crowds. If you are here during the busy season and you have difficulty finding parking spaces, you can park for free at the Tourism office on Main Street and walk or bike from there to wherever you are trying to get to while in town.
As we mentioned earlier, Harwich is a leading grower of cranberries, and if you would like to examine the bogs, tour season begins in April at Cranberry Bog Tours. Available only through reservations, they fill up fast, so this might be an adventure you should reserve far ahead of time. Cranberries aren’t the only thing harvested in Harwich, and the Cape Cod Lavender Farm offers an aromatic adventure that is both peaceful and colorful. Enjoy fields of lavender, a charming shop, and a delightful Enchanted Garden that allows visitors of all ages rediscover their belief in magic. Visitors can stroll along paths through the gardens which feature fairy portals and a stone castle that is a replica of medieval ones, offering another charming experience to their adventures. Harwich is also home to 22 beaches, and many travelers consider it a personal challenge to check them all out, working on your tan as you find the serenity of the sea seeping into your soul. And finally, the Cape Cod Theater Company/Harwich Junior Theater is always in season, offering a variety of plays that will enrich your visit.
Although your Harwich vacation homes do offer a fully equipped kitchen, we do recommend venturing out for a seafood dinner at Cape Sea Grille. Offering an authentic taste of Cape Cod, the meals here are created with locally sourced ingredients, including native seafood that somehow tastes that much sweeter. Located not far from the beach, a stroll to shore’s edge after a lobster meal is a New England tradition we can get behind and encourage you to try it for yourself.
The adventures you will enjoy during your Harwich journey will be comfortable ones when you choose our Harwich vacation rentals. Offering water views, swimming pools, fireplaces in the living rooms (and in some bedrooms) and a tranquility that will help any remaining travel stresses dissipate instantly, you will feel at home even as you are hundreds of miles away from your own home. Reserve your favorite Harwich retreat today!
A: The sea isn’t the only water source on Cape Cod. Our beautiful home is punctuated with swimming holes and ponds with charming names like Aunt Edie’s Pond. These ponds are the source of fun and serenity and a few of our Harwich Village properties can be found on their tranquil banks.
A: Cranberries have been grown in Harwich since 1846, when Captain Alvin Cahoon produced the first crop for commercial sale, and today, Cape Cod and Harwich especially still does a booming cranberry business. Cranberry Bog Tours offers guided tours of our Harwich bogs in the spring, summer, & fall and their farm stand also sells all manner of cranberry related products, including Cranberry bog honey, dried cranberries, soaps, and cookbooks.
A: We love our dogs and yours, and as such, we offer quite a variety of pet friendly properties all over Cape Cod, including ones in Harwich.
Are there any pet friendly activities we can participate in during our stay in your Harwich sanctuaries?
From visits to wineries (First Crush Winery, 527 Main Street) to bike rides along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, we are happy to inform travelers that your most faithful of companions is welcomed almost everywhere on Cape Cod!
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