Why Cape Cod is the Best Place to Go in New England for a Summer Vacation
Ask a New Englander where they're thinking about come summertime, and they'll tell you: Cape Cod. It's one of the most beautiful spots in New England, but also one of the best to plan a summer vacation. From its spectacular white sand beaches in towns like Provincetown and Truro, to the scenic backroads of Route 6A in Sandwich, the Cape isn't lacking in fun things to do and see.
Why visit Cape Cod instead of somewhere else in New England?
Cape Cod looks beautiful anytime of year, but especially during the summer. This is when the marshes are a vibrant green color, the water is at its absolute warmest, and the towns really come alive. The cold Atlantic waters of Cape Cod warm up for the months of July, August, and September to their very warmest -- into the high 60's and sometimes into the 70's.
Summer Vacation Towns on Cape Cod
All of the towns on Cape Cod have plenty of lodging during the summer, but some have less than others. The towns of Bourne and Mashpee have little lodging, but do have home rentals that are rented by the week.
The most popular towns on Cape Cod for summer vacations are typically Falmouth, Chatham, Barnstable, Wellfleet, and Provincetown. These towns each have their own little niche, and their own villages within the town.
Falmouth is the 2nd busiest town on Cape Cod, next to Barnstable's Hyannis area. The town is split up into many villages, like E. Falmouth, Teaticket, and Woods Hole. Falmouth is located at the southwestern end of the Cape, easily accessible via Route 28. Falmouth is also the home to the Oceanographic Institute of Woods Hole, which conducts some of the leading ocean research around the world.
Known for its quiet sandy beaches on Nantucket Sound, Chatham is a town that you'll have a hard time finding big chain hotels (which is really a rule of thumb on the entire peninsula). Chatham's hotels and motels are small, family owned, and very down to earth. On the other range of the spectrum, on Shore Road, you can find the much more luxurious Chatham Bars Inn. Chatham has one of the most lively town centers on Cape Cod, with plenty of galleries, shops and restaurants to visit. For these reasons, Chatham is a great pick for a Cape Cod summer vacation.
Known for its giant sand dunes that tower over the roads and over the Atlantic Ocean, Provincetown is the biggest art colony on Cape Cod. It is also one of the premiere gay-lesbian tourist destinations in America. Away from the more commercial town center, you can find an unbelievable array of sights to see at Race Point and through the Province Lands. From the town center, you can also take whale watches that visit the nearby Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. Here, it's practically guaranteed you will see a whale on your boat trip. The inns and hotels in Provincetown are also amongst the best on the Cape. Many of the most luxurious hotels on the entire peninsula that are 4 diamond rated by AAA are located just minutes from the center of Provincetown.
Wellfleet has a great mix of everything Cape Cod. Off the Cape Cod Bay side of Wellfleet, you can spot whales, harbor seals, and shorebirds. The coastline has impressive salt marshes and winding rivers like the Blackfish Creek that lead directly into the bay. On Route 6, there's the Wellfleet Drive In Cinema, which is the only drive in theater on Cape Cod, and one of the few left in the country. Nightly, you can expect to see a double feature in the summer. Also, don't forget the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. This has acres of salt marshes and woods to explore, right along the coast. Be sure to bring your bug spray though, because it can get very buggy in the summer. For hotels, expect motels and home rentals to be the bulk of what's available in town. These resorts are not the best of the Cape, but some provide access to local beaches. The resorts along the east side are closer to the rougher surf of the scenic Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, while the calmer waters of the west side are perfect for families with younger children.
Barnstable contains many smaller villages that comprise the whole city. It is the only city on Cape Cod, and is mostly known for its busy center of Hyannis. While there are plenty of popular places to stay in the Hyannis area, this isn't really what the Cape is known for, or what it's all about. For a more genuine Cape experience, look for accomodations along Route 6A, or towards the village of Cotuit, Craigville Beach, and near Sandy Neck Beach. These are calmer, more residential, and less city-like areas of the town that have some outstanding beaches and harbors. Barnstable is a major hub for the entire Cape because there is so much to do. Travel down Route 132, Iyannough Road, and you'll see all of the chain restaurants, hotels, and malls that Hyannis is known for (if you're looking for that sort of thing, that is). Don't stop on your journey in this busy area though. Keep on heading south to Hyannis Port, Centerville, and Osterville due west. These areas offer stunning ocean views that are well worth the drive.
More recommended Cape Cod travel resources:
- Plan a Cape Cod road trip
- Visit all of Cape Cod towns
- Bourne to Provincetown
