HOW TO TOUR CAPE COD THE RIGHT WAY

Cape Cod is no ordinary beach destination. With some 560 miles of beautiful shoreline, historic lighthouses, award-winning seafood, and a rich history, including many American firsts, this sandy peninsula offers visitors a long list of experiences. The Cape Cod National Seashore stretches from Chatham to Provincetown, the Cape Cod National Seashore is the crown jewel of the Southern New England coast, with six swimming beaches along 40 miles of coastline. Come for the ocean waves, sheltered coves, salt marshes, historical lighthouses, and well-kept paths. Visit historic towns such as Sandwich, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Hyannis, Brewster, Provincetown, Chatham, Wellfleet, Truro, Eastham, and Orleans. If you are a history buff, you can retract the first steps of the Pilgrims in the New World, according to records, The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock when they first arrived in the New World back in the 1600s. 

Visit the Cape Cod Canal, one of the most iconic landmarks around, the Cape Cod Canal is as picturesque as it is functional. Don't miss out on the delicious New England cuisine that Cape Cod has to offer including Lobster rolls, New England Clam Chowder, oysters, and fried clams. You can drive along Route 6A, also known as Old King's Highway; it is one of America's most iconic byways and comprises the largest contiguous historic district in the United States. In 2021, Old King's Highway achieved National Scenic Byway Status. This destination makes it one of only four in Massachusetts. If you don't want to plan out your own itenary, you can also join local tours as well.

Top Things to Do

1. Take in the vistas of the Cape Cod National Seashore

Stretching from Chatham to Provincetown, the Cape Cod National Seashore is the crown jewel of the Southern New England coast, with six swimming beaches along 40 miles of coastline. Come for the ocean waves, sheltered coves, salt marshes, historical lighthouses and well-kept paths. 

2. Drive along Historic Route 6A

Most people consider Old King's Highway the section of east-west roadway on the northern side of Cape Cod between the towns of Bourne (just east of the Sagamore Bridge) and Orleans (ending at the Orleans Rotary). Route 6A also extends all the way to Provincetown, however, it does not exist as a standalone roadway in the towns of Eastham and Wellfleet and the village of South Truro, where it vanishes within US Route 6. Route 6A re-emerges in North Truro at Shore Road and extends all the way to Provincetown, where it ends at the US Route 6 junction at Herring Cove. Located within the Old King's Highway district are original examples of the many periods of American architecture dating back to the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. 

3. Retrace the first steps of the Pilgrims in the New World

 Pilgrim Monument (One High Pole Hill Road, Provincetown) commemorates the historic landing and provides one of the most spectacular panoramic views around. Just south, in Eastham, First Encounter Beach is the site of the first meeting between the Wampanoag tribe and the Pilgrims.

4. Touch the world’s only authenticated pirate treasure

The Whydah Pirate Museum (674 Route 28, West Yarmouth) provides a glimpse into real pirate life through recovered artifacts and interactive exhibits. The Whydah, originally a slave ship, was overtaken by pirate Captain Samuel Bellamy in the Caribbean and later shipwrecked off Cape Cod; it was discovered off the coast of Wellfleet in 1984. Climb aboard the ship’s life-size replica as you walk through the museum, and see and touch 300-year-old silver and gold pirate coins found on board.

5. Visit the Cape Cod Canal

One of the most iconic landmarks around, the Cape Cod Canal is as picturesque as it is functional. The seven-mile canal is an active shipping channel that also provides postcard-worthy panoramas; a scenic bike trail runs along both sides of the canal, and is a great way to take it all in on bike or on foot.

6. Eat Lobster Ice cream

New Englanders eat a lot of ice cream. They also devour local lobster. Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium (209 Main Street, Falmouth) combines these two New England favorites into sweet and savory lobster ice cream. The butter-flavored ice cream—with bits of real lobster—is available year-round.

7. Eat freshly harvested Wellfleet oysters

The most famous of all New England oysters, Wellfleet’s are farmed in protected flats of cold, fast-moving, pristine waters. It's this trifecta that gives the bivalves their briny, sweet flavor. Slurp down a raw one at one of Cape Cod’s many bars and restaurants….or plan your stay around the town’s annual Oyster Fest each October.

8. Walk the dunes of Cape Cod

The peaked hills and majestic dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore make for an otherworldly environment - a sea of red beach plums and wispy beach grass set against a stunning ocean backdrop. For those who want to venture deep within, Art’s Dune Tours takes adventure seekers through protected lands and the “village” of dune shacks. If exploring on foot, be sure to follow the established paths and take care to avoid stepping on vegetation.

9. Visit the Edward Gorey House

Edward Gorey, renowned illustrator of the macabre, lived in this Cape Cod cottage (8 Strawberry Lane, Yarmouth Port) from 1979 until his death in 2000, and filled the house with eclectic flea market finds. The home is now a museum showcasing his most treasured items.

10. Stroll through Woods Hole

Quaint seaside village meets top science research destination—that's Woods Hole. It's home to the world-renowned Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Marine Biological Laboratory, as well as a working drawbridge, Nobska Lighthouse, eclectic shops and eateries, a small aquarium and stunning views of Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. You can get there by car, but parking is limited; a more scenic route is via the Shining Sea Bikeway, or aboard a Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority trolley in season.

Viator  Tours

Cape Cod Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Experience the best of Cape Cod in your own time without overlooking any sights with this self-guided driving tour. Download the app with its GPS map, audio, and text, and hit the road from the Cape Cod Visitor Center. Follow the route to see and learn about the peninsula's lighthouses, beaches, and sights, and take optional detours to relax, hike, or delve deeper into the cape's history. With no expiry date, you can dip in and out whenever you wish. For a low cost of $14.99,  this downloadable app provides a flexible self-guided audio-driving tour of the best of Cape Cod. Explore at your own pace rather than on a fixed-pace itinerary Be sure to cover all the sights and learn more about them than if alone. You only need to buy one tour per vehicle and you could use it as many times as you want afterward.

Cape Cod Lighthouse and Highland House Museum Tour

The Outer Cape is lined with beautiful lighthouses that have lit the way for ships through Cape Cod’s notoriously treacherous sandbars for centuries! See the scenic route of coastal lighthouse views and make our way to the Highland Lighthouse in Truro where we’ll spend our time touring the tower, museum, and gift shop. On this Tour, you will see attractions such as the Highlight Light, Long Point, Wood End Lighthouse, Race Point Lighthouse and Highland House Museum. You can join this tour for $52.00 per person, it is worth the cost if you want to know more about the Lighthouses. 

Mayflower Excursions National Seashore Tour

Experience the Cape Cod National Seashore on our tour that takes you to lookout points and hikes that will take your breath away! Your tour will take you on a drive through the National Seashore in Provincetown and make your first stop at the Province Lands Visitor’s Center. Here you can explore the museum and gift shop and check out the amazing viewing balcony that faces the dunes and ocean! See the Pilgrim Heights in Truro, where we will take a light hike to some great lookout points facing a different section of dunes and river. From here you’ll have the option to either turn back and relax at the picnic tables or continue the trail loop that explores the Pilgrims Spring Trail. This tour has a little

bit of everything in it and would be a great introduction to Cape Cod.

Provincetown & Cape Cod High-Speed Ferry to/from Boston

This 90-minute journey on a catamaran is the fastest and most luxurious way to travel to Cape Cod, where restaurants, beaches, shopping, and nightlife await. You can Travel to and from Cape Cod from Boston aboard this High-Speed Catamaran boat. See magnificent views of the Boston Skyline and Boston Harbor Islands during your sail. There is a full-service Concierge Desk aboard the ferry to help plan your trip to Cape Cod. Provincetown has art galleries, shopping, restaurants, landmarks, picturesque beaches and more. For Round Trip, you will need to purchase two separate one-way tickets - one departing from Boston and one departing from Cape Cod. 

Conclusion

Cape Cod is rich with recreation, from the artistic to the adventurous. Cape Cod has been named as one of the top ten spots in the world for whale watching and water activities, including paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing and windsurfing. The region is also ranked among the ten most popular destinations in the U.S. for its beaches, world class bike paths, scenic hiking trails and historic coastal towns. It certainly is a place you want to swing by if you are in the Boston/RI area.