Palmera GO Destination Highlight: Cape Cod, MA

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Quite possibly the definition of charming, Cape Cod’s unspoiled natural beauty is the ultimate summer vacation for both families and those looking to relax and stay outdoors in picture perfect surroundings. Pristine beaches and dunes, quaint, shingled cottages, and brightly-colored blooms of hydrangea and daffodils await you. This hook-shaped peninsula is strung together by a collection of historic fishing villages, farms, woodlands, and of course, the Cape Cod National Seashore.

The area got its name from English explorer, Bartholomew Gosnold, in 1602. As you might’ve guessed already, Gosnold noticed the large population of codfish in the surrounding waters, and the rest is history. The Wampanoag are said to have technically been the first people in the area, but did you know that the pilgrims made a pitstop in Provincetown before finally anchoring in Plymouth Harbor? You can visit the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown to learn more about their landfall and signing of the Mayflower Compact.

Once the railroad came to the Cape, so did the beginning of its tourism. Hotels were opened close to the railroad lines and families from cities enjoyed staying throughout the summer in this seaside escape to simply bask in the sunshine and enjoy the fresh, salt air. It wasn’t until automobiles were made more common that the entirety of Cape Cod could be explored and visitors with shorter travel periods became more widespread. Fast-forward to today and you’ll still find families enjoying their summers at second homes or rentals on The Cape, as well as New England residents visiting for the week or weekend.

Cape Cod includes fifteen towns in total. Some towns are known as centers for the arts, others for producing excellent dining experiences, most include historical landmarks and beautiful architecture, and some have stunning shorelines. Every town is a piece of the unique and iconic Cape Cod splendor. There is so much to discover regardless of where you are on The Cape.

What brings everyone to The Cape in the first place is the sea. The Cape Cod National Seashore runs almost 40-miles along the Atlantic side of the peninsula, including six prominent towns and multiple historic districts. This area includes not only beachfront, but woods and marshes, and features three popular paved bike trails in the towns of Provincetown, Truro, and Eastham.

There are a handful of well-kept beaches run by the National Park Service, but there are other fantastic beaches not considered within the National Seashore. There are beaches with better surfing conditions than others, but most beaches are very kid-friendly and some even feature tide pools to explore. Parents might want to check if lifeguards will be on patrol for the specific beach and timeframe during their visit.

Cape Cod is also known for its historic lighthouses, some of which are very well-known and offer tours or nearby museums to visit. Popular ones include the Nauset Lighthouse and Chatham Lighthouse. It’s no wonder The Cape is so inspiring to local artists—who wouldn’t want to try their hand at capturing the landscapes that seem to be straight out of a storybook.

One can argue that the entirety of Cape Cod has cultivated a rich culture in the arts. There are some spots that you won’t want to miss if admiring or procuring art is a priority on your travels. The Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis, Cape Cod Art Center in Barnstable, and even the Sandwich Glass Museum are great for those looking to see exhibitions in different mediums. For a closer look at local artists, visit the Artist Shanties in Hyannis from May to October.  Kids will especially enjoy following the Yarmouth Sand Sculpture Trail that features more than 30 amazing creations made of sand. The trail is featured in June through October, and is also a great way to see the sights as well!

The Cape thrives during the summer, hosting many different festivals and seasonal attractions. One of these attractions is The Cape Playhouse, named one of the 50 Best Small Stage Theatres in America. This professional summer theater features multiple classics that rotate every few weeks. The theater also features children’s shows and offers a Summer Theatre School.

Families and those looking for a dose of nostalgia will love the Wellfleet Drive-In. This classic drive-in has kept its charm since opening in 1957, and makes for a perfect end to the day. Grab a bite to eat form the snack bar and play a round of mini golf while you wait for your movie to start.

During your time on The Cape, you’ll be longing to get out on the water. An easy way to do so is by jumping on a ferry to either Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket for a day trip to explore these other popular locations. Fishing charters and other boat tours are also fun options for more time and to learn more about the area. A classic choice to fully experience Cape Cod is to book yourself on a Whale Watching Cruise. Various types of whales as well as dolphins and seabirds can be seen on these cruises, making for an unforgettable experience.

Cape Cod usually gets upwards of 5 million visitors each year. The summer season is definitely the busiest and most expensive, but as partially explained in the previous section, there’s good reason for it! Not only are there so many sites to see and activities to do that may be open only during the summer months, visitors looking to bask in the sunshine will love the warm days and refreshingly cooler nights.

Arguably the best time to go is in early summer and early fall. Not as crowded or as expensive, you’ll have beautiful weather that will still be able to accommodate your outdoor activities. Many of the festivals and events on The Cape will be during these months as well.

Here is a list of only a few events and festivals offered throughout the year:

Palmera Vacation Club Members have access to a large number of different hotels and resorts throughout all of Cape Cod. Popular areas include Falmouth, Mashpee, Yarmouth, Provincetown and more. See below for some examples available during the time of posting this article for different regions of The Cape:

Upper Cape

Mid Cape

Lower Cape

Outer Cape

It is recommended to have a car to explore all of what the area offers. If you’re driving in, that’s perfect! If you’re flying in and you need to rent a car, see what’s available through your Quest Travel Club Membership. Speaking of flights, your best bet at finding a deal would be flying into Boston. From there, you can take the train, the Cape Flyer, from Boston and on to a number of many different stops until Hyannis.