Visiting the Pilgrim Monument, Plymouth Rock, and the beaches of Cape Cod, Nantucket
and Martha’s Vineyard are musts when vacationing on the Cape or Islands. Here are
some perhaps lesser known, but no less impressive, sights to see and activities
to enjoy when visiting Cape Cod and the Islands.
Nauset Beach Sunrise, Orleans Cape Cod
- Watch the sunrise at Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, Coast Guard
Beach in Eastham, or any of the east-facing
Cape Cod beaches of your choice.
- Have a beach campfire, make s’mores and watch the sunset. Permits
are required, so please contact the appropriate town office.
- Enjoy the panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Elizabeth
Islands from the Aquinnah Cliffs on Martha’s Vineyard. And while you’re there, take
a look at some of the crafts offered by your hosts, the Wampanoags, or enjoy a milk
shake and a lobster roll from the restaurant poised atop the Cliffs.
- Visit Scargo Tower in Dennis. When atop the 30-foot tower, you
can see Provincetown to the east and as far west as Plymouth.
- Pick up a copy of Hopper's Places by Gail Levin, and explore
the Outer Cape to see if you can find the locations that inspired some of Edward
Hopper’s most famous paintings. Need some guidance? Head to Highland House at the
Truro Historical Society.
- Visit the
22 lighthouses of Cape Cod and the Islands.
- See a movie at the Wellfleet Drive-In. With only 368 drive-ins
still operating in the United States, it is a truly unique and memorable experience.
- Explore the Provincetown Library. Not only is the building visually
stunning, but there is a half scale model (about 50 feet) of the Rose Dorothea Schooner,
winner of the Lipton Cup in 1907.
- Go to Lighthouse Beach in Chatham to watch the
seals frolic in the waters close to the beach. On some days you may catch a glimpse
of just a few - or a few hundred!
- Stop by The Edward Gorey House in Yarmouth Port. Edward Gorey
illustrated books ranging from Dracula to a series of children’s books. His work
was varied and could be whimsical, macabre or even humorous. A stop at the Gorey
House is sure to fascinate young and old alike.
- Take a ride on the Cape Cod Central Railroad, and see parts of
Cape Cod that you might miss in a car or on foot. It offers daily sightseeing trains
from downtown Hyannis to the Cape Cod Canal, a Family Supper train, Brunch and Lunch
trains, and an Elegant Dinner train.
- Hike the Great Island Trail. Great Island was once home to The
Punonakanits, whaler lookout towers, and a thriving tavern for local whalers. Deserted
since 1800, it is a place of pristine beauty with a fascinating history.
- Let the professional astronomers from the Maria Mitchell Association
on Nantucket guide you on a tour of the stars in the sky. Enjoy telescopic viewing
of the moon, planets, and galaxies. Visit
www.mmo.org for specific dates and times.
- Visit the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and learn about
the world-renown ocean science research that is being conducted there, as well as
the vessels and tools that are used to aid in the research. In the summer there
are guided tours of the dock area as well as other restricted facilities. The Institute
is located adjacent to the Steamship Authority’s ferry terminal to Martha’s
Vineyard.
- Tour the shipwrecks of Cape Cod - the final resting spot for
the Sparrowhawk, Portland, Whydah, Frances, Montclair, and Orissa. For more information,
read A tour of Cape Cod shipwrecks.
Visit many of these sites while enjoying one of our Cape
Cod vacation rentals.