Top tips

Christophe Schindler from Pixabay

First time on Cape Cod? We recommend staying in Chatham, Harwich, Provincetown and Falmouth

Coming to Cape Cod for the beaches? You might enjoy staying in Hyannis, Chatham, Brewster, Harwich and Falmouth

Hoping for a romantic New England holiday? Consider staying in Brewster or Chatham

Bringing your whole family to Cape Cod? We recommend Chatham, Brewster, Hyannis, Provincetown or Falmouth

Want to see the sights of Cape Cod? Stay in Brewster, Harwich, Provincetown or Falmouth

Here to explore Cape Cod's history? Consider staying in Harwich, Provincetown and Falmouth

Looking for great value on Cape Cod? Look in Hyannis or Provincetown

The hooked peninsula of Cape Cod, in Massachusetts, is such a quintessential vacationing spot that it’s where many people’s minds travel to at the mention of the the state's name. Its historic port towns, quaint New England villages, and busy holiday resort towns offer a great range of vacationing options; whether you want a family-friendly beach break, an art-finding tour, or a relaxing holiday amongst historic views.  

The Gurus' Guide to the Towns and Neighbourhoods of Cape Cod

Via Wikipedia

As a quick guide: Chatham is where you’ll find the historic lighthouses, New England architecture and beautiful beaches. Provincetown is arty, and the best place for cultural explorations. Hyannis is a good choice if you want to visit Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, and lively Falmouth is popular with the cool kids and night owls.  The north side of the peninsula, with its quieter stretches of sand, is popular with families.  

Chatham

Katie Rose from Pixabay

Chatham’s historic charm, architecture, and the fact that it’s got some of Cape Cod’s best lighthouses and beaches make this the perfect town for a serene beach escape. Chatham is on the southeastern tip of the peninsula, on the Atlantic, so it enjoys some spectacular ocean views. Chatham also has a railway museum and maritime centre, and a totally charming Main Street, lined with many family-owned shops and restaurants. 

Brewster

Via Pixabay

Brewster has more than its fair share of 18th and 19th century sea captains’ mansions, many sitting on large plots of land with charming gardens. Because of this, there’s not the same kind of high street as other Cape Cod centres, but there some wonderful hotel and B&B options in converted mansions. Despite the lack of a bustling centre, Brewster is busy in the summer season, because it hosts a series of huge events in its Drummer Boy Park, including music concerts, art and antique events, and craft and produce fairs. It's also well known because of the Brewster Flats, huge sandbars that are exposed at low tide, and present nearly a mile’s worth of sea creature-packed tidal pools. The Flats also make Brewster a popular spot for birdwatchers. Brewster’s spread also includes two golf courses, miles of cycling trails, and the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History.  

Harwich

via Pixabay

Harwich is actually a collection of seven villages, which run along Nantucket Sound, all the way to Pleasant Bay, covering about 11 miles of spectacular shoreline that includes beautiful beaches and five ports. Harwich town centre is inland, historic, and quaint. It doesn’t have as much for visitors as Harwich Port, which is where you’ll find most of the local cafes and restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. The other five villages have smatterings of the same too. In the summer season, you can catch a regular ferry between Harwich Port and Nantucket, and Harwich hosts music concerts and theatrical events. In autumn, Harwich holds events celebrating its important local cranberry farms!

Hyannis

Constance Currier from Pixabay

Hyannis is Cape Cod’s transport hub, and one of its largest centres. It has the local ferry terminal, the airport, and an historic Main Street, which has some charming shops, ice cream parlours and eateries, as well as town centre staples. Hyannis sits on a large natural harbour and has a large recreational sailing, and boating, fleet, as well as the ferry and commercial fishing port. Hyannis has some lovely beaches, including Craigville Beach, and a couple of museums. 

Provincetown

Image by KIYOTO KATAGIRI from Pixabay

On the very northern tip of Cape Cod, on a great sandy curve of a bay, Provincetown is a spectacular coastal resort town that swells to 20 times its usual size in summer. This is where the Pilgrim Fathers landed in 1620; it’s known for its whale population, historic fishing community, and for its artists. Today it has three museums, enough theatres and music venues, the 77-metre-tall Pilgrim Monument, and some absolutely gorgeous beaches. Inland are the sand dunes, the cranberry bogs, the beech forest, and miles of cycling trails. Provincetown knows how to have a good time: in the season it hosts art fairs, parades, balls, festivals and all kinds of parties. It’s got a great foodie scene too. In the season, Provincetown is connected by ferry to Boston and Plymouth.  

Falmouth

Image by Kanenori from Pixabay

Just across the sea from Martha’s Vineyard, Falmouth is another centre known for its picturesque setting and beautiful beaches. Falmouth comprises eight villages which have now almost merged into one. Falmouth’s central Main Street, close to its historic Village Green, is lined with art galleries, book shops, boutiques, cafes, bakeries and restaurants, and in the summer season it hosts lots of events, including a jazz festival and a film festival. Falmouth also has an aquarium, and is a centre for whale watching and marine research. Outside of town, there are ten beaches — some with incredible tide pools.  Falmouth also has cycle tracks and miles of hiking trails. You can travel between Falmouth and Martha’s Vineyard daily,  even in the off season.