NFT: Cape Cod Vacation

Check out The Breakers in Newport; I believe it is open year round to tourists.

In P Town. You WILL see whales and it is amazing. I was used to the whale watches in NJ where you take a boat ride and see some dolphins. Had to be talked into going in P Town and it was unreal.

There are a really good mix of beaches in Cape Cod. Some more rough and natural and others more family friendly. Monomoy and Norris island were more like hiking beaches, Nauset was more of a natural beach but seals swimming by is awesome, family beaches by Brewster are fun too.

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any specific reason you are going to Nantucket?

I find it pretty boring. If you haven't been Martha's Vineyard is a better island IMO.

The Jaws bridge is on Martha's Vineyard and of course we have to jump off it every time we go, even at my age. My kids jumped with me last time (and they now do it too when they go, lol). if you have seen Jaws as many times as most grown men it's kind of cool being in that channel where they filmed the famous scene where the shark swims by his son.

Also more restaurants, shops, etc.

If you are going to Provincetown you should go to Marconi beach in Wellfleet. it's one of the beaches with the "dunes on the cape". The water is usually cold, but it's such a cool scene/vibe it's one of my favorite beaches. You usually see seals, and sometimes very close to the shore and I cringe when I see the tourists running with their kids into the water to be near the seals. Seals main predator is sharks. Sharks follow the seals. But I feel like sheriff Brody warning people, so I stopped doing that.

I like to also go to Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet - similar to Marconi, but it has the Beachcomber up on top of the dunes. such a great bar/restaurant. great food, great bloody mary's and great views.

the beaches this side of the cape can be choppy with decent waves (shore breaks so not like you'd surf, but good for body surfing but you need to watch your kids like a hawk)

If you want a calmer beach, with warmer water, my kids love Mayflower Beach. it's in Dennis which stretches from the bay side to the Sound side. Mayflower is on the sound side.

there are tons of great seafood places on the cape. if you want a recommendation I can provide one but it depends where you will be staying.

We used to go watch the Falmouth cape cod league team play - there was an ice cream shop right outside the field that was really good. not sure if its still there.

Every town has different things to do and the cape, while not big is bigger than some people think, so if you narrow down where you will be I can give more recommendations, plus we have some people on here who live on the cape. for example my kids went parasailing in yarmouth, on a water trampoline in yarmouth, we went to a marine life boat cruise out of woods hole, we got lobsters rolls in Mashpee (popponesset), and none of those things are very close...

Newport is great for shopping, sailing (they offer harbor tours), and the mansion tours and tennis HOF if you are into that. not great beaches IMO. first beach is ok. One of my favorite restaurants is the Black Pearl - some of the best clam chowder on the planet, but also lots of good restaurants.

where are you staying? Depending on where you are at will factor into recommendations but for calm water and warm beaches check out Cold Storage, Corporation or Mayflower. They have snack bars and bathrooms which is a must IMO, especially for a full beach day. You’ll pay for parking but it’s a drop in the bucket as far as value goes. If you want a really cool experience and possibly spot seals/whales/sharks, check out Nauset beach or if you are doing P Town, Head of the Meadow Beach. Colder water but still swimable.

Mayflower Beach is on the Bay side (calmer, warmer, etc.)

restaurant in Jamestown named Beech. Standing in the marina there you can get a picturesque view of Newport bridge. Also, one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at is called Matunuck oyster bar. It's about a half an hour from Newport. You can take a tour of their oyster farm.

All of the locals stay in a town called Narragansett. It has a fantastic town beach where you can watch the surfers. The waves are usually unmatched.

PJ, we are going to Nantucket to spend some time with my aunt who has a place there. I spent a summer 20+ years ago and although I was working 60 hours/week, I agree with you.

We are staying in Dennis.

Thanks again!

In comment 16573139 Capt. Don said:

Quote:

PJ, we are going to Nantucket to spend some time with my aunt who has a place there. I spent a summer 20+ years ago and although I was working 60 hours/week, I agree with you. We are staying in Dennis. Thanks again!

got it, I love Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis.

It's kind of rustic, you eat outdoors on picnic tables, but the food is great - breakfast, lunch and dinner. really good lobster rolls. Good raw bar.

Corporation Beach, Mayflower Beach - all good IMO.

If I bought a house on the Cape I think I would buy it in Dennis.

They have to get too PB Boulangerie in Wellfleet. It’s a French bakery, order ahead or get there super early, you will wait in line but totally worth it for the best pastries on the cape. If you play golf you have to go play highland links up at the north end of the island, it’s one of a handful of true natural links golf courses in the U.S., I always get in a round there and it has some beautiful views.

In comment 16573153 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

In comment 16573139 Capt. Don said: Quote: PJ, we are going to Nantucket to spend some time with my aunt who has a place there. I spent a summer 20+ years ago and although I was working 60 hours/week, I agree with you. We are staying in Dennis. Thanks again! got it, I love Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis. It's kind of rustic, you eat outdoors on picnic tables, but the food is great - breakfast, lunch and dinner. really good lobster rolls. Good raw bar. Corporation Beach, Mayflower Beach - all good IMO. If I bought a house on the Cape I think I would buy it in Dennis.

I was vacationing in Dennis during Hurricane Bob in either '90 or '91. Fun time, Haha.

Dennis as a whole is the best due to location and access to beaches all within 15/20 minutes no matter where you are.

Side note, I’d stay away from Chatham. We usually go every year on a day that’s overcast/need a break from the beach and it was awful this year. Crowds getting bigger and bigger and all the same stuff has doubled in price.

In comment 16573126 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

any specific reason you are going to Nantucket? I find it pretty boring. If you haven't been Martha's Vineyard is a better island IMO. The Jaws bridge is on Martha's Vineyard and of course we have to jump off it every time we go, even at my age. My kids jumped with me last time (and they now do it too when they go, lol). if you have seen Jaws as many times as most grown men it's kind of cool being in that channel where they filmed the famous scene where the shark swims by his son. Also more restaurants, shops, etc. If you are going to Provincetown you should go to Marconi beach in Wellfleet. it's one of the beaches with the "dunes on the cape". The water is usually cold, but it's such a cool scene/vibe it's one of my favorite beaches. You usually see seals, and sometimes very close to the shore and I cringe when I see the tourists running with their kids into the water to be near the seals. Seals main predator is sharks. Sharks follow the seals. But I feel like sheriff Brody warning people, so I stopped doing that. I like to also go to Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet - similar to Marconi, but it has the Beachcomber up on top of the dunes. such a great bar/restaurant. great food, great bloody mary's and great views. the beaches this side of the cape can be choppy with decent waves (shore breaks so not like you'd surf, but good for body surfing but you need to watch your kids like a hawk) If you want a calmer beach, with warmer water, my kids love Mayflower Beach. it's in Dennis which stretches from the bay side to the Sound side. Mayflower is on the sound side. there are tons of great seafood places on the cape. if you want a recommendation I can provide one but it depends where you will be staying. We used to go watch the Falmouth cape cod league team play - there was an ice cream shop right outside the field that was really good. not sure if its still there. Every town has different things to do and the cape, while not big is bigger than some people think, so if you narrow down where you will be I can give more recommendations, plus we have some people on here who live on the cape. for example my kids went parasailing in yarmouth, on a water trampoline in yarmouth, we went to a marine life boat cruise out of woods hole, we got lobsters rolls in Mashpee (popponesset), and none of those things are very close... Newport is great for shopping, sailing (they offer harbor tours), and the mansion tours and tennis HOF if you are into that. not great beaches IMO. first beach is ok. One of my favorite restaurants is the Black Pearl - some of the best clam chowder on the planet, but also lots of good restaurants.

I second this. Much more to see and do on the Vineyard.

They ferry itself takes over two hours each way. The high speed one is an hour each way.

If you are into biking I recommend biking the Cape Cod Rail Trail. It's not high impact or anything, but its very pretty.

100% chance of getting bit by a shark. to be fair, not everyone gets bitten. but some people get bit, go to the hospital, and for whatever reason come back and get bit a second time. so it averages out to 100%.

and definitely do the lobster roll on the cape. you won't be disappointed.

I have been to the Cape so my comments may not have meaning today.

Many parks built around the ponds on Cape Cod. Like Baker Pond. Cape Cod had excellent trout fishing in the ponds. Gull Pond in Wellfleet also still has a herring run where thousands of herring swim along the shore, so thick that one can walk through them and kick them up on the beach. Gull Pond and others nearby are fresh water but the Indians connected the ponds to the ocean by sluiceways.

Nantucket, I think, is an all-day trip.

When I was a geology grad T.A at Brown, we used to take the undergrads to the Cliff Walk at Newport. Great view of mansions and excellent geology.

Our 'must go to' on every trip is Mama Luisa.
The Cliff Walk along the shore is high on the list of things to do.

In the "must visit" category.

Not much help but went as a kid and stayed in Chatham. Don’t know hotel name but it was like a bed and breakfast. Easily best French toast I’ve ever had… ever… I think they put like amaretto creamer or something in batter

In comment 16573362 Adam G in Big D said:

Quote:

In the "must visit" category.

I can second this. I thought this was going to be a corny tourist trap, but it ended up being the highlight of our trip last year. It’s fun, educational and it’s full of real pirate treasure.