Cape Cod in 1 Day

September 29, 2009 8:10 PM

My first time... on Cape Cod

I moved out to the suburbs of Boston a few months ago and haven't been out to the Cape yet. My mom is coming to visit and we'll probably just drive out there for the day next week. Keeping in mind it's fall/all the lovely scenery, and also that I've never been there (I want to wander on a beach at some point) and know nothing about anything there, where should I go on the cape? What's a must see (preferably really pretty spots, places with light houses? My mother is obsessed with them), what's a must eat (but not too expensive) what towns should I hit up? Should I go to the national seashore state park? I wouldn't mind something touristy if it's not too sickening. But I live here now and probably will be there at least a few more times in my life so I don't need to cram things in but I'd like to hit a few "must see" places that I can do in a day.

posted by bobdylanforever to travel & transportation (14 comments total)

Provincetown, if your mom's cool with The Gays. It has a really charming New England Colonial aesthetic, lighthouses, and it's the end of the cape! If you make the Cape with your arm, Provincetown is the end of your fingers. It'll be cold in the fall, but all of the Cape is cold in the fall. And the National Seashore, with all its weird dunes and things, is right there. There's a ferry from Boston that takes an hour and a half (but is kind of pricey), or you can do the whole 4-hour drive experience and see the entire Cape.

Just a word of warning, re: the fall-- the Cape's still beautiful after September, but in kind of a bleak and desolate way. There's not much foliage, since most of the trees on the Cape are scrubby salty little coniferous things. If you're looking for something more upbeat, I'd recommend Vermont.
posted by oinopaponton at 8:18 PM on September 29

Two articles that may be of interest....

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/travel/escapes/06Capecod.html?scp=1&sq=cape%20cod%20winter&st=cse

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/even-in-winter-provincetown-shines/?scp=2&sq=cape%20cod%20winter&st=cse

Take a walk around the kettle ponds anywhere in Cape Cod. The forest vegetation is rare and splendid.
posted by xammerboy at 8:37 PM on September 29

I dunno, maybe I'm being a bit hidebound but I associate the Cape itself with more warm-weather charms. But this point in the season a lot's starting to close. I'd almost think it'd be better to do a day in Plymouth, if you're going to be down that way ...very quaint seafront, plus there's all the Pilgrim hoo-ha if you want to get your tourist on.
posted by Diablevert at 8:49 PM on September 29

If you're in Boston, take the ferry to P-town. If you're driving, head no further than Falmouth, as the time it'll take to get to Hyannis won't be worth it. Go to Woods Hole, which is the quaintest part of the Cape, slightly edging out P-town. Get a popover at Pie-in-the-Sky bakery down there and thank me later.
posted by allen.spaulding at 9:21 PM on September 29

If your mom digs lighthouses and all things quaint, then definitely hit Chatham. A walk out on the raised boardwalk at the national seashore is also a peaceful way to spend an afternoon and a great many of our more productive family discussions have taken place doing just that.
posted by squasha at 9:25 PM on September 29 [2 favorites]

I'd say my beloved Wellfleet, but that said, a lot closes after Labor Day. But Provincetown is great too (again, not sure how much is open round now), Truro nice, don't have much experience beyond that. Orleans has some nice shops, but again these might be closed now..
posted by nunoidia at 11:58 PM on September 29 [1 favorite]

Great lighthouse: Nauset Light
posted by Shebear at 4:00 AM on September 30 [1 favorite]

In Eastham, try the National Seashore trails. Lovely, even in non-summer.

(I really miss Cape Cod. Can I come with?)
posted by scratch at 6:23 AM on September 30

What month, specifically? October is beautiful, the light falls in a certain way and does something to the marshes that it doesn't do in the other months. Visit the Nauset Highlands to see this. We never went to this specific location in the summer (went to Eastham and Wellfleet), but seeing the Nauset Highlands in mid-October was fabulous.

Absolutely go to my beloved Wellfleet. The lighthouse in Truro is nice also. In North Eastham, have some fried clams for me at Poits, unless it is closed for off-season. Go to the National Seashore Visitor Center and do the 5-or-so mile walk.
posted by jgirl at 7:11 AM on September 30

This question was asked about 3 weeks ago. Go here for some good answers.
posted by birdwatcher at 9:06 AM on September 30

A huge seal pod was hanging out earlier this month on a sandbar just north of Head of the Meadow beach in Truro, pretty amazing to witness.

The Blackfish restaurant in Truro should still be open, it's excellent.
posted by nicwolff at 10:49 AM on September 30

(Seals only on the sandbar w/in 2 hours of low tide or so.)
posted by nicwolff at 10:50 AM on September 30

This question was asked about 3 weeks ago

You know, I figured this sort of question would already have been asked and answered so I searched, what I thought was pretty carefully, but I didn't find anything that really answered my question- I don't know why I did find that question you mentioned. Sorry for the repetition but thanks for all the really helpful answers!
posted by bobdylanforever at 7:37 PM on September 30

I just discovered a cool blog with great photos and information. You might find some good information in it for places to visit on Cape Cod. www.wildclutter.com
posted by VC Drake at 10:51 AM on October 1