We love New England beaches Part 1: Cape Cod
As I’ve shared in the past, we spend a week in Kennebunkport, Maine every summer. We love everything about New England (besides the Patriots, sorry not sorry. Eagles all the way). New England beach towns are so idyllic and wholesome! They’re perfect for a relaxing family vacation or romantic getaway.
So naturally, because we always have a 10/10 time in KPT, I wanted to explore Cape Cod and Nantucket with the family.
I’ll be splitting this post of Cape Cod and Nantucket into two parts, Part 1: Chatham and Part 2: Nantucket. We did both in one week-long trip.
Cape Cod is a peninsula off of Massachusetts and made up of several cute beach towns. The Cape is usually referred to in 3 parts (Upper Cape, Mid Cape, and Lower Cape). Some of the most popular towns include Hyannis (where the Kennedys vacation), Provincetown, Falmouth, Dennis, Harwich, and Chatham. Cape Cod is big—you couldn’t hit every town in one trip. Even if you could, I wouldn’t suggest it. It’s rewarding to stay in one or two spots and enjoy the uniqueness of each town. We focused our trip on Chatham, in the Lower Cape.
How do you get there?
For people in the Northeast, it’s pretty easy to drive. The drive was just a little under 6 hours from the Philadelphia area. Even closer for folks in New York or Connecticut! You can even plan on making a stop in New Haven for some New Haven pizza (more on that in another post, but until then, Google it).
If you need to fly, the closest airports are BOS and PVD, both about an hour away from most towns on the Cape. You’ll definitely need to rent a car regardless. We walked around Chatham a good deal because where we stayed was close to downtown, but a car is helpful.
Where should you stay?
I’m focusing this post on Chatham, but there are quite a few beautiful boutique hotels sprinkled throughout Cape Cod.
We stayed in a cottage through Airbnb because some of the nicer hotels in Chatham weren’t too kid-friendly. This place was perfect for our needs. Small cottage with a fully equipped kitchen, large backyard with lawn games and a fire pit, and two bedrooms so the little ones had their own spot. It was also a short walk to downtown Chatham, but secluded enough—on a tiny street of other cottages so we didn’t have to worry too much about street traffic. We took our son’s bike with us and he had a ball.
Other than cottage rentals, Chatham has some great hotels. See below for a rundown:
Chatham Bars Inn: I definitely want to go back with my husband for an adults trip and stay here. Looks like it would be a luxurious and restful time away from the kids. The hotel has a pool and tennis courts and is right in downtown. Plus this spot is known for it’s amazing onsite restaurant, Cuveé.
Chatham Inn: Another luxury boutique hotel in Chatham’s downtown. I was really into their terrace restaurant! People were sitting outside by the firepit with a cocktail when we walked by. Totally different experience if you’re with kids so we’ll have to make a trip back solo.
What should you do?
Beaches
There are beautiful beaches around Chatham. I’d suggest you start there, especially if you’re with kids. We went to Harding's Beach and Oyster Pond Beach because we were only in Chatham for 3 days, but there are so many other spots like Lighthouse Beach and anything along the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Harding Beach had white, soft sand and wasn’t super crowded when we were there in June. Be forewarned, the water is COLD. It’s New England, after all. But the kids didn’t seem to mind (as kids do). The beach has a parking lot and bathroom, showers, and food trucks in the summer. We spent the day under an umbrella with snacks and played beach games and built sandcastles. Sounds pretty perfect, right?
Oyster Pond Beach, a saltwater pond, was walking distance from our cottage. Its calm waters make it perfect for a fun afternoon with the kids. It’s also walking distance from a wonderful playground.
Explore Downtown Chatham
I love me a darling, walkable downtown. That’s why we moved to a town with one. But I digress. We put the kids into the double stroller and spent an afternoon exploring all the little shops. Be sure to stop by Ducks in the Window. It’s literally a store with thousands of rubber ducks. We let them each pick out a duck to take home, and they were ecstatic. Also stop by the Chatham Cheese Company. We picked up some cheese and crackers to enjoy on the deck after the kids went to bed. Another gem? Where the Sidewalk Ends. It’s a neat bookstore with a ton of books related to Cape Cod. Our son had a great time roaming the shop.
Bike the Cape Cod Rail Trail
This is on our list for our next visit! We didn’t get to ride the trail because our daughter was under a year old and bike trailers and toddler seats require kids be at least a year old.
The Cape Cod Rail Trail can be a perfect half, full, or multiple day activity. There are places to rent bikes throughout Cape Cod if you can’t bring your own. The trial is a paved, easy path that goes through the towns of Cape Cod. You can start from any town and make stops at spots along the way. You’ll bike through beautiful wooded areas and beaches and across bridges over rivers and alongside cranberry bogs. Sounds pretty perfect, right? My kids will LOVE this when we go back. Make sure you stop by Hot Chocolate Sparrow, an ice cream and coffee spot in Orleans.
Mini Golf!
Another activity saved for next trip. One of my favorite childhood memories is playing mini golf with my dad on one of our many Myrtle Beach trips. When I think small beach town, I think mini golf. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf and Skull Island Mini Golf are two popular mini golf courses near Chatham.
Take it easy
Cape Cod, like I said above, is an idyllic, quaint vacation spot. We had so much fun relaxing on the deck at our cottage with a bottle of wine after dinner. Watch the sunset (or sunrise if you have little ones that are up at the crack of dawn) on the beach. Wander about the little towns. Just relax! It’s a great place to do so.
Where should you eat?
Vacation, for us, equals finding all the local foodie hot spots. Below are some of our favorites and other well-reviewed hot spots that we hope to try next time around.
Chatham Pier Fish Market: New England beach town means fresh seafood! We stopped here to get some fresh fish to grill at our cottage, but they also serve lobster rolls and clam chowder. Also a great place to watch the seals and fishing boats outside.
Chatham Cookware: great spot for sandwiches and salads. Head here before hitting the beach so you don’t have to prep for a beach picnic. We had The Buoy (tuna salad) and wished we got two instead of splitting one. Really tasty! They also make PB&Js and grilled cheeses for the younger customers. We saw they also have breakfast sandwiches, but we had breakfast at our cottage every morning.
Nauset Fish Market and Lobster Pool: not in Chatham, but pretty close. If you call them (at least an hour’s notice), they will steam a fresh caught local lobster for you to take to-go. They also sell local fish for you to cook at home.
Bluefins: great little sushi spot in downtown to do takeout from if you want a nice, quiet night in after kids go down. I heard the drinks here are exceptional (and strong) if you’re lucky enough to eat there in person.
The Impudent Oyster: this is a spot I’ll be hitting up next time around. Clams casino and shrimp cocktail? Sign me up.
Chatham Bars Inn Farm: another spot for next time around…and if I find enough people to go (I should really plan that trip)! It’s a fancier spot in nearby Brewster that I wouldn’t take children to, but a friend of mine that’s been told me it’s quite the “experience.” You’re seated outside at the farm, right under the stars and twinkle lights and served a fresh, farm-to-table curated dinner. Book early though! This is only held on certain nights in the summer. It’s quite the splurge at $1,110 (seating for 6 people), but you get a four-course dinner plus wine pairings and tax and gratuity are included (so $185 pp).
Short ‘n’ Sweet: staple ice cream spot in downtown Chatham. We got a milkshake and ice cream for our boy.
When should you go?
Peak season is from late June to late August, but late May/early June (when we went) had awesome weather (high 70s/low 80s), and we got a great deal on lodging. September/October are still warm and fall in Cape Cod is gorgeous. I love a fall or winter beach day! No crowds and crisp air.
Winter is off season and a lot of places are closed so check before you go, but you can get some great deals on the higher end hotels if you go during this time.
What do you pack?
In the summer, always pack a jacket or light sweater. Days are warmer and you can walk around with shorts and a tee, but nights get down to the 60s/70s.
In fall/winter, lots of layers to stay warm. You’re by the water and it gets cold!
Other than that, sunscreen, beach toys and games, beach umbrellas, chairs, coolers (if your cottage doesn’t already provide those things), sneakers/good walking shoes if you’re going to take advantage of all the outdoor activities and biking the Rail Trail, and bikes and helmets (or you can rent when you get there).
Other tips
Book early for in-season. Cape Cod is a very popular summer vacation spot for much of New England and the Northeast.
If going to Cape Cod in the late fall or winter, be sure to check what’s open. A lot of places are closed in the off-season.
Be aware of parking costs at the beaches, especially the Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, before going. Beachgoers should note that parking fees at the Seashore beaches have changed. I believe it was $25 per car to park for the day when we were in Cape Cod.
