Cape Cod, located in the southeastern part of Massachusetts and protruding into the untamed waters of the Atlantic Ocean, is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful and desirable tourist destinations in the entire state of Massachusetts.
People travel from far and wide to experience its quaint towns and picture-perfect beaches, particularly during the warm months of summer, because it has a robust maritime heritage and culture.
The Best Places to Visit in Cape Cod, USA
In addition to having a breathtaking environment and landscape, the peninsula is well-known for the abundance of art galleries and antique shops that can be found in its various towns and villages. While some of the best locations to visit in Cape Cod are quiet and refined, others are boisterous, active, and in your face.
Because it contains such a diverse array of features and offers visitors the opportunity to explore an abundance of beaches, natural attractions, and historical sites, Cape Cod certainly does provide something that everyone can take pleasure in.
1. The Cape Cod National Seashore
Since Henry David Thoreau strolled its sands, practically the whole stretch of the eastern coast of Cape Cod that extends for about 40 miles is preserved as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
This preserve is a wild environment that has stayed almost untouched since Thoreau’s time there. Its miles of excellent hiking routes, magnificent woodlands filled with Atlantic white cedar and other conifers, bird nesting grounds, and other natural features attract hundreds of tourists every day of the year, but notably during the summer months.
2. Take the Ferry to Get to Nantucket
Nantucket is a 15-mile-long island located 30 miles south of Cape Cod. The largest community on the island is the town of Nantucket, which was established by colonists in the year 1659.
Nantucket was the heart of the world’s whaling business from 1740 to 1830, and it had more than 125 whale ships during that time. Quaker missionaries landed here in the 18th century.
3. Provincetown
Provincetown is a bustling center for the arts and music, and it is located at the extreme tip of Cape Cod. Provincetown is a bustling and well-liked vacation destination due to its abundance of beaches, miles of walking and cycling pathways, and opportunities to kayak and go on boat tours.
Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower here in 1620 before moving on to establish Plymouth. This event is honored by the Pilgrim Monument, which stands at 252 feet tall and was finished in 1910.
4. Martha’s Vineyard
The island of Martha’s Vineyard is located only five miles to the south of Cape Cod, and it is accessible by vehicle and passenger ferries from either Woods Hole, which is located on Cape Cod, or New Bedford, which is located on the mainland.
There are six little villages on “The Vineyard,” each of which has its own unique personality and miles of beaches, some of which lay beneath steep bluffs. Nantucket is a bit more hectic than “The Vineyard,” but both are located in the state of Massachusetts.
5. Whale Watching and Sightseeing Cruises
It would be a shame to leave Cape Cod without taking a boat ride to look for whales and other sea life, or even just to get a perspective of the landscape from out on the water. Many different kinds of boat trips set off from a variety of ports.
Whale-watching trips to the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary are available from the middle of April through the end of October, and they depart frequently from the MacMillan Wharf in Provincetown.
During trips that last between two and a half and four hours, there are trained naturalists on board to assist customers in viewing whales such as finbacks, humpbacks, and minkes. Both the Hyannis Harbor and the Barnstable Harbor offer whale viewing excursions of a comparable caliber.
6. Proceed on Foot to the Race Point Beach Lighthouse
Race Point Beach, with its well-known lighthouse and its setting among sand dunes and seagrass, is consistently ranked as one of the most popular destinations for tourists visiting Cape Cod.
The stone Race Point Lighthouse, which stands at a height of 25 feet, was one of the earliest revolving lights and was lit for the first time in the year 1816. In 1876, the original stone tower was upgraded to a cast-iron structure that was 45 feet in height and is currently included on the National Register of Historic Places.
7. Sandwich, Cape Cod
Sandwich, located at the westernmost tip of Cape Cod, is a charming little town that in the 19th century was a significant hub for the production of glass. Sandwich glass is still quite valuable to collectors, but you shouldn’t count on finding much of it available for purchase in any of the town’s many antique shops.
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Sandwich, located on Cape Cod Bay, is known for having some of the least congested beaches in the area, despite the beauty of its long beaches.
8. Take a Trip to Chatham and See the Marconi Maritime Center there
Chatham, located on Cape Cod, is widely regarded as one of the most charming seaside communities in the region. Not only is it home to some of the finest beaches in the area, but it also features a picturesque beach with white sand, a historic lighthouse, summer concerts with local bands, and even a professional baseball club.
Visit the Atwood House, which was erected in 1752 and was home to the same family right up until 1926. This will give you a glimpse into the history of Cape Cod. The home features artifacts dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, including collections of furniture, paintings, glassware, porcelain, and tools.
9. The Town of Hyannis
The ferry port of Hyannis, located on the south coast, is the bustling hub of activity on Cape Cod. Sailors who anchor their yachts in Lewis Bay are fond of the town as well.
During the annual Harbor Festival, which takes place at the beginning of June each year, yachts and boats are given a blessing. Additionally, there are boat races, live concerts, and activities for children.
10. Take a Bike Ride Along the Cape Cod Rail Trail
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a paved recreational road that runs for 25 miles from South Dennis all the way up to Wellfleet. Along the way, it passes through the municipalities of Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet.
The topography is generally level, with only a few slight gradients around Orleans and Wellfleet. It offers a diverse selection of natural landscapes and a wide range of scenic vistas.
Conclusion
It is estimated that Cape Cod extends approximately 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, providing tourists with one more sliver of land to explore in the state of Massachusetts before it is completely submerged.
Although it is a relatively tiny area, it has more than 500 miles of coastline, and each inch of that shoreline is more memorable than the one before it. In addition to its many picturesque beaches, Cape Cod is also home to a large number of towns that are rich in history and culture.
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