First-Timer’s Guide to Cape Cod, Massachusetts | Plan a Perfect Trip!
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This First-Timer’s Guide to Cape Cod is full of absolutely everything I know about Cape Cod and what you should know before you visit to plan the perfect trip.
I’ve lived on Cape Cod for most of my life. Born and raised in the town of Barnstable, I’ve always known that Cape Cod was a special place to live and grow up, and I love sharing this place with everyone.
So, I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Cape Cod for the first time!
Guide to Cape Cod: Things to Know Before Your Visit
Cape Cod is an arm-shaped island (yes, an island – see more on this below) that extends 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts. It’s a unique and recognizable shape that is on many decorations in the homes of those who live here.
It’s known for clambakes and bonfires on the beach. Saltwater taffy, ice cream trucks, and bread bowls overflowing with creamy clam chowder. You may also think of the Kennedy family and lobster rolls, sailing, and multi-million dollar oceanfront homes when you think of Cape Cod. It’s all of those things and more!
Basic Facts About Cape Cod
- Geographic size: 339 square miles
- Population: 215,888 (as of 2010 census)
- Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Time
The 15 Towns of Cape Cod
Many people believe that Cape Cod is a town in and of itself. Alas, it’s an area comprised of 15 different towns, which are grouped into four regions. Each region and town is unique and offers visitors something different and special.
- Upper Cape: Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, Mashpee
- Mid-Cape: Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis
- Lower Cape: Harwich, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans
- Outer Cape: Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown
At first, the region names will seem counter-intuitive. Why is the Upper Cape not assigned to Provincetown, the northern part? Also, when you hear locals say things like “down Cape,” remember they’re referring to driving from the bridge “down the Cape” towards Provincetown.
Most towns are also divided into villages, a nod to colonial beginnings. Let’s say you’re headed to Hyannis, which seems like it would be a stand-alone town based on the population and development, but it’s actually one of the seven villages of the town of Barnstable.
It’s well worth visiting each town, but that can’t really be done in just a weekend visit. So, it’s best to focus on one region (maybe two) if you’re short on time.
Remember to Say ON Cape Cod, Not IN Cape Cod
This is a personal pet peeve of mine, so bear with me.
Cape Cod is separated from the rest of Massachusetts by the Cape Cod Canal, which was completed in 1914. Technically surrounded by water and only reachable on land by crossing a bridge, Cape Cod is an island.
As an island, can we all agree to stop saying IN Cape Cod? Think about it: are there any other islands in the world that you would say you were IN? If you come up with any, please comment below.
Remember: You can be IN a town, ON Cape Cod.
How Cape Cod Got Its Shape
I think this is important to include because what draws most visitors to the Cape is its unique shape and ecosystem.
The shape of Cape Cod was masterfully created over thousands of years by debris (boulders, rocks, sand, etc) that was pushed, mangled, and left behind after the 2-mile thick ice sheets from the last Ice Age began to recede. It was further refined by ocean currents and changing tides sweeping sand along the coastline. In fact, the shape of Cape Cod changes every passing day as a result of the surrounding water.
A great place to learn more about this is the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. They’ve shown a film called “The Sands of Time” since I was a little kid. This short film actually had a significant influence on my decision to study Environmental Geography in college!
Cape Cod Transportation
Getting to Cape Cod
By Air | The closest airports are Boston Logan International Airport and T. F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island (near Providence), which both service all major airlines. To fly from Boston to Cape Cod, choose CapeAir, which flies to Hyannis, Provincetown, Nantucket, or Martha’s Vineyard.
By Bus | Bus lines servicing Cape Cod are Plymouth & Brockton or Peter Pan Bus Lines.
By Car | Arriving by car or getting a rental when you arrive will give you the most flexibility for traveling around Cape Cod. For reference, Hyannis is about 73 miles from the airport in Boston and about 82 miles from the airport in Warwick. It would take about 1.5 hours of driving time on a good traffic day from either airport. Also, from the Sagamore Bridge in Sandwich to Provincetown (the whole length of Cape Cod) is about 62 miles and takes over an hour to drive (again, with no traffic).
By Train | The Cape Flyer is a seasonal commuter train that services Cape Cod on weekends from the end of June to Labor Day. Hop aboard in Boston and ride the train all the way to Hyannis.
By Ferry | Get from Boston to Provincetown in 1.5 hours on a Bay State Cruise Company or Boston Harbor Cruises ferry in the summer.
Getting Around Cape Cod
If you don’t drive yourself, here are your options.
Car Rental | As I mentioned above, having a car during your time on Cape Cod will give you the most flexibility during your stay. If you don’t drive here, plan to pick up a rental at the airport you fly into or any rental company across the Cape.
Ridesharing | Both Lyft and Uber are available during the summer months across the Cape. They may stop altogether or just have fewer drivers during the shoulder and winter seasons.
Taxis | Most taxi companies are pretty reliable. There are many to choose from depending on where you are on the Cape. Do a quick Google search for the nearest company. Just don’t read the reviews.
Public Transportation | The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) is the bus line on Cape Cod. To be honest, it’s not the most reliable or connected transit out there. There are very few stops, and it takes several connections to get anywhere across the Cape.
I highly recommend having a vehicle (yours or a rental) while visiting Cape Cod!
Weather on Cape Cod
Since the Cape is surrounded by water, the weather is mild compared to the rest of Massachusetts. It’s relatively cooler in the summer months and slightly warmer in the winter. Come prepared, though, because you can experience all four seasons in a single day here, just like in the rest of New England!
Spring on Cape Cod | Spring is very short. It seems like winter drags on until all of a sudden, in about mid-May, the sun shines, and warmer temps hold firm. Then humidity and heat hit, and just as suddenly, it’s summertime. High/Low temperatures in spring: 60Β°/30Β° F
Summer on Cape Cod | Summer can be hot and humid, but relief comes in the form of a sea breeze. Pack layers because nights can feel cool, especially by the water. High/Low temperatures in summer: 75Β°/57Β° F
Fall on Cape Cod | Like spring, autumn on Cape Cod shows up a little later. Summer continues into September, and fall foliage doesn’t peak until late October or November. High/Low temperatures in fall: 70Β°/40Β° F
Winter on Cape Cod | Winter can be mild, as I explained above. It does snow on the Cape, but temperatures have to remain low for it to stick. For the most part, if it’s snowing in New England, it’s only raining on the Cape. High/Low temperatures in winter: 42Β°/24Β° F
Best Time to Visit Cape Cod
Deciding when to plan your trip to the Cape will depend on a number of things. Budget, weather, activities you want to do, sights you want to see, the size of crowds you want to endure, and maybe even the type of food you want to eat.
The best time to visit Cape Cod is during the spring or autumn shoulder seasons. So, from mid-May to the end of June. Or anytime after Labor Day to mid-October.
Skip over July and August altogether. Those are the months that everyone — and I mean e v e r y o n e — visits Cape Cod. I know it’s the ideal time for beach days and everything, but it’s just too crowded for my taste!
Keep reading to learn what it’s like to visit Cape Cod at different times of the year.
Early Shoulder Season: May + June
Many seasonal restaurants and shops that close for the winter begin to open again by early May. Most are open as early as mid-April, but the weather can still be quite cold and unpredictable at this time of year. Historically, it has snowed in April and even as late as May!
Memorial Day weekend (the last weekend of May) is a summer teaser for the Cape. Visitor numbers surge over the three-day weekend, especially if the weather is excellent. However, that buzz dies down until the kids are out of school at the end of June.
Visitors who come to the Cape in May and June are usually owners of second homes who come to open them up for the summer. Or they live within a 3-4 hour drive of the Cape and come for a weekend getaway.
Peak Season: July, August + Labor Day Weekend
Cape Cod will be the most crowded from the Fourth of July through the Labor Day weekend (the first weekend of September). However, now that school starts the day after Labor Day, or sometimes even before the holiday, in many regions of the country, that holiday weekend is not as busy as it used to be.
This is the time of year that parking fees at beaches will be $20-$30 per day, and traffic will be a headache – especially over the bridges on Fridays and Sundays and around town on Saturdays. I’ll be honest: as a year-rounder, it’s not my favorite.
However, there’s a palpable energy in the air provided by all the people on the island in the summertime. For the most part, people are enjoying their time away from home and are high in spirits, and you can feel that positive energy coursing through you.
Most visitors in the summer months are families, sometimes intergenerational, usually with young children. The Cape in the summer is also a popular destination for girls’ or guys’ trips or bachelorette and bachelor parties. Plus, many international travelers like to see the Cape in the summer months.
Late Shoulder Season: September + October
In my opinion, the fall shoulder season is the best time to visit Cape Cod. From Labor Day to the second weekend in October (Columbus Day weekend), things around the Cape slow down.
Weekends are still busy but not crowded. Warm, dry weather typically keeps up through the first few weeks of October, although it can be cooler at night. Most importantly, summer restaurants and businesses remain open until mid-October, if not slightly longer.
You can expect a different crowd of tourists in the fall. This is the time when tour buses make their way through New England with groups here to see the fall foliage, and many of them stop for a day or two on the Cape and Islands.
Off-Season: November through April
It’s relatively quiet on Cape Cod in the winter, but still worth visiting for special events or a secluded getaway.
Even though many seaside businesses and restaurants close down, there are still lots to choose from – and not just chain restaurants either! Plenty of businesses cater to the year-round population, which is much larger than most people assume.
Plus, the weather on Cape Cod stays relatively mild compared to the rest of the state, so outdoor activities are still doable. And when the weather is too cold to bear, there are lots of museums, coffee shops, gift shops, and restaurants to explore.
Things to Do on Cape Cod
Of all the things you can choose from, here is a sampling of my favorite things to do on Cape Cod.
- Bike (or walk) the bike paths
- Spend a whole day at the beach
- Catch a double feature at the Wellfleet Drive-in
- Visit the Cape Cod Natural History Museum
- Go hiking at Massachusetts State Parks or town conservation land
- Visit all the breweries on Cape Cod
- Watch the sunset over the water
- Drive along scenic Rt 6A
- Learn about the local shark population at the Chatham Shark Center
- Taste-test stuffed quahogs and clam chowder
- Walk along Main Street in Hyannis and pop in all the adorable gift shops
- Walk the boardwalks in Sandwich and Yarmouth
Day Trips From Cape Cod
Nantucket + Martha’s Vineyard
Spend a day exploring Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, both an easy day trip from the Cape. There is plenty to do and see to fill a whole day on either island. Leave your car behind and save money by opting to walk on the ferry.
You can catch the ferry to Nantucket in Hyannis. Hop off the ferry right in the thick of the historic downtown, where you can visit the Whaling Museum or walk the streets to admire the beautiful captain’s houses. Or take a ride on the WAVE (Nantucket’s regional bus system) to Madaket Beach or Siasconset Beach.
The fastest ferry to Martha’s Vineyard is in Woods Hole, which will drop you off in either Oak Bluffs or Edgartown. Check the schedule if you have a preference, but both towns are worth exploring. I also suggest taking a Vineyard Transit Authority bus out to Aquinnah to see Gayhead Light and the beautiful red clay cliffs.
Plymouth
Spend the day exploring the historic sites you learn about in middle school. The Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock are right on the waterfront, alongside historic homes like the Howland House, the last standing pilgrim home. Learn even more about colonial and Wampanoag history at Plimoth Patuxet Museums (formerly called Plimoth Plantation), a recreation of a 1627 pilgrim village and Wampanoag homesite with actors portraying characters of that time.
Plymouth also has a growing restaurant and craft beer industry to explore. Or you can go antique shopping or whale watching.
Where to Stay On Cape Cod
Thankfully, there are many places to stay on Cape Cod. There is a place for every budget, ranging from campgrounds and hostels to oceanfront resorts.
Budget Accommodations
- Scusset Beach State Reservation, Sandwich
- Shawme-Crowell State Forest, Sandwich
- HI Hyannis Hostel, Hyannis
- Shady Knoll Campground, Brewster
- Nickerson State Park, Brewster
- HI Truro Hostel, Truro
Mid-Range Accommodations
- Sandy Neck Motel, Sandwich
- Sandwich Inn & Suites, Sandwich
- Hyannis Travel Inn, Hyannis
- Starlight Lodge Cape Cod, Dennis
- Rodeway Inn, Orleans
- The Chatham Motel, Chatham
- Viking Shores Motor Inn, Eastham
- Even’tide Resort Motel & Cottages, Wellfleet
High-End Accommodations
- Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa, Sandwich
- AutoCamp Cape Cod, Falmouth
- Lamb and Lion Inn, Barnstable Village
- Lighthouse Inn, Dennis
- Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, Harwich
- Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, Brewster
- Breakwater Hotel, Provincetown
- Four Points by Sheraton, Eastham
Find Your Perfect Cape Cod Accommodation
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Hi! My son has his heart set on a career in maritime business. What is the reputation, among the locals, for the Mass Maritime Academy?
That’s a good question! I went on a date with an MMA student way back in high school, but other than that, I don’t know much about it or know anyone who lives near it who might know more.
Hello Brittany!
Thank you for putting together such great information. Very helpful! Planning on taking the hubs out to the cape (our first time) for his birthday mid Oct (18-20). Driving from CT. Just us, no kids. What would be your pick(s) for an area to stay? We like nice hotels, nice restaurants, cute shops, things to see/do. No exciting nightlife required! Thanks!
Hi Jan! I suggest anywhere in the mid-Cape (Barnstable, Yarmouth, or Dennis) for easy access to either side of the Cape. Or stay in Eastham if you want to experience the Outer Cape. You might also like to stay in Chatham, which checks all your boxes! I have a guide to Chatham you should check out.
Can I get a hard copy of this information? There will be 3 of us visiting Caoe Cod for the first time. Oct1-Oct 7
Can
You’re welcome to print out the information you need or visit the site as often as you need.
Have you ever been to Cape Cod and found it to be overrated, or do you believe it lives up to the hype as a must-visit destination? What unique experiences or hidden gems did you discover during your trip that made it memorable?”,
“refusal
No, I don’t believe Cape Cod is overrated, and if you do, you didn’t do the right things while you were here. Over 5 million people visit the Cape annually, and since I was born and raised here, and have decades of experience vs just visiting once or twice, I started this blog to help them feel like a local when they visit, not just a tourist.
Looking to go to Cape Cod for 25 th wedding anniversary 1st week of September as we have never been there!
Whatβs the best town/ area to stay in to be walking distance to some bars/ restaurants / great sea food / coffee shops / water (if possible)? Or any other information thatβs helpful!! Thanks
Provincetown checks all those boxes, Roger. It’s a fantastic little town.
Thank you for this! I find the map of the 4 regions helpful as we plan our first trip to the Cape. It is a bit counter-intuitive for the southern end be considered the Upper Cape, so I’m sure that will help us avoid some confusion down the line!
As for in vs. on… Either works. “In” refers to being within the boundary of an area (which could be an island). For instance, “we vacationed in Maui” would be accurate for the region. “On” refers to contact with the surface of something (which also could be an island). For example, “we were on the island of Maui” is also accurate.
It is good to know that Cape Cod is an island, but whether people say I’m staying *in* that area or *on* that land mass is certainly not a hill I would die*on* βΊοΈ
Glad you found the post useful, Tiffany! Maui is just like the Nantucket example I gave someone else where the name of the island and county are the same, so, what you’re saying is correct for that reason. You’re IN the County of Maui – the region or boundary of an area as you called it, which also includes LanaΚ»i, MolokaΚ»i, and a couple of other islands. It’s still only ON Maui the island. My geography degree appreciates the workout!
Can you give me the name of a great beach front place to stay for adults without children?
I think there may be one in Provincetown, but I honestly can’t think of a single hotel at the moment that meets those requirements. I will update the post and highlight it if I find one, though.
Enjoyed your article, it’ll be useful for our first trip to Cape Cod.
As to On vs In, I think it’s normal to say “in” for an island: “How was your vacation in the Bahamas?” “… in Hawaii?” “… in Martha’s Vineyard?” Though I agree that maybe it sounds strange to say “How was your vacation in Block Island” rather than “… on Block Island”
Glad you found the post useful and I hope you have a great time ON the Cape.
This is a silly little semantic hill that I will die on, but I appreciate being challenged. So, I’ll counter your argument. We use IN when referring to Hawaii the state and the Bahamas the country, both made up of several islands. Ireland, Great Britain, Iceland, Japan – even more examples. I would also personally never say IN Martha’s Vineyard because it’s the name of the island and there are several towns on that island that you can be IN. However, Nantucket is a unique case because the name of the island, the town, and the county are all Nantucket, so saying both ON and IN are correct. I’d still just say ON Nantucket, though.
I am staying in Dennis. What restaurant is the best to get clam cakes and chowder?
Believe it or not, I have a shellfish allergy. But, I know that Spanky’s in Hyannis or Captain Parker’s and The Skipper Restaurant in Yarmouth are popular.
This was great! Have reservations for June 2024. Can you tell me where to hear live music n go dancing?
Check out the schedule at the Melody Tent and the Music Room. Head up to the Beachcomber in Wellfleet, Sundancers in West Dennis, or Jake Rooney’s in Harwichport. There are lots of options!
Hi. We are planning a family vacation (with young adult children) in late July / early August. We plan to rent a house for the week. My plan is to sight-see while on the cape and not lay on the beach every day. Can you please recommend an area of the cape to stay in? Thanks so much.
Hi Shonna. It will depend on where you plan to sightsee and how far you’re willing to drive, but somewhere in the towns Barnstable, Yarmouth, or Dennis (aka, the Mid-Cape), are centrally located on the Cape. Each of those towns also have plenty of activities for kids.
So I have always wanted to come to Nantucket and started a trip last year and just got so confused about things I just said skip it ! Well Iβm back on it and trying to go through but Iβm lost with places to go etc!
My husband and I want to go june for 6 nights . We would fly to Boston but we really do not want to drive !
Can you please help me with places to stay and how to get there ?
Hi Nelda. So sorry that I missed this comment. I hope you were able to plan your trip to Nantucket. It really is incredibly easy to get there. If you don’t want to drive from Boston, there are buses from the airport to Hyannis, then you take a taxi or Uber to Hyannis Harbor to catch the ferry to Nantucket – they are fairly close together. There are lots of accommodation options, you just have to choose the one at your price point with the amenities you want.
This Cape Cod, Massachusetts guide is incredibly helpful. Youβve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!
Just started exploring the idea of visiting Cape Cod, possibly in late November of next year so that we can do the Polar Express that way. Do you know anything about this attraction?
Hello!
We will arrive in Hyannis on Sat. Oct.9 in afternoon from Boston. We only have all day Sunday to explore. We leave Boston on Monday. We are staying the night in South YArmouth at Ocean Mist for two nights. I love small quant towns and cute cafes and restaurants. Not sure how to best spend our full day on Sunday. Originally had a whale cruise booked from Hyannis. Now wondering if we should take ferry to either Nantucket or MArth’s Vinyard for the day? Noticed most restaurants are open after 5:00 pm on Sundays. Also considering staying on Cape and visiting Chatham and other CApe towns. Trying to find an itenerary for Sunday. ???
Hi, so happy I found your sight. My husband, myself and our best friends(couple) are planning a trip the first 9-10 nights of Oct. We are thinking of flying into Providence and getting a rental car. We are hoping we have enough time to stay on Cape Cod and Marthaβs Vineyard and take a day trip over to Nantucket. Do you have a suggestion as to our itineraries and if this is doable in that amount of time?
We will take our car to travel on MV by ferry. Any suggestions, itinerary ideas for how long on each island and best home base to explore would be amazingly helpful if you have the time. None of us have ever been to any of these places and after going online and looking at so many thingsβ¦I am a confused as to the best route of where we should start and end. Thank you advance for any help you could give to us.
Hi Jody! I don’t know how I missed your comment, but I apologize! I’ll try to give you the best advice possible, and I hope it helps! So, if I understand correctly, you’ll have 9-10 days on Cape Cod, MV, and Nantucket? I think that is PLENTY of time! Luckily, a lot of businesses are still open (with abbreviated schedules or hours) through mid-October. Having a car is essential to get around the Cape and Islands quickly and efficiently. I’d suggest splitting your time up with more days on Cape Cod, then MV, and Nantucket with the shortest amount of time because it’s the smallest. Hyline has an inter-island ferry between MV and Nantucket, but check the schedule! Try to spend some time in each town on Martha’s Vineyard, but Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Aquinnah are my favorites. Stay somewhere in the mid-Cape area like Barnstable, Yarmouth, or Dennis, and you’ll be within an hour’s drive from Falmouth or Provincetown. Feel free to email me with any other questions!
I think I would avoid going here in the summertime simply because I’m not a fan of overcrowded places. It sounds ideal to visit during the spring though!
Yes – it’s very crowded in the summer! The spring is wonderful – or the early fall paired with a New England fall foliage road trip!
Never been but it sounds lovely! Such a great guide too!
Thanks! You should plan a trip – it’s totally worth it. =)
Cape Cod is so beautiful! I visited for the first time last summer and loved it. So much charm. I also spent a few days in Martha’s Vineyard and plan to visit Nantucket this upcoming summer. π
I hope you have a great time on Nantucket! Thanks for reading =)
This guide is awesome! I’ve never been to Cape Cod but have always been interested in going so I will be pocketing these tips! Love how in-depth you’ve explained everything. I also never knew that there was a debate on “on vs. in!” I’ll keep that in mind π
I’ll be adding more info to this post, as well as so many more posts, so definitely come back for updates!
What a thorough and well-written guide to Cape Cod! I absolutely love it here and want to return, so I’ll keep your recommendations handy. I especially love those gorgeous blooms on Wellfleet!
Wellfleet is one of my favorite towns! A dedicated guide to Wellfleet is in the works =)