Besides the obvious activities of hitting the beach and enjoying some of the best seafood available, there are lots of other things this quintessential New England location has to offer. If you are hoping to fill your days with more than just lounging on the beach, here are some top attractions of Cape Cod.
Heritage Museum and Gardens
Located in Sandwich, the Heritage Museum and Gardens offers over 100 acres of landscaped gardens where you can connect with nature and get some beautiful pictures in the process. The museum has some great collections on hand, such as classic cars and vintage carousels.
Whale Watching
For many people, whale watching is an experience of a lifetime, and Cape Cod is a perfect place to do it. Headed by experienced naturalists and guides, you will not only get to see some amazing sights, you will learn so much about these creatures that will make you appreciate the experience even more. You might consider the Hyannnis Whale Watcher located in Barnstable Harbor or Dolphin Fleet in Provincetown.
Catch a Beautiful Sunset
Watching a beautiful sunset is not only a great opportunity for some amazing photos of your destination, I find that it helps me feel more appreciation for nature and my particular destination. There are a couple of locations that will allow you to see a beautiful sunset over Cape Cod Bay, such as the Sandwich Boardwalk on Town Neck Beach or Gray’s Beach in Yarmouthport.
Head out to the Theater
If you are in the mood for a comedy or musical, take in a show at one of the oldest summer theater venues in the country.The Cape Cod Playhouse is renowned for its nostalgic setting and top-notch performances.
Take a Scenic Drive
For me, some of the best times I have had while traveling were when I was simply taking in the sites and scenery. Hop on Route 6A to catch a glimpse of some of the cape’s most beautiful and historic sites. Catch a glimpse of former sea captain’s mansions. This road is also lined with a number of art galleries, antique stores and gift shops with many unique items.
Check out Some Animal Inhabitants
Cape Cod is home to colonies of adorable gray seals and taking a nice boat trip out to see them is a great way to beat the heat on a blustering summer day. Check out Captain Rob and the Blue Claw in Chatham Harbor.
Visit an Original Lighthouse
The Highland Light House in Truro is one of the few remaining authentic lighthouses that you can actually enter and climb. Not only will you get some beautiful sea views, if you are lucky, you may see some whales swimming about offshore.
Take in Some Unique Flora and Fauna
The National Sea Shore and Salt Pond Visitors Center offers a network of hiking trails that will allow you the opportunity to see a wide variety of flora and fauna you would be hard-pressed to see anywhere else in the area. Some of the Cape’s most beautiful beaches are located here as well.
Considerations for Off-Season Travel
While Cape Cod is primarily thought of as a summer destination, it is getting more popular in the off-season. An array of festivals is available in the spring and fall. While you may not be able to hit the beaches, there are plenty of other things to see and do; you will also be able to find a variety of cheap Cape Cod hotels that dramatically slash prices in off-peak times.
About the Author: Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who enjoys blogging about anything related to travel, her top passion.
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