The ultimate insider's guide to Cape Cod
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Hottest table in town
'It's hard to believe we're sitting in the service bay of an old gas station,' our companion, Paul Kelley said, as we spread perfectly salted butter onto a thick slice of house-made sourdough bread at LUNE (
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Families enjoy Coast Guard Beach in Eastham last July.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
The beach is everything
Cape Codders pray for sunny weekends so they can pack up their guests for the beach. Forty-mile-long Cape Cod National Seashore gets all the love (
Coast Guard Beach
. (The shuttle has room for beach gear and bikes.) Backed by low grass and heathlands, this long stretch of beach is one of the Cape's finest. Adjacent
Nauset Light Beach
is beautiful, too, and there's a trail to the Three Sisters lighthouses. Both beaches have lifeguards in season and bathhouses, plus matting that smooths the way to the sand for wheelchair users.
Got little beachgoers in tow?
Corporation Beach
in Dennis is an inviting crescent of white sand backed by low dunes on Cape Cod Bay. Family-friendly features include a snack bar, lifeguards, and bathhouses, but you might have to walk a bit from the parking area to the beach.
The view from Morris Island Loop Trail in Chatham in January 2024.
Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff
Beauteous beach hikes
Visitors adore the stunning walks at the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, from 1.5-mile Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail to the more challenging 7.2-mile Great Island Trail. But we found a couple of intriguing hikes elsewhere:
Morris Island Loop Trail
(
Sandy Neck Nature Trail
(
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In this Aug. 26, 1963, photo provided by the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, President Kennedy approaches a helicopter at the family home in Hyannis Port, Mass., for the first leg of his journey back to Washington.
Cecil Stoughton
Little museums that pack a punch
The Cape has a surprising number of small, specialty museums that are worth seeking out. Some examples: Kennedy fans will be down for a visit to the
John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
($14;
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
($15;
People bring lawn chairs and coolers to watch the Cape Cod Baseball League games.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Bring on the boys of summer
Considered the best summer league in the United States, the
Cape Cod Baseball League
(
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Scenes from the Harwich Mariners vs. Bourne Braves Cape Cod League Baseball game at Doran Park in Bourne in 2023.
MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
Best brunch on the Cape
Brunch is the best. It gets everybody up and out of the house, and relieves hosts from the pesky chore of cooking omelets to order. The Rooftop at the Pelham House in Dennis (
Best lobster rolls
Everybody wants a lobster roll, the quintessential taste of summertime on the Cape. We've perfected the art of the homemade lobster roll, so we're super-picky about ordering them at a restaurant. Still, there are a couple of places that do it so well, we can hand over a credit card without cringing. In Woods Hole, that would be Quahog Republic Leeside Pub (
The traditional lobster roll with onion rings at Skipper Chowder House in South Yarmouth.
Devra First/Globe staff
Down South Yarmouth way, The Skipper Chowder House (
that
good. Bonus points for the on-site ice cream window and views of Nantucket Sound.
Best shopping on the Cape
Honestly, the Cape isn't a shopper's dream, unless you're looking for an inflatable unicorn or chocolate (the Cape's chocolate shops are great). But if shopping is a treasured part of your vacation experience, head to
Provincetown
. Whimsical, artistic, chic, tawdry — you can find it all on Commercial Street. We love the crazy mish-mash that is
Marine Specialties
,
the overstuffed shelves at
Tim's Used Books
,
the gorgeous jackets at
Cock N Bull Leather
,
the eye-popping art at
Schoolhouse Gallery
— add the great places to eat, excellent people-watching, and proximity to Race Point Beach and you've got the Cape's best day trip, too.
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Classic resorts and a budget-priced option
We'd love to have you stay with us — you're a delight — but sorry, we just don't have the room. When it comes to full-service resorts, the Cape has three biggies: Chatham Bars Inn, Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, and Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club. Numerous Reddit threads have parsed their comparable virtues, but basically, all three are lovely and luxurious. (Note that prices listed are the lowest available — often midweek — and they go up, up, up in high season. Two- or three-night minimum stays may apply. Resort fees are per night.)
Chatham Bars Inn hosts farm dinners.
Diane Bair
Opened in 1914 as a luxury hunting lodge, the Forbes five-star
Chatham Bars Inn
(from $590 plus five percent resort fee;
Wequassett Resort & Golf Club.
Seven Roads Media
The five-star
Wequassett Resort & Golf Club
(from $514 including five percent resort fee;
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Everyone asks about resorts on the Cape. Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster offers guest rooms and villas on Cape Cod Bay at a range of prices.
Diane Bair
Located in the picturesque town of Brewster, 429-acre
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
offers 122 rooms in its mansion-like hotel plus 220 villas set on a golf course and on Cape Cod Bay.
(Villas start at $235 plus a $30 resort fee in season; mansion rooms start at $500 plus a $35 resort fee in season;
Looking to go less spendy, since you won't be hanging out in your room much anyway? Family-owned, family-friendly
Even' tide Motel
(from $165;
For more highlights, visit
.
Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at
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Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Boston Globe
Mayflower replica takes to the sea
Crew members aboard the Mayflower ll performing sail training off the coast of Plymouth on Wednesday. David L Ryan/ Globe Staff Mayflower ll Captain Whit Perry took in a view of the ship. David L Ryan/ Globe Staff Mayflower II is a reproduction that is 'as accurate as we can be,' he said. Advertisement The model, originally built in 1957 and restored in 2020, is based on a typical merchant vessel from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Since there were no pictures back then, builders reconstructed the vessel from 'tiny details' left behind by the Pilgrims in their journals, notes, and books, Begley said. 'I just wish somebody on the Mayflower had a little bit of artistic talent. They could have left us a sketch,' Begley said. The Friday sail, which raised money for the ship's preservation, required plenty of preparation. Since the Mayflower replica has no engines, it's fully powered by the wind. The crew started with a few days of training on land — literally, 'learning the ropes,' Begley said. Advertisement Last weekend, museum visitors watched the crew practice setting up sail at the dock. Crew members climbed up the rigging and dropped the sails, which would then 'unfurl and billow in the wind,' according to Begley. 'We weren't going anywhere. But visitors, that day, got that sense of being out in the ocean,' he said. After on-land training, the crew practiced sailing at sea a few times. Begley hopes there will be more sails next summer. The event, he said, created an immersive historical experience for everyone, not just passengers. By sailing the boat, people can understand what life was like in 1620, Begley said. 'It just opens up this world of questions about our history, how we got here,' he said. The Mayflower ll performed sail training off the coast of Plymouth. David L Ryan/ Globe Staff Passengers aboard the whale watch tour boat Capt. John & Son IV caught a glimpse of the Mayflower ll on its way to perform sail training off the coast of Plymouth on August 6, 2025. David L Ryan/ Globe Staff Jessica Ma can be reached at
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Boston Globe
Take it from an experienced travel writer: These are the best rest stops in New England. (And one rises to the top.)
I had doubts, but as Nancy Sinatra once crooned, ' Advertisement The fries, drenched in gravy (with what I think were cheese curds), were delicious. But as anyone who has driven through New England knows, this is a rarity. Rest stops are hit-and-miss. Usually miss. You may face the dreaded 'Parking Area, No Facilities' sign or get lucky and hit the charming barn in Guilford, Vt. My job requires a lot of driving, and I've kept a mental inventory of the best and worst of these pit stops. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up For this list, I tried to find the best rest area in each state, which was not always easy (*cough* — Rhode Island). Some states had multiple contenders. Let's hit the road and start the exploration. The rest stop in Hooksett, N.H., is the Boston Globe's pick for best rest stop in New England. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff Best rest stop in New England: Hooksett Welcome Center (north and southbound). I don't bestow this honor lightly, but Hooksett comes out on top because it meets all the criteria for a good rest stop and then some. First, there are the practical components. A rest stop should have a clean bathroom, which is probably why 95 percent of motorists pull off the highway. Hooksett's are sparkling and spacious. The rarity of Hooksett is that it covers all the basics, such as restrooms and a service station where you can top off your tank with gas or electricity to continue on your way. It also has a wide variety of local culinary offerings, plus the necessary bric-a-brac and toys to keep ankle-biters happy on long journeys. Advertisement Snowglobes for sale at the Hooksett rest area in New Hampshire. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff This all comes courtesy of New Hampshire hospitality group The big apple at the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Information in Lancaster. The rest stop sells locally made goods, from pink flamingos to Polar soda. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff Best in Massachusetts: Tie - Johnny Appleseed Visitors' Center, Lancaster/Ludlow Service Plaza (I-90 eastbound). The rest stops in Massachusetts are (currently) in a sorry state. Your choices are either the ubiquitous and infuriating parking areas, which only offer facilities for dogs, meaning a patch of grass, or the Massachusetts Turnpike structures that have all the charm of a mall food court circa 1992. There are plans afoot to update the I-90 rest stops. The Irish company Applegreen Advertisement A rendering of a highway service plaza redevelopment proposal from Applegreen. Upland Architects These new and improved rest stops are several years, The McDonald's on the eastbound side of I-90 in Ludlow is a charming architectural throwback. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff The westbound Charlton rest stop on I-90 is often called out as one of the best in the state. Its biggest advantage is that it's large and has a Papa Gino's. Other than that, this stop is about as appealing as a bowl of cold Cream of Wheat. The crown jewel of Massachusetts rest areas is in Lancaster, off of Route 2 westbound. Behold the cute-as-a-button Advertisement The Johnny Appleseed Visitor Information Center in Lancaster sells locally made alpaca finger puppets. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff There are plenty of Johnny Appleseed-branded products sold here, plus goods made locally. You can buy pink flamingos (the pink flamingo The rest stop in Guilford, Vt., is one of the most beautiful in New England. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff Best in Vermont: Guilford Welcome Center (I-91 northbound). Vermont's rest stops are in a league of their own, putting other states' bland welcome centers to shame. The post-and-beam barn that houses the Guilford rest stop and welcome center was constructed in 1999 and pays tribute to Vermont's agricultural roots. This is one of the most scenic rest stops in New England. The barn has rocking chairs inside with views of the pastoral surroundings. Anything you want to know about the state can be answered by one of the knowledgeable staff members or the hundreds of pamphlets. Rest stop pamphlet surfing is one of my favorite pastimes. The rest stop in Guilford, VT, has a playground for kids needing to stretch their legs during road trips. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff Outside, you can relax in Adirondack chairs, have lunch under the covered picnic, view antique farm equipment, and let the kids work out their pent-up road trip energy at the playground. Back inside, there are sparkling restrooms, locally made products for sale, plus an ATM. There's plenty of charm; however, other necessities are absent. The only food to be had is from vending machines, and there's no gas station at the stop. RVs are welcome overnight, and although the hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., motorists can still access the restrooms and vending machines after hours. Advertisement I'm going to add the rest stop in Williston here for good measure (I-89 northbound and southbound), because it offers free coffee and is housed in a beautiful building. The Connecticut welcome center and rest stop in Danbury is basic, but well-maintained. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff Best in Connecticut: Connecticut Visitors Center (I-84 eastbound). Connecticut's rest stops serve up a pastiche of eras and services. If you're looking for pit stops that are big and devoid of character, there are plenty to choose from. The Darien stop (I-95 northbound) has all of your food court favorites, such as Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Subway, Sbarro, and McDonald's. These service plazas, dotting I-95, Route 15, and I-395, are duller than a Dwayne Johnson film retrospective. My travels tend to take me up and down I-84, where you'll find rest areas straight out of the 1950s. Sure, they lack food courts and gas stations, but they have picnic tables and grills (!) for cooking your own al fresco roadside cuisine. It dates back to 'Mad Men'-era trips when families packed a cooler and picnicked. I've never grilled food at a rest stop, but after checking out the Danbury stop, I'm tempted. Danbury also ranks high because it has a large area for dogs (complete with fire hydrants) and a friendly staff. The last time I dropped in, I asked for an offbeat museum recommendation and was directed to the The Cliff Walk, a national recreation trail in a national historic district of Newport, is home to the 40 stair walk down to the coast line. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe Rhode Island: None. Rhode Island is a state you can drive through quickly, but that doesn't excuse its lack of facilities. Aside from a basic truck stop in Richmond, your best bet is pulling off the highway and using the facilities at gas stations, Dunkin', Stop & Shop, Lowes, or Home Depot. Better yet, wait until you hit Massachusetts or Connecticut. Advertisement A sign welcomes motorists to Maine at the Kittery Visitor's Center. Christopher Muther/Globe Staff Best in Maine: Maine State Visitor Information Center, Kittery (I-95 northbound). For pure convenience, the Maine rest stop scores high. Also, any stop that has a statue of The Kittery stop is lacking gas and food options (aside from vending machines), but if you're looking for food, you should drive 15 minutes up the road to Christopher Muther can be reached at
Fox News
6 days ago
- Fox News
Avoid These Flying Faux Pas!
As Kennedy gears up for her next trip, she lays down the law for her fellow travelers. From disciplining your little terrors to making sure your dogs are put away, she gives her list of rules for the next time you step foot on a plane. Follow Kennedy on Twitter: @KennedyNation Kennedy Now Available on YouTube: Follow on TikTok: Join Kennedy for Happy Hour on Fridays! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
