How to Vacation With Family at Cape Cod

Cape Cod captures the historic beauty of the Atlantic Ocean, New England and stories of salty sailors, centuries-old church steeples and Americana unlike anywhere else in the United States. If you have plans to visit this intriguing destination, read on to learn how to vacation with family on Cape Cod.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Transportation
• Map or tour book of Cape Cod
• Money
• Bike trail map of Cape Cod

1. Decide where you'll stay in Cape Cod. If you have young children, staying near West or South Yarmouth provides the most options for family entertainment, including mini race cars, bumper boats, trampolines, salt water taffy stands and miniature golf. Along Route 28 near the Yarmouths, you'll find cheaper hotels and lots to do, including visiting the beach, but you'll see less of the "real Cape Cod" and more of the commercial Cape.
2. Visit parts of the lower Cape such as Hyannis or Barnstable if you want a little more peace and quiet but lots of activities for the kids. Renting a house right on the beach still offers you the chance to walk into town to shop, get ice cream and sample Cape Cod life. The ferries to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket leave from Hyannis, Woods Hole and Falmouth.
3. Stay in Chatham (at the elbow of the Cape) if your children are teenagers. There are lots of high end clothing and jewelry shops as well as the Candy Manor and beaches that are serene, not crowded, but allow for great swimming. At Chatham, you'll experience old time Cape Cod with lots of family owned businesses and churches that date back to the seventeenth century.
4. Rent bikes and ride along the National Seashore, which runs alongside Route 28 up through Truro all the way to Provincetown. You can rent bikes at most any town along Route 28. You can also swim along the seashore and visit historic Marconi Station. Or, you can bike ride on partial trails, stop at one of the beaches for a picnic lunch or visit many of the small towns up the coast.
5. Go to Provincetown and take a whale watch boat. "P Town" is family-friendly. You can park the car or bikes and walk along the narrow streets to shop, enjoy local Portuguese delicacies, people watch or take a ferry to Boston or out on a whale watch. Ferry schedules are available on line or at any information center along the Cape, including your hotel.

Tips & Warnings

• Driving along Route 28 can be frustrating as it's mostly one lane and can get very backed up during the height of summer season (mid-June through end of August)
• The ocean water at the Cape can be chilly and warms up only toward the end of August.
• Be respectful of the people who live full time at the Cape. They can feel as though their town has been invaded with strangers during the summer. Many of the businesses have been handed down from generation to generation.
• You won't find McDonald's or Starbucks on mid to upper Cape. Chain stores and restaurants are found on the lower Cape, near Yarmouth and Hyannis. Big stores such as Home Depot and the Cape Cod Mall, are found on the lower Cape.
• Admission to the National Seashore beaches is no longer free, so plan to pay admission along the way.
• You'll need a license to clam or scallop on the Cape or the ticket fine is steep. Check with your hotel on how to get one.
• Don't drive to or leave the Cape Saturday or Sunday mornings as those are peak times for renters to come and go.