Cape Cod – Sunset over a coastal lighthouse in Martha’s Vineyard
Cape Cod
Discover Cape Cod’s enchanting nature and natural beauty.
The unspoiled beaches and coastal lifestyle of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, which are part of Cape Cod, are well-known. Dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean are afforded by the windswept coastline and are frequently illuminated at night by beach bonfires or antique lighthouses. With everything from glasswork studios and vineyards to gabled inns selling seafood straight from the water, the 15 towns and small fishing villages add to the area’s maritime charm and romantic feel. Take a whale-watching excursion or stop by a colony of working artists. Play golf or go on a lobster roll cruise. You’ll be called back to the shore in either case.
From the Bay to the Sea and Beyond
Six beaches make up the 64 kilometers of shoreline, yet at Cape Cod National Seashore, the sand seems to go on forever. For more activity, try surfing or cycling along the Shining Sea Bikeway. You can also swim and explore the beach. Go canoeing or trout fishing at Nickerson State Park to witness more of Cape Cod’s natural environment. Trek the Cornelia Carey Sanctuary’s “The Knob” pathways to a picturesque and safe port. Visitors can interact with nature at the migratory bird sanctuary, Monomoy National Nature Refuge.
Journey to the Light
Cape Cod’s unevenly formed peninsula is home to a wide variety of lighthouses in all sizes, forms, and colors. Five are accessible to the general public, while several may only be seen from a ferry cruise. Built in 1797, Highland Light, also referred to as the Cape Cod Lighthouse is the oldest. Take a tour of Nauset Lighthouse under a full moon. Walk the 3-kilometer path to Race Point Lighthouse and combine it with a hike and tour. Would you like to experience living on a lighthouse? Go to the keeper’s house at Wings Neck Light and spend the night.
Treasures Found in the Towns
Every town on Cape Cod has its distinct personality, resulting in a patchwork of influences. From Hyannis, home of the John F. Kennedy Museum, to Provincetown, an artsy community with a bustling nightlife, each town is unique. The Aquarium of the National Marine Fisheries, the Cape Cod Museum of Art, and the Sandwich Glass Museum are not to be missed. You can go to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard by ferry, and from there you can explore the islands by bus, bicycle, foot, or boat. Visit the Vincent House Museum and the oldest one-room schoolhouse on Martha’s Vineyard. Discover the whaling history of Nantucket while taking in the island’s historic buildings, museums, and architecture.