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Cape Cod is the New England summer in its purest form — lined with gray-shingled houses & hydrangeas that seem too picturesque to be true. Featuring hole in the wall seafood spots with the best fried clams you’ve had in your life & with picnic tables out back featuring views you’d usually pay a premium for, and beach bars with epic sunset views where your Beachcomber sweatshirt and sandy toes are perfectly acceptable.
What makes the Cape tricky to plan is that it isn’t one place. It’s a string of very different towns spread across roughly 65 miles, and getting around is pretty impossible without a car. Falmouth near the bridge is walkable and full of bars. Dennis has the calm, family-friendly bay beaches. Wellfleet is remote with huge waves. Chatham is the postcard. Provincetown is the party. Choosing wrong isn’t a disaster, but it does mean a lot of driving.
This guide breaks down every town, where to stay in each, the best beaches, and where to get the fried seafood and sunset drinks. I’ve spent my whole life visiting the Cape and have compuled everything you need to plan your trip to Cape Cod.
Jump To:
- *Backpacks & Bubbly – Top Pick for Drinks With A View*
- Best Towns in Cape Cod
- Where to Stay in Cape Cod
- Best Beaches in Cape Cod
- Best Things to Do in Cape Cod
- Best Restaurants & Bars in Cape Cod
- Getting to Cape Cod
- When to Visit Cape Cod
- Getting Around Cape Cod
- How Many Days to Spend in Cape Cod
- Safety for Solo Female Travel in Cape Cod
- Cape Cod Travel Map
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
*Backpacks & Bubbly – Top Pick for Drinks With A View in Cape Cod*
The Beachcomber, Wellfleet — an absolute can’t miss. It sits right on Cahoon Hollow Beach, in an old lifesaving station perched at the top of the dune, and the whole thing is just a vibe: great food, live music, sand everywhere, and painkillers that you should order one of, or ten. If you want to be a real New Englander, buy the merch on your way out — you genuinely cannot go anywhere in New England without seeing a Beachcomber sweatshirt.
A few more spots worth planning your evening around:
- Chart Room — best mudslides ever? Maybe. Classic Adirondack chairs, unreal sunset views, and boats pulling right up to the dock. It’s technically in Cataumet, about 15 minutes from downtown Falmouth, and it’s only open Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
- Shipwrecked, Falmouth — one of my newer Falmouth favorites. Live music and epic sunsets.
- Ocean Terrace, Brewster — at the upscale Ocean Edge Resort, but the restaurant and terrace are open to the public and the sunset views are worth the trip.
Best Towns in Cape Cod
The Cape runs roughly west to east and then north, from the bridges at the “shoulder” all the way out to Provincetown at the very tip of the hook. The further out you go, the more remote it gets (until you get to PTown at the end) — and the longer the drive. Here’s how the main towns compare.
Falmouth
Best for: convenience and lots of options
Falmouth is the closest town to the bridge, which makes it by far the easiest to get to — a real consideration when you’re sitting in Cape traffic on a Friday afternoon. It’s also one of the bigger towns, with an actual walkable downtown and a proper number of restaurants and bars, so you’re not driving somewhere new every single night if you stay near downtown. One of my favorites on the Cape, and the one I’d send a first-timer to.
It’s also the jumping-off point for the Steamship Authority ferry to Martha’s Vineyard out of Woods Hole, which makes a day trip to the island genuinely easy. Also, it’s easy enough to day trip farther down the Cape, but the convenience of being this close to the bridge coming & going is hard to beat.
Dennis
Best for: family-friendly beaches and upscale vibes
Dennis has some of the best beaches on the Cape, and a big part of that is which water you’re swimming in. Dennis sits on Cape Cod Bay, and bay-side beaches have calmer, warmer water and far fewer seals than the Atlantic-facing outer Cape — which in practice means the shark conversation is a much smaller one here. It’s one of the pricier areas, but it is genuinely stunning, and it’s the part of the Cape I’d point families toward.Mayflower beach is truly one of the nicest beaches I’ve ever seen in my life.
Wellfleet
Best for: remote beaches, huge waves and tons of space
Wellfleet is far down the Cape and noticeably more remote — which is exactly the appeal. The beaches here are absolutely stunning, with big Atlantic waves and enough space that you’re not laying your towel next to a stranger. This is also very much shark and seal territory: you’re on the outer Cape, the seal colonies are close by, and the great whites follow them. Swim close to shore, don’t swim near seals, and pay attention to the beach flags.
It’s also home to the infamous Beachcomber, which is reason enough to come.
Chatham
Best for: classic Cape Cod postcard scenery
Chatham is one of the most picturesque parts of the Cape and the town that looks most like the Cape Cod in your head — gray weathered shingles, flowers spilling out of every window box, and that very specific New England beach light. It sits right at the elbow of the Cape with access to great beaches, and the downtown is lovely for an afternoon of wandering and shopping.
Orleans
Best for: the same beaches as Chatham, with fewer people
Orleans is a bit quieter than Chatham with the same access to great beaches — including Nauset Beach, one of the best on the Cape. If you want the outer Cape beach days without the crowds that come with the more famous towns, this is a smart base.
Provincetown
Best for: groups who want to go out, drink and have a very good time
Provincetown — Ptown — is the most fun town on the Cape, full stop. It’s at the very tip of the hook, it’s packed with bars, and Summer Camp week is genuinely unmatched. If you’re traveling with a group and the goal is a big night out, this is where you go. It’s also one of the most popular LGBTQ+ vacation destinations anywhere, the vibes are always so high here.
You can absolutely do it in a day from the city — here is exactly how I would spend a Provincetown day trip from Boston.
It’s not only a party town though — the streets and shops are genuinely cute to wander, and it’s worth a day even if you’re not planning a late one.
Oak Bluffs & Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard
Best for: an island day trip that’s worth the ferry
Some people will argue Martha’s Vineyard isn’t technically the Cape — and they’re right — but if you’re visiting the Cape it’s absolutely worth the trip over, or a full weekend there! Oak Bluffs is my preference, with its fun bars and the colorful gingerbread cottages that are unlike anything else in New England. Edgartown feels more preppy and buttoned-up, closer to classic Cape vibes, and it’s lovely in its own right.
If you are giving the island more than a day trip, my 3 days in Martha’s Vineyard itinerary covers both towns, Aquinnah and where to stay.
Where to Stay in Cape Cod
I usually do an Airbnb or stay at a friend’s place on the Cape, because we tend to be visiting in big groups and it’s the easiest way to do it. But these are my favorite hotels I’ve stayed at around this area.
One thing worth knowing before you book: Cape Cod is known for simple, beachside motels, and they’re such a vibe. They’re not upscale, but they’re quaint, clean and in perfect locations — staying somewhere like that can genuinely be part of the experience rather than a compromise. You’ll find overall less big resort style hotels on the cape
I go through every one of these in detail — plus which town to actually base yourself in — in my full Where to Stay in Cape Cod guide.
Inn on the Sound, Falmouth
Right on the water with beach access and great sunsets — so stunning. Twelve rooms, homemade breakfast, and a terrace looking straight out at Vineyard Sound. If you want the water view, this is the one.
Inn on the Square, Falmouth
A basic Cape Cod style hotel, but the location does the heavy lifting — walking distance to all the bars and restaurants of downtown Falmouth, which means nobody has to drive.
Ocean Edge Resort, Brewster
Upscale but so worth it — I love this place. It’s huge, with tons of restaurants and bars and a bunch of different accommodation options, so it works whether you’re a couple or a big group. The Ocean Terrace here is open to the public too, so you can go for the sunset even if you’re not staying.
Worth knowing: Ocean Edge is made up of several separate properties that each book on their own, so it’s worth checking a few to find the right fit.
Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham
Also upscale, also very classic Cape Cod, and one of the most sought-after wedding venues on the Cape. Even if you’re not staying, the beach house and the veranda are two of the best places on the Cape for a drink.
Nauset Beach Inn, Orleans
No frills, clean, great location — a classic Cape Cod stay and exactly the kind of place I mean about the motels being part of the charm.
Best Beaches in Cape Cod
The single most useful thing to understand about Cape Cod beaches is which side of the Cape you’re on. Bay-side and Nantucket Sound beaches (Dennis, Falmouth, Brewster) have calmer, warmer water and far fewer seals. Atlantic-facing outer Cape beaches (Wellfleet, Orleans, Eastham, Truro, Provincetown) have the dramatic waves and dunes — and the seals, which is what brings the great whites in. Both are worth your time, you just want to know which one you’re picking.
These are the ones I keep going back to. I break down parking, seals and which beach suits which kind of day in my guide to the 7 best beaches in Cape Cod.
- Mayflower Beach, Dennis — bay side, famous for the tidal flats that stretch out forever at low tide
- Cahoon Hollow, Wellfleet — dramatic dunes, big surf, and the Beachcomber sitting right on top of it
- Coast Guard Beach, Eastham — part of the Cape Cod National Seashore and consistently ranked among the best beaches in the country
- Nauset Beach, Orleans — miles of Atlantic coastline and proper waves
- Breakwater Beach, Brewster — bay side, shallow and calm, great with kids
- West Dennis Beach, Dennis — long, wide, and reliably good for a full beach day
- Old Silver Beach, Falmouth — warm, calm water and one of the best sunset beaches on the Cape
And if you make it over to Martha’s Vineyard, the beaches worth your time are Aquinnah Public Beach (for the clay cliffs), South Beach, Norton Point, Joseph Sylvia State Beach and Menemsha — Menemsha being the one where everyone gathers to watch the sun set over the water.
Best Things to Do in Cape Cod
- Beach hop. Genuinely the main event — see the list above and pick your side of the Cape.
- Take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket and spend the day exploring. If you’re doing the Vineyard, rent a Jeep once you’re on the island rather than bringing a car over.
- Eat the best fried seafood on the Cape at Kream ‘N Kone in West Dennis. More on this below, but it’s worth building a day around.
- Spend a day (or a night) in Provincetown. Very different energy from the rest of the Cape.
- See a movie at the Wellfleet Drive-In — one of the last of its kind and exactly as fun as it sounds.
- Take the Funk Bus to the Beachcomber, or just post up there for the day. The bus means nobody has to worry about driving home. I highly recommend this option! You need a big group and you need to organize in advance
- Do the small-town Cape Cod stuff — ice cream sundaes, mini golf, and shopping the main streets. This is classic New England summer and it’s half the reason to come.
Best Restaurants & Bars in Cape Cod
If it is the drinking half you are here for, I have a whole separate roundup of the 15 best bars in Cape Cod, town by town.
Falmouth & Woods Hole
Downtown Falmouth has tons of restaurants and it’s a great place to stay if you like going out
- The Flying Bridge — a Falmouth staple, right on the harbor
- Shipwrecked — live music and epic sunsets, one of my newer favorites
- Landfall, Woods Hole — an underrated town and an underrated spot, not far from Falmouth and right by the ferry terminal
- Anejo – Mexican food with one of the most aesthetic patios in the Cape
Dennis
- Kream ‘N Kone, West Dennis — hands down the best fried seafood and onion rings on the Cape
- Sesuit Harbor Café — come for the lobster roll, stay for the sunset views. BYOB, right on the harbor
- Chapin’s Bay Side — casual, local, always a vibe
Chatham
Chatham Bars Inn has some of the best beach bar options on the Cape — the Beach House sits right on the sand, and the Veranda up on the terrace is a bit more upscale. You don’t need to be staying there to go.
Wellfleet
The Beachcomber — see above. Order the painkiller, stay for the sunset, buy the sweatshirt. Also, for a dive-y beach bar that cranks out a thousand meals and drinks a day the food is shockingly good
Provincetown
Ptown’s bars and restaurants basically are the town, so this list is longer:
- The Canteen — my favorite beach bar. Tables in the sand, super casual, so much fun
- Aqua Bar — right on the water with good cocktails
- Boatslip Beach Club — a fun day club with music, drinks and a pool
- Harbor Lounge — more upscale cocktail bar
- Lobster Pot — the classic spot for New England seafood
- Nor’East — go for the painkiller, trust me
Martha’s Vineyard
- The Lookout, Oak Bluffs — perched over the harbor with big views, known for its lobster rolls and sushi. Works for lunch, dinner or just a sunset drink.
- Nancy’s, Oak Bluffs — family run since 1960 and right on the harbor. Classic seafood plus a surprising amount of Middle Eastern food, and the dirty bananas are a whole thing.
- Coop de Ville, Oak Bluffs — casual waterfront spot on the harbor for wings, a raw bar and a cold beer. Very low key, very good.
- Fishbones, Oak Bluffs — right on the harbor facing west, which makes it one of the better sunset spots on the island. Oysters and cocktails.
- Jetty Beach House, Oak Bluffs — the newest of the bunch, a raw bar and cocktail lounge with harbor views. Seafood towers, frozen drinks and extremely photogenic spritzes.
- Noman’s, Oak Bluffs — the island’s beer-garden-style hangout. Outdoor tables, lawn games, live music and a free shuttle from the ferry, which is very useful.
- Seafood Shanty, Edgartown — dockside over Edgartown harbor and has been for over fifty years. Seafood, sushi, and live music later on.
- Pelican Club, Edgartown — the chicest of the list, an outdoor patio bar with sushi, small plates and good cocktails. Book ahead.
Getting to Cape Cod
Driving from Boston
Boston is the obvious gateway — it’s about 60 miles to the bridges, which is nominally an hour and change. In reality, budget significantly more on a summer weekend. Everything funnels over two bridges across the Cape Cod Canal (the Sagamore and the Bourne), and that bottleneck is the single biggest factor in your travel time.
The move is to travel at off hours — early morning, or later in the evening — and avoid heading down Friday afternoon or coming back Sunday afternoon if you possibly can.
Ferry from Boston to Provincetown
If Provincetown is your destination, skip the car entirely. The fast ferry from Boston’s Seaport gets you to Ptown in about 90 minutes with no bridge traffic at all, and runs daily through the summer season into mid-October. It’s genuinely the best way to do a Ptown trip.
Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard
The Steamship Authority runs from Woods Hole (just past Falmouth) and takes about 45 minutes. You can land at Vineyard Haven year-round or Oak Bluffs seasonally from May through October. Bringing a car requires an advance reservation and is expensive — which is exactly why renting a Jeep once you’re on the island is the better play for a day trip.
When to Visit Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a summer destination in the truest sense — a lot of what makes it great is only open for part of the year. The season runs roughly late May through mid-October, and plenty of the spots in this guide (the Beachcomber, the Chart Room, most of the beach bars) close up entirely outside of it. Show up in February and you’ll find a very pretty, very empty peninsula.
Summer (late June–August) — Peak Everything
This is the Cape at full volume: warm water, every restaurant and beach bar open, and the whole place buzzing. It’s also the most crowded and most expensive time to go, with the worst bridge traffic and beach parking lots that fill by mid-morning. If summer is when you can go, go — just book accommodation early and plan around the weekend traffic.
September — The Sweet Spot
If you have flexibility, this is when I’d go. After Labor Day the crowds drop off sharply, but the water is at its warmest after a full summer of heating up, the days are still in the 70s, and most places are still open through Columbus Day. Accommodation prices come down too. You get most of the summer experience with a fraction of the chaos.
Late Spring (late May–June) — Quiet but Cold Water
Everything starts opening up around Memorial Day and the towns are lovely and uncrowded, with hydrangeas coming into bloom in June. The catch is the water — the ocean is still cold in May and only just warming up by late June, so this is better for wandering the towns than for full beach days.
October & Beyond — Off Season
Early October still works, especially for a quiet, cozy weekend, and rental prices drop significantly. But seasonal spots start closing around Columbus Day, and after that most of the Cape shuts down until spring. Beautiful and moody if that’s what you’re after — just don’t expect the beach bar scene.
Getting Around Cape Cod
You 100% need a car for almost every trip. The towns are spread out, public transport is limited, and the beaches and restaurants you actually want to get to aren’t walkable from each other. The only real exception is Provincetown, which is compact enough to do on foot — and where parking is a nightmare anyway. But if you want to explore beyond a single town you need a car.
Beyond that, the main thing to plan around is bridge traffic in both directions, and beach parking lots that fill up early on summer weekends. If you want a spot at a popular beach, get there in the morning.
If you’re planning a day of drinking — the Beachcomber, a Ptown afternoon — the Funk Bus is a genuinely great option and means nobody in the group has to be the designated driver.
How Many Days to Spend in Cape Cod
3 to 7 days is the sweet spot. The Cape is very easy to do as a long weekend — pick one town, park yourself there, and spend three days between the beach and the bars. But it’s just as easy to extend: with a week you can base yourself in one place and day trip out to the other towns, take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, spend a night in Ptown, and still have plenty of lazy beach days built in.
If it’s your first time and you only have a weekend, I’d stay in Falmouth — it’s the easiest to reach and has the most within walking distance.
Safety for Solo Female Travel in Cape Cod
5 out of 5
Cape Cod is extremely safe — I’ve never had a single issue here. The towns are small, sleepy and well-lit, and even the busier spots like Falmouth and Provincetown feel completely comfortable walking around at night.
The only real safety consideration on the Cape is the water rather than the people: pay attention to the beach flags, swim near a lifeguard, stay close to shore, and don’t swim near seals on the outer Cape beaches.
Cape Cod Travel Map
Every town, beach, bar and restaurant from this guide is pinned on my Cape Cod travel map below.
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