The Ultimate Cape Cod Travel Guide

Samantha Roth

Jul 12, 20214 min read

Do you want to visit the Cape, but you don't know where to start in terms of planning your vacation? I'm here to help. As someone who grew up on Cape Cod and routinely takes part in staycations in this beautiful oasis, I have acquired quite a bit of knowledge to share that will help you plan the perfect coastal escape.

Where to Stay

The first step to planning your Cape Cod vacation is deciding where you want to stay. While Cape Cod may look small, it is actually fairly large and takes a bit of time to see all of it. Split up into four sections, upper cape, mid-cape, and lower cape, and outer cape, it is easiest to decide which of these four areas you think will suit you best.

Upper Cape: Fairly isolated from the rest of Cape Cod, Upper Cape is best known for the Buzzards Bay Area, and mainly Falmouth. A beautiful oceanside town at the far end of the Upper Cape, Falmouth is a sweet escape from everyday life with a bit of an upper-class feel. If you choose to spend your time here you are sure to enjoy it. However, the only downside is that the road systems in combination with summer traffic make it nearly impossible to easily access any other part of the Cape in a timely manner.

Mid-Cape: With Barnstable, Hyannis, Yarmouth, and Dennis, Mid-Cape houses the main hub of Cape Cod. While very busy during peak tourist season, there is also an abundance of opportunities. There are beautiful beaches (both ocean- and bay-side) and quaint small-towns to relax and connect with nature, while also having the downtown areas that give a more upbeat feel. The main benefit of staying in Mid-Cape is the easy access to nearly all the fun activities you may want to do on your visit, with it taking 30 minutes to get back to the canal and about an hour the reach Provincetown at the end of the Cape. You can easily enjoy all that Cape Cod has to offer from Mid-Cape while soaking up the quaint village life that we embrace here.

Lower Cape: With many of the same advantages of Mid-Cape, but a more upper-class feel, this area may be for you if you are looking for a more luxury experience. Many of the beaches are on the ocean side, which is home to an array of marine life. Most notably, the infamous great white sharks that call Chatham their summer home. This gives a slightly different beach experience as opposed to the calmness of the bayside, however, the oceanside has a charm of its own. Additionally, the area offers more upscale businesses and restaurants, for a more rich experience.

Outer Cape: More sparsely settled, Outer Cape allows you to be more directly connected to nature. With a majority of the land being part of the National Seashore, there is a bounty of stunning coastal landscapes and places to explore. Being the thinnest part of the Cape, the landscape shifts towards more marsh and sand dunes, giving the area a distinctive aesthetic. Additionally, The Outer Cape is home to Provincetown, an upbeat and lively progressive town, located on the tip of the Cape. This is an excellent place to stay if you are looking to experience the unique culture of Provincetown or be more connected with nature.

Accommodation

To truly experience the Cape Cod life, I would highly suggest turning away from hotels and going for the more homey feel of renting a house or an Airbnb. Cape Cod is all about the small-town feel, and renting a house will allow you to fully embrace the lifestyle and enjoy your time here while also having your own personal space.

Transportation

While a majority of people drive to Cape Cod and have their personal vehicles, many people travel from abroad or fly in. This brings about the question of transportation.

Cape Cod is not known for excellent public transportation by any means. Unless you are staying in Hyannis and do not plan on venturing very far, taxis aren't common. Ubers have become more abundant in recent years, so they are definitely a reliable option. However, if you are here for an extended period of time and plan on venturing out to see more of Cape Cod, I will warn you that it will get expensive fairly quickly.

I advise that the best option for transportation through Cape Cod is to rent a vehicle. It will allow for flexibility and freedom to go wherever you please, whenever you please. Additionally, the combined cost of a rental car and gas is likely to be much cheaper than ubering everywhere. Car rentals go for about $700-800/week and keep in mind that gas is a bit more expensive on the island. However, it will give you the freedom to make your trip perfect.

Activities

Beaches: Cape Cod has some of the most beautiful beaches, so be sure to explore them all during your time here, as they are each unique in their own special way. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post outlining my favorite beaches that you won't want to miss!
Shopping: Nearly void of large corporations, Cape Cod has a bounty of small businesses that are worth exploring. You are likely to find some amazing souvenirs to remember your time here.
Eat: An enjoyable way to experience the New England culture, don't miss out on experiencing the delicious foods that are unique to the area, as well as the abundance of restaurants that you simply don't want to miss. For restaurant recommendations, head over to my blog post that outlines my favorite joints in the mid-Cape area.
Outdoor Activities: With nature at your fingertips, there are endless opportunities to experience the great outdoors. Hiking, biking, kayaking, watersports, fishing, etc. There are so many ways to experience the unique landscape of Cape Cod.