Cape Cod for Dummies!

First visit - staying in Chatham last wk of August.

Is there an ';everything you need to know'; section?? We want to figure out a relaxing itinerary, some budget and not so budget restaurants, day trips, great shopping, good beaches, recommended sightseeing trips (seals??, are there whales??).......

we%26#39;ve sent away for the Tourist info but would like some ';inside'; info - inquiring minds want to know!!

Cape Cod for Dummies!

I%26#39;d highly recommend going on a seal cruise. The one we went on last summer was right outta Chatham. Breathtakingly beautiful, so be sure to bring a camera/camcorder. I just checked their website and it appears they have a new (larger) boat which enables them to go further out (thus, a longer trip). We%26#39;ll definitely make it a point to go %26amp; see the seals again. Probably the highlight of last year%26#39;s trip :-)

http://www.monomoyislandferry.com/

Naomi :-)

Cape Cod for Dummies!

I%26#39;ve never done the seal cruise. Is it just a cruise around Monomoy, or do you get to go on the beach and see the seals up close?

Hi Pastiche,

It%26#39;s a cruise around Monomoy but there are seals all around you out there. I have some great footage :-)

Cannot imagine getting any closer, we were practically nose to nose ;-)

Naomi

We%26#39;ll have to keep that in mind. Thanks for the info.!

If you do not want to pay for a seal cruise there are two places in Chatham that you are most likely to see the critters. The fish pier is a lot of fun and seals always know when the boats are unloading with the inevitable dropped-fish-over-board. South Beach, which is just south of the overlook parking lot across from the Coast Guard Station, is another place you are likely to see seals up-close.

Thanks, yellowbird. Funny -- I don%26#39;t remember ever seeing seals in all the years I was growing up.

Thanks for seal info...can you keep info coming please? ie. restaurants, shopping, beaches and any other sightseeing trips!

It would be helpful if we knew why you picked Chatham and what you already know about doing....it%26#39;s just that there is sooooo myuch todo that one could spend the entire year talking about it. Maybe you should pick up Kim Grant%26#39;s guidebook Explorer%26#39;s Guide to Cape Cod and the Islands.

We only chose Chatham because we were told it would be a good ';base'; to visit the Cape. There are 4 adults and two teens (girls) going. We like to shop, plan on a day trip to either Martha%26#39;s Vineyard or Nantucket, visit area towns etc. The seal trip sounds great. None of us have ever been to Cape Cod before. Any more info would be greatly appreciated!

The guidebook is a good idea. As I said on another post, there%26#39;s nothing like just getting out and exploring and finding your own favourite places and making your own traditions. Chatham is a good place to stay, just relax and don%26#39;t get too hung up on getting advice from everyone.