My husband and I are in our mid/late 20s and will be spending 1 evening plus 2 full days in Cape Cod. This is our first time to the Cape and we%26#39;re so excited!
We%26#39;re coming late May and will be staying in a hotel in Hyannis. We%26#39;ll arrive in the evening and thought we%26#39;d check out Hyannis that night.
For the two full days we were thinking of maybe Nantucket and Provincetown, but I%26#39;d appreciate any other ideas.
We%26#39;ll have a car and bikes. We enjoy being outside, quiet beaches, cool little shops, lighthouses, and funky (but inexpensive) restaurants. Thanks in advances for your suggestions.
Cape Cod Itinerary
That%26#39;s fine, but you%26#39;ve already pretty well layed out your plans. Both trips will end up being pretty much all day affairs. It%26#39;s about an hour and a half drive from Hyannis to Provincetown, so you might sneak a peek (hopefully) at the Cape Cod National Seashore on the way up. But given that it%26#39;s 3 hours of driving, it doesn%26#39;t leave you a whole of other ';free'; time.
For Nantucket, by the time you drive and park, arrive early, and take the ferry, you%26#39;re pretty locked into seeing only Nantucket, which is fine if that%26#39;s what yyou want to do. But if you want to ';see'; Cape Cod, maybe you should do that and postpone going to Nantucket until next time.
Cape Cod ItineraryNantucket and P-Town couldn’t be further apart – try and do both and you’re going to spend most of your short stay driving. I really do think your best bet would be to choose one or the other.
If you haven’t already booked in Hyannis (the most developed, commercial area of the Cape) I’d change your plans and stay out near P-Town and forget about Nantucket. You’d be in a town where there is a nightlife but the surrounding area (National Seashore) is the quiet beaches, cool little shops, lighthouses and funky restaurants you’re looking for. I see you getting the most use out of your bikes in this area too.
If you’ve already booked in Hyannis it’s not the end of the world – just make a point to get the first ferry of the morning out to Nantucket because (based on what you’ve said you’re looking for) your going to like it out there much better then Hyannis.
I agre with brooklyn32.
Wow. Thanks so much. We were booked to stay at the SeaCoast Inn at $68 night, which is such a great deal. It doesn%26#39;t seem like I could get anything in Provincetown that would be at that price and decent.
Please correct me if I%26#39;m wrong. Has anyone seen any great P-town hotel deals for very early June? I couldn%26#39;t find anything close with a private bathroon.
Is P-town definitely the better choice over Nantucket? The bike trails on Nantucket sounded awesome. Is there anything like that in P-town?
Thanks.
I don’t think P-Town is a better choice compared to Nantucket. I think P-Town is a better choice compared to Hyannis. It’s just a much cooler, funkier little town (kind of like the Key West of New England – very gay and liberal and fun).
Of course you’ve found the problem – P-Town is more expensive and the rooms that area available are small compared to what you’d find in a more touristy area with great big hotels and shopping malls like Hyannis. It’s also a long haul from P-Town down to the ferries out to the islands.
Since you’ve got your heart set on Nantucket (and you’re right – it’s wonderful) and since it’s off season Hyannis your plan is probably a good one. But next time you come out to the Cape do yourself a favor and make your base someplace on the Outer Cape – it sounds like you’d really love it (and the cycling is great too).
When you are in Hyannis for the evening, you may want to take the ‘Harbor Walk” from the town hall green down to the harbor. You can walk along the quay and see working fishing vessels close up. One of the ferry terminals is also located here. On the adjacent harbor green, a boardwalk bordered by ‘beach shacks’ selling arts and crafts is a colorful sight. I don’t know if it’s in operation in May, but Hyline runs a one hour harbor tour on a coastal steamer. It’s a touristy thing to do but fun. If you’re early enough for a walk on the beach, Kalmus Beach is a perfect choice. It is a small peninsula. At the point is a seawall on the harbor. It is a peaceful spot to watch the boats/ships/ferries come in and out of the harbor. This is also a favorite windsurfing beach. If you are looking for a place to eat, Palio’s on Main Street is good for pizza etc. ; the Brazilian Grill is great if you love grilled meat. I have never been to the RooBar but always see a crowd of twenty somethings spilling out onto the sidewalk. All of these places are along Main Street. Have fun!
How often do you plan to visit Cape Cod? If this is probably the only time for a while, then why not put the great deal of $68 out of your mind and focus on where you want to spend your time. It sounds to me that if you are looking for great biking, quiet beaches and cool little shops, you belong either on the outer cape or on Nantucket. It%26#39;s true that you will have to spend more on your lodging if you stay in either of those locations but when you get home you will have lasting wonderful memories. What I am trying to say is....there is a reason you can get a room for $68 in Hyannis and why lodging is more expensive on the outer Cape and Nantucket....it%26#39;s location, location, location.
I will also say that you do not have to stay in Provincetown to enjoy all that it offers. If you stay in Eastham, for example, you will be only 30 minutes form Provincetown and 20 minutes from Chatham, both charming towns in different ways. My favorite place to stay is the Fort HIll Bed and Breakfast, www.forthillbedandbreakfast.com but if you want a hotel deal you might be able to get one at the Four Points Sheraton, also in Eastham. Even if you have to pay more for your lodging on the outer cape, you can save on the ferry ticket, bike the trails (just recently re-paved) walk on Coast Guard Beach, go to the Beachcomber in Wellfleet, take a whalewatch from Provincetown, shop in cute shops in Orleans, Wellfleet, Chatham, and Provincetown, dine on fresh seafood, and relax with the ocean and bay just minutes apart. You can get inexpensive fish diners at Sir Crickets in Orleans or make some picnics from food you buy at the market. There are several locations that serve up gourmet -to-go. So find a place that has locals who know their way around and see Cape Cod or Nantucket.... but not both.
Well, we decided to take your advice. I booked at Aerie House, a B%26amp;B right on the beach in Provincetown. It%26#39;s a Queen room with a bay/harbor view for $95/night, which still seems like a bargain to me. We%26#39;re going to take it easy and just enjoy Provincetown, walk on the beach, bike, and visit the National Seashore. We%26#39;ll do Nantucket on our next trip. Can%26#39;t wait!
I%26#39;ll post a trip report when we return. Thanks!
I%26#39;m not familiar with Aerie House but your plan sounds much better! Enjoy! You might want to check the National Seashore schedule for events in case you want to sign up for one of the tours they run during the season. www.nps.gov/caco You can kayak or canoe as well as walk or visit lighthouses and other nature areas with a free guided tour from a ranger. There is a National Seashore Visitor%26#39;s Center in the Provincelands (well marked off Rt. 6 on the outside part of Provincetown where all of the big sand dunes are) with an observation tower and bike trails. Have a great trip!
Katz, I just checked out the Aerie B+B site. If you reserved one of the Apartments on the water for $95/night you got a real bargain! If you took one of the rooms in the Guest House on Bradford street you will not be on ther water but will be able to easily walk to Commercial Street and walk along the sandy shore there. It is still a good deal for Provincetown so relax and enjoy!
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