Breezy Beaches and Alluring Lights: Cape Cod Attractions

Sunset on the Shores of Cape Cod1

Gentle breezes, sunny days, inviting beaches and spectacular lighthouses are some of the things that attract people to Cape Cod. The arm-shaped peninsula that forms the easternmost portion of Massachusetts is an ideal getaway anytime of the year. Visitors will experience Cape Cod's natural beauty, which is so stirring it has been known to attract those seeking inspiration. Many photographers, musicians, writers and artists have found their muse in Cape Cod and the area has also been a home away from home for infamous American families such the Kennedys.

BEACHES

Cape Cod beaches are known as some of the best in the world, with clear gentle waters and soft sands offering beach goers a relaxing haven. The peninsula is surrounded by the waters of Nantucket Sound, Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound and the Cape is home to numerous beaches scattered throughout its four portions, the Upper Cape, Mid-Cape, Lower Cape and Outer Cape.

Upper Cape
The Upper Cape features many beautiful beaches as well as Cape Cod's oldest town, Sandwich. Town Neck Beach is located in Sandwich just off Town Neck Road on Route 6A, and has parking spaces. The family-friendly stretch of sand features a long boardwalk, allowing visitors to take a scenic walk. Adventurous kids have been known to jump off the boardwalk into the deep creek at high tide and it is not uncommon to view commercial and recreational boats sail through the Cape Cod Canal. A day at Town Neck can include swimming, watching wildlife, kayaking, fishing and diving.

Another popular area beach is Monument Beach in the town of Bourne. Located in Buzzards Bay on Emmons Road, fun summertime activities here include swimming and sunbathing. The beach is also a popular destination for wind surfing enthusiasts. Visitors who hope to get a good view of the Cape Cod Canal will find this the ideal place as the beach overlooks the canal.

Mid-Cape
Home to many warm water beaches along Nantucket Sound, the Mid-Cape is the commercial and industrial center of the region, and includes towns such as Barnstable and Yarmouth. A well-known windsurfing destination is Kalmus Beach in the Hyannis region of Barnstable. The steady breezes and warm waters keep windsurfers coming back for more. This beach is easily found at the end of Ocean Street and for a fee, parking is available. Popular among high school and college students, Sea Gull Beach in West Yarmouth, sits just west of Parker's River on Sea Gull Road. This is the town's largest and most widely known beach. Lifeguards are on duty here and visitors will also find picnic tables, concession stands and toilet facilities. For a daily fee, plenty of parking spaces are available.

	Cape Cod National Seashore2

Lower Cape
This region of Cape Cod is located at the bend of the peninsula, towns in the Lower Cape include Harwich, Brewster, and Chatham. Each features beautiful stretches of sand with various types of accommodations nearby as well as restaurants and shops. Nature-lovers and those looking for a private island paradise will find Monomoy Island the perfect getaway. This area encompasses barrier beach islands, sand dunes, freshwater ponds and marshes. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visitors can only access Monomoy by boat. Expect to see numerous species of migratory birds and seals, and don't forget to bring angling gear as the island is known to be one of the most bountiful fishing sites in the northeast. This is due to its enviable location between the cold Atlantic Ocean and warm Nantucket Sound, which creates some amazing swirling waters.

Outer Cape
Often referred to as the “elbow” of Cape Cod, one of the most popular attractions on the Outer Cape is the 44,000 acres (17,806 ha) Cape Cod National Seashore. Here visitors can view lighthouses and vast landscapes while walking across 40 mi (64 km) of pristine coastline. The National Seashore also features marshes and ponds with various wildlife inhabiting the area. Travelers looking for some fun adventure driving can cruise in a 4x4 to the Nauset Outer Beach, which extends south for 5 mi (8 km) from Nauset Beach in Orleans right through to the town of Chatham. A permit is required for off-road vehicles and can be obtained at a beach shack in the parking lot at Nauset Beach. The drive to the outer beach is quite enjoyable and includes touring along a windy, scenic sand road that runs down the middle of towering dunes. Visitors will see many sweeping dunes and marshland, as well as colorful beach shacks. Once at the shore, visitors can relax and soak up the sun or go for a swim.

LIGHTHOUSES

A favorite attraction among all types of travelers especially artists and photographers, are the numerous lighthouses found throughout Cape Cod. One of the most sought after lighthouses to paint and photograph is Nauset Light, located in Eastham. Visitors are attracted to its colorful exterior and beautiful setting high on a cliff overlooking Nauset Beach. However, due to safety concerns that arose over coastal erosion, the lighthouse was moved back from the cliff in 1996. Nonetheless, this lighthouse is still a must see.

A Front View of the Cape Cod Lighthouse3

Those who have wondered what it would be like to stay in the Keeper's House can find out at Race Point Light, located within the Cape Cod National Seashore in Provincetown and features accommodations for approximately 11 people. The house has three bedrooms as well as a fully-equipped kitchen, gas oven, two refrigerators and an outdoor grill. Guests must bring their own linens, towels, food and water. Wings Neck Lighthouse in Pocasset also offers accommodations. Sitting at the very tip of Wings Neck Point and resting just inches away from the water, guests here will have sea views from every window in every room. There is space here for up-to eight people in three bedrooms and a kitchen featuring a dishwasher and microwave oven. Visitors of the lighthouse may enjoy the private beach, which is only open to guests.

The Highland Museum and Cape Cod Lighthouse also known as the Highland Light, is located in Truro and features an interpretive center and offers visitors the opportunity to climb the lighthouse tower while the museum showcases shipwreck mementos, a pirate's chest and more. Don't miss out on the observation deck which offers amazing ocean views from one of the highest cliffs on the Cape.

Other noteworthy lighthouses include the Nobska Lighthouse in Woods Hole, which stands 42 ft (13 m) and is famed for its light that appears red from the east due to a crimson section on the east side of the lantern house. The Wood End Light in Provincetown's harbor is not open to the public but the surrounding grounds are. A strenuous walk across the breakwater from Provincetown's west end is the only way to access the grounds. Visitors should be prepared for a jolt as the lighthouse's fog signal horn blasts every 30 seconds. Another Provincetown Harbor lighthouse is the Long Point Light. The lighthouse itself is not open to the public but the nearby grounds are. Accessible only by shuttle boat or a long challenging hike across a breakwater to Wood End, the lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Nickerson State Park offers visitors something other than typical Cape Cod favorites like sand dunes and salt marshes. The park is surrounded by woods that slope down to the banks of eight crystal-clear freshwater ponds. These natural pools are known as “kettle ponds” because there are no rivers or streams feeding water into them. They are dependent solely on groundwater and precipitation, therefore, the water level in the ponds is constantly fluctuating. The park encompasses over 420 campsites and visitors can enjoy various activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, fishing and canoeing.

	A Surfer at a Cape Cod Beach4

A popular tourist destination in Hyannis is the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory Tour. Here visitors will learn all about the legendary Cape Cod potato chips, which are a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Don't miss a trip to the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. It features exhibits of JFK's time on Cape Cod, and visitors can view over 80 photographs and watch a video narrated by famed news anchor Walter Cronkite describing the late president's experiences on the Cape. Another museum that should not be overlooked is the Sandwich Glass Museum, which illuminates the contribution made by the town to the glass industry. Not only was Sandwich's involvement felt locally but also on a global scale. Visitors will learn all about it at the museum, in addition to viewing more than 5,000 pieces of glass work.

1. Sunset; Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
2. Cape Cod National Seashore; Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
3. Cape Cod Lighthouse; Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
4. Cape Cod Surfer; Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA