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The beauty and tranquility of Cape Cod and the nearby islands, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, are no longer the well-kept secret they once were. Today, Cape Cod is a favorite vacation destination for all travelers. It ranks with some of the most frequently visited locations in North America including the Grand Canyon, New York City, Hollywood, Niagara Falls and the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Cape Cod's fishhook shaped peninsula, which is also often referred to as the giant arm, is home to some of the prettiest villages, as well as the most pristine beaches and unspoiled landscape in North America. Distinctly different from each other and Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket each have their own defining characteristics.

	Martha's Vineyard Lighthouse

Martha's Vineyard is situated seven miles south of Cape Cod and is accessible by ferry only. While this island features a fine crop of vineyards, it has now become primarily dependent on tourism for its economic survival. Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown are the island's largest towns - each features a handful of attractions, shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy. These three communities are also connected by regular bus service. Gay Head Cliffs, now known as Aquinnah Cliffs , are a national historic landmark. The cliffs are naturally made of multicolored clay, which was once the island's main source of paint.

Nantucket Island is much more isolated than Martha's Vineyard, and also less tourism oriented. It is 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod. The town of Nantucket is the only one on Nantucket Island; however, there are also several small villages and residential areas. Sea Captains' houses lines the cobblestone streets of Nantucket Town. Once the whaling capital of the world, Nantucket also features a Whaling Museum that displays memorabilia from this prosperous economic time.

HISTORY

	The Mayflower

On the morning of November 11, 1620 a group of 102 Pilgrims from England arrived at the tip of the cape, which is now known as Provincetown, aboard the Mayflower. Shortly after their arrival, the Pilgrims held the first American Thanksgiving celebration. After careful consideration, the pilgrims decided that the land they arrived on was not conducive to agriculture, so the majority of the group settled across the bay in Plymouth, which offered land and a climate that was more ideal for farming. The first real settlement on Cape Cod was in Sandwich in 1637, which was closely followed by settlements in Barnstable and Martha's Vineyard.

By the end of the 17th century Cape Cod had become a successful fishing and whaling center. The native residents had learned through their experiences exactly which was the "Right Whale," as they are officially now called, to hunt. This particular type of whale floated on top of the water when it was speared, allowing it to be to transport it to shore easily by canoe. Also, in 1712 a Nantucket ship managed to harpoon a sperm whale, which turned out to be a prosperous discovery. Not only did the sperm whale provide large amounts of blubber for export, but also spermaceti (a waxy substance used for candle making and fuel for lamps). With highly established shipping routes, Cape Cod experienced great economic prosperity as a result of the whaling industry over the next century and a half. Many Sea Captains built homes in the whaling towns: Nantucket boasts more than 800 homes and buildings that were built before 1850, many of which are still standing today.

A recession struck Cape Cod in the 1860s with the ruination of the whaling industry: with the invention of kerosene in 1859, the need for spermaceti greatly decreased. The residents began moving to more developed areas such as Boston and other factory towns for work. Cape Cod experienced a drastic decline in both economy and population over the next 60 years following the demise of the whaling industry.

The invention of the automobile brought some life back to Cape Cod and the Islands, and tourism also began to bring some stabilization to the economy. Oak Bluffs, on Martha's Vineyard, began to develop quickly in the 1860s and 1870s. Dozens of colorful houses were built, which are now fondly referred to as 'gingerbread houses' in 'Cottage City.' This development in Oak Bluffs was one of the first successful instances of urban planning. Nantucket was preserved in near-perfect condition throughout the recession, and became a popular destination for tourists again in the 1870s.

Cape Cod and the Islands continued to grow as popular tourism destinations over the next century and decades. Today, tourism is one of the most prosperous aspects of the economy, along with fishing that that occurs along the shores. Particularly in the summertime and during the holiday seasons throughout the year, visitors stream in from all over the nation and the Cape's population temporarily increases with the influx of tourists.

CLIMATE

Cape Cod, and in fact the entire New England area, is known for its distinctly defined seasons. In comparison to the mainland, the temperature on the islands is typically 10° F warmer in the winter and 10° F cooler in the summer (a difference of 6° C). Also, because the islands are surrounded by water, they tend to experience more fog than the mainland.

	Autumn on Cape Cod

Summer on Cape Cod and Islands is heralded by the annual Figawi Sailboat Race, which is held on the Memorial Day weekend (the final weekend in May). However, right up until the end of June the weather is often rainy and unpredictable, similar to the spring season. Throughout June and July, the weather on the Cape is ideal for enjoying the many beaches in the area, as well as many other recreational activities. The average summer temperature on the islands is 70° F (21° C), with highs of approximately 78° F (26° C). The ocean water is warmest for swimming in August and September.

Autumn arrives on the Cape in mid-September. The leaves begin to change color and the temperatures are very pleasant for hiking along the seashore. Many people believe that this is the area's prettiest season. Winter on Cape Cod and the islands is generally mild. In past years, although rare, there has been some snow. Winter temperatures average 33° F (1° C).

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation by car between Boston and Hyannis was once a day-long journey; however, now with the advanced U.S. interstate-highway system the trip can be done in two hours or less, except on weekends when the traffic is very heavy. Bourne Bridge, at the southwest end of the canal on Highway 28, and Sagamore Bridge, at the northeast end on Highway 6, are the only two entries onto the Cape by automobile. After arriving on Cape Cod, the traffic continues to be heavy on the main routes. This is the case throughout the summer months. Although driving can offer a significant amount of freedom, aside from the traffic, parking can be expensive. Parking fees are in effect all over the islands, including at the beaches. Public transportation is offered by the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority and provides an alternative to braving the daily traffic and parking fees. Most cities offer chartered bus and trolley services (inquire locally for routes and fares).

Considering the volume of tourism that Cape Cod receives, air transportation is lacking in many ways. Massachusetts' only international airport is Logan International Airport in Boston. There are some small regional airports located directly on Cape Cod and the nearby islands. The main airport is Provincetown Municipal Airport. Most visitors to Cape Cod either fly to Boston or New York and then take a scheduled commuter or charter flight or a charter bus to their destination on Cape Cod. To compensate for the limited air service to the area, several charter buses are available that offer express services frequently between Boston, Logan International Airport, Hyannis, Sagamore and Provincetown.

Several ferries link to Cape Cod and Islands with frequent service. A ferry ride offers a much more relaxing trip to the Cape, as well as a beautiful view, in comparison to highway driving. Ferry service is available through various companies at the ports of the following cities: Provincetown, Boston, Plymouth, Oak Bluffs, Hyannis, Nantucket, Woods Hole, Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, New Bedford and Harwich Port. Cycling is a great way to get around the Cape, especially during times of high traffic congestion; however, when cycling be sure to stick to the designated paths and use secondary, rather than main roads whenever possible.

ATTRACTIONS

Whale Watching Tours

	Humpback Whale Flukes

Whale watching is one of the most popular activities for visitors to Cape Cod and Islands. There are several companies that offer whale watching cruises; the majority of the tours depart from Plymouth and Provincetown, Barnstable. Stellwagen Bank, located just off the tip of Cape Cod, is the destination for most whale watching excursions. This shallow underwater plateau is the feeding ground for many marine animals in addition to a variety of whale species, so the frequency of sightings is high. The most commonly seen whales are humpback, minke and fin whales. Other frequently seen creatures include the Atlantic white-sided dolphin, mola mola, basking shark and several types of birds.

The rates offered by the various companies are competitive. In the rare event that there are no sightings of marine life most organizations offer a voucher for another trip, which will hopefully provide better luck.

Kennedy Family Attractions

Cape Cod has long been the Kennedy family's favorite vacation destination and summer home, even before the days of John F. Kennedy's Presidency. For many people, Cape Cod and the Kennedy family are inseparably linked. The majority of their time was spent in Hyannis, about which Rose Kennedy was once quoted saying "Our family would rather be in Hyannisport in the summer than any place else in the world." Today, the memory of the Kennedy era still remains in Hyannis.

The most significant attraction dedicated to 'America's Royal Family' in Hyannis is the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. The museum features a photographic display of J.F.K. and his family. The photos, which span from 1934 to 1963, have all been enlarged and mounted. A video presented by Walter Cronkite shows footage of the family in Cape Cod swimming, boating and enjoying other leisure activities together.

Other Kennedy attractions in Hyannis include the Kennedy Memorial (located above Veteran's Beach on Ocean Avenue), the Kennedy Compound (situated at the end of Scudder Avenue) and St. Francis Xavier Church (a small church on South Street). The Kennedy Memorial is a touching tribute to the family created by the residents of Hyannis - it is a popular visitor destination in the summer and is often crowded with Kennedy admirers. The Kennedy Compound still stands with its large Colonial Dutch houses. Rose Kennedy attended mass daily at the St. Francis Xavier Church, and many members of the Kennedy family were married in this church including J.F.K.'s daughter Caroline.

Cape Cod National Seashore

Cape Cod Coastline

Cape Cod National Seashore, often called 'The Great Beach,' is one of the main reasons that Cape Cod is such a popular visitor destination - it is truly a haven for both sunbathers and recreational enthusiasts. President John F. Kennedy designated this area as a national park on August 7, 1961. The seashore dominates the Outer Cape stretching past the towns of Chatham, Orleans, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown. The shoreline spans 43,604 acres including 40-miles of pristine beach that appears practically untouched. In addition to the beautiful beaches, Cape Cod National Seashore also includes approximately 500 private residences, several walking trails and many historic buildings.

Each walking trail offers something different, but all feature fantastic scenery. Some trails offer a more intense hike, some are ideal for a short walk to the perfect picnicking location, while others feature historic sites along the way. Inquire locally for further information about which trails suit your needs and desires.

Historic buildings are scattered along the Cape Cod National Seashore. Five lighthouses are situated along the shoreline including three near Provincetown (Long Point Light, Wood End Light and Race Point Light), one near North Truro (Highland Light) and one near Eastham (Nauset Beach Light). In Provincetown at Race Point Beach, the Old Harbor Lifesaving Station is now a museum that delineates many early lifesaving techniques. Two historic homes are also located within the park: Captain Edward Penniman's House in Eastham and the Atwood-Higgins House in Wellfleet. Both homes are open for tours.

Many of the beaches allow swimming and these will be monitored by a lifeguard (inquire locally for further information).

New England Clam Chowder 2 (10 ounce) cans minced clams 4 slices bacon, diced 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped 4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 cup celery, chopped 1/2 cup carrots, diced salt and pepper to taste 3 cups half and half cream 1/4 cup butter Drain clams, reserving liquid. Set aside. In a stock pot, place bacon over medium high heat and cook until crisp. Add onions and sauté until opaque. Add clam juice, potatoes, celery and carrots. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and allow to simmer until potatoes are tender. Pour in half and half cream, butter and clams. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Do not allow to boil. Clams will become tough if over-cooked.

Cape Cod Cuisine

Although it was named for the abundance of cod on the shores when Bartholomew Gosnold arrived on Cape Cod in 1602, it cannot be denied that the Cape's true delicacy is lobster. Seafood in general can be found in almost every New England restaurant, but lobster is almost always the cuisine of choice. Many people enjoy

removing the shell and taking the lobster apart themselves; however, for those who have never done this before, most restaurants will serve this delicious meal with a paper placemat that describes the procedure pictorially. The juicy pieces of lobster are tastiest when dipped in melted butter. Eating lobster, especially when dismantling it, can be a messy process. Do not be ashamed to wear the plastic bib that comes with the meal - consider it fashionable!

The New England Shore Dinner, which also features lobster, is an authentic experience. If the opportunity to partake in this kind of meal is offered, be sure to take advantage of it. As the name suggests, the meal of lobster, corn on the cob and baked potato, is literally cooked on the shore in a six-foot heated sand pit surrounded by rocks. For those interested in trying this dinner, inquire locally for a list of companies that offer. Or, for the adventurous, it is possible to prepare a private shore dinner, but be aware that most beaches will require a permit.

Other Cape Cod menu staples include clams (especially when they are fried), scallops and oysters. Many restaurants also offer a raw bar, where seafood fresh off the fishing boats may be selected and perfectly prepared. Of course, a trip to Cape Cod would also be incomplete without a steaming bowl of cream-based New England Clam Chowder. The luckiest visitor may even have the chance to take part in a chowder contest, where towns will gather their finest chowder recipes and offer a taste of the many variations available.