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Health & Fitness

Destination Cape Cod

The getaway destination that is fequently taken for granted

So you are looking for a last minute, action packed family-friendly getaway that’s not too far from home…

One of my favorite getaway destinations is beautiful Cape Cod!  A nearby retreat we frequently take for granted.

The Cape offers just about everything you could want in a family vacation and more. With picturesque views and a wide array of things to do and places to eat, it attracts people from all over.  We recently ran into a family that traveled from Switzerland to enjoy what the Cape has to offer. Wow, talk about putting things into perspective!  “It is a great place to vacation with the family” they stated in a conversation overlooking the dramatic view of Marconi Beach, which is located within the Cape Cod National Seashore. 

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So, what to do at the Cape… let’s get started! 

As it turns out, our last visit started with a forecast of rain for three days but we didn’t fret… still lots to do at the Cape, even in the rain!! Besides, we know New England is known for its unpredictable weather, so let's start by talking about choices for rain or shine weather. 

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The Cove at Yarmouth is one of the largest year round resorts on Cape Cod. The rooms are spacious, clean, well-designed with a separate living area and two bathrooms - some with whirlpool.  Reasonably priced at only $110-$200 a night, staying here is a vacation in itself with their large indoor pool, hot tubs, kiddie pool, fitness room with sauna, racquetball, tennis, basketball, pool volleyball, an arcade and a relaxing spa!  They also have a calendar with various children’s activities: nail painting, t-shirt and jewelry design to name a few. For those looking to escape in the early spring, the Easter Bunny even comes! If you want to dine-in, head upstairs to the  4 Bros. Bistro that overlooks the indoor pool or call for room service.  A laundry facility is even offered on the second floor. If the weather is nice-The Cove offers passes to surrounding beaches, nature walks and numerous on and off-site activities.  They also have an additional outdoor pool and tennis court.  Every day is an adventure here!

John F. Kennedy Museum is located in HyannisThe Cape provided much inspiration for JFK.  There are many wonderful pictures of his days at the Cape at the JFK museum.  Admission ranges from $2.50- $5 and kids under 10 are FREE.

There are a handful of arcades scattered throughout the cape for rainy days. If the sun comes out, step outside of Skull Island's arcade and enjoy miniature golf, a driving range, batting cages, go-karts and a skate park.

Whale Watching doesn’t get cancelled as a result of a little rain.  There are plenty of companies throughout the Cape that offer whale watch cruises, the most reasonable are found in Provincetown due to the close proximity of Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, one of the world’s finest whale feeding grounds located off Cape Cod Bay. Here's a $2 coupon

Provincetown offers door to door shopping on Commercial Street, even for those brave enough to shop on rainy days, plenty of ice cream shops, coffee houses and restaurants.  There is a lot to do and see in the immediate vicinity as well...

Pilgrim’s Monument is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States.  It commemorates the Pilgrim's first landing in Provincetown. The view from the top is spectacular! Admission is reasonable, ranging from $3.50-$7.00.  Children 3 and under are FREE.

While mentioning spectacular views, Lands End Inn comes to mind with their panoramic ocean views and impeccably designed guest rooms, a place truly like no other.  

If the weather is nice, explore Provincetown beaches, tour Race Point Lighthouse, rent a boat or kayak at Flyer’s, go 3-way parasailing or take your vehicle through designated areas with an oversand permit!

Art's Dune Tours is the only guided dune tour of the Provincetown Cape Cod National Seashore. Buckle into one of their Suburban’s and take in the dunescapes as you pass by dune shacks and the remains of Peaked Hill Life Saving Station, one of the early look-out stations utilized by skilled seaman of the Life Saving Service that is known today as the Unites States Coast Guard.  Adults $26, Children $17 ages 6-11.  They have special 2 hour sunset cruises, dune tour clambakes, and they also do private tours for weddings, birthdays, etc...an incredible opportunity to explore these protected dunes of the Cape. (The editor highly recommends this tour having been numerous times himself!)

MacMillan Wharf hosts a variety of interesting options as you walk down the strip of art shacks and ticket booths.  Fishing trawlers, hi-speed ferries, whale watch and fishing charters can be seen coming in and out of the harbor of MacMillan Pier.

Whydah Pirate Museum is located at the end of the pier and showcases the world’s only private treasure discovered off of Wellfleet by underwater explorer Barry Clifford.  Locals will tell you that an occasional coin can be found on Marconi Beach after a storm.  Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for children, under 6 is FREE. Print this $2 coupon.

Wellfleet Drive-In Theater is the only drive-in theater located on Cape Cod. They have a snack bar, playground and 4 indoor screens as well, including 3D! The drive-in is located along Route 6 at the town line of Eastham and Wellfleet.

Now let’s talk about those fair weather days of water, beaches, wildlife, biking and kayaking!

Kayaking is an enjoyable way to capture nature at its finest.  Whether it is via marshes, ponds, ocean, rivers or bays, you are sure to capture some amazing views of Cape Cod’s undeveloped natural beauty.  Rent a canoe, kayak or paddle-boat in Dennis Port to take in acres of conservation land on mid-Cape’s Swan River that meets Nantucket Sound.  Kids can swim and play off the tidal sandbars and flats where they will be amazed at the clear waterway exposing a floor of white seashells.  There is a town beach on the West side nearest Nantucket Sound as well as sand bars that you can walk out on during low tide.

Paines Creek is a warm bayside beach located in the town of Brewster.  It is a great place for kids to swim and explore the tidal pools of sea creatures.  If you grab a tube, Paines Creek has a lazy river that gently flows through the marsh and to the beach during high tide.  At low tide you can walk the sand bars for a long distance.

Cape Cod Rail Trail is one of the many bike paths offered at the Cape.  The 22 mile paved stretch from Dennis to Wellfleet  passes by many local points of interest and secondary trails that allow you to jump off at various lakes for a picnic lunch and a swim, including Nickerson State Park that leaves you feeling like you are in the Berkshires.

Chatham Fish Pier is one of only two areas left on the Cape that commercial fishermen can be seen offloading their catch.  Next door you can eat fresh seafood at Chatham Pier Fish Market. Chatham Lighthouse is only a stone throw away. 

While in Chatham, you might consider staying at “New England’s Finest Ocean Front Luxury Resort and Spa”, Chatham Bars Inn!  If you are looking for fine cuisine, ambiance, luxury, beautiful waterfront views and excellent service-you’ve just discovered your next favorite place to stay!  Reserve early. 

Across from Chatham Bars Inn is Lighthouse Beach.  The largest beach in Chatham where you can watch seals pass by on the cold Atlantic waters.  Seals are very curious in nature.  While wading out off of South Beach two years ago, we encountered a population of seals that kept popping their curious heads out of the water as they approached closer and closer.  I was glad that I had asked our children to come out of the water after later learning about a shark sighting just after we left. 

Sharks have attracted a lot of tourism in the Chatham area in the last couple of years due to the increasing number of great white shark sightings attracted by the thousands of seals congesting a small area of Pleasant Bay up to Monomoy Island. Recently, one was tagged within Pleasant Bay itself closing beaches due to shark feedings in only one to three feet of water.  In addition, seal carcasses have washed up on shore.  This has placed swimming restrictions on East facing ocean side beaches from 5p-9:30am.  They are also enforcing people to swim no closer than 300 feet from area seals.

Blue Claw Boat Tours offers cruises for seal enthusiasts within Pleasant Bay.  My husband and I have brought our kids on this unforgettable seal tour two years in a row!  Capt. Rob Wissmann brings you up close and personal to the playful activity of the seals allowing you to experience the amusing sounds and body language of these curious mammals!  His narrated tour from Orleans will bring you up to speed on local history that includes Captain Kidd’s unfound treasure, wildlife, deserted and private islands, recent great white shark sightings, he includes a tour of the Pleasant Bay-Chatham Harbor breaks of the barrier beach that once completely protected the area from the open Atlantic. He also does custom cruises for educational groups, birthdays, you name it!

Wow, we’ve talked about beaches, lighthouses, dunes, biking, kayaking, museums, whale watches, seal tours, sharks, fishing, para-sailing, arcades and more!  The good news is that this only covers a small portion of the endless possibilities that Cape Cod has to offer.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Cape Cod National Seashore that President John F. Kennedy signed into law on Aug 7th 1961, establishing the forty mile stretch of pristine undeveloped Outer Beach with the goal "to preserve the natural and historic values of a portion of Cape Cod for the inspiration and enjoyment of people all over the United States."  

Today the Cape Cod National Seashore draws more than 4,000,000 visitors a year to the majestic 43,000 acre strip along the Atlantic coast.

With the endless possibilities that the Cape has to offer, I would love to hear some of your favorite Cape Cod destinations and adventures!

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