The Best Cape Cod National Seashore Guide

With six swimming beaches, 20 (warmer) kettle ponds, a forest that invites exploration on foot or bike, scenic outlooks, lighthouses, dune-buggy tours, and ranger-led events, there’s plenty to do without leaving the Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, the miles of dunes, beach, and wild lands in the heart of one of the most popular summer destinations in the country. The Cape Cod National Seashore is a haven for beach bums, nature lovers, history buffs and sea worshipers. Here’s what to see, do and eat in each town along the way.

Cape Cod National Seashore Kettle Ponds

Kettle ponds formed when the ice sheets retreated around 18,000 years ago. They’re ideal for children and are usually around 10 degrees warmer than the ocean. Most are operated as town swimming beaches. Great Pond, Gull Pond, and Long Pond are the more popular bodies of water, set right off main roads. Visitors can also rent canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddle boards to use here.

Weather – When to Visit

The best time to visit Cape Cod is May, June, September or October. These shoulder months have pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities, fewer crowds than the busy summer season and reasonable room rates. Visiting between July and August is best if hitting the beach is a top priority for you, but you’ll shell out a pretty penny for a seaside cottage during the peak tourist season. In contrast, the Cape is near abandoned from December through March and hotel prices are much less expensive than the warmer months, though many shops and restaurants close in the off season. If you’re looking for some time to curl up with a good book in quiet solitude, winter is the time for you.

The Best Cape Cod National Seashore Area Beaches

Coast Guard Beach

Coast Guard is the southern-most beach in the Cape Cod National Seashore, and is in the town of Eastham. It is absolutely gorgeous, one of the best places for spotting seals on Cape Cod, and enjoying bigger waves for boogie boarding. You can park for free at the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center, and walk the Nauset Marsh trail, continuing onto Coast Guard Beach.

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Race Point Beach

Located in Provincetown, the northern-most beach on the Cape Cod National Seashore which is at the very tip of the peninsula. This beach is another popular one for swimming, and is also a great sunset spot. It’s actually known for having one of the best coastal sunsets on Cape Cod. This beach is also home to Race Point Lighthouse, which is located at the very end of the beach.

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Herring Cove Beach

located in Provincetown, Herring Cove beach is also great for swimming and sunsets. It’s also known for having some of the gentlest surf , and is home to concerts in the evenings in the summer season. Herring Cove is a beautiful beach, and an excellent choice for families, especially if you’re staying in the outer Cape region.

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Head of the Meadow Beach

While is has some of the most limited facilities of all the beaches, it’s back dropped by beautiful sand dunes, and has long stretches of shoreline to walk on. This beach also experiences a nice tide shift that creates really cool sand bars at low tide, so you can walk a bit further out into the ocean floor.

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Nauset Lighthouse Beach

Most known for being home to the beautiful Nauset Lighthouse, Nauset Lighthouse Beach is definitely one to visit when exploring the region. From the beach parking lot, it’s a very short walk over to the lighthouse, which stands guard over the beach. It’s free and easy to walk around the grounds of the lighthouse. It’s a fairly steep walk down to the beach from the parking area, so it may not be best for those with mobility issues. Once you get down there, though, you can enjoy a gorgeous stretch of pristine, sandy coastline.

Best Cape Cod National Seashore Restaurants

$-Inexpensive     $$-Moderate     $$$-Pricey     $$$$-Ultra High End

The Beach House at Chatham Bars Inn $$

Fresh, local “just caught” seafood, classic seaside favorites, sunset clambakes in the summer season, seasonally inspired cocktails and local beer served in an unforgettable oceanfront setting. Featuring live music and attentive, upbeat service. Telephone: 1 800-527-4884 Web: The Beach House at Chatham Bars Inn

Pilot House Restaurant & Lounge $$ – $$$

Enjoy dining hearthside with family and friends or unwind at the bar while sipping on a refreshing cocktail.  If dining outside is something you enjoy, stop by for lunch on the patio under the sun, dinner under the stars or a beverage of choice at their fully stocked outside bar (weather permitting and seasonal). Telephone: 508-888-8889 Web: Pilot House Restaurant & Lounge

Popponessett Inn Restaurant $$ – $$$

It’s tucked inside an inn that’s tucked inside a country club that’s tucked into a golf course. Inconspicuous, to say the least. But it’s also 50ft from the ocean, with glass windows that guarantee every diner a sweeping beach view. If you’re jonesing for more saltwater time, check in for the night: guests gain access to the tony beachfront bar and raw bar, otherwise available to members only. Telephone: 508-539-8322 Web: Popponessett Inn Restaurant

Quicks Hole Taqueria $$ – $$$

Quicks Hole Taqueria located at 6 Luscombe Avenue in Woods Hole is a unique combo of Baja California surfer hangout meets New England clam shack. Open mid-May to late September, this seasonal restaurant specializes in tacos, burritos, salads and from-scratch soups like watermelon gazpacho and quahog chowder made the traditional way with bacon and roasted corn. Telephone: 508-495-0792 Web: Quicks Hole Taqueria

Mattakeese Wharf $$ – $$$

Mattakeese is one of those places that caters to multiple generations: baked stuffed shrimp for the grandparents, baked stuffed lobster for the ‘rents, and straight-up steamed lobster for yourself (with a starter of oysters and a side of steamers, of course). Frankly though, going for sunset cocktails and appetizers on a weekend when there’s live music is the best! Telephone: 508-362-4511 Web: Mattakeese Wharf

Best Nightlife – Cape Cod National Seashore

British Beer Company

This traditional British “public house” has a great menu that includes fish, ribs, and pizza. Entertainment options throughout the week include karaoke, trivia night, and a variety of bands that perform Thursday–Saturday. There are two other Cape locations in Falmouth and Hyannis. Telephone: 508-833–9590 Web: British Beer Company

Chatham Squire

Boasting four bars (including a raw bar), this is a rollicking year-round local hangout, drawing a young crowd to the bar side and a mixed crowd of locals to the restaurant. There’s live entertainment on weekends. Telephone: 508-945-0945 Web: Chatham Squire

Governor Bradford Restaurant

This bar is dark and rustic, and lacks the glittering lights of some of the other town nightspots. It’s on a busy corner of Commercial and Standish Streets, where you can sit at tables with windows open to the street or inside at the long bar. Late-night fun includes drag karaoke, a great time and wildly popular; downstairs are multiple pool tables, darts, and a jukebox. Telephone: 508-487-2781 Web: Governor Bradford Restaurant

Harvest Gallery Wine Bar

Near the Cape Playhouse, this friendly place has an extensive wine list, a good variety of hors d’oeuvres and other nibbles, eclectic artwork, and live music. Telephone: 508-385-2444 Web: Harvest Gallery Wine Bar

Paramount

Part of the Crown & Anchor complex of entertainment options, the Paramount is the hotel’s main nightlife venue, offering poolside dancing to skilled DJs—including many names from the top international dance scene—on many nights. It’s also host to cabaret performances and live theater. Next door is a video bar and a male-only leather bar, The Vault. Cover charges vary. Telephone: 508-487-1430 Web: Paramount

Best Cape Cod National Seashore Hotels