Visit to Cape Cod, MA

Hyannis was one of those places that instantly felt familiar—even though we’d never been there before. As we drove into town, we were greeted by the classic charm of Cape Cod: cedar-shingled homes, breezy streets, and that unmistakable scent of salty sea air.

One of our first stops was the John F. Kennedy Memorial, a serene spot by the water that’s both reflective and beautiful. The memorial park offered peaceful views across Lewis Bay, and we found ourselves lingering—watching sailboats drift by, reading the commemorative plaques, and simply soaking in the calm.

After a stroll along the shoreline, we headed over to Cape Cod Creamery for a much-needed ice cream break. Their small-batch flavors were just the thing on a warm afternoon. We sat outside under the shade, savoring each bite and people-watching as the town hummed around us.

We also spent time exploring Hyannis Harbor, walking the piers and watching the ferries come and go. The harbor area is vibrant—fishing boats, tour vessels, and yachts all mingling in a scene that feels like classic New England. It’s the kind of place where you can wander aimlessly and always find something interesting, from weathered dockside buildings to tucked-away seafood joints.

Hyannis left a lasting impression—quiet in some corners, lively in others, and full of the kind of simple coastal beauty that Cape Cod is known for. It was a meaningful visit for us, blending a family celebration with moments of discovery and reflection.

Visiting the John F. Kennedy Memorial in Hyannis Port was a quietly moving experience. Set in a peaceful waterfront park overlooking Lewis Bay, the memorial captures more than just history—it offers a glimpse into the deep personal connection JFK had with Cape Cod.

For President Kennedy, this wasn’t just a summer retreat; Hyannis Port was his anchor, a place where he could unwind with family and escape the demands of Washington. Standing there, with the sea breeze coming off the water, you can feel why this part of the world meant so much to him. It’s a simple but powerful tribute that invites reflection, not just on his legacy, but on the man behind the presidency.

Just a short distance away is the JFK Hyannis Museum, which offers a deeper dive into his time on the Cape, with rich exhibits, photos, and archival footage. While the museum gives you the broader story, the memorial itself—open to all and free to visit—is a quiet, contemplative spot that reminds you why this region held such a special place in his heart.

After strolling the harbor and soaking in the JFK legacy, there was only one logical next step: ice cream. And not just any ice cream— Cape Cod Creamery ice cream. If you’ve never been, let me paint a picture: charming seaside shop, bright colors, and that glorious scent of fresh waffle cones wafting through the air like a siren song for sugar lovers.

We didn’t plan it. We didn’t need to. The universe simply pulled us in like a tide of frozen dairy destiny.

Cape Cod Creamery is one of those places where choosing a flavor becomes a philosophical dilemma. Should you go with “Dennis Double Chocolate” because it sounds like a decadent life choice? Or “Orleans Oreo” because cookies and cream never steers you wrong? In the end, we embraced the chaos, picked a couple of local-sounding names, and promptly forgot them as we devoured them on a nearby bench, staring out at the harbor like it was the most important ice cream summit of our lives.

Pro tip: If you’re visiting in the summer, expect a line. But don’t let that discourage you—it moves quickly, and let’s face it, standing in line is just more time to debate your flavor fate.

We didn’t take any photos (rookie move), but trust us—it was one of those little Cape Cod moments that sticks with you, somewhere between the beach and the history, and somewhere very close to your sweet tooth.

If you're as obsessed with New England ice cream as we are, don't miss our Boston Page, where we dive deeper into the region’s legendary scoops and sweet traditions.

During our time in Hyannis, we stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton — a comfortable, no-fuss hotel that served as a convenient base for exploring Cape Cod. While we didn’t take advantage of the pool, gym, or other amenities, the overall experience was positive.

The hotel had a spacious parking lot (a welcome perk in this area), and check-in was smooth thanks to the friendly and efficient front desk staff. Our room was clean, quiet, and comfortable — just what we needed after full days of walking, sightseeing, and seafood sampling.

We had breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and the food pleasantly surprised us. While we usually prefer to eat in town, the quality and flavor of our meal made us glad we stayed in. The restaurant staff were equally welcoming and attentive.

This wasn’t a "luxury stay", but it hit all the right notes for a relaxing visit to Cape Cod.

Cape Cod Accommodations

Cape Cod offers a wide variety of accommodations with potentially over 1600 options available, including hotels, motels, resorts, inns, and bed & breakfasts. Booking.com lists over 1600 accommodations, while the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce highlights hotels, motels, resorts, and inns. There are also many bed and breakfast inns, with over 250 listed on Boston University, and a range of waterfront, luxury, and family-friendly options according to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

With such a wide range of accommodations, it is useful to know how other people have rated the accommodations they used on Cape Cod. Below you will find the top five highest rated accommodations according to Google Review Rating.

Please note that each accommodation name below is linked to their website for your convenience. In addition, the external link next to their Google Review Rating is linked to their Google Review page:

1. An English Garden Bed & Breakfast: Set in a circa-1922 cottage in Dennis Port, MA this charming B&B with gardens is 2 minutes' walk from Cliff Metcalf Memorial Beach along the Atlantic Ocean and 4 miles from Highway 6. It's 5 miles from the Cranberry Valley Golf Course.

   Google Rating 4.7 based upon 76 reviews.

2. Land's End Inn: Set on a hilltop overlooking Provincetown Harbor, this upscale inn is a mile from the 252-foot-high Pilgrim Monument and 1.8 miles from the town center.

   Google Rating 4.7 based upon 179 reviews.

3. Chatham Bars Inn: Once a semi-private hunting lodge in Chatham, MA, this elegant beachfront resort is 0.4 miles from Chatham Pier Fish Market.

   Google Rating 4.6 based upon 1,800 reviews.

4. Chatham Inn Relais & Châteaux: Located in a federal-style building in Chatham, MA dating from 1830, this luxurious inn with a clapboard exterior is a 9-minute walk from downtown, a 12-minute walk from Chatham Lighthouse Beach and 1.9 miles from the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.

   Google Rating 4.8 based upon 220 reviews.

5. Winstead Inn And Beach Resort: With two properties – one in charming Harwich Center, the other on the beach in Harwich Port – they offer discerning visitors a truly unique Cape Cod vacation.

   Google Rating 4.8 based upon 46 reviews.

If you would prefer to perform your own accommodation research, here is the link to the Google Search Results list of all accommodations on Cape Cod as of July 2025. This list is not sorted and you can easily apply your own search criteria and have Google re-display the new results.

Cape Cod Restaurants

Cape Cod's restaurant scene encompasses a wide range of options, from upscale dining to casual seafood shacks, and offers a variety of cuisines, including seafood, traditional New England fare, American, Italian, French, and even Brazilian barbecue.

The Cape's economy relies heavily on tourism, which generated $2.7 billion in visitor spending in 2023. It receives over 5 million visitors yearly. This high tourist traffic supports a large number and variety of dining establishments across the region.

With such a wide range of restaurants, it is useful to know how other people have rated those they visited on Cape Cod. Below you will find the top five highest rated restaurants (regardless of cuisine type) according to Google Review Rating.

1. Keltic Kitchen: Acclaimed Irish restaurant in West Yarmouth known for its traditional breakfast and corned beef hash.

   Google Rating 4.8 based upon 2,600 reviews.

2. Alberto's Ristorante: Italian standards & New England seafood in Hyannis, MA in a traditional space with fireplaces & sidewalk seating.

   Google Rating 4.5 based upon 1,300 reviews.

3. Brazilian Grill: Spacious steakhouse in Hyannis, MA with all-you-can-eat slow-cooked meats carved tableside, plus a salad bar.

   Google Rating 4.8 based upon 5,700 reviews.

4. Water Street Kitchen: Located in Woods Hole, MA they offer a seasonal ingredients inspired menu that is fresh, made from scratch, full of global inspiration, and yet will remind you of the best home-cooked suppers.

   Google Rating 4.8 based upon 315 reviews.

5. Del Mar Bar & Bistro: Located in Chatham, MA it is a stylish spot serving thin-crust pies, seafood specials & bistro fare, plus occasional live jazz.

   Google Rating 4.7 based upon 435 reviews.

Special Mention: Mac's Chatham Fish & Lobster in Chatham, MA Dinner at Mac's Seafood in Chatham is a quintessential Cape Cod experience, where the commitment to fresh, locally sourced fish and a welcoming, casual atmosphere combine to create a memorable meal, whether you're indulging in perfectly fried clams or a fresh-off-the-boat lobster. Celeste and I had dinner here with my sister and it was good. (Google Review Rating 4.5 based upon 1,500 reviews)

If you would prefer to perform your own restaurant research, here is the link to the Google Search Results list of all restaurants on Cape Cod as of July 2025. This list is not sorted and you can easily apply your own search criteria and have Google re-display the new results.

As an example of just how useful this Google feature is, lets assume that you are interested in Indian restaurants on Cape Cod. To display only Indian restaurants, you would click the "cuisine" drop-down list and click the "Indian" item. This informs Google to display only restaurants that serve Indian food. The other filters (Rating, Price and Hours) could also be utilized as per your requirements.

One of our favorite Cape Cod day trips is hopping aboard the ferry to Provincetown. It's not just a convenient way to travel — it's an experience in itself. With comfortable, climate-controlled seating, onboard galley service, and panoramic views of Plymouth Harbor and Cape Cod Bay, the ride is relaxing and scenic from start to finish.

On one of our previous ferry trips, we were lucky enough to spot a few whales along the way — an unforgettable bonus we hadn’t expected! And let’s be honest, cruising across the water beats sitting in traffic any day. The ferry ride takes about 90 minutes to cover the 26 nautical miles to Provincetown, while the drive along State Road 6 is nearly three times the distance and often bogged down by stoplights and summer congestion through the Cape’s small villages.

Here's why the ferry is so much easier:

• Avoids Cape Cod Traffic: This is the biggest factor. To drive from Plymouth to Provincetown (nearly 80 miles), you have to navigate the entire length of Cape Cod, including crossing one of the two heavily congested bridges (Sagamore or Bourne) and then driving on Route 6, which can experience significant bottlenecks, especially during peak summer season, weekends, and holidays. Traffic can turn what looks like a 1 hour 45 minute drive into a 3-4+ hour ordeal.
• Faster Travel Time: The fast ferry from Plymouth to Provincetown typically takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. This is often significantly less time than driving, especially when you factor in potential traffic delays.
• Scenic and Relaxing Journey: Instead of being stuck in traffic on route 6, you get to enjoy a pleasant boat ride across Cape Cod Bay. You'll have comfortable seating, and often services like a galley for food and drinks, and fresh air on the deck with scenic views of the coastline. It's part of the vacation experience, not just a means of getting there.
• No Parking Worries in Provincetown: Provincetown is a charming but small and densely packed town, especially in the summer. Parking can be extremely difficult and expensive. There are municipal lots, but they fill up quickly, and street parking is very limited. The ferry docks right at MacMillan Wharf, putting you in the heart of town and within easy walking distance of most attractions, shops, and restaurants. You simply step off the boat and you're there.
• Reduces Stress: The entire experience of driving to Provincetown in peak season can be incredibly stressful, from the traffic to the parking hunt. The ferry eliminates all of that, allowing you to start and end your day feeling relaxed and refreshed.

As of July 2025 round trip adult fares are $75 ($45 one way) via Captain John's P-town Ferry. Click here to view their website for more information and the current ticket prices.

Because Sandwich is such a pretty village, adjacent to the Cape Cod Canal and it's eastern terminus and contains some nice restaurants - we wound up driving here several times for meals and explorations! Our first trek here, we ate at The Pilot House Restaurant & Lounge - good service, good food and great views. On our next visit, we ate lunch at the Fishermen's View Seafood Market & Restaurant - fantastic view of the marina and the food was excellent.

Both of these restaurants are within a short walk of the Cape Cod Canal as well as the Marina. A nice way to walk off a good lunch and watch canal traffic move back & forth.

Deming Jarves founded the Boston & Sandwich Glass Factory in 1825. Sandwich had proximity to a shallow harbor, was a possible canal site, and had local supplies of timber to fuel the glass furnaces. The glass works primarily made lead glass and was known for its use of color. Jarves received several patents for his improvements in glass mold designs and pressing techniques. The factory declined after the American Civil War due to competition from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia companies that produced less expensive pressed soda-lime glass tableware.

The Sandwich boardwalk is a popular place to visit in Sandwich. The boardwalk stretches across the marsh to a beach on the other side. During high tide people jump off of the boardwalk into the beautifully clear water. You can swim, walk, kayak or just relax. Beware that the daily parking rate is twenty dollars as of 2020.

Click here to view a Google Images list of the Sandwich Boardwalk.

Sandwich is a charming New England town steeped in history and natural beauty. Established in 1637, Sandwich holds the title of the oldest town on Cape Cod, boasting a rich heritage that is evident in its well-preserved architecture and historic sites. Visitors can explore attractions such as the Sandwich Glass Museum, showcasing the town's legacy as a center for glass production in the 19th century, or stroll through the picturesque downtown area lined with quaint shops and galleries. Sandwich is also renowned for its scenic coastline, with beaches like Sandy Neck Beach offering opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the extensive trail network of the Shawme-Crowell State Forest or enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the Cape Cod Canal. With its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, Sandwich offers a delightful destination for travelers seeking quintessential Cape Cod charm.