Lower Cape Cod Guidebook
Beaches
Our personal favorite! This popular Dennis beach is perfect for little ones due to its gentle waves and low tide wading pools. Lots of parking but we still recommend getting there early!
20 mins away
145 locals recommend
Mayflower Beach
Horsefoot PathOur personal favorite! This popular Dennis beach is perfect for little ones due to its gentle waves and low tide wading pools. Lots of parking but we still recommend getting there early!
20 mins away
Located in Orleans on Cape Cod Bay, Skaket features warm, calm water and a flat shore = aka, a great choice for families.
11 mins away
56 locals recommend
Skaket Beach
Located in Orleans on Cape Cod Bay, Skaket features warm, calm water and a flat shore = aka, a great choice for families.
11 mins away
A picturesque beach only half a mile from downtown Chatham. During low tide, you can walk out to southern Monomoy Island while seeing Chatham's many seals and fishing boats. Be careful of the strong currents and tides (no lifeguards).
11 mins away
73 locals recommend
Lighthouse Beach
30 Main StreetA picturesque beach only half a mile from downtown Chatham. During low tide, you can walk out to southern Monomoy Island while seeing Chatham's many seals and fishing boats. Be careful of the strong currents and tides (no lifeguards).
11 mins away
Looking to off road with your jeep or surf the waves? This is the beach for you.
This 10-mile stretch of sand in Orleans features protected areas for swimming and boogie boarding, along with off-road trails and designated sections for surfing. The waves are top-notch, and there are often seal sightings (as well as the occasional shark sightings). Nauset also features a gazebo that hosts free outdoor concerts in July and August.
16 mins away
154 locals recommend
Nauset Beach
250 Beach RdLooking to off road with your jeep or surf the waves? This is the beach for you.
This 10-mile stretch of sand in Orleans features protected areas for swimming and boogie boarding, along with off-road trails and designated sections for surfing. The waves are top-notch, and there are often seal sightings (as well as the occasional shark sightings). Nauset also features a gazebo that hosts free outdoor concerts in July and August.
16 mins away
The beach is long, flat and easy to access and offers all kinds of amenities, including a playground, a snack bar, seasonal lifeguards and public restrooms. There is also a large parking area.
19 mins away
83 locals recommend
West Dennis Beach
45 Light House RoadThe beach is long, flat and easy to access and offers all kinds of amenities, including a playground, a snack bar, seasonal lifeguards and public restrooms. There is also a large parking area.
19 mins away
Only 7 minutes away is an easily accessible, popular Harwich beach, perfect for swimming, playing in the waves, and boogie boarding. There is a kayak and canoe launch and public bathrooms available.
7 mins away
41 locals recommend
Red River Beach
Red River Beach Parking LotOnly 7 minutes away is an easily accessible, popular Harwich beach, perfect for swimming, playing in the waves, and boogie boarding. There is a kayak and canoe launch and public bathrooms available.
7 mins away
Only 1 mile away, this freshwater beach is a great place for fishing, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding. No restrooms or lifeguards. Great for picnicking and relaxing.
3 mins away
Bucks Pond Beach
Bucks Pond RoadOnly 1 mile away, this freshwater beach is a great place for fishing, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding. No restrooms or lifeguards. Great for picnicking and relaxing.
3 mins away
For my foodies
Schoolhouse Ice Cream
749 MA-28Family favorite! YUMMY ice cream. Cash only.
Amazing sushi in downtown Chatham (a little pricey). Sit down or takeout (order early - pick-up times fill up quick).
72 locals recommend
Bluefins Sushi & Sake Bar
513 Main StAmazing sushi in downtown Chatham (a little pricey). Sit down or takeout (order early - pick-up times fill up quick).
Awesome spot for coffee (Snowy Owl), sandwiches, and baked goods. The market side has dry goods. produce, meats, sweets, and seafood to shop for.
8 locals recommend
Cape Roots Market
557 Massachusetts 28Awesome spot for coffee (Snowy Owl), sandwiches, and baked goods. The market side has dry goods. produce, meats, sweets, and seafood to shop for.
Fun spot in Harwichport to grab a pizza and wings or grab drinks and sit around the firepits. Good spot to watch a game.
71 locals recommend
Ember Coal Fire Pizza
600 MA-28Fun spot in Harwichport to grab a pizza and wings or grab drinks and sit around the firepits. Good spot to watch a game.
A short walk from the house you'll find the BEST breakfast burritos and whoopie pies. You can order online to pick-up or they'll make your burrito (or bowl) on site!
55 locals recommend
Corner Store
1403 Old Queen Anne RdA short walk from the house you'll find the BEST breakfast burritos and whoopie pies. You can order online to pick-up or they'll make your burrito (or bowl) on site!
Depot Dogs
4 Depot RoadLittle hot dog stand in the parking lot of Buca's restaurant. Open 11-3:30pm. Very yummy.
Great spot to grab a drink or dinner with a view of the harbor. Don't skip on the french onion soup!
90 locals recommend
Brax Landing Restaurant
705 MA-28Great spot to grab a drink or dinner with a view of the harbor. Don't skip on the french onion soup!
Best little burger place. Black bean + plantain burger is delish!
20 locals recommend
Mom & Pops Burgers
1603 Main StBest little burger place. Black bean + plantain burger is delish!
Chatham Cookware
524 Main StGreat sandwich spot!
Fresh and delicious smoothies. Inside the market you'll also find local food vendors (sushi, pizza, meats, baked goods, etc.) and curated groceries.
47 locals recommend
Ring Bros. Marketplace
485 MA-134Fresh and delicious smoothies. Inside the market you'll also find local food vendors (sushi, pizza, meats, baked goods, etc.) and curated groceries.
Great spot for takeout! Try the pear salad, you won't regret it. And their pizza!
26 locals recommend
Stone L'oven Pizza
280 Underpass RdGreat spot for takeout! Try the pear salad, you won't regret it. And their pizza!
Lighthouse Cafe
216 MA-28Charming, family-owned breakfast joint serving up homestyle classics.
Things to do
The Cape Cod Baseball League's Harwich Mariners play 7 minutes from the house. Running from July through August is one of the country’s top collegiate showcases. Free attendance with concessions available.
Whitehouse Field
75 Oak StThe Cape Cod Baseball League's Harwich Mariners play 7 minutes from the house. Running from July through August is one of the country’s top collegiate showcases. Free attendance with concessions available.
Upscale boutiques, art galleries, antique stores and fine dining establishments stretch for a mile along Main Street in Chatham, one of the most scenic and quintessential towns on the Cape.
22 locals recommend
Main Street
Main StreetUpscale boutiques, art galleries, antique stores and fine dining establishments stretch for a mile along Main Street in Chatham, one of the most scenic and quintessential towns on the Cape.
Well-maintained course with friendly staff. Loser buys ice cream at the shop next door!
18 locals recommend
Holiday Hill Miniature Golf
350 Main StWell-maintained course with friendly staff. Loser buys ice cream at the shop next door!
Bud's Go-Karts
9 Sisson Rd Outdoor go-kart track and mini-golf
Lots to do with a family -- bumper boats, batting cages, new rock climbing wall and all dairy-free ice cream shop next door (Sweet Izzy).
38 locals recommend
Grand Slam Entertainment, Cape Cod Bumper Boats, Batting Cage, Zip Line, Family Fun Cape Cod
322 Main StreetLots to do with a family -- bumper boats, batting cages, new rock climbing wall and all dairy-free ice cream shop next door (Sweet Izzy).
The refuge is a 7,604 acre federal wildlife refuge home to migratory birds and seals. You can sign up for a tour or roam yourself. Nearby, check out the Chatham Lighthouse or walk along the Morris Island trail.
50 locals recommend
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is a 7,604 acre federal wildlife refuge home to migratory birds and seals. You can sign up for a tour or roam yourself. Nearby, check out the Chatham Lighthouse or walk along the Morris Island trail.
Pristine public golf course 8 minutes down the road. Driving range and putting green available.
15 locals recommend
Cranberry Valley Golf Course
183 Oak StPristine public golf course 8 minutes down the road. Driving range and putting green available.
7 mile paved bike trail that runs from Harwich to Chatham, connected to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, and finishing at Chatham's Main Street
Old Colony Rail Trail
Old Colony Rail Trail7 mile paved bike trail that runs from Harwich to Chatham, connected to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, and finishing at Chatham's Main Street