Q: If I am planning a trip to Cape Cod, what would you recommend?
A: Cape Cod and the summer months are a match made in utopia, especially for a family with young children. But you must book early. I would also strongly recommend that you split your trip between two different parts of the Cape. Start of in Barnstable, which includes the town made famous by John F. Kennedy. Of course I am talking about Hyannis. Follow that up with some time in gorgeous Eastham. Hotels in both destinations fill up early. I know some people who make their bookings a year in advance. To be safe, consider doing so in early winter.
There are 100 miles of splendid public beaches in Barnstable. On a quiet north side is Sandy Neck, an eight mile long barrier beach with dunes, beach grasses and marshlands alongside Cape Cod Bay; to the south are the warm waters of Nantucket Sound and popular Craigville Beach; Kalmus Beach, where windsurfing is available; Orrin Keyes or Sea Street Beach and sheltered Veterans Beach, which I personally would not recommend. A major summer highlight is the Barnstable County Fair www.barnstablecountyfair.org, which takes place annually during the last nine days of July. This is an extraordinary experience, featuring a variety of shows, exhibits, concerts, food, animals and carnival rides. The petting zoo and livestock displays are an experience, especially for the younger ones. They’ll also enjoy the 40 minute circus show. The large fairgrounds where this event takes place are in East Falmouth, a mere 11 miles from Hyannis. However, given the fact you must take one-lane Routes 28 or 151 to get there, the drive there will be very long unless you depart early.
Cape Cod www.capecodchamber.org is located in the midst of a major migration pattern for saltwater fish, which provides for a plenitude of fishing from early spring until late fall. The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce really does a marvellous job promoting this area. Get a copy of their official guide before you start planning your trip. They also produce an excellent restaurant book www.capecoddiningguide.com and offer gift certificates for travel, dining and shopping.
In addition to the beaches, fishing, golf and kite flying, the Hyannis area has playgrounds, miniature golf courses, bike paths, tennis and racquetball clubs, windsurfing beaches and a bowling facility. There are amusement centers located on Main Street and Route 132. Be sure to allow some time to sample some of the area’s fine retail shops and art galleries. In addition to the historic Hyannis Main Street Waterfront District, investigate the 100 plus stores in the climate controlled Cape Cod Mall on Route 132. There is also Cape Town Plaza, Southwind Plaza, and Festival at Hyannis along the same route as well as the wonderfully imaginative Christmas Tree Promenade. The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum is a multimedia exhibit designed to open a window on the days JFK spent on Cape Cod. The exhibit features over 80 photographs spanning the years 1934 to 1963 and is arranged in thematic groupings to reflect John F. Kennedy, his family, his friends and the Cape Cod he so dearly loved. In addition to photography, a video narrated by Walter Cronkite depicts the president’s experiences on the Cape. Several themed areas include charged oral histories of JFK’s friends.
Before you go, log on to www.kidsonthecape.com and check out the best guide for parents and grandparents available in the region. You can order a hard copy by mail, which I strongly recommend, allowing you to plan your trip accordingly. Copies are free once you arrive. Inside you will find a wide array of activities and attractions, such as the Cape Cod Children’s Museum www.capecodchildrensmuseum.pair.org, located on Great Neck Road South in Mashpee. While plans call for a capital campaign to construct a new facility within the next five years, the present-day small and intimate quarters are especially fun for toddlers. There are a lot of hands on exhibits, science workshops and arts and crafts. Top marks go to the portable planetarium, accompanied by excellent instruction.
In Barnstable, among the best accommodations you will find is the Hyannis Harbor Hotel www.hyannisharborhotel.com. The Hyannis Harbor is an extraordinary facility, located directly across the street from the Island Ferries which bring you to Martha’s Vinyard and Nantucket. You are within walking distance from downtown and the beaches. The place has both indoor and outdoor pools and 136 exquisite guest rooms, many of which have private balconies and harbor views. The hotel opens in April and closes at the end of October. A free deluxe continental breakfast is served poolside, featuring fresh baked muffins, cakes, cereals, bagels, coffee, juices and fruits. Families should look into one of the bi-level suites, which can accommodate as many as eight people over two floors. There are two fridges, two TVs and two balconies. On a nice night, just leave your car in the spacious parking lot and take a stroll by the harbor or on happening Main Street. There is a toll free number 1-888-810-0044.
A: Cape Cod and the summer months are a match made in utopia, especially for a family with young children. But you must book early. I would also strongly recommend that you split your trip between two different parts of the Cape. Start of in Barnstable, which includes the town made famous by John F. Kennedy. Of course I am talking about Hyannis. Follow that up with some time in gorgeous Eastham. Hotels in both destinations fill up early. I know some people who make their bookings a year in advance. To be safe, consider doing so in early winter.
There are 100 miles of splendid public beaches in Barnstable. On a quiet north side is Sandy Neck, an eight mile long barrier beach with dunes, beach grasses and marshlands alongside Cape Cod Bay; to the south are the warm waters of Nantucket Sound and popular Craigville Beach; Kalmus Beach, where windsurfing is available; Orrin Keyes or Sea Street Beach and sheltered Veterans Beach, which I personally would not recommend. A major summer highlight is the Barnstable County Fair www.barnstablecountyfair.org, which takes place annually during the last nine days of July. This is an extraordinary experience, featuring a variety of shows, exhibits, concerts, food, animals and carnival rides. The petting zoo and livestock displays are an experience, especially for the younger ones. They’ll also enjoy the 40 minute circus show. The large fairgrounds where this event takes place are in East Falmouth, a mere 11 miles from Hyannis. However, given the fact you must take one-lane Routes 28 or 151 to get there, the drive there will be very long unless you depart early.
Cape Cod www.capecodchamber.org is located in the midst of a major migration pattern for saltwater fish, which provides for a plenitude of fishing from early spring until late fall. The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce really does a marvellous job promoting this area. Get a copy of their official guide before you start planning your trip. They also produce an excellent restaurant book www.capecoddiningguide.com and offer gift certificates for travel, dining and shopping.
In addition to the beaches, fishing, golf and kite flying, the Hyannis area has playgrounds, miniature golf courses, bike paths, tennis and racquetball clubs, windsurfing beaches and a bowling facility. There are amusement centers located on Main Street and Route 132. Be sure to allow some time to sample some of the area’s fine retail shops and art galleries. In addition to the historic Hyannis Main Street Waterfront District, investigate the 100 plus stores in the climate controlled Cape Cod Mall on Route 132. There is also Cape Town Plaza, Southwind Plaza, and Festival at Hyannis along the same route as well as the wonderfully imaginative Christmas Tree Promenade. The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum is a multimedia exhibit designed to open a window on the days JFK spent on Cape Cod. The exhibit features over 80 photographs spanning the years 1934 to 1963 and is arranged in thematic groupings to reflect John F. Kennedy, his family, his friends and the Cape Cod he so dearly loved. In addition to photography, a video narrated by Walter Cronkite depicts the president’s experiences on the Cape. Several themed areas include charged oral histories of JFK’s friends.
Before you go, log on to www.kidsonthecape.com and check out the best guide for parents and grandparents available in the region. You can order a hard copy by mail, which I strongly recommend, allowing you to plan your trip accordingly. Copies are free once you arrive. Inside you will find a wide array of activities and attractions, such as the Cape Cod Children’s Museum www.capecodchildrensmuseum.pair.org, located on Great Neck Road South in Mashpee. While plans call for a capital campaign to construct a new facility within the next five years, the present-day small and intimate quarters are especially fun for toddlers. There are a lot of hands on exhibits, science workshops and arts and crafts. Top marks go to the portable planetarium, accompanied by excellent instruction.
In Barnstable, among the best accommodations you will find is the Hyannis Harbor Hotel www.hyannisharborhotel.com. The Hyannis Harbor is an extraordinary facility, located directly across the street from the Island Ferries which bring you to Martha’s Vinyard and Nantucket. You are within walking distance from downtown and the beaches. The place has both indoor and outdoor pools and 136 exquisite guest rooms, many of which have private balconies and harbor views. The hotel opens in April and closes at the end of October. A free deluxe continental breakfast is served poolside, featuring fresh baked muffins, cakes, cereals, bagels, coffee, juices and fruits. Families should look into one of the bi-level suites, which can accommodate as many as eight people over two floors. There are two fridges, two TVs and two balconies. On a nice night, just leave your car in the spacious parking lot and take a stroll by the harbor or on happening Main Street. There is a toll free number 1-888-810-0044.
Eastham
Here are some more details about Eastham and its neighbouring towns of Orleans, Wellfleet, Chatham, Dennis, Brewster, Truro and Provincetown.
Now for some more details about Eastham, and its neighbouring towns of Orleans, Wellfleet, Chatham, Dennis, Brewster, Truro and Provincetown. Step back in time and discover Eastham’s preserved National Seashore beaches. Learn about the town’s colourful history at various museums, visit Eastham’s working windmill and enjoy the lively band concerts on the Town Green. You can tour historic Nauset Lighthouse, catch the breathtaking views from Fort Hill and Salt Pond, kayak through Nauset Marsh to the outer ocean, fish, swim or canoe the pristine kettle ponds and bayside beaches. The western border of Eastham is lined with six miles of beautiful beaches overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Just as magical as the National Seashore, Cape Cod Bay offers calmer and warmer waters, amazing flats at low tide and breathtaking sunsets. The most notable and largest Eastham bay beach is First Encounter, the location where the native Indians first encountered the pilgrims in 1620. It’s great for kids, with its extraordinary low tides. Buy them a net and watch as they scoop up crabs of all shapes and sizes in water up to your ankles.
The Four Points by Sheraton Eastham Cape Cod www.fourpoints.com/eastham , a modern full-service hotel, is the perfect property to stay. It almost looks out of place on busy Route 6, which consists mainly of small motels. For summer trips, an early winter booking is highly recommended. Hyannis is only 45 minutes away. The hotel has beautiful indoor and outdoor swimming pools and is close to the beaches. Kids particularly adore the indoor pool, which is well heated and situated in very pretty surroundings. If you book early enough, you can get a poolside room. There is also a jacuzzi. When Sales Manager Cynthia Ladd met me at the front desk, she made my life so much easier by providing me with small cue cards containing door to door directions to the best beaches and nearby towns. This hotel also has a fitness facility, a game room, refrigerators and coffee makers in each room, an on-site restaurant (Bellamy’s) and five meeting rooms in case you want to hold a company conference here. This is apparently a very popular option in the off-season. The front desk will get you anything you need, be it a dinning reservation, tickets to a show or a car rental. Check out the Cape Cod Rail Trail Bicycle Trail, only 100 feet away. The hotel underwent a substantial renovation program a few years back and it shows. Rooms are beautiful. They all have fridges, including a small freezer spot to place your icepack. So go to the nearby convenience store and buy everything you will need to pack a great picnic lunch. This will amount to a substantial saving. This Sheraton is part of the Linchris Corporation www.linchris.com. Log on to learn about some of their other top-notch properties, a number of which are also in Cape Cod.
Orleans is home to one of the Cape’s best dining spots, the Orleans Inn and the region’s finest quality theater and studio called Academy of Performing Arts www.apal.org. The Academy Playhouse delivers the best drama, musicals, comedies and original works you can find on the Cape. It is a year-round source of great entertainment for all ages. Established in 1975, this non-profit organization is dedicated to producing high quality performances and nurturing the artistic development of our community. Last summer my family and I attended a performance of A Chorus Line. I must tell you that I am still humming the songs to this day. The cozy 162 seat theatre, which captures the essence of live theatrical experience, was filled to capacity and the young cast was just outstanding. Most shows are perfect for young children. As for the Orleans Inn www.orleansinn.com, which is just up the road on Route 6A,, this is a family-owned establishment. Ed Maas, his wife Laurie and their eight children have all played a role in making this historic property a must stop since purchasing it eight years ago. The restaurant offers the finest menus, from a varied selection of fresh local seafood, produce and grill specialties. There is a kids menu, offering everything from chicken fingers and burgers to pasta and pizza. Homemade desserts, specifically the chocolate layer cake, are to die for. If you order lobster, this place will take every piece out of the shell for you – a unique offering. Also, try the clam chowder. The Inn itself was built in 1875 and eventually served as a boarding house, a summer vacation hotel and restaurant. While it presently boasts 11 beautifully renovated guest rooms, the place is mainly used for weddings and corporate functions in the elegant downstairs Cove Room. It leads to the waterfront deck and has a seating capacity of 150. Ed Maas told me that there have been many Jewish simchas held at the Inn.
Finally, a trip to Cape Cod is not complete without exploring Provincetown—literally the last town on the Cape until you run out of land. Bubala’s By The Bay, at 183 Commercial Street, not only has a delightful menu for all three meals of the day. It also offers free parking, a true luxury on what is the best place for people watching in town. Before or after dining, take a walk and check out all of the interesting shops. You can also log on to www.provincetownpocketbook.com and order this neat little publication.
The Four Points by Sheraton Eastham Cape Cod www.fourpoints.com/eastham , a modern full-service hotel, is the perfect property to stay. It almost looks out of place on busy Route 6, which consists mainly of small motels. For summer trips, an early winter booking is highly recommended. Hyannis is only 45 minutes away. The hotel has beautiful indoor and outdoor swimming pools and is close to the beaches. Kids particularly adore the indoor pool, which is well heated and situated in very pretty surroundings. If you book early enough, you can get a poolside room. There is also a jacuzzi. When Sales Manager Cynthia Ladd met me at the front desk, she made my life so much easier by providing me with small cue cards containing door to door directions to the best beaches and nearby towns. This hotel also has a fitness facility, a game room, refrigerators and coffee makers in each room, an on-site restaurant (Bellamy’s) and five meeting rooms in case you want to hold a company conference here. This is apparently a very popular option in the off-season. The front desk will get you anything you need, be it a dinning reservation, tickets to a show or a car rental. Check out the Cape Cod Rail Trail Bicycle Trail, only 100 feet away. The hotel underwent a substantial renovation program a few years back and it shows. Rooms are beautiful. They all have fridges, including a small freezer spot to place your icepack. So go to the nearby convenience store and buy everything you will need to pack a great picnic lunch. This will amount to a substantial saving. This Sheraton is part of the Linchris Corporation www.linchris.com. Log on to learn about some of their other top-notch properties, a number of which are also in Cape Cod.
Orleans is home to one of the Cape’s best dining spots, the Orleans Inn and the region’s finest quality theater and studio called Academy of Performing Arts www.apal.org. The Academy Playhouse delivers the best drama, musicals, comedies and original works you can find on the Cape. It is a year-round source of great entertainment for all ages. Established in 1975, this non-profit organization is dedicated to producing high quality performances and nurturing the artistic development of our community. Last summer my family and I attended a performance of A Chorus Line. I must tell you that I am still humming the songs to this day. The cozy 162 seat theatre, which captures the essence of live theatrical experience, was filled to capacity and the young cast was just outstanding. Most shows are perfect for young children. As for the Orleans Inn www.orleansinn.com, which is just up the road on Route 6A,, this is a family-owned establishment. Ed Maas, his wife Laurie and their eight children have all played a role in making this historic property a must stop since purchasing it eight years ago. The restaurant offers the finest menus, from a varied selection of fresh local seafood, produce and grill specialties. There is a kids menu, offering everything from chicken fingers and burgers to pasta and pizza. Homemade desserts, specifically the chocolate layer cake, are to die for. If you order lobster, this place will take every piece out of the shell for you – a unique offering. Also, try the clam chowder. The Inn itself was built in 1875 and eventually served as a boarding house, a summer vacation hotel and restaurant. While it presently boasts 11 beautifully renovated guest rooms, the place is mainly used for weddings and corporate functions in the elegant downstairs Cove Room. It leads to the waterfront deck and has a seating capacity of 150. Ed Maas told me that there have been many Jewish simchas held at the Inn.
Finally, a trip to Cape Cod is not complete without exploring Provincetown—literally the last town on the Cape until you run out of land. Bubala’s By The Bay, at 183 Commercial Street, not only has a delightful menu for all three meals of the day. It also offers free parking, a true luxury on what is the best place for people watching in town. Before or after dining, take a walk and check out all of the interesting shops. You can also log on to www.provincetownpocketbook.com and order this neat little publication.
