What to do and see in Cape Cod, Cape Cod: The Best Outdoor Activities

October 13, 2021 Layne Dawes

The Atlantic crashes on a coastline strewn with quaint harbors, windswept beaches, glorious dunes and blinking lighthouses. Explore Cape Cod National Seashore, bike past cranberry bogs on the Rail Trail or saunter around Sandwich, the Cape's oldest town. Many areas are architectural and culinary gems - full of weathered shingles, whaling captains' mansions, chowder shacks and upscale dining delights. Don't miss Woods Hole Oceanquest, famed Martha's Vineyard or charmingly upbeat Provincetown.
Restaurants in Cape Cod

1. Cape Cod National Seashore

99 Marconi Site Rd, MA 02667-8142 (508) 255-3421 https://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 625 reviews

Cape Cod National Seashore

Over 40,000 beautiful acres of protected beach and dunes, stretching from Chatham to Provincetown.

Reviewed By StacyInDC2012 - Alexandria, United States

During our visit to Cape Cod National Seashore we enjoyed relaxing beach time at Marconi Beach, complete with several seal appearances just beyond the waves and then hiked in the white cedar swamp. The park wasn’t very crowded as we were there during the week just after Labor Day. Loved the visit and the fact that it gave us the opportunity to both be active and relax.

2. Shining Sea Bikeway

Falmouth, MA +1 508-548-8500 http://www.shiningseabikeway.com
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,029 reviews

Shining Sea Bikeway

Reviewed By MingO_11 - Boston, United States

This is arguably the most scenic bike trail in Cape Cod. It has almost everything Cape Cod bike trails have to offer: the marsh, the cranberry bog, picturesque cape towns, and of course the shining sea. A few tips: Near the Woods Hole terminus of the trail, there is a very good bakery called Pie in the Sky, which is a good stop to refuel. Also from there, the Nobska lighthouse is close by (~1 mile away), which also worth a side trip.

3. Cape Cod Provincelands Trail

Route 6 north toward Provincetown, Provincetown, MA
Excellent
80%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 264 reviews

Cape Cod Provincelands Trail

Reviewed By CherryTravels17 - New Jersey, United States

My husband and I ran the Provincelands Trail. We took advantage of the free parking at the Visitor Center, where we started/ended our run. The views from the Visitor Center were breathtaking. The path was beautiful and not crowded; this is a must-do for active travelers visiting P-town!

4. Kalmus Beach

Hyannis, MA
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 394 reviews

Kalmus Beach

Its convenient location makes Kalmus one of the Hyannis area's most popular beaches.

Reviewed By Cwhite472

My 8yr old and 4 1/2yr old loved this beach. Clean, beautiful and quiet. Lots of seashells and plenty of space to walk around and distance yourself from other visitors. People around were very friendly

5. Cape Cod Rail Trail

MA +1 508-896-3491 http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/cape-cod-rail-trail.html
Excellent
76%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 445 reviews

Cape Cod Rail Trail

This bike path runs 25 miles, from Dennis to Wellfleet.

Reviewed By O8419NOadamw

For a family of 5 it is a great mostly straight long mostly very flat bike trail through a forest. It is an easy ride and great for young riders as my nine year old was able to go 17 miles with relative ease. I could see some complaints as there are some riders who act like it's the tour de france racing through the trail with little regard to others while others could think it is mostly a boring forest scenery. We started in Brewster at the Ocean Edge and the scenery was much nicer west towards Dennis

6. Herring Cove Beach

Provincetown, MA
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 939 reviews

Herring Cove Beach

Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Herring Cove is Provincetown's most popular beach.

Reviewed By robynf699

Herring cove beach is a great place to relax and watch the sunset, there is a brand new parking lot with a mat to walk down to the beach.

7. Coast Guard Beach

Nauset & Doane Rds, Eastham, MA http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/coast-guard-beach-eastham.htm
Excellent
76%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 620 reviews

Coast Guard Beach

A great beach to hike, relax and soak up the natural beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Reviewed By afshesid

Clean water and nice waves both at low and high tide. Would recommend anyone visiting cape to must visit this beach

8. Old Kings Highway

Route 6A, MA [email protected] http://capecodroute6a.com
Excellent
43%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Old Kings Highway

The Old King's Highway, Cape Cod Route 6A, is on the northern, or bay side, of Cape Cod and winds its way through some of the oldest villages in America: Bourne, Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster and Orleans. Many of the homes and churches along this tree-shaded road are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Reviewed By stgnts - Bridgewater, United States

Ol Cape Cod... as the song goes, and when you travel down route 6A, you will see just that. The road is quaint, slower, nice homes, and shops here and there (not too many). Begin in Sandwich and enjoy a 30 - 40 MPH curving road stepping back into a slower, leisurely ride all the way to Orleans where Route 6A now becomes part of the State Highway Rt 6 all the way to Providence. Enjoy this road!

9. Marconi Beach

Wellfleet, MA http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/marconi-beach.htm
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 520 reviews

Marconi Beach

Reviewed By gharrigan

Have gone to Marconi Beach a dozen times this summer. Easy to get to, lots of parking, clean changing rooms, clean open bathrooms, easy paths to the beach. Stairs involved to get don to the beach though. Lots of clean sand, and lifeguards.

10. Race Point Beach

Race Point Road, Provincetown, MA 02657 +1 508-255-3421 https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/guide-to-beaches.htm
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,497 reviews

Race Point Beach

Reviewed By IMKEVINFROMBOSTON - Boston, United States

Great Beach , Miles and Miles of Cape Cod seashore , we saw whales and seals and all kinds of activity , go see the Dunes or visit the light house pack water and a lunch lots of fun

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