Cape Cod Activities Planner

Places to Visit and Things to Do on Cape Cod

To show you more than 40 fantastic places to visit and things to do on Cape Cod, without risking total credit card meltdown.

Whether you choose whale watch cruises and golf outings, or river kayaking and campfires on the beach, there's no end to the fun you'll have here on Cape Cod - affordably!

Kayaking -- Paddle to hidden coves and marshlands that others can't get to. You'll have a great time exploring our less-traveled waters! Bring your own kayak and the paddling's free, year round. Kayak rentals are available in season, with hourly rates from about $20. Daily and multi-day packages are also available.

Beachcombing on the Flats -- Have a leisurely stroll along a Bay-side beach at low tide and find colorful shells, hermit crabs, sand dollars and the occasional star fish. (Please leave the live ones where you find them!) This is a wonderful, free activity for everyone of any age.

Skateboard Parks -- Looking for Cape Cod activities for your teens? If they're into skateboarding, rollerblading or BMX biking - they'll be happy to know there are lots of excellent skateboarding parks here. Admission to the parks is generally free.

Float on a Tidal Creek -- Grab your blow-up raft and float on a tidal creek. Paine's Creek in Brewster is glorious! The water's warm and gentle in the shallow creeks, so the floating is pure relaxation. This is one of my favorite free things to do on Cape Cod on a hot summer day!

Hiking Trails -- Bring your walking shoes and your sense of adventure, and explore all the fantastic hiking trails through woods, marshlands, cranberry bogs, and along the shore.

Walk the The Captains' Mile -- Over 40 historic sea captains homes line this picture perfect stretch of Rt. 6A in Yarmouthport. Stop by the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth for brochure about the homes, then enjoy a self-guided tour (free) at your leisure.

Sandwich Fish Hatchery -- Stop by MassWildlife's fish hatchery in Sandwich. It's one of the kid-friendliest Cape Cod activities you can imagine! There's no charge for admission to the hatchery, but do be sure to bring a few quarters with you. For 25¢ you can buy a handful of fish food and have tons of fun watching hungry trout leap out of the water to catch your offerings. April to October is best time to visit.

Bonfires on the Beach -- Join in the fun at Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown or Nauset Light Beach in Eastham for kid-friendly Cape Cod activities like songs, games, and tales of Cape history around a crackling beach bonfire. Free bonfire events are held during the months of July & August. (Or bring your own wood and have a private beach campfire, just for you!)

Nickerson State Park -- Nickerson State Park in Brewster has it all. Walking and biking trails, fresh-water ponds and beaches, excellent fishing, seasonal campgrounds, a funky little park store, playgrounds, and ranger-led activities for kids and adults. The Park is open all year, with no entrance or parking fees. Camping is seasonal only, for a fee.

Chatham Fish Pier -- Chatham's fish pier is the place to be to watch local fishermen unload their catch of the day - and enjoy a hilarious show as resident seals beg for lunch. The Pier is open all year, with no admission fee - but prime time to see the seals is May through August. (Here's a link to the Chatham Fish Pier webcam. Depending on the time of day, you might see seals in the water now!)

Tour a Working 1654 Gristmill -- Go inside Dexter Gristmill in historic Sandwich Village and see the centuries-old mill grinding corn into meal. Be sure to buy a bag of freshly ground cornmeal to take home. It makes terrific muffins, breads and puddings! The Mill is open from May to October. Adult admission is $5.

Scargo Tower -- The views from Scargo Tower are absolutely incredible. Situated on Scargo Hill, the highest point of land on the peninsula, the tower looks out over Scargo Lake and across the Bay. The tower is open year round, and free for the climbing.

The Brewster Store -- This 1860s country store is the real thing! With its old-fashioned nickelodeon, a real peanut roaster, and shelves and bins full of everything from penny candy to hard-to-find kitchen tools - the Brewster Store is a fun step back in time for everyone. Open all year. No charge to go in and look around.

Morris Island -- Once you've seen (and photographed!) Chatham Light, continue down Shore Road and follow the signs to Morris Island. There you'll find a gorgeous 3/4 mile walking trail with great ocean views and lots of wildlife to see. Walk the trails any time. The Visitors Center is open seasonally, with no charge for admission.

Rock Harbor -- By day, Rock Harbor in Orleans is a hub of charter fishing, beach activities and seafood feasting. As evening comes, the harbor is a favorite place for one of the finest free Cape Cod activities Mother Nature can provide - watching the sun sink into the horizon over the Bay.

CCNS Junior Ranger Program -- Cape Cod National Seashore's Junior Ranger" program is a fantastic way to keep kids (aged 5-12) entertained, engaged and learning about the Seashore in a fun, hands-on way. On completion of their Ranger activities, children become "official" National Seashore Junior Rangers! The program is offered seasonally, at no charge.

"Gallery Nights" -- Saturday evenings during the summer are Gallery Nights in Wellfleet. Everyone is welcome to stroll from gallery to gallery, join the receptions, and meet the artists. No admission fees are charged.

Highland House -- Visit this early 1900s seaside resort hotel in Truro and see guest rooms set up as though they were still occupied by ladies in flowing skirts and gentlemen in top hats. On the main floor at Highland House there's a fascinating collection of memorabilia dating as far back as the arrival of the Pilgrims in the early 1600s. Open seasonally. Adult admission $4.

Pilgrim Monument -- If you're up for some exercise with a spectacular reward, climb the 116 stairs and 60 ramps to the top of Provincetown's spectacular Pilgrim Monument. It's well worth the effort. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Boston! Open April - November. Adults $7.

The Pirate Ship "Whydah" -- See treasures recovered from Captain "Black Sam" Bellamy's pirate ship, the Whydah on display at the Expedition Whydah Sea Lab & Learning Center on MacMillan Wharf in Provincetown. Open seasonally. Adult admission $10. (Update: The Museum has recently announced "Free Booters' Fridays", a special deal for half-price admissions on Fridays throughout summer 2011!)

Bicycling -- Miles of paved, well-tended bikepaths provide wonderful sightseeing (and a little exercise!) for all ages and riding abilities. If you bring your own bicycles, then you can move this activity into the "free" category. Bike rentals are mainly seasonal, some year-round rentals are available. Rental rates generally start at about $12 per hour.

Water Taxis to the Beach -- Want to spend time relaxing on a peaceful, remote beach this summer? Take a shuttle boat to your own secluded stretch of sand. Shuttles operate seasonally. Fares average $10 each way.

Wellfleet Drive-In -- Treat your sweetheart to a movie at the Wellfleet Drive-In, or bring the kids for an old-fashioned family experience they'll remember for years to come. Seasonal only. Adults $8.50. Cash only, no credit/debit cards accepted.

Bumper Cars and Batting Cages -- These classic Cape Cod activities from the 1960s are still going strong in the 21st century. Visit a family amusement center for mini-golf, batting cages, and bumper cars - then go for ice cream to top it all off. Open in-season. Admission from about $7 and up.

Ride The Rails -- Board the Cape Cod Central Railroad for a scenic ride through quaint towns and villages. Specialty train rides include a family supper train with special kids' activities, a Sunday brunch train, an elegant dinner train, and even a Murder Mystery train. Mainly seasonal, with a few special occasion trains. Adult fares from $22-$70, depending on the excursion you choose.

Cape Cod Canal Cruises -- Take a Dixieland Jazz cruise or a sunset cocktail cruise aboard the M/V Viking from Onset Pier. Seasonal only. Adult fares from $14 up.

Broadway Quality Theater -- Enjoy a show at the renowned Cape Playhouse in Dennis, where many famous names from stage, screen and television began their acting careers - and the stars still perform today. June to September. Ticket prices vary by performance.

Ice Cream Sundae Floats -- Enjoy two popular Cape Cod activities at once - a boat ride and eating ice cream - on a Sunday afternoon cruise from Hyannis Harbor. This family oriented excursion includes all the fixins for a "create-your-own" Ben & Jerry's ice cream sundae! Late June to early September. Adults $16.75, kids $8.75.

OceanQuest -- Take an an OceanQuest Hands-On Discovery cruise and help OceanQuest's team of marine scientists pull up lobster traps, drag plankton nets, and perform scientific experiments. It's a wonderful experience for all ages. Late June to early September. Adults $22.

Play a Round of Golf -- I've never been a golfer, but my friends who love whacking a little white ball around a big patch of green tell me that Cape Cod golf courses are some of the best courses in the northeast. With our temperate climate, you can often golf here all year long. Greens fees vary by course, from under $30 per round to over $60 per round.

Go Sailing -- Thankfully, you don't need a boat of your own to enjoy this favorite of Cape Cod activities. Sailing cruises and charters are available from late spring to early autumn, from many local harbors and marinas. From about $35 per adult.

Tour the Dunes -- When it comes to memorable Cape Cod activities, exploring the dunes ranks right up there with the best. Art's Dune Tours has been showing visitors the wild side of Provincetown's dunes since 1946. Seasonal, from $26 per adult for hourly tours to $89 for sunset clambake tours.

Go Soaring -- Whether you prefer gliders, bi-planes, or Cessnas, an aerial tour will give you a view of the Cape that can't be matched by sightseeing on land. Year round, from about $125.

Deep Sea Fishing -- Arrange a private fishing charter or join in the fun on a fleet boat. From early spring to fall, you can fill your days with tight lines and tough-fighting fish. Most charters are seasonal only. Fares average about $35 per person and up on a head boat. Private charters can run anywhere from $300 - $3000, depending on the size of the boat and the length of the trip.

Windsurfing -- Brisk prevailing breezes bring us the perfect conditions for windsurfing, and for one of the most cutting edge Cape Cod activities - kiteboarding. Bring your board and fly across the waves to your heart's content. If you plan to rent a board (seasonal only), expect to pay about $35 per hour.

Lobster Roll Cruises -- A vacation in New England isn't complete until you've chowed down on some fresh-caught lobster. A Lobster Roll cruise from Sesuit Harbor is a fun and tasty way to get your "lobster fix", along with a scenic cruise on the Bay. Seasonal only. $29+ per person, depending on which cruise you choose.

Personalized Guided Tours -- Take a full-day sightseeing tour designed just for you by the nice folks from Cape Cod Scenic Tours. They'll pick you up at your hotel, provide you with a yummy picnic lunch and show you an "insider's" view of the Cape. Year round, $70 per adult for a 6-7 hour guided tour with picnic lunch included.

Parasailing -- Parasailing is one of the few Cape Cod activities that requires a little more nerve than I happen to have. But if you're game to take to the air, a parasail adventure will give you an amazing birds-eye view! Seasonal only. Rates vary by length/height of ride.

Cape Cod Melody Tent -- During the summer months, the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis hosts a wide range of well-known performers (last year's lineup included Adam Lambert and The Beach Boys) in an intimate setting where all seats are within 20 rows or less from the stage. Performances from June to September. Tickets prices range from as little as $10, to over $60 per person, depending on the show.

Seal-Sighting Tours -- Families of seals are a common sight in our waters and out on the barrier beaches. Get up close to these adorable critters on a guided seal-sighting tour. Tour boats operate in season only. Adult fares begin around $30.

Rent a Power Boat -- Find a secluded spot for an afternoon swim. Cast into a school of feeding bluefish. Or just go cruising. Power boat rentals give you the freedom to enjoy lots of aquatic Cape Cod activities at your own pace. Seasonal, from about $375 for a half-day.

Savor Each Moment! -- The sparkle of cool sand at sunrise. The look on your child's face when she discovers a starfish in a tidal pool. Whatever the moment holds - savor it.

Cape Cod is a special place where you'll make memories of a lifetime!