This magnificent peninsula extends more than 100 km into the Atlantic Ocean, offering spectacular maritime scenery.
Cape Cod's wild and unique beaches, dotted with lighthouses and dunes, are among the most beautiful on the American east coast.
The art of good living seems to be a way of life on the Cape: gourmet restaurants, small bistros, friendly cafés, fresh produce, good wines and art galleries abound.
Visitors can enjoy many outdoor activities: cycling, swimming, surfing, hiking, kayaking, fishing, wildlife watching, nature walks... There is something for everyone!
The charm of the back roads...If you have the time, get off the highway when you reach the peninsula and take secondary roads such as the 6A. You will have the opportunity to discover charming and authentic little New England villages and their attractions. |
Cape Cod National Seashore
Cape Cod National SeashoreSeason: The beaches, parking lots and trails are open all year round, every day from 6 am until midnight. Visitor Centres: The Salt Pond Visitor Center (50 Nauset Road, Eastham). |
Created in 1961 by American president John F. Kennedy, who had a great affection for Cape Cod, the park encompasses sandy beaches, coastal bluffs, majestic lighthouses, marshes, ponds, and a wide diversity of plant and animal life. It stretches nearly 65 km along the coast, and the further you go towards the northern tip of the cape, the more enchanting the scenery becomes.
The most popular beaches include Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach in the Eastham area, which are perfect for swimming. Marconi Beach near Wellfleet is a well-known surfing spot. In Truro, Longnook Beach is the most spectacular with its high dunes, and Head of the Meadow Beach is also popular, among other things because of its lifeguards. If you are travelling with young children, you will enjoy the calm waters of Corn Hill Beach. In the Provincetown area, choose Herring Cove Beach for its warm water and beautiful sunsets, or Race Point Beach for its long hours of sunshine and the possibility of spotting whales!
A campfire on the beach? Why not!Did you know that campfires are permitted on the beaches of Cape Cod National Seashore, provided you have the required permit? Permits are free and must be requested 36 hours in advance, at Salt Pond Visitor Center (508-255-3421) for Eastham and Wellfleet beaches or at Province Lands Visitor Center (508-487-1256) for Truro and Provincetown beaches. Requests can be made by phone or in person, but you have to be lucky, because only 3 permits are issued per day, per beach. |
Provincetown
Provincetown, at the northern tip of the peninsula, is a popular summer resort town and is known as a vacation destination for the LGBT+ community. Synonymous with partying and freedom, the town bustles with activity, especially in summer. Around its two main streets, Commercial Street and Bradford Street, you will find many restaurants, boutiques, trendy bars, art galleries, and more.
The Pilgrim Monument was dedicated in 1910 to commemorate the first landfall of the Mayflower Pilgrims in Provincetown, an important moment in American history. Since that time, millions of visitors have climbed the 116 steps of this impressive 77-metre monument. The top of the tower offers a panoramic view of the city! Take the time to visit the Provincetown Museum to learn more about the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the city's rich maritime history, the early days of modern American theater in Provincetown, and the building of the monument.
Whale watching tour
Many marine mammals are found in Cape Cod waters from May to September, including minke whales, finback whales, humpback whales, right whales and dolphins. Provincetown is the best place on the Cape for whale watching.
Several companies offer whale watching tours, but Dolphin Fleet is a reliable and popular company associated with the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown. Daily departures from MacMillan Pier in summer. Reservations are necessary.
Bike paths
Cape Cod has numerous bicycle paths that allow visitors to explore its dramatic landscapes and quaint villages. The Cape Cod Rail Trail winds through the central part of the Cape, covering a total of 40 km. You can spend a few hours or a full day, with a solo or tandem bike.
The most impressive route is the 11-km loop through the Province Lands dunes in Provincetown, at the northern tip of the peninsula. Bicycles can be rented at Ptown Bikes (42 Bradford Street, Provincetown).
Walking and hiking
Hiking is a popular activity in Cape Cod and there are many trails of varying length and difficulty.
In the Eastham area, the 1.6-km Nauset Marsh Trail is easy and offers beautiful views of Nauset Marsh. In Wellfleet, the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail, a 2.4-km intermediate trail, is a must. In Provincetown, be sure to do the Beach Forest Trail, a 1.6-km loop through beech, pine and oak forest. And of course, many of the region's beaches are perfect for enjoying a lovely walk while taking in the fresh sea air.
Stop at the Salt Pond Visitor Center (50 Nauset Road, Eastham) for more information and to pick up trail maps.
NEARBY
From Cape Cod, you can easily take a ferry to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. These two islands are beautiful, but you must have enough time to fully appreciate them.
Martha's Vineyard
This island of 15,000 inhabitants, just 6 km off the coast of Cape Cod, is 32 km long. It is famous for its posh inns, chic restaurants and picturesque villages. The Martha's Vineyard State Forest occupies the centre of the island, while numerous ponds, dunes and beautiful beaches are found along the coast.
It is very pleasant to explore the island by bicycle. You can also go there by car if you wish. Pedestrian and bicycle ferries leave from Hyannis, Falmouth and Harwich, and car ferries have regular departures from Woods Hole.
The main tourist towns on the island are Vineyard Haven , Oak Bluffs and Edgartown . And be sure to pay a visit to Menemsha , a charming fishing village that served as a film location for Jaws (as did Edgertown).
You won't want to miss the magnificent Clay Cliffs of Aquinnah , the most photographed spot on the island. The best beaches are East Beach for its tranquility, Joseph Sylvia State Beach which is 4 km long, Katama Beach for surfing, and Moshup Beach for its incredible cliff views.
Nantucket
Nantucket Island, a designated National Historic Landmark since 1966, is 48 km south of Cape Cod and is 24 km long. This picturesque island, with its many cedar shingle houses, wild roses and historic buildings, is easily explored by bicycle. If you really want to take your car, there is a car ferry from Hyannis. But with the large number of tourists, driving can be quite difficult, especially on weekends.
Don't miss the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge , where you can take a guided over-sand vehicle tours of the largest salt marsh on the island, and the Great Point Lighthouse , the northernmost lighthouse on the island. Madaket Beach is the best spot to watch the sun set, with its big waves rolling in from the open sea. The quaint cobblestone Main Street in historic downtown Nantucket is also a must-see, as is the Whaling Museum , where you can learn about the island's whaling history.
