From Sea to Bay and Beyond

The 64 kilometers of shoreline span six beaches, but the sand feels endless at Cape Cod National Seashore. Swim and beachcomb, or, for more action, cycle along the Shining Sea Bikeway or go surfing. To see more of Cape Cod’s natural habitat, head to Nickerson State Park to fish for trout or go canoeing. Hike trails at Cornelia Carey Sanctuary, known as The Knob, to a protected and scenic harbor. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, a migratory bird preserve, offers visitors a chance to engage with wildlife.

Pilgrimage to the Light

Because its peninsula is shaped so irregularly, Cape Cod is studded with lighthouses of all shapes, sizes and colors. Some are viewable only from a ferry tour, but five are open to the public. Highland Light, known as the Cape Cod Lighthouse, is the oldest, built in 1797. At Nauset Lighthouse, go on a full moon tour. Combine a hike with a tour and walk the 3-kilometer path to Race Point Lighthouse. Want to test out the lighthouse lifestyle? At Wings Neck Light, spend the night in the keeper’s home.

Treasures in the Towns

Each town has its own character, making Cape Cod a patchwork of influences, from progressive Provincetown, an artistic community with a thriving nightlife, to Hyannis, where you’ll find the John F. Kennedy Museum. Don’t miss the Sandwich Glass Museum, Cape Cod Museum of Art and Aquarium of the National Marine Fisheries. Both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard can be reached by ferry, and once there, toured by bus, bicycle, on foot or by boat. On Martha’s Vineyard, see the island’s oldest one-room schoolhouse and the Vincent House Museum. Explore Nantucket’s whaling history and admire its architecture, museums and historic sites.

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Built in 1808, Chatham lighthouse’s first keeper was appointed by none other than U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.

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