The Best of Cape Cod Outdoor Guide
Cape Cod is known for its rich history, well-protected landscapes, and joyful visitors in the summer months. This pristine peninsula reaching out into the Atlantic holds a little something for everyone, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast. We have composed some of the best-hidden secrets for you to explore the Cape Cod great outdoors this spring.
Audio Courtesy of National Park Services
Listen to the Peepers
Great Sippewissett Marsh. This lush landscape where green marsh meets the ocean tides is home to some of Cape Cod’s most precious wildlife including the spring peepers. Come for the vistas, stay for sunset as the frogs croak the arrival of spring. The marsh hides an army of amphibians, you will relax to their unique song.
Go For a Ride
Shining Sea Bike Path “From sea to shining sea” the trail’s name is a tribute to the Falmouth native Katherine Lee Bates and her iconic song “America the Beautiful.” The eleven-mile trail sweeps through woodlands, marshes, bird sanctuaries, rivers, and beaches. In addition to its beauty, you may find yourself transported back in time as this route was once part of a railroad line that ran from New York to Boston from 1872 to 1965. If you do not have a bike you may rent one from shops like Corner Cycle (or enjoy your free bike when staying with Woods Hole Inn).
Explore the Shores
The Cape Cod National Seashore “A man may stand there and put all America behind him,” said Henry David Thoreau as he explored this historic coastline stretching 40 miles from Chatham to Provincetown. With an expanse of sandy beaches to rival California, this unique landscape remains protected thanks to President John F. Kennedy. Today you can grab a day permit and drive along the National Seashore, or simply park in one of several designated lots and take a long walk.
Scope the Sea
Whale Watching “Call me Ishmael” is one of the most famous sentences in literary history. Herman Melville based his novel “Moby Dick” on Cape Cod’s famous whaling industry, an integral part of our cultural and economic history. Today these whales are monitored and protected. Several companies like Hyannis Whale Watcher offer day voyages to witness these gentle giants of the sea. Woods Hole Inn can help you book your whale watching trip for a discounted price.
More from the Great Outdoors
The Old Kings Highway 6A -“Steering along tree-shaded Route 6A on a mild summer day, with blue inlets of Cape Cod Bay on one side and white picket-fenced houses on the other, I’m tempted to conclude this may be the most appealing stretch of America I know.” – Smithsonian Magazine. While that pretty much sums it up, we also suggest stopping at the Barnstable Market near the old jailhouse for an awesome sandwich. Rest at one of the many vibrant cranberry bogs along the route and make it a picnic. There is a reason this stretch of road is protected as a national landmark.
Heritage Museums & Gardens – The parcel of land on which Heritage Museums & Gardens sits plays an important part in the history of the town of Sandwich. Today these 100 acres of magnificent grounds host internationally renowned rhododendrons, a collection of world-class carriages & automobiles dating back to the 1800s, a charming vintage carousel, and several traveling exhibits. Heritage Gardens is a “must-see” for the whole family.
Pilgrims Monument – In November of 1620, the Mayflower’s first touched land in the new world in Provincetown. The pilgrims would eventually move to Plymouth, but first, they spent five weeks exploring the sandy tip of Cape Cod seeking water. Erected in their honor, the Pilgrim Monument is 252 feet tall and made up entirely of granite. Offering amazing views of the town and ocean, this unique tower is definitely worth the climb.
Provincetown Lighthouses – There are three lighthouses in Provincetown which you can visit either by foot or boat. Many a ship has wrecked on the shifting shoals off Provincetown, thus the proliferation of lighthouses which were first established in 1826. Today, you can even spend the night at Race Point Light.
When planning your stay on Cape Cod, consider the Woods Hole Inn as the perfect jumping-off point for all the fun Cape Cod has to offer.
Reserve your two-night spring visit and receive a Gift Certificate to Bad Martha’s Brewery while supplies last! Follow this link for details Or call us at 508-495-0248.