Cape Cod?

[Sweettears]

Cape Codder here chiming in. You've latest been given some great suggestions, so I'll just add my 2 cents. Many vacationers don't realize how big the Cape really is. It takes at least one hour just to drive from Hyannis to Provincetown. Logistically speaking the mid Cape would be best for exploring both ends of the Cape, plus there are many cottage rentals in the Yarmouth/Dennis/Harwich areas, but I would definitely start looking for a rental now. Route 6A is a lovely, picturesque drive, with many interesting shops and great restaurants. If you are a little more adventurous, you may want to try a whale watch out of Barnstable harbor, or a day trip to one of the islands, (Nantucket is so pretty). There are truly so many options for vacationers on the Cape you are going to have to some research; Trip Advisor is a wonderful resource that will provide you with reviews on just about everything. As far as traffic, make sure you make it over the bridge by 10:00 am coming and going and you'll be fine.

Very good summary

 

[mousefan1972]

I thought Salisbury beach was the mandatory stop for north shore folks LOL

God no! LOL. Good Harbor, Wingaersheek, Singing Beach, Crane’s when the green heads are gone. All much better than the overpriced, overrated Cape.

 

[leebee]

One year in high school, we went somewhere historic in Boston, then to the State House/Boston Common. There was a protest on the Common, and some of my classmates ended up on the news.

No more field trips that year. Oddly, I don't ever recall a field trip to Salem (family trip, either, since it's "right there and you can go any time." ). No Canobie Lake, but a couple of trips to the more distant Lincoln Park.

Lincoln Park!! I was trying to remember that name- we went there, too!

I'm not worried about summer traffic. I grew up near Salem, MA, spent my summers in York Beach, ME (where my family still lives) and worked for 2+ years in Bar Harbor, ME. Everyone moans about the tourists, but if we didn't have Tourist Season, we'd be a pretty broke state up here!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Lincoln Park!! I was trying to remember that name- we went there, too!

Yeah, i had to Google it . Funny, we never went to the much closer Canobie Lake.

 

[Amii]

If you do vacation on the Cape be careful where you swim. The great white problem is bigger than a lot of people realize. Cape Cod is one of the few places in the world where the great whites swim parallel to the beach close to the shore. There is an app called Sharktivity that you can download and look at the sightings last year. I don’t want to scare you. Pay attention to the shark signs on the beaches and look at the app and pick areas without activity if you swim in the ocean.

 

[dominiondad]

Adding to the shark warning - if you are in the water and suddenly see seals in the area, it's probably a good time to dry off. The sharks are cruising for seals, so if there are seals, there is a chance a hungry shark is nearby.

 

[skyblue17]

This is true. I was once wading in Chatham, close to up to my waist, without realizing that there were sharks VERY nearby. I saw it on the news later that night! Anyone familiar with the area probably knows the beach, right by the lighthouse. There are sandbars there and it's an easy place for seals to hang. It was an overcast day so there weren't many people there to begin with. I do recall there being a lifeguard staff and I wasn't asked to leave the water but it was closer than I would have liked, in hindsight.

 

[Amii]

Adding to the shark warning - if you are in the water and suddenly see seals in the area, it's probably a good time to dry off. The sharks are cruising for seals, so if there are seals, there is a chance a hungry shark is nearby.

Very true! You do not want to be in the ocean if there is a seal around.

 

[JaxDad]

Very true! You do not want to be in the ocean if there is a seal around.

 

[capegirl]

Beaches from Chatham to Provincetown are most likely to have shark sightings as the gray seal population is pretty much out of control. The seals are also a protected species, so this has become a very controversial issue. Great white sharks do not hunt humans, but may mistake them for prey because they are about the same size as seals and other marine mammals.
There are shark warning signs posted at these beaches, unfortunately the signs do little to deter many surfers who enjoy these waters. They are working on different strategies such as nets, and drones, but it will certainly be a challenge. So yes, if you're coming to the Cape and you see a shark warning sign, and/or seals please exercise great caution. There are many other beautiful beaches on the Cape for swimmers to enjoy.

 

[Libbysmom2000]

We love the Cape. Chatham is our go to spot. It's a wonderful town and not far from great beaches. There's whale watching and just walking around funky Provincetown (Ptown), ferries to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket out of Hyannis. Bass river cruise and kayaking in Dennis. Brewster, Eastham and Wellfleet are 9ther great towns we've stayed in.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

If you are going to stay in upper or mid Cape, save any trip to Provincetown for a weekday as weekends are crazy crowded (both on the road and in town). For traffic leaving the Cape (as stated above) you need to leave early or else you will be stuck in traffic for hours. Route 28 is very commercial and always busy (again weekends are much more crowded). My suggestion for a great day - go to a north shore beach at low tide and enjoy the miles of sand.

 

[Moliphino]

I live just north of Boston. My advice regarding the cape? Don’t. Overrated, overpriced, too crowded. Heavily congested.

We used to go for a week every summer when I was a kid and it was wonderful. When I've been back in more recent years it's barely recognizable, it's gotten so overdeveloped (at least in the Yarmouth area, haven't been farther up in quite a long time).

 

[Libbysmom2000]

I prefer to avoid the lower Cape as it is much more crowded there. Anywhere from Harwich on east is not as crowded - still crowded in summer but not as bad. My favorite is Chatham. It's right on the elbow so you can head in either direction for places to visit within short drives. Chatham has fun shopping and plenty of beaches. Just remember, in summer, to keep an ear out for shark sightings as they have been increasing around the Chatham area. You can check out the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich for nice place to visit.

Chatham is a favorite of ours as well. Such a cute town and an easy drive to several beautiful beaches.

OP, I've lived in NJ my entire life and have only been to the Jersey shore a handful of times. We typically head to the Cape and as a child my family went to Long Island.

 

[Sandeep1]

I went back in 2015. Just a day trip from Boston. Went to Plymouth Rock and then drove to a place in Cape Cod, though I don't remember exactly where. Had the best clam chowder of my life though.

 

[Sandeep1]

Chatham is a favorite of ours as well. Such a cute town and an easy drive to several beautiful beaches.

OP, I've lived in NJ my entire life and have only been to the Jersey shore a handful of times. We typically head to the Cape and as a child my family went to Long Island.

Chatham, that's it! Thanks. Had lunch at the Impudent Oyster. Absolutely delicious!!!