Whale Watching
If you are looking for a once in a lifetime experience during your summer vacation, whale watching is an excellent option for the whole family. A popular whale watching destination, Provincetown, Cape Cod offers plenty of tours for visitors who are curious to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
The Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown offers three to four hour excursions on their Dolphin Fleet vessel, which can hold more than 100 guests in its comfortably air conditioned and heated cabins. Dolphin Fleet trips are guided by experienced naturalists who offer an educational presentation that is suitable for both younger and older audiences.
The Dolphin Fleet is comprised of four vessels that depart from the Provincetown harbor, all of which are in communication during the trip to be able to better locate whale activity. Whale species spotted include Humpback whales, Finback whales, Pilot whales, as well as dolphins, porpoise, and other marine life.
To combine whale watching with a comfortable and relaxing getaway, consider a stay at the luxurious Crowne Point Historic Inn & Spa, centrally located in Provincetown. This historic inn features 35 rooms that are spread out between six restored, historical buildings. Relax in front of the fireplace, take a dip in the jacuzzi, or enjoy a spa day at the renowned Shui Spa.
In addition to booking a whale watching trip, guests at the Crowne Point Historic Inn & Spa can book jet skiing trips, biking trips, and lighthouse tours.
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Biking & Hiking
For those who want to get their blood pumping, a nice biking trip may be just what the doctor ordered. The Cape Cod Rail Trail, which starts in Brewster, MA is a relatively flat, 22-mile trail that passes through six Cape Cod towns as well as through several state and national parks.
The trail passes through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet and features paths for short side trips that lead to several area beaches.
One of the parks it passes through include Nickerson State Park, which is located just past the tenth mile. This beautifully wooded park includes many smaller trails, campgrounds, and ponds to dip into if you want to take a refreshing break after all that biking.
Another noteworthy point of interest along the path is the salt marsh in Eastham where visitors can stop to take in the view and visit the museum, gift shop, and learn about the Cape Cod National Seashore.
While continuing on the path, be on the lookout for signs that indicate where to stop for more local attractions, beaches, restaurants, ice cream, and bike shops. Also, feel free to pack a picnic as well, as there are plenty of shady spots along the way to sit down and relax.
If you didn’t bring your bike along with you, not to worry -- bikes are available for rental at the facilities. Visitors can also walk, rollerblade, and even horseback ride on this trail, and dogs are also allowed. Biking and Hiking is a unique way to explore your Cape Cod summer vacation.
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Ferry Trip To Martha’s Vineyard
If you’ve been bitten by the travel bug, there are plenty of chances for you to explore beyond the limits of Cape Cod should you desire. Transportation is easy to come by between train services, busses, and ferries. However, to explore the neighboring islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, the best (and only) way to go is by ferry.
If you’re headed to Martha’s Vineyard there are plenty of ferries during the day to hop on including the Island Queen, which departs from Falmouth and offers a 35-minute cruise across the beautiful waters of the Vineyard Sound. Enjoy a snack on the sunny deck while you take in the gorgeous, sparking views of the water.
Once in Martha’s Vineyard you’ll be immediately charmed by the sunny beaches, the beautiful sailboats dotting the shores, and of course, the stunning homes. While there, be sure to check out the Flying Horses Carousel, which is the oldest operating platform carousel in the United States. Originally located in New York City, the carousel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was moved to Martha’s Vineyard in the 1880s and has been a major tourist draw ever since.
Make sure you carve out enough time to get some shopping done, and of course leave room for a meal at one of Martha’s Vineyards many world class restaurants.
Exploring Provincetown
Provincetown, which sits at the northernmost tip of Cape Cod, is one of Massachusetts’s most colorful towns. There is no doubt that Provincetown warrants at least a night or two of your vacation, so if you’re looking to rest your head be sure to book a stay downtown at the Carpe Diem Guesthouse & SPA.
This unique guesthouse features 18 rooms, all of which feature a private bath and king or queen sized beds. The world class spa offers massage services, a Finnish sauna, a Turkish steam room, and more.
When you’re ready to explore, hop right out the front door into Provincetown’s classic downtown and stroll past the charming antique stores and restaurants.
For those who want a bit more action, the Provincetown Causeway is another great way to pass the time. The causeway is comprised of an uneven collection of rocks, which allows hikers to walk across the harbor to the tip of the cape in approximately 45 minutes or less.
Along the way you can catch a glimpse of sea creatures hanging out by the rocks, such as hermit crabs and star fish, and you may even be able to spot a baby seal!
Whether you are looking to connect with the natural world, get a history lesson, or enjoy a lovely hike or bike ride, Cape Cod offers many ways for you and your family to experience the vacation of a lifetime. Book your trip to Cape Cod as soon as you can – you won’t regret it!
Ferry Trip To Nantucket
If Nantucket is more your style, there are also plenty of ferries that depart from Cape Cod to take you there. Ferries can be taken from Harwichport and Hyannis, and all ferries from Cape Cod arrive to and depart from the Nantucket Harbor.
The Freedom Cruise Line which departs from the Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port takes guests on a short cruise to Nantucket’s Harbor, which is right downtown. Because of the limited seating on this ferry the experienced crew is able to provide highly personalized customer service to guests.
Once you’ve arrived on Nantucket you’ll find plenty of family fun activities to enjoy for the day. If you want to see the best of what the island has to offer in a short amount of time, there are sightseeing tours that last from 1.5 to 2 hours long, including Barrett’s Tours, and Nantucket Island Tours.
If you want to explore at your own pace, be sure to take a moment to check out the Nantucket Whaling Museum, which features the skeleton of a 46-foot sperm whale that washed up on the Nantucket shores in 1998. Don’t miss the beautiful island views from the top floor observation deck!
You can also rent a bike at one of the island’s many bicycle shops, and traverse the bike paths while taking in the local backdrop.
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