One of the most popular beach destinations during the summer is Cape Cod. If you want your family to be a part of all the action, you may want to consider visiting Cape Cod for your next summer vacation. There are so many things to do in Cape Cod. And the best part is you can stay in one area and still explore the entire peninsula of the Cape. Today, I am going to share the best things to do in Cape Cod this summer. A few of them should make their way onto your Cape Cod family vacation itinerary.  

Best Things to Do in Cape Cod this Summer 

Take a Bike Ride on the Cape Cod Rail Trail 

As long as you take your bikes with you on vacation, your family can ride along the Cape Cod Rail Trail. This trail is twenty-five miles long. It will take you through the ecosystem of the Lower Cape.  

During your ride, you can stop at the beach, enjoy a picnic near a pond, and explore one of the smaller villages.  

Hike the Cape Cod National Seashore 

The Cape Cod National Seashore is a forty-mile stretch of land along the coastline. You will find the best Cape Cod beaches on this seashore. Those beaches include Marconi Beach, Herring Cove Beach, and Nauset Beach.  

When you are not relaxing on the sand, you may find yourself hiking along one of the many trails.  

See the Birds and Seals at the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge 

This wildlife refuge area is a nesting habitat for hundreds of migratory birds. There are guided tours offered during the summer months. Or you can pick up a self-guided map and explore on your own.  

Just don’t forget to head down to the coast of South Monomoy. This is where you will see the harbor grey seals sunning themselves on the shoreline.  

Visit the Sandwich Glass Museum 

The Sandwich Glass Museum is where you will find items that were preserved from the old Boston & Sandwich Glass Company. There are approximately five thousand pieces of glass that were produced between 1825 and 1888 on display.  

Your family will love watching the glass-blowing demonstrations. These demonstrations are usually held every hour.  

Climb to the Top of the Pilgrim Monument

One of the best things to do in Cape Cod is climbing to the top of the Pilgrim Monument. This monument is two hundred fifty-two feet tall. It was modeled after the Torre del Mangia in Siena, Italy.  

It will take you between ten and fifteen minutes to do the climb to the top. But the views are worth all those steps.  

Additionally, don’t forget to spend a little time in the nearby Provincetown Museum. That is where you will find exhibits dedicated to the Mayflower pilgrims.  

Explore Downtown Provincetown 

One of the best things to do in Cape Cod is explore downtown Provincetown. Commercial Street is the place to start. That street is full of restaurants, souvenir stores, and boutiques.  

Head down to the pier to enjoy the ocean breeze. I recommend staying longer into the evening to see how this town really comes to life after dark.  

Check Out a Cranberry Bog 

There are quite a few cranberry bogs in Cape Cod. Visit one of them to learn how cranberries grow and how they are harvested.  

Oh, and if you want to see the cranberries floating on top of the water, you must visit during harvest time.  

Go on a Whale Watching Tour 

Cape Cod happens to be one of the best areas to see whales out in the ocean. Peak whale watching season goes from June till September. Most of the tours depart from Provincetown. Keep that in mind while planning your family vacation in the Cape.  

Visit the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum 

While the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston is popular, most people also choose to visit this museum during a vacation in Cape Cod. Most of the exhibits within this museum are filled with items that were part of Kennedy’s time in Massachusetts. Plus, there is a special exhibit that focuses on the life of Robert F. Kennedy.  

Head Out to Martha’s Vineyard 

You can easily head out to Martha’s Vineyard for the day during your family vacation in Cape Cod. You can either fly to this island or take a boat ride there. There are plenty of tourist attractions on Martha’s Vineyard. Add in the art shows, guided tours, and other special events and you can fill an entire day.  

However, if escaping to Martha’s Vineyard isn’t enough, take the ferry over to Nantucket another day. Nantucket is the perfect place to relax on the beach, check out lighthouses, and enjoy the ambiance of the charming village.  

Visit the Hoxie House 

The Hoxie House is one of the oldest houses in Cape Cod. It is a saltbox house that was constructed in 1675. During your visit, you can see how people lived in the Cape all those years ago.  

This house has been carefully preserved over the years. While it didn’t have all the modern amenities when it was constructed, electricity, running water, and heat were added to the building in the 1950s.  

Act Like a Pirate at the Whydah Pirate Museum 

The kids will love acting like pirates at the Whydah Pirate Museum. Inside the museum, you will see artifacts like weapons and gold. Many of them were discovered on an 18th century pirate ship.  

There is a scavenger hunt the kids can do to keep them more engaged in this pirate museum.  

Visit the Nauset Lighthouse 

The Nauset Lighthouse was constructed in 1838. It is now part of the National Historic Register of Places.  

I recommend taking a tour of this lighthouse. During the tour, you can climb to the top and see the lookout room. The views from the top are incredible. They are definitely worth the wait if there is a line when you arrive. 

I also recommend stopping at the Chatham Lighthouse. There is an old Coast Guard ship on the lawn by this lighthouse.  

Get Up Close to Jaws at Shark Center Chatham 

Do you have a shark lover in your family? Has your family watched all the Jaws movies?  

If you answered yes to either of those questions, you must visit Shark Center Chatham. Inside, you will see displays and interactive exhibits that focus on the Great White Shark.  

These are some of the best things to do in Cape Cod this summer. As I am personalizing your family vacation itinerary, I can add other things that will interest everyone in your group. This will allow you to experience Cape Cod the way you want to during your family trip. And trust me when I say the memories you will make during this vacation will be remembered forever.  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Cape Cod or another destination?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click on the link, you will be taken to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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