Cape & Islands - The Heat is ON!

According to the calendar, the summer is half over. Or is that half unfinished? Now is the time to plan a Cape Cod family vacation or stay-cation. There are still a few weeks of good summer weather and lots to do; it's a great time to be outdoors. Cape Cod is famous for it's beaches - pack a cooler, your sunscreen, boogie board, a sun umbrella, some blankets and beach chairs and head for the beach!

Had enough beach time? In addition to the best beaches on Cape Cod, the Cape Cod National Seashore, stretching from Eastham to Provincetown, has several walking trails and bike paths. The Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT), a paved bike-way spanning 22 miles from South Dennis to Wellfleet, is suitable for walking as well as biking. The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary consists of woodlands, salt marsh, barrier beach and heath lands. Its 5 miles of scenic trails wind through the habitats of a wide variety of wildlife, including songbirds and shorebirds. Visit Mass Audobon Wellfleet Bay web page for visitor information. Other Mass Audubon Cape Cod & Island sanctuaries are located in Barnstable, East Falmouth, Wareham, Vineyard Haven, and Nantucket. Last, but certainly not least, check out our list of Cape Cod Hiking Trails.

In the event of rain, or too much sun, nature centers and museums have scheduled many special activities during the summer months. Offering kid friendly nature programs year round in East Sandwich, Green Briar Nature Center has outdoor and indoor programs for families and school aged children - learn about nature and jam making! The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History is open daily, with different programs all week long to entertain and educate children and families. The Cape Cod Children's Museum with lots of hands on activities is sure to please the pre-school crowd! The Cape Cod National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham offers something for everyone (completely free of charge!) - short hiking trails, a comprehensive museum, and an indoor theater showing 5 short films daily on a rotating schedule. New this year is the Whydah Pirate Museum, where visitors can touch, see & interact with an authenticated pirate treasure! Or "check out" the library for free events -story hours, concerts, lectures, arts & crafts, and more -take home videos, games, and good books. Go Bowling! Go to the movies - Chatham Orpheum Theater offers family friendly "rainy day matinees" every day at 9:30AM. Prefer live theatre? Take in a show!

The Cape offers lots of free, or low cost, family friendly evening entertainment options to unwind after a day in the sun...
Several Cape Cod towns host weekly summer band concerts - offering an evening of music that includes Broadway tunes, jazz, big band, classical, pop, marching band tunes and more from Town Bands and other invited performers. Most, if not all, are outdoors in parks, schools or waterfront settings, and are open to the general public. Pack a picnic basket, toss some folding chairs or a blanket in the car, and join your family and friends for an evening of toe-tapping fun at any of these family friendly free! summer concerts.

The Cape Cod Baseball League, now its 132nd season, provides fans with competitive baseball entertainment. Cape League has 10 different teams, consisting of the country's top college players, with park in towns that spread from Wareham to Orleans. Those lucky enough to be staying on Martha's Vineyard will want to catch a Martha's Vineyard Sharks' home game in Edgartown.

Looking for some family friendly competition? Mini-golf is always a big hit with kids of all ages, and Cape Cod has an abundance of miniature golf courses. Loser buys the icecream!

Need a place to stay, visit our Cape Cod Lodging Directory for a listing of cottages, hotels, motels, camp grounds, bed & breakfast and even some pet friendly options.