Cape Cod, Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard??? (Boston, New Bedford: oceanfront, city hall, rental homes)

[Jill2]

Good Morning!

My husband and I are planning a trip to Boston and would also like to visit Cape Cod, Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. I was hoping for input/opinions on which place would be the best/nicest to visit for a few days after a few days in Boston.

My husband and I love history, especially the Colonial period. Colonial Williamsburg, VA is a place we love to visit. We love touring historic homes. We plan to go to the Boston area, (open to suggestions on places to stay), and go to the Peabody Essex Museum, tour John Adams home, go to antique shops..etc. Please feel free to suggest ideas. Then we would like to go to one of the islands for a few days, we just need help on deciding which would be the best to visit.

We are in our forties, not into the nightclub/bar party scene, love good restaurants , love history, and are planning to take this trip in September. We are hoping to avoid crowds by going after labor day.

Thank you very much for any help you can offer. Have a lovely day!

[seamusnh]

The whaling museum on Nantucket is great. At one point, Nantucket was one of the richest communities in the world due to whaling....

[Jill2]

Thank you very much for the suggestion. So Nantucket is the nicest/best of the three, (Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard), to visit? Since we are only going for a few days we are only going to be able to stay on one island. Thanks again,
Jill

[DreamworksSKG]

Try the inns in Brewster or Chatham . It is a great place to stay -
Brewster has a lot of lovely bayside beaches like Paines' Creek or Breakwater beach to walk out when the tide is low and/or catch a sunset over the cape cod bay -

Brewster has a neat old general store---and chatham has many quaint village shops -

there's cape cod league baseball games to attend and - Provincetown is about a 30 min drive up the seashore - +/- stops

Definitely check out Monomoy Island -Seal Cruises and take the option of spending an afternoon on Monomoy beach as part of the tour -
they drop you on the private beach and you can walk between the ocean and bay side (no lifeguards) but a great experience and you get the seal tour as well

I would highly recommend Brewster Inns or Chatham inns.

Brewster also has the Cape Cod Natural History Museum
The Cape Cod Rail Trail
Nickerson Park - etc.

There's a nice drive-in movie theater up the road in Wellfleet and
a Bird Sanctuary in Welfleet
Welfleet harbor is nice to check out as well as Jeremy Point for sunsets and such

You can always take a day trip on a boat from Harwich or Hyannis or Falmouth / Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, rent a moped or bikes and go around the island -

or even stay at an inn - (with moped or bikes) overnight or something

i would say use the Mid Cape as a home -base (chatham-brewster) so you can drive either way (upper cape) or lower cape (seashore area)
and also be in position to take the ferry over to MV or Nantucket

I would prefer MVinyard over nantucket for a daytrip as there is more to do
nantucket is more residential
Also Martha's Vineyard you can see parts of the island that were in the movie Jaws like Menemsha and South Beach (where the girl is killed at the beginning of the movie). -
and the Pond where the boy was in the pond when the shark was coming
Parts of Edgartown were (made to be AMITY in the movie)
Amity City Hall for instance

You also want to take a visit to Sandy Neck and Sandwich to eat a Sanwich for lunch in Sandwich and also to check out the old shops and the sandwich glass museum and see how they do glass blowing

If you're there during the summer you might want to check out the Cape Cod Airshow at Otis air national guard base if you're there. -

or take a Cape Cod Canal Cruise - through the canal via Hy-Line cruises from Onset. /Buzzards Bay .

Anyway hope this helps and you have a great trip to the cape

Check out these Inns:

The Wayside Inn - Chatham
Welcome to the Chatham Wayside Inn, Chatham Cape Cod MA

Chatham B+B's :
Chatham Bed and Breakfasts

Chtham Bars Inn
Luxury Cape Cod Hotel: Chatham Bars Inn Oceanfront Resort, Spa & Wedding Facility.

Captain's House Inn - Chatham
Captains House Inn, a Cape Cod bed and breakfast, Chatham, MA

Wequasset Resort and Golf club-chatham
Cape Cod Luxury Oceanside Resorts and Hotels — Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

Chatham Town house inn
Chatham Town House Inn, Chatham Cape Cod Inns, Chatham Wayside Inn, The Bradford Inn of Chatham

The Cranberry inn
Cape Cod Hotel Bed And Breakfast Chatham MA Romantic Getaway Cape Cod B&B

The Queen Anne inn
The Chatham Queen Anne Inn, Cape Cod famous Hotel and Bed and Breakfast

Brewster by the sea
Romantic Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast in historic Brewster, top rated Inn & Spa.

Candleberry inn-brewster
Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast • Cape Cod Vacations • Cape Cod Inns • Cape Cod Brewster Bed and Breakfast • Cape Cod Brewester Inn | Candleberry Inn on Cape Cod

Isaiah clark house
Cape Cod Historic Bed and Breakfast Inn - Isaiah Clark House, Brewster, MA
Brewster

Old Sea Pines Inn
brewster
Old Sea Pines Inn - Brewster, Cape Cod

The Captain Freeman inn
brewster
Inn Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast Inn Lodging Brewster Massachusetts MA

The olde manse inn brewster
Cape Cod Bed and Breakfasts | B&Bs | THE OLD MANSE INN

Hope this helps

[holden125]

They are all nice, and can all be expensive, though it's often possible to get a decent deal. Especially in September. You should note that you'll miss the crowds, but a lot of restaurants and the like may be shut in the more tourist-dependent locales. Check into the level of activity in September before booking.

Nantucket is very nice but harder to get to and probably the most expensive. There are people who find the vibe on Nantucket a little snooty. Personally I haven't found that all that often, and I've generally ignored it when I have. It is a beautiful island. Siasconset on the east coast is a charming little village, and there are wide beaches and nice bike paths.

Nice as Nantucket is, I have a special place in my heart for Martha's Vineyard, which is generally easier to get to. Minus the cobblestones, Edgartown is as elegant and beautiful as Nantucket town. MV also has Oak Bluffs, which is a much more down to earth town with beautiful painted little victorian cottages (at a Methodist-founded campground).

Flickr: Search

MV also has some very pretty back roads and other villages like Menemsha and Aquinnah on the less developed west side. The cliffs at Aquinnah are beautiful. Flickr: Search

Cape Cod is very different story. The Cape is a very large place compared to either MV or ACK, and every town on the Cape has a different character. Some are heavily built and more suburban these days, kind of short on charm. There are bay beaches, ocean beaches, crowded towns with lots of "affordable" rental homes (read: $3000 a week instead of $20000) crammed together on narrow streets, and other towns that are more bucolic. Provincetown is (at least in summer) a very busy and crowded town with an artistic and Portuguese fishing heritage, and a large gay community. Nearby Truro and Wellfleet are much quieter. Cape Cod is a pretty difficult place to sum up briefly because the various areas are so different from each other. The Cape has many beautiful places to see, but it is possible to go to the Cape and see nothing all that attractive if you choose poorly. Jeff (Dreamworks) has given some places to start, and you should check a guide for a better sense of the Cape.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by holden125

They are all nice, and can all be expensive, though it's often possible to get a decent deal. Especially in September. You should note that you'll miss the crowds, but a lot of restaurants and the like may be shut in the more tourist-dependent locales. Check into the level of activity in September before booking.

That information is not accurate. You must not have spent much time on the Cape. We have a bustling year round community. I've lived here 30 years and there are very few restaurants that close in the winter any longer, except for the fish and chip stands. Some of the slower ones close for February, but those are minimal and not of a concern to someone coming in the fall.

Cape Cod is very different story. The Cape is a very large place compared to either MV or ACK, and every town on the Cape has a different character. Some are heavily built and more suburban these days, kind of short on charm. The south side of the Cape in W. Dennis, Dennisport, South Yarmouth and West Yarmouth I'd agree with that statement. Otherwise I'd disagree totally. There are bay beaches, ocean beaches, crowded towns with lots of "affordable" rental homes (read: $3000 a week instead of $20000) crammed together on narrow streets, and other towns that are more bucolic. Provincetown is (at least in summer) a very busy and crowded town with an artistic and Portuguese fishing heritage, and a large gay community. Even in summer you can get around and enjoy yourself in P'town, but September is a dream down there. Nearby Truro and Wellfleet are much quieter. Cape Cod is a pretty difficult place to sum up briefly because the various areas are so different from each other. The Cape has many beautiful places to see, but it is possible to go to the Cape and see nothing all that attractive if you choose poorly. Jeff (Dreamworks) has given some places to start, and you should check a guide for a better sense of the Cape.

To the original poster: You can see Nantucket or MV in one day. The Cape is 70 miles long and at it's widest point (down along the canal) only 6 miles north to south.

There are 15 towns and each does have its own flavor and charm. If you enjoy old Williamsburg, etc., then you will find plenty here. Check with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce or the individual town Chambers to get booklets from each one. You might also find it interesting to read the Cape Cod Times online to get some ideas: CapeCodOnline.com - Frontpage There are many old homes the historical committees operate and open for touring. You could through each Chamber find the historical committees in each town for further info. Just Google the towns or CC historical committees, etc.

Favorite restaurants on the Cape for me will range from Hyannis to P'town as I live in Brewster and don't get to Falmouth save once a year or so.

Clancy's on Upper County Rd. in Dennisport has a casual atmosphere and sits on Swan River which is a salt water river. You'll never leave hungry and they have been picked the readers favorite by Cape Cod Life magazine for many years.

The Roadhouse Cafe on South St. in Hyannis.... great food and a piano in the lounge with rotating local jazz players coming in to accompany a few days a week.

The Impudent Oyster in Chatham, fabulous seafood selections and good wine list. Right on Main St. in Chatham.

Napi's in P'town... great food, eclectic artsy interior and fabulous wine list.

The Brewster Fish House has a great menu and a really good wine list too. Main St., in Brewster.

There are many, many more fine, enjoyable restaurants to enjoy and discover down here. Those are just some I've had a relationship with for 30 years or close to.

September is a wonderful month to come here. I would suggest you stay somewhere along the Route 6A side. This is the quiet side of the Cape and the wonderful architeture is something you will enjoy immensely I think.

If you'd like, you may send me a DM and I'll be happy to help you with any questions or ideas you have.

The days are warm in September, the skies a marvelous mediterranean blue, the beaches are near empty which is fabulous for long walks, a quiet cuppa joe in the morning with the paper, a picnic lunch, etc. The nights are cool, but comfortable. Great sleeping weather! Gees, I'm ready for September myself now after writing this!!! lol

Because we stick so far out to sea, we have an extended fall that is just wonderful. On the mainland it gets much chillier, but the warm water keeps us comfortable longer.

Most of all, enjoy!!!!!!!!

[capecodcathy]

If you're really interested in the historical aspects, I'd stick to the Upper Cape. Even after Labor Day, the Mid and Lower Cape are still very busy with entirely too much traffic. I avoid them at all costs. The Upper Cape (Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee and Sandwich) afford many historical and antiqueing opportunities, especially along 6A. They are all also convenient to Plymouth (don't miss the Lantern Tour). You can also take a ferry from Falmouth to Martha's Vineyard for a day.
Also pretty convenient, if you're looking for whaling history, is New Bedford. About 40 minutes away and much less expensive than Nantucket. Lots of great architecture there, as well. And don't forget Lizzie Borden's house is a B&B!!!!

[Jill2]

Wow I can not thank everyone enough for taking the time to share all of this wonderful valuable information! Thank you for the pictures and the suggestions!

CoastalMaine I am ready for September as well, it sounds so lovely! Thank you for the offer to DM you!

Hope everyone has a fantastic rest of the weekend!

Many Many Thanks,
Jill

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by capecodcathy

If you're really interested in the historical aspects, I'd stick to the Upper Cape. Even after Labor Day, the Mid and Lower Cape are still very busy with entirely too much traffic. I avoid them at all costs. The Upper Cape (Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee and Sandwich) afford many historical and antiqueing opportunities, especially along 6A. They are all also convenient to Plymouth (don't miss the Lantern Tour). You can also take a ferry from Falmouth to Martha's Vineyard for a day.
Also pretty convenient, if you're looking for whaling history, is New Bedford. About 40 minutes away and much less expensive than Nantucket. Lots of great architecture there, as well. And don't forget Lizzie Borden's house is a B&B!!!!

I suppose the mid and lower Cape has some traffic on the weekends, but it's not out of hand, especially if you live somewhere real traffic is experienced, nor are any of the towns busy with traffic during the week after Labor Day. Labor Day itself, you can pretty much hear a pin drop in most towns. lol And we're glad of it!!! CCCathy, where are you driving to down here that's so busy? S.Y. or S.Dennis, I'd agree has a heavier concentration of visitors on the weekend, but not during the week... and I think I mentioned they're not really where I'd want to go if I was coming here for a first time visit.

I think the entire Cape is her oyster. She shouldn't limit herself to just one area. Each has its own flavor. I prefer Brewster first and Sandwich second for its scenic flavor. Brewster is the Sea Captain's village. Those are just my preferences after 30 years... but I think everyone has their own idea of what's great here as residents.

Horizons on the bay in Sandwich has a terrific view of the bay and the mouth of the canal Jill.... I don't think the food is great, but an afternoon burger so you can enjoy the view from the 2nd floor is worth it imho.

CCCathy.... didn't a new place just open up down there recently? I can't think of the name of it. Dang....

[capecodcathy]

The Sunset Grille maybe, Coastal? Not really too new. It's at Brookside Golf Club on 28 in Bourne. Fabulous food, great brunch, and a gorgeous view over the Canal and Bay. Some great eats at Mashpee Commons (if you stay away from the chains). Still love the Chart Room in Cataumet. Trowbridge has decent pub food and usually great Blues music. Not too familiar with Falmouth. They change restaurants like a teenager changes clothes.