Cape Cod in early September - lot's of questions (Boston: car rental, where to stay)

[Bubper]

My boyfriend and I will be traveling to Cape Cod beginning September 3rd - 9th. We will be flying into Boston from Podunk, Ohio. We are late 30's traveling without the kids. Looking for relaxation but I also need to keep the busy body in both of us busy. I am considering a day trip to Martha's Vineyard, whale watching, National Seashore, wine tasting, relaxing on the beach, day drinking and eating fresh seafood all on a budget. I would also like a romantic dinner one night but nothing too swanky, we are casual blue collar folks. ; ) Maybe stay our last night at Plymouth and head to the airport from there on Sunday. We aren't history buffs but we enjoy learning about America's history and he loves to hunt and collect Indian artifacts.

Question 1 - Logistics? Getting to Cape Cod from Boston/Logan? We plan on renting a car but I would like to take the ferry to initially get to Cape Cod as to avoid the stress of the traffic and navigating a new area after we land (boyfriend is a non-flier, non-vacationer). I read somewhere the ferries have cash bars? The sooner I can get a drink in him, the better.

Do we take a train, cab, bus, shuttle to the ferry? Looking for convienance here, not necessarily the cheapest.

Question 2 - Location? Where to stay on the island. If we have a car does it really matter?

Question 3 - Hotel or rental house? I am thinking 100-150 a night. I'd love to be on or close to the beach but not so sure that is an option.

Question 4 - Martha's Vineyard - take the car or rent a bike or moped when we get there?

Question 5 - What to do in MV?

Any help is much appreciated, I have googled to no end but it's overwhelming. Thanks!

[TAM88]

You're flying into Logan International Airport, right?

What time of day does your flight get in?

I would recommend driving down the Cape since you will be renting a car anyways. The only ferry I know of that goes from Boston to the Cape runs to Provincetown, which at the very tip. There's a new train service from South Station, but that could present some problems in terms of getting around the Cape. Since you have never been, I would suggest going with the car as it will allow you to freely move about the Cape and see everything you want.

Cape Cod itself is not very far offshore, if you even want to call it that. There's a good size canal that separates itself from mainland Massachusetts. Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are true islands that require ferry rides.

You will be getting in just after the last major weekend down the Cape, which is a good thing and you'll also be driving to/from during the week. The Cape gets busy from mid-May through the end of September, especially on weekends and even more so on major holidays.

As far as taking a car to the Vineyard, it will all depend on if you wish to spend the extra money. The cost of the trip will go up a good deal if you're bringing your car. You could always walk on and rent a bike on the island. It's not that big of an island and you'd also be getting some good exercise.

The father you go on the Cape, the less crowded and the better it gets, imo. The beaches are better and the towns are better. But to each his own. I would stay somewhere in Mid Cape so you're right in the middle of everything.

[in_newengland]

Rent a car and drive to the Cape. Take the ferry to the Vineyard, probably from Woods Hole. You don't need a car at all once you get there because there is bus service that takes you everywhere. When you get there you just walk around.

Back on the Cape, head toward the national seashore area and north of that.
You can run into hurricanes at that time of the year but other than that it's a good time to go because the crowds have gone and it hasn't quite gotten cold -- yet.

[Beachcomber4]

I agree with the car rental in Boston. It's not a difficult drive from Boston to the Cape once you get on the highway.

Day trip to the Vineyard, save your money and skip bringing the car. Take the bus out to Aquinnah. Your boyrfriend will enjoy the Native American history there. Maybe stay in Falmouth the night before you head to the vineyard. I would suggest taking the Island Queen out of Falmouth. Stay close by and leave your car at the hotel. Lots of good restaurant choices in Falmouth as well. Everything is pretty casual on Cape. Resort casual will not get a second glance in 99% of the most upscale restaurants. I like the FX Casino Wharf at sunset for a romantic dinner. It's very reasonable and the outdoor deck is a spectacular place for cocktails and/or dinner.

I would head down Cape along 28 and come back along 6A. It's a really nice drive. Maybe spend a couple nights mid Cape a night on the lower Cape and another on the upper Cape before heading to Plymouth. You will see quite a bit and get a great feel for the Cape.

Your lodging budget may need to be adjusted. While it is fall, it is definitely not off season. September is very busy on Cape- weekends especially. During the week though you will still see lots of empty nesters, young families and foreigners flock to the Cape to take advantage of fewer crowds, lower rates and fantastic weather. But the rates don't hit rock bottom until the dead of winter. Midweek you can get a better rate than weekends so plan accordingly.

Another point of interest to explore with your boyfriend is Aptucxet Trading Post, Bourne Historical Society, Bourne, Cape Cod, MA
You could hit that on your way to Falmouth. There was an archaeological dig there a number of years ago.

Sign up for groupon and limelight deals. Restaurant.com often has great deals on CC restaurants.
Also 106wcod does 1/2 price restaurant gift certificates on Friday mornings on their website. Great way to save a few $.

Some restaurants I think are worth a visit:

Upper Cape
Cafe Chew (Sandwich) for breakfast or lunch
Daniel Webster Inn Tavern. Sandwich. Cocktails and lunch or light dinner

Anejo Falmouth dinner
Casino Wharf FX Falmouth dinner
Connamessett (Eli's) for lunch or cocktails


Mid Cape
Beech Tree Cantina pizza and cocktails or just to see the Beech Tree Hyannis
Naked Oyster Hyannis (expensive)
Black Cat, Raw Bar or Baxter's Boathouse Hyannis Harbor. Food, (seafood) cocktails and views
Embargo Hyannis tapas
Siena Mashpee outdoor dining and people watching

Lower Cape
Wequassett Inn Chatham- cocktails
Chatham Bars Inn same
Squire Chatham great food and fun
Impudent Oyster expensive but a nice night out
Chatham Fish Pier. Great fried seafood. Not sure if it will still be open.


Not sure about anything in Orleans etc but I am sure someone will chime in

Bobby Byrnes and British Beer Co are two local chains with good food and prices. Usually a fun crowd. They are in Sandwich and Falmouth. There is also a BBC in Hyannis and Sagsmore and zoo by Byrnes in Mashpee.

[Bubper]

Wow! Thank you all for the responses! This is way better than Google. I have decided to rent a car at Boston/Logan and drive to the Cape. And not take the car to Martha's.

[tikaram]

Originally Posted by Bubper

Wow! Thank you all for the responses! This is way better than Google. I have decided to rent a car at Boston/Logan and drive to the Cape. And not take the car to Martha's.

Good decision! Also, you would have paid A LOT to take car with you on the ferry to MV. But you can get a daily bus pass for cheap and travel along the island as much as you need.

[SandyLuvsToTravel]

You simply must take the Bass River Cruise in West Dennis on Cape Cod

A wonderful sightseeing trip aboard a flat-bottom boat, past lavish homes, wildlife, light houses... I took this cruise on a 2012 vacation and loved it!!!

[Cape Cod Todd]

September on the Cape is terrific! The weather is still like Summer and most of the crowds are gone. The traffic is not that bad.
I agree to rent a car out of Logan airport, drive it to the mid Cape area where you will find many hotels, motels, places to eat and things to do. You can hop a ferry to MV from Hyannis or to Nantucket. Instead of going to Woods Hole in Falmouth but Woods Hole is a really nice place to visit and hoem to the world famous oceanographical institute.
While on either island there is a bus that will take you around to the major towns or you can rent a bike, car or moped. The major towns on MV are Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs which is a fun party town and Edgartown which is really nice. On Nantucket it is basically the town of Nantucket which has a terrific whaling museum.
While on Cape Cod take a trip up to Province town which is at the very tip. On the way up you can stop by several spots to check out the beaches along the National Seashore. Taking a whale watch out of P town is the best, we have done it twice and it is a quick boat trip to see them. When you are done with the whales the next best thing to do in P town is to people watch. The town is very artsy and gay friendly and the people are really fun.
I don't know about Ohio but Drive In movies around here are a rare thing but we still have one in Wellfleet that shows 2 first run movies for $9 a person. Can't beat that and bring your own snacks.
The only trouble I foresee for you is that you only have a week and you wil lhave only scratched the surface for fun. Fishing here is incredible for example.
Good luck and have fun.