I live and breathe the coastal life, happily embracing all of its charms in and around my home. I have to say that it helps being based in Falmouth, Massachusetts! I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some wonderful places in my life, but something always draws me back to the beauty of the Cape.
The soft, sandy dunes sprinkled with sea grass, which gently meet the rolling blue waves. The beautiful gray-shingled houses and sturdy lighthouses that are iconic of the landscape. The delicious seafood dishes and laidback lifestyle. Living on the Cape is never a joy I take for granted, and if you’re planning a trip to this part of the world, I wanted to put together a Cape Cod travel guide from a local that’ll help you discover the best gems when it comes to stays, eats, sips, and shopping!
Whether you’re planning a quick but dreamy weekend away or hoping to spend a large part of your summer on the Cape, this travel guide will give you the best insider tips and ensure you have the best possible vacation. Though everyone is different, don’t be surprised if you already start planning another trip back on your way home! It’s somehow both a calming and invigorating place to be, and I can’t wait for you to see it. Scroll on for all my favorite restaurants, hotels, shops, and beaches on Cape Cod.
The Best Times to Visit Cape Cod
Although summer is arguably the best time to visit Cape Cod, I think each season brings its own things to enjoy. While the weather may be best from June to August, it can get extremely busy during the high season. Not to mention, it’s trickier to get restaurant bookings, and hotel prices are more expensive.
If you’re looking for alternative times to visit Cape Cod, I recommend late spring and early fall. May, September, and October will still provide you with nice weather, but with fewer crowds—and there’s still a magic to the place you can’t find anywhere else!
Where to Stay on Cape Cod
I’d personally recommend booking an Airbnb or rental home for the best experience on the Cape, as there are so many options that hug the coastline and provide you with more room to relax, cook, and enjoy the views. That said, there are also some nice hotels available if that’s more your style!
The Coonamessett in Falmouth: This charming inn is bright, breezy, and a little shabby chic. It’s a cute spot for curling up after hours spent beachcombing.
Salt House Inn in Provincetown: Featured in the Michelin Guide, this inn is a unique combination of a boutique hotel and B&B. It has touches of the iconic Cape Cod design but still feels modern and refined.
Chapter House Cape Cod in Yarmouth Port: As a former Revolutionary War hospital and a Victorian mansion, this space has so much individuality and features beautiful architecture. With only 21 rooms, it feels both intimate and luxurious.
Chatham Bars Inn Resort & Spa in Chatham: If you prefer luxury when you travel around, it’s hard to beat the views of this hotel. It has private beach access and a lovely spa for the perfect rejuvenating treatment.
Where to Eat and Drink in Cape Cod
Cape Cod is known for its unbelievably fresh seafood, and you won’t be short on options! However, this isn’t the only delicious type of food you can find out here. From Greek food to great grills to pizza to coffee, there are so many choices for dining and drinking—plus, so many of them have exceptional views!
Food
Shipwrecked Falmouth Heights: This spot has a lovely view and amazing sushi. Don’t miss it!
Flying Bridge in Falmouth: A great place for outdoor dining with another beautiful view and the winner of 2024’s best waterfront restaurant.
La Cucina Sul Mar in Falmouth: Is the place to go if you’re after excellent Italian food. They also do brunch!
53 Chophouse in Mashpee: Similar to Capital Grill, this is exactly where you want to be for a special occasion dinner.
Asti: With locations in Mashpee and Falmouth, I recommend stopping here for delicious Greek food and great pizza.
Café Chew in Sandwich: They do breakfast and brunch, but take it from the name of its location—it’s an exceptional place to go for sandwiches and soups!
Red Cottage Restaurant in South Dennis: For a tasty breakfast, whether you like savory or sweet, this place is adorable and has been around for more than 75 years!
Drinks
Anejo Mexican Bistro: Has three locations and serves the best margarita! It’s also a delicious spot for any Mexican cuisine craving, from fish tacos to fried ice cream!
Liam Maguire’s Irish Pub: For the best traditional pub experience on this side of the pond, it’s worth visiting Liam’s! It’s open late and a fun experience, not only for drinks, but they have excellent food, too.
The Rooftop at Pelham House Resort: If you want a rooftop view, swing by here for happy hour and a quick drink.
Baleine: If you’re after a good wine bar (and maybe a few small plates or some dessert), this swanky place fits the brief.
Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery: For beer and brewing enthusiasts, you won’t want to miss this top-rated place in Falmouth and Edgartown. It’s a cute place where you can enjoy live music and bring your dog!
Coffee and Tea
Even though I’m not a coffee drinker myself, Cape Cod has plenty of adorable coffee shops and cafes. For the perfect latte or your caffeine dose of choice, here are the spots I recommend to my friends and family:
- Cape Cod Coffee in Mashpee
- Coffee Obsession in Falmouth
- Great Awakening Coffee Shop in Hyannis
- Nirvana Coffee Co. in Barnstable
- Three Fins Coffee Roasters in Dennis
Where to Shop and What to Do in Cape Cod
Spending time at the beach is the number-one thing many people enjoy doing when coming to the Cape, and it makes sense why! We have some of the most beautiful stretches of sandy beaches (just under 560 miles of it!) with stunning sunsets, bold blue waters, soft dunes, and amazing wildlife. My favorite beach to visit is Old Silver Beach. It has gorgeous white sands and turquoise waters.
Speaking of lighthouses, there are so many unique ones to visit and spot. There is an entire website dedicated to all of them, including where they’re located and their history, if this is your kind of adventure!
Getting outside and being active are also popular options for people. There are more than 100 miles of paved bike trails here, which makes seeing the coast even more of a special, immersive experience (cycle the one in Woods Hole). If walking is more your thing, you can hike and wander all around this part of the world as well. If you can only choose one, make sure it’s The Knob, which has some of the most breathtaking ocean views.
You’ll probably want to do some shopping here too, whether you’re after chic clothes or gorgeous home goods. Day Off is my favorite store, and I’d say about 80% of my clothes are from here! I also recommend walking around Mashpee Commons in general, as it has so many cute stores. If you’re interested in chic, coastal decor, you’re spoiled for options! Setting the Space Interiors is worth visiting for furniture and decor, as is Old Main Mercantile—both are in Falmouth. For unique finds, I highly recommend Home Again Antiques and Homespun Gardens, to treat yourself or bring back something special for friends and family from the Cape.
Lastly, wine-tasting is also a growing industry on the Cape. From Cape Cod Winery to Truro Vineyards, you can get a lovely feel for the reds, whites, and rosés produced out here.
Tips for Traveling to Cape Cod
I recommend renting a car if you’re flying in or coming from further away. The Cape is much bigger than many people realize, and you definitely want to explore all the towns and coastlines it has to offer. The Cape is divided into the Upper, Mid, Lower, and Outer Cape. Be sure to look at the towns and beaches you’re interested in and where they are in relation to one another!
It’s true we do get nice weather, but it’s still coastal. Even in summer, it can get brisk, so I recommend packing layers so you don’t end up too chilly or too warm. Don’t forget sunscreen and shoes for the beach, either!
In peak season, lines can get long, and so can the waiting times for restaurants, bars, and cafes. I suggest booking reservations far in advance for food and activities, even if that’s not something you usually do. It’ll save you a lot of stress!
Finally, one of my favorite recommendations in Falmouth is the summer farmers’ market that takes place on the marina. You’ll find the freshest seafood, produce, and trinkets all with the best possible views. It runs from May to October!
My Cape Cod Recommendations List
I’ve put all my recommendations into a list that you can easily screenshot or copy and paste to your notes on your phone!
- Airbnb – Stay
- The Coonamessett – Stay
- Salt House Inn in Provincetown – Stay
- Chapter House Cape Cod – Stay
- Chatham Bars Inn Resort & Spa in Chatham – Stay
- Shipwrecked – Dinner
- Flying Bridge – Dinner
- La Cucina Sul Mar – Dinner
- Asti – Dinner
- 53 Chophouse – Dinner
- Red Cottage Restaurant – Breakfast
- Cafe Chew – Brunch/Lunch
- Anejo Mexican Bistro – Drinks
- Liam Maguire’s Irish Pub – Drinks
- The Rooftop at Pelham House Resort – Drinks
- Baleine – Drinks
- Aquatic Brewing – Drinks
- Day Off – Shopping
- Mashpee Commons – Shopping
- Old Silver Beach – Beach rec
- Cape Cod Winery
- Truro Vineyards
- Cape Cod Coffee
- Coffee Obsession
- Great Awakening Coffee Shop
- Nirvana Coffee Co.
- Three Fins Coffee Roasters
