As Cape Cod residents for more than 20 years, we can recommend the best restaurants and places to go. Here are a few of our favorite things to do, as well as some of the most popular attractions in Cape Cod.

Beaches: Guests can enjoy the use of the beach at the end of the block, or take a 5 minute walk to Englewood Beach where you can swim and watch the sailboats sway in the surf. If you have forgotten your beach chair or towel just let us know and we'll provide you with one. Or, if you are planning a serious beach day Seagull Beach is the perfect spot. It is located just two miles away.

Whale Watching: If you have never been whale watching before, this is an incredible trip (if you are not prone to sea sickness). Boats leave from either Barnstable Harbor or Provincetown. Trips usually last about four hours and some of the boats require reservations (which we will be happy to make for you). We recommend the Dolphin Fleet out of Provincetown because they limit the number of people on board so that everyone has a good view. If you don't want to travel an hour to Provincetown we recommend the Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises out of Barnstable Harbor which is about 15 minutes away.

Bicycling: Bicycling is a favorite sport here on the Cape and that's probably because there are so many places to ride, the most popular being the Cape Cod Rail Trail. This is a 20+ mile tarred path that runs from Dennis to Wellfleet. If you're not feeling that energetic, the National Seashore and Nickerson State Park have bike paths that range from .25 miles to 7.5 miles. All trails offer scenic unspoiled views of Cape Cod. Another great place to bike is the service road along both sides on the Cape Cod Canal. It's a flat 6.5 miles with plenty of scenery.

Golf: The Cape has 40 golf courses to call its own, the largest concentration being in Yarmouth. There are courses for all types of players from beginner to expert. Some courses require up to 7 days notice for reserving tee times. Ask Dave for suggestions and directions.

Island Trips: Many guests that come to Cape Cod also want to visit Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Ferries leave from Hyannis Harbor (which is 2 miles away) at all times of the day. Schedules are available in the brochure rack in the downstairs hallway. We will be happy to call ahead to make certain of the sailing times. Please be aware that the trip to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket takes approximately 2 hours. There also is a high speed one hour ferry to Nantucket which costs about $67 round trip, or if you prefer, you can take a 12 minute plane ride. The ferries fill up quickly on summer days so be sure to be early to get your seat or try to purchase your tickets the day ahead. Don't plan on bringing your car to either island.

Sightseeing: There is so much to see from the oldest house on Cape Cod(TheHoxie House) in Sandwich to the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown. Each town on the Cape has much to offer from quaint little shops to gourmet restaurants. If you take a trip down Route 6A you'll be sure to see what Cape Cod looks like at its best. Plymouth is also just 40 minutes away where you can see for yourself where it all began by visiting Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II, and Plymouth Plantation which is a working Pilgrim farm.

• Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich especially at the end of May and beginning of June when all of the rhododendrons are in bloom.

• JFK Memorial and Museum in Hyannis. If you want to see the Kennedy Compound the only way to see it is to take a Harbor cruise in Hyannis Harbor. If you enjoy sailing we recommend the Catboat which is stationed right at the Harbor. Cruises leave every two hours.

• Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster- don't miss the marsh cruises and seal watches.

• Main Street of Chatham- mainly for shopping but also for a great view!

• Scargo Hill Observatory in Dennis where you can see all the way to Provincetown on a clear day.

• Salt Pond Visitors Center in Eastham, which is the beginning of the National Seashore.

• National Marine Fisheries Aquarium in Woods Hole. Don't miss the Titanic exhibit when you're in Woods Hole. They have a bunch of interesting things to see.

• Nature trails in Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Art's Dune Tours- a beach buggy tour through the National Seashore and sand dunes.

• Take a Bass River tour and learn lots of interesting history or a Duckmobile ride through the town and harbor of Hyannis.

• Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown has a very interesting museum featuring historical relics and one entire section devoted to artifacts recovered from the pirate ship Whiddah. Then, you can climb LOTS of stairs to the top of the monument for a spectacular view of Cape Cod

Other popular Cape Cod attractions:

Beaches and National Parks

• Ballston Beach, Truro

• Beech Forest, Provincetown

• This reserve is a primary birdwatching region on Cape Cod.

• Buttonbush Trail, Eastham
  This trail, set up for the visually-impaired, serves to alert individuals with sensory experiences.

• Cape Cod National Seashore

• Cape Cod Rail Trail, Dennis

• This bike path runs 25 miles, from Dennis to Wellfleet.

• Coast Guard Beach, Eastham
  A great beach to hike, relax and soak up the natural beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

• Cornelia Lee Carey Sanctuary, Falmouth
  Nature trails run among the beach, rock and trees of this hidden shelter.

• Fox Hill Beach, Chatham

• Gray's Beach, Yarmouth Port

• Herring Cove Beach, Provincetown
  Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Herring Cove is Provincetown's most popular beach.

• Kalmus Beach, Hyannis
  Its convenient location makes Kalmus one of the Hyannis area's most popular beaches.

• Marconi Beach, Wellfleet

• Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Chatham
  Birdwatchers flock to this Cape Cod wildlife habitat with a special emphasis on migratory birds.

• National Marine Sanctuary, Cape Cod

• Nickerson State Park, Brewster

• Paine's Creek, Brewster

• This peaceful and scenic inlet has been photographed many times for promotional pieces and postcards featuring Cape Cod.

• Sandy Neck Beach, Sandwich
  This scenic stretch of beach on charming Cape Cod is perfect for relaxing, birdwatching and hiking

Museums

• Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster
  Museum offers a day-long camp for kids.

• Cape Museum of Fine Arts, Dennis

• Heritage Plantation, Sandwich
  You can enjoy more than 70 acres of gardens after visiting the art and history museums at the Heritage.

• John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, Hyannis
  This museum boasts a multi-media exhibit highlighting the at ease times former President John F. Kennedy spent with family and friends on Cape Cod.

• Old Grist Mill Museum, Brewster
  Part of the Longfellow Wayside Inn, a National Historic Site, this is a replica of an early 1740s grist mill that is still used for grinding grains for use and sale at the Inn.

• Salt Pond Visitor Center, Eastham
  Popular replica of an Indian settlement.

• Thornton W. Burgess Museum, Sandwich
  Preserved in a 18th-century house, the life and works of Thornton Burgess, renowned children's author and naturalist, are displayed

• Sandwich Glass Museum, Sandwich
  The museum details the history of the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company

• Whydah Museum, Provincetown

• Captain Penniman House, Eastham

• Chatham Lighthouse, Chatham
  One of the most famous and interesting lighthouses on Cape Cod.

• Crosby Mansion, Brewster
  Grand Victorian mansion built around a Cape Cod cottage.

• Edward Gorey House, Yarmouth Port
  Dedicated to the author-illustrator, Edward Gorey, and to raising awareness for animal welfare issues.

• Fort Hill Rural Historic District, Eastham
  A scenic and historic walking trail managed by the Cape Cod National Seashore.

• Highland Light, Truro
  This lighthouse was the first light sailors glimpsed when reaching this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

• Hoxie House, Sandwich
  Built in 1637, this is believed to be the oldest house on Cape Cod.

• Mayflower Steps, Provincetown
  A plaque beside these steps commemorates Provincetown as the first landing spot for the Pilgrims in the New World.

• Nauset Lighthouse, Eastham
  Famous Cape Cod landmark.

• Race Point Lighthouse, Provincetown
  This historic Cape Cod lighthouse has been in operation since 1816.

• St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Barnstable
  The church and its gardens offer quiet walks for visitors.

• Scargo Hill Observation Tower, Dennis
  The highest point of land on Cape Cod, the view from this stone observation tower sweeps across Cape Cod Bay to Provincetown.

• Sturgis Library, Barnstable

• The Marconi Site, South Wellfleet
  The site of the first trans-Atlantic message, transmitted by the "Father of Radio," Guglielmo Marconi.

• Quaker Friends Meetinghouse, East Sandwich

• West Parish Meetinghouse, West Barnstable

• White Cedar Swamp, Wellfleet
  The site of Marconi's wireless transmission station.

• Cape Cod Melody Tent, Hyannis
  This popular theater-in-the-round stages plays and concerts.

• Cape Playhouse, Dennis
  One of America's oldest playhouses, established in 1927.

• Left Bank Art Gallery, Wellfleet

• Provincetown Repertory Theater, Provincetown
  This acclaimed company presents a mix of classic and modern productions

• Rice-Polak Gallery, Provincetown

• Sydenstricker Glass Galleries, Brewster

• Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, Wellfleet

• William Scott Gallery, Provincetown

Tours:

• Art's Dune Tours, Provincetown
  Explore Cape Cod's scenic beaches and dunes in a driving tour with guide.

• Cape Cod Glass Works, Sandwich
  Visit this special shop that makes unique hand-crafted glass objects.

• Cape Cod Potato Chips Factory, Hyannis
  This busy assembly line produces 150,000 to 200,000 bags of chips a day.

• Cape Cod Scenic Railroad, Hyannis

• Cape Cod Winery, East Falmouth

• Crystal by Pairpoint, Sandwich
  Tour the shop and factory that produces full lead crystal with the same methods used in 1837

• OceanQuest, Woods Hole
  This research vessel's educational cruises offer hands-on lessons in marine life.

• Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod, North Truro
  A new england vineyard on the Cape.

• Starfish Bass River Cruises, West Dennis

• Marine Biology Laboratory, Woods Hole
  Marine biology center offering tours and exhibits for the public.

• Aquarium of the National Marine Fisheries, Woods Hole
  The oldest aquarium in the U.S. emphasizes learning activities for children

• Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen, East Sandwich
  This unique spot boasts beautiful gardens and nature trails, as well as a jam-making kitchen.

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Woods Hole
  Internationally renowned marine biology research center.

• ZooQuarium, West Yarmouth
  This complex houses a small aquarium as well as a zoo

Golf Courses:

• Highland Golf Links, Truro
  Developed in 1892, Highland is the oldest golf course on Cape Cod, and one of the most spectacular.

• Hyannis Golf Club, Hyannis
  Recently renovated, this is one of the state's best courses.

• Kings Way Golf Club, Yarmouth Port

Just for fun:

• Bass River Sports World, South Yarmouth
  A recreation center offering a wide variety of fun sports such as mini-golf, basketball, softball, baseball machines and paintball.

• Chatham Candy Manor, Cape Cod

• Cape Cod Storyland Golf, Hyannis
  Cape Cod history is the theme of this miniature golf course.

• Pirate's Cove, South Yarmouth
  This golf-and-games complex has a pirate/adventure theme.

• Putter's Paradise, West Yarmouth
  The spouting white whale is this mini-golf course's signature.

• Sandwich Mini Golf, Sandwich
  Attraction type: Game/entertainment center

• St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Barnstable
  The church and its gardens offer quiet walks for visitors.

• Water is the theme at the aptly-named Thunder Falls mini-golf course.

• Chatham Candy Manor, Cape Cod

• Old Village Store, Cape Cod