A Scenic Coastal Journey

Explore Cape Cod Bay’s charming seaside villages, windswept dunes, and maritime history on this 110 km (68-mile) drive along Massachusetts’ iconic hook-shaped peninsula.

Begin in Sandwich, the Cape’s oldest town. Fuel up and visit the Sandwich Glass Museum before heading east on Route 6A (Old King’s Highway).

Key Stops & Highlights

1. Barnstable. Walk the boardwalk at Sandy Neck Beach or tour the Sturgis Library (oldest in the U.S.). Detour to Barnstable Harbor for a kayak rental or oyster shack lunch.
2. Yarmouth Port. Stroll past Captain’s homes on Hallet Street or visit the Winslow Crocker House (1740). Grab homemade ice cream at Hallet’s Store, a 19th-century general store.
3. Dennis. Explore Chapin Beach’s tidal flats or catch a show at the Cape Playhouse (oldest professional summer theater in the U.S.).
4. Brewster. Visit the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History or walk the Breakwater Beach tidal flats. Tour the Stony Brook Grist Mill (1873), still grinding corn today.
5. Orleans. Swim at Nauset Beach, a 10-mile Atlantic-facing shoreline. Learn about transatlantic telegraph history at the French Cable Station Museum.
6. Eastham. Climb the Nauset Light, a red-and-white striped lighthouse, or bike the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Visit the Salt Pond Visitor Center (Cape Cod National Seashore headquarters).
7. Wellfleet. Swim at Marconi Beach (part of the Cape Cod National Seashore). Stop at the Wellfleet Drive-In Theater (seasonal) for a nostalgic movie night.
8. Truro. Hike to Highland Light, relocated inland to save it from erosion. Relax at Corn Hill Beach, where Pilgrims found their first corn cache in 1620.

Finish in Provincetown, a vibrant arts hub at the Cape’s tip. Climb the Pilgrim Monument, stroll Commercial Street for galleries and whale-watching tours, or take the Provincetown Ferry back to Boston.

Tips for the Drive

• Season: Summer (June–Aug) for beaches; fall (Sept–Oct) for quiet charm and cranberry harvests.
• Wildlife: Watch for seals (Chatham/Ptown), whales (Apr–Oct), and osprey.
• Detours: Add the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway or Chatham Lighthouse Beach.

For ferry schedules, lighthouses, and local guides: www.capecodchamber.org