Cape Cod Vacation Rentals

A romantic escape awaits at windswept Cape Cod, a Massachusetts peninsula curving into the Atlantic. Indulge in a rich Pilgrim history, whale-watching pursuits, home-made ice cream, and heaps of art galleries to check out. Cape Cod vacation rentals are numerous, ranging from shingled cottages in the dunes to larger homes with decks and ample yard space.

Flying into Cape Cod

Visitors usually fly into Logan International Airport in Boston or Rhode Island's T. F. Green Airport, situated just south of Providence. Cape Cod also has its own public airport, Barnstable Municipal Airport, which is served by charters and some commercial flights. The easiest way to get to your Cape Cod beach rental is by taxi. To explore the whole region at a leisurely pace, you may also consider renting a car.

Seafood galore, but there's more!

This ex-fishing and whaling hub treats visitors to classics such as fried clams, steamed garlic mussels, and an all-time favourite, creamy New England clam chowder. Lobster huts and clam shacks dot the coastline. The best part is you can choose from waterfront dining options to pocket-friendly local taverns and bakeries.

Beach breakfasts aren't complete without luscious blueberry scones and home-made muffins. No one leaves the Cod without sampling the various local joints' gourmet ice cream served in innovative flavours, lobster included!

Colonial English American art and culture

A region acclaimed for its history and artistic significance, Cape Cod delivers, and how. A landing point for the Pilgrims, the region is lined with centuries-old religious historic sites. The Old Indian Meeting House built in 1684 in Mashpee, is America's oldest surviving Native American church, with a congregation that's still active. Meanwhile, Burial Hill behind the First Parish Church in nearby Plymouth is the resting place of William Brewster, a dearly beloved original pilgrim father.

Dig deeper into Cape Cod's rich history at the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich, where the galleries house exhibits featuring historical artifacts, folk art, vintage automobiles, and a carousel. The Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum stands testament to a rich Pilgrim maritime history. Sweeping views of Cape Cod Bay can be had from here. Natural history enthusiasts mustn't forego the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, which is spread over 80 acres. The exhibitions on coastal change and erosion, indigenous bird life, mollusks and crustaceans are intriguing, to say the least.

Whale-watching and the wild outdoors for the kids

Let the kids go wild at the interactive Hidden Hollow in Wellfleet, where unusual topography lets them create natural art, climb tree stumps, make music, and even experiment with water at the Splash Area. Recommended is the Cape Cod Children's Museum in Mashpee, with its family-friendly hands-on exhibits that have been designed to stimulate the imagination and interact with sensory pathways.

Water babies will have a whale of a time hiking through Cape Cod's tidal pools, or taking up surfing and stand-up paddle lessons. In true Jack Sparrow-style, let the kids haul up their booty on a pirate cruise leaving from Orleans, where they are entertained with stories of ancient shipwrecks and pirates. Top off the holiday with an excursion to the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, a world famous whale-feeding ground off Cape Cod Bay. Trained staff will help the kids identify minke, humpback, and finback whales.

Nights out on Cape Cod

Cape Cod impresses with its nightlife options, which range from harbourfront clubs and jazz bars to performing arts venues. The LGBT friendly A-House Club is a landmark institution, home to smaller spaces such as the intimate Little Bar, the Macho Bar (yes!), and Provincetown's hottest nightclub, the Big Room. For a quiet, romantic evening with waterfront views, the Harbor Lounge, also in P-town, beckons with its floor-to-ceiling windows and soft lighting. The cocktails are excellent here. The town of Hyannis calls out for its live jazz sessions, signature martinis, and unique tapas platters, which can be enjoyed at the Embargo cocktail bar.

You can also spend the evening watching art house and locally-produced cinema at the tasteful Chatham Orpheum Theater. Or check out a production at Cape Playhouse, America's Oldest Professional Summer Theatre, which has been dishing out top-notch Broadway musicals, comedies, and dramas since 1927.

Festivals by the sea

The entire month of May revolves around Cape Cod Maritime Days, a colourful celebration of the region's splendid nautical history. There's everything from boat-building artifacts and lectures on maritime history to lighthouse walks. May also features the three-day Brewster in Bloom festival parades, craft shows, music, and a 5000km run. Discover narrative films and shorts at the Provincetown Film Festival, a fixture since 1999.

Cape Cod's Portuguese connection comes alive with the summertime Portuguese Festival. The year closes with autumn's atmospheric Yarmouth Seaside Festival—expect bonfires, races, beach activities, and music. Falmouth's Holidays by the Sea weekend in December sees carolers sing around the historic Nobska Lighthouse. Come Christmas and every town and village in Cape Cod comes alive with crackling bonfires, carol singing, harbour lights, and plenty of good cheer. Cape Cod cottage rentals are in almost as high demand at this time as they are in the summer.

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