Lower Cape

Harwich
Harwich is defined by its five harbors. Facing Nantucket Sound, Harwich has its share of sailboats, fishing boats, charter boats, and yachts coming in and out of its harbors. Route 28 somewhat mars the Harwich landscape with overly commercialized shopping centers. However, off the highway, Harwich affords many panoramic views of the Sound, pretty country lanes, sparkling ponds, cranberry bogs, and farmlands.

Brewster
Route 6A is pretty wonderful from start to finish, but Brewster has it all: old stately homes, fine restaurants, forests, ponds and beach, all in close proximity to each other. There's a real sense of community here, too. Brewster was named after Pilgrim elder William Brewster, one of the Mayflower travelers and an early settler in the area. The town became a mecca for wealthy sea captains, and many of the bed-and-breakfasts and inns here were formerly the homes of these adventurous men.

Chatham
It takes a while to reach Chatham, the elbow of the Cape, but once you're there you may never want to leave. Chatham is a seaside resort with a lovely main street and beautiful residential areas. Surrounded by Nantucket Sound to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Chatham offers wonderful water views. This is Cape Cod at its best. If you're looking for a place just minutes away from the beach with shopping and dining galore and want to feel as if you are worlds away from your own hectic life, Chatham is a perfect vacation spot.

Orleans
Fifteen miles from Chatham lies Orleans. Of particular charm is the east side of town along Rock Harbor Road, where you'll find a long row of Cape shingled houses, complete with picket fences and pretty gardens. The road will lead you to Rock Harbor, which hosts one of the largest charter fishing fleets in the area. Beach Road leading out to Nauset Beach offers remote beauty. Once at the beach you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Orleans has had its share of military skirmishes, beginning with the War of 1812. In fact, Orleans carries the distinction of being the only town in the United States to have suffered a loss during a World War. In 1918, a German submarine surfaced and fired on several barges, sinking them. Rock Harbor affords spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and is the place to go to catch a charter fishing boat. The neighborhood leading to Rock Harbor is quite pleasant and reminiscent of a quieter time in Orleans's past.

Eastham
Gateway to the Cape Cod National Sea Shore, Eastham is a quiet town with several nice beaches, pretty country lanes, panoramic views of Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, many freshwater ponds, and lots of wide-open space for nature lovers. Route 6 runs through the middle of the town. By turning off onto the side roads, you can reach Cape Cod Bay to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Eastham also has several interesting historical sites worthy of a visit. The town was originally home to the Nauset Indians, and in 1651, it was incorporated by a group of Pilgrims who settled here.
As you travel further down the road, you'll arrive at the entrance to the Cape Cod National Seashore. The Salt Pond Visitor Center is the entryway to Cape Cod National Seashore. Here you can get information on trails and hikes throughout the area, guided walks and tours, boat excursions, lectures, and demonstrations. Trails will lead you through the Nauset Marsh and Salt Pond, an area rich in Eastern seaboard flora and fauna. The red-and-white Nauset Light continues to beam its light out to sea, but her two sisters are stilled. Once called the "Three Sisters," three brick lighthouses were built in 1892 on a bluff in Eastham. Due to shifting underwater sandbars, the cliffs eroded and all of the three sisters dropped into the sea. They were rebuilt, this time as wooden structures. Moved once more in the early part of the century, the sisters were finally reunited by the National Park Service, placing them in their present, safer location. The Salt Pond Visitor Center conducts tours to the lighthouses throughout the summer.

Wellfleet
For some, Wellfleet is synonymous with oysters, for others it's home to a community of writers and artists. Wellfleet has enjoyed the benefits of careful planning and development, and now offers a mix of open land, lovely Cape homes, and a downtown area with fine restaurants, art galleries, and shops.

Truro
Truro remains largely unspoiled and offers visitors a relaxing vacation where the most important decision is how to spend the day as lazily as possible. Truro's downtown area consists of a post office, town hall, library, and police station. While the town contains 43 square miles, it has the smallest year-round population on the Lower Cape; it's definitely off the beaten path. Enjoy the breathtaking view from the Highland Light, also referred to as the Cape Cod Light. The original Highland Light was built in 1798 and was powered by whale oil lamps. The existing lighthouse was built in 1857. It was the last lighthouse in the United States to be automated.

Provincetown
At the very tip of Cape Cod lies Provincetown. By far one of the liveliest spots on the Cape, there's no such thing as a dull moment here. Provincetown is known for its art galleries, nightlife, and restaurants, but the remote beauty of the beaches and sand dunes just a short distance away. In the summer the pulse of Provincetown quickens. The town swells with an estimated 90,000 visitors. However, during the off-season, Provincetown becomes a sleepy fishing village. Those who call Provincetown their home come from many walks of life. Year-round residents include Portuguese families, fishermen, artists, and writers. Provincetown also supports a strong gay and lesbian community. The defining moment of Provincetown's history occurred in 1620 when the Pilgrims landed here and stayed for about a month before settling in nearby Plymouth. Upon arriving in Provincetown, the 41 men aboard the Mayflower signed the Mayflower Compact, the first document declaring a democratic form of government in America. Provincetown remained relatively quiet until, like the rest of the Cape, the town began to flourish during the whaling days. Provincetown also manufactured salt during the early 1800s, with windmills lining the shore to pump seawater for the salt-making process. Provincetown was the most populated town on the Cape in the late 1800s, with more than 5,000 residents. Lured by the lucrative fishing opportunities, Portuguese from the Azores began to arrive in Provincetown. The town continues to support a strong Portuguese community. The fishing industry still thrives in Provincetown, centered upon MacMillian Wharf. Here you also find whale-watching boats and fishing charters with daily excursions. Provincetown has several lighthouses, all built more than a century ago. The 1827 Long Point Lighthouse beams its light visible for eight nautical miles. Race Point Lighthouse has a 41-foot beacon and flashes a white light every 10 seconds. This lighthouse has been a Provincetown fixture since 1816. The newer Wood End Lighthouse is 45 feet tall and was built in 1873. Just north of town you'll find the remote beauty of the Province Lands, now part of the National Seashore.

The towns of the Upper Cape

The towns of the Mid Cape