Quantcast
 
 
See Plymouth - History is Just The Beginning!

Cape Cod & the Islands are a wonderland of fun and unusual things to do

Massachusetts > Cape Cod & The Islands > Things to Do and See > 90 Great Things to Do in Massachusetts
Cape Cod and the nearby islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are more than ready to offer a glorious vacation for everyone in the family. Fun things to do cover a wide range: beautiful beaches, woods and dune walks, biking, shopping, jovial seasonal festivals of all kinds, nature museums, kids events and much more, all surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic or Cape Cod Bay. There is plenty of family lodging near the water along with luxurious beach and ocean resorts where you can get some pampering at a day spa. Natural beauty runs year-round.
Children Waving - Island Queen - Falmouth, MA
Island Queen

75 Falmouth Heights Road Falmouth, MA, 02540 Phone: 508-548-4800

Ferry ride lets you enjoy all Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard have to offer

Your 35 minutes sailing aboard the Island Queen, the comfortable passenger ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, features plenty of scenic views from the picture-window lounge and decks, but that’s only the beginning of the great things to do. On the Vineyard, explore the gingerbread houses of Oak Bluffs or the amazing red cliffs at Aquinnah or head to bustling Edgartown for shopping and dining. Back in Falmouth, there are fabulous beaches and bike paths as well as all the Cape has to offer, from its 14 lighthouses to Cape Cod Baseball League, arts venues, antiquing, nature preserves and historical sites. The ferry has a full-service snack bar, and parking is just 200 yards from the docks. Bring your bike or paddle board!
Outdoor Pool View - ShoreWay Acres Inn - Falmouth, MA
ShoreWay Acres Inn

Historic Shore Street Falmouth, MA, 02541 Phone: 508-540-3000 Toll-Free: 800-352-7100

Neighborhood vibe while being close to the action a highlight of this historic inn

ShoreWay Acres Inn, an unique alternative to generic motels, prides itself on being family owned and operated, one reason families have been coming to this historic property for years, to relax in its indoor and outdoor pools, to let the kids play badminton on the lawn, dive into the “no-tech” toy chest or swing in the swings, to chow down on clambakes (or that complimentary hot breakfast) or tell stories and eat s’mores by the fire pits. Ask for rooms with a kitchen, or one opening onto an outside patio or balcony or, for more room, a studio or cottage-style accommodation. Nearby activities include a bike trail, Martha’s Vineyard ferry and a village stocked with fun stores and restaurants.
trails on martha's vineyard
Walking Trails Criss-Cross This Beautiful Island

Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation is the local land trust for the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Among other tasks, the foundation maintains public trails for hiking, bicycling, bird-watching, and cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. At the foundation’s website, under “Lands & Trails,” you can find detailed descriptions, maps, and driving directions for dozens of public walking trails on Martha’s Vineyard. The foundation offers a free app called TrailsMV that provides up-to-date accurate maps of all public trails, detailed property information and photographs, and more.
kayaks in MV
Come to the Kayaks, or the Kayaks Will Come to You

Where do you want a kayak rental service to be located? Within walking distance from the shore, of course. Island Spirit Kayak in Oak Bluffs rents out kayak and stand up paddle boards from a location right on Edgartown Oak Bluffs Road, on Joseph Silvia State Beach. In addition, the business, which is open daily in the warm-weather seasons, will deliver kayaks and paddle boards throughout the island. Finally: tours! Sign up for a paddling tour with a local expert. There is no more beautiful place to do it.
Explore New England TV
We all need a little Cape Cod! - Click for more information
White Elephant Resorts on Nantucket - Hot Dates, Cool Rates from $135! Click here for our latest deals
gallery in nantucket
Find Contemporary Art and Advice from an Expert

A wide variety of interesting contemporary artwork is open for your browsing pleasure at The Gallery at Four India Street, a popular stop in Nantucket since it opened in 1989. The gallery’s focus of interest is American fine art paintings, sculpture, art glass and photography. Visit to enjoy, purchase, or even to get expert direction on creating a personal collection from the gallery’s owner, Kathleen Knight. 508-228-8509. Open daily, year-round.
trails of cape cod national seashore
In the Footsteps of Pilgrims

Pilgrim Spring Trail and Small's Swamp Trail , part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, are easy loop trails about one mile long, accessible off Route 6 at the Pilgrim Heights area sign in North Truro. The trails wind around a kettle swamp and marsh and offer wonderful views of Pilgrim Lake, sand dunes, the salt meadow, and the Atlantic Ocean. A stone marker identifies the site of the first fresh water the Pilgrims found. Trails are marked with information about local history and nature. This is a fine, easy walk for people of all ages, with views of typical Cape Cod landforms and living creatures.
wellfleet preservation hall
Not Your Average Community Center

Wellfleet Preservation Hall at 335 Main Street in Wellfleet is a wonderful resource driven by heartfelt people promoting arts, entertainment, and classes for the body and mind. It is very much a locally run operation, and equally welcoming to seasonal visitors. The Hall is a creative re-use of a former church. Special events that happen every year include the Garden Party & Birdhouse Auction, the Oysterfete, and Taste of the Town smorgasbord. Throughout the year, live music and dance parties bring every style of music. In summer, you are invited to many fitness programs. 508-349-1800
truro vineyards
Tuck in to Truro for Wine and Spirits Tastings

Truto Vineyards and South Hollow Spirits at 11 Shore Road in North Truro is a lovely, relaxing place where tours and tastings of wine and spirits are held daily from May through Thanksgiving. The main house is located behind a wide expanse of law dotted with shade trees and picnic tables. Behind the house, tastings are conducted on a flower-decked patio. Inside, a gift shop offers all manner of fun gifts and books related to Cape Cod wines and the drinking and collecting of wine. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Tastings are offeredon the hour and half-hour, and free tours are conducted of the wintery and distillery. 508-487-6200
Marthas Vineyard Ferry Island Queen
Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge on Chappaquiddick Island, adjacent to Martha's Vineyard.
Breathtaking Views

A highlight of natural beauty on Martha’s Vineyard is Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge on Chappaquiddick Island, adjacent to Martha's Vineyard. Chappaquiddick Island’s eastern edge is a barrier beach that extends for seven miles, passing the Cape Poge Lighthouse to the Gut. The refuge offers 14 miles of beachfront and oversand vehicle and walking trails. Facilities include picnic tables, bike rack, restrooms, which are open May 30 to October 30. Tours include a natural history tour, a wildlife kayak or canoe tour, a fishing discovery tour, and Cape Poge Lighthouse tour. Open year-round, daily, with an entrance fee May 30 to October 15. Phone: 508-627-8390.
Dune and Beach Walks Near Provincetown ma
Dune and Beach Walks Near Provincetown

Never dismiss the Outer Cape as a romantic destination. Provincetown, Truro, and Wellfleet all have a core group of restaurants and bars dishing up warmth and sustenance and intimacy. You will be looking for both after a vigorous walk onto the Province Lands, north of Provincetown. On a bright day, the views are glorious. Start at the Province Lands Visitor Center on Race Point Road, off Route 6. Walking routes can be adjusted for shorter and longer distances, with wonderful views of the Province Lands, Race Point Lighthouse, the Coast Guard Station, and more.