Cape Cod

shrugs · June-10th-2003, 01:41 PM

My wife and I would like to visit Cape Cod before we leave the area.
Any tips on places to stay, things to do would be much appreciated!
Thanks!

Gentle Giant · June-10th-2003, 01:48 PM

Cape Cod is a great place to be -- if you're already there. It's a bitch and a half to get there, though. I'm a north shore guy myself, so I can't be any help (of course, that doesn't stop me from posting my obnoxious opinions!).

al j · June-10th-2003, 01:49 PM

if you and Megan are into it, get a tour of the Woods Hole Oceanographic institution. Nice little area with a ferry to the Vineyard too.

Hyannis has some really good restaurants but damn if I can remember a one of them.

Jimmy Cantiello · June-10th-2003, 01:49 PM

Well, when you visit the Cape you may as well make the trip up to Provincetown. It's great for people watching if nothing else..................

jesus marion joseph · June-10th-2003, 02:59 PM

One word of advice-make your accomodation reservations now, otherwise you may get blanked as everything tends to book up pretty quick in the summer. If you have a tent, Nickerson Park in Brewster has decent camping, plus there's Crosby Landing Beach on the bay side, plus freshwater beaches in the park itself. While you're in Brewster, the Brewster Fish House is a must for dinner, but they don't take reservations, so you often have to wait for 45 mins to an hour for a table.

I'll post more later when I have more time.

shrugs · June-10th-2003, 03:08 PM

Thanks all.

We have a tent so that might be a great option. I'll look into that park. Thanks!!

jesus marion joseph · June-10th-2003, 05:37 PM

One thing you should definitely try to do is to take in a whale watch. You can tie this into a visit to Provincetown, since they have the largest whale watch fleet around. Unless you have family members who are susceptible to seasickness, you really should try to partake. I always go on the Dolphin Fleet, as they pioneered the use of a naturalist on board to explain what you're seeing and why you're seeing it.

Also, I don't know when you're planning to come, but you're certainly welcome to spend a day on the beach with me and mrs. jmj Cape Cod style-which means we take the 87 Suburban (some of you may recall that the Trooper suffered a death by saltwater immersion last year-doh!) through the dunes and onto Nauset Beach in Orleans or Crow's Pasture in Dennis (Nauset is a classic ocean type beach with larger waves, Crow's Pasture is on the bay). Usually includes a few frosty beverages, swimming, napping in the sun, a cookout and (new to the itinerary this summer, thanks to a Christmas gift from mrs. jmj) surf casting for striped bass. No pressure, but the invite is there if you're interested.

That goes for the rest of you Alleycats who find their way to Cape Cod as well.

jesus marion joseph · June-10th-2003, 05:45 PM

Almost forgot: if you go to Provincetown you can walk across a breakwater (about 3/4 of a mile long) to get to Long Point, which is the very tip of Cape Cod. Has a great view across the harbor looking back to town. Also, Herring Cove Beach in P-town is a nice beach spot, with parking close to your beach blanket.

For good eats, try the upstairs dining room at the Lobster Pot on Commercial Street. Best pizza in town is at Spiritus, also on Commercial Street. (Incidentally, Spiritus has a pizza shop on Main Street in Hyannis, too.) Stay away from the Atlantic House unless you want to swap phone numbers with a guy who looks like the cop from the Village People, but with less clothes and more chains.

(mrs. jmj is a native of P-town, hence all the plugs.)

Dr Dave · June-10th-2003, 05:49 PM

Oh, I think that's definitely gotta happen this summer, jmj!

Hey, the first rule of the Cape is Don't Talk About The Brewster Fish House! Second Rule: Don't Talk About The Brewster Fish House! It's bad enough trying to get a seat at the bar as it is...

Jeremiah is back from Philly and he's really taken things to another level in the kitchen. Only thing that still needs fixing is the wine list. The food deserves better wines. I'm gonna go down there soon and start beating on Lenore until she gets a Muscadet and an Albariño on the wine list, at a minimum. Nothing against it in terms of quality, but I'm so damn bored with Hess Select Chardonnay I can't tell you...grrr....

Valerie · June-10th-2003, 07:38 PM

Shrugs: If you can get your hands on last Sunday's (June 8th) Boston Globe Travel Sections (two), it's devoted to articles, guides, tips, etc. regarding Cape Cod.

walto · June-11th-2003, 07:36 AM

FWIW, I think there are campgrounds in Wellfleet too.

We'll be in Eastham in a couple weeks.

jesus marion joseph · June-11th-2003, 11:06 AM

You are corect, Dr. Dave, that the food is better than ever at That-Place-I-Cannot-Mention-By-Name.

Walter, you're probably thinking of Maurice's campground near the Wellfeet Drive-In.
Speaking of which, Cape Cod has one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters. Kids love it.

Dr Dave · June-11th-2003, 11:24 AM

Yeah! Wellfleet Drive-In and Flea Market. Great place. Joey Spampinato even wrote a song about it, "When It Rains At The Drive-In" from the Grooves In Orbit CD.

Biking on the Cape Cod Rail Trail!

shrugs · June-11th-2003, 01:25 PM

jmj, that sounds like a lot of fun. Let me get together with Megan and see when she wants to go.
Thanks for the great ideas folks!