Read this before you go to Cape Cod

Cape Cod may have been the biggest letdown in places we’ve visited so far on this East Coast trip. But to her defense, our expectations were completely wrong.

Romanticized by summer quick reads and the ravers of the beaches on social media, the idyllic wonder of the Cape was a promise soon broken.

 

Here’s what you need to know BEFORE you go to Cape Cod and mistakes to avoid! The good, bad, and ugly.

 

1. Traffic

 

The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival is the traffic. Did you know there are only two ways to drive off and on the peninsula? Try to plan your arrival and departure by car, considering the traffic patterns to save yourself from sitting in the car for half of your trip.

 

Locals told us that Friday and Sunday afternoons are the worst traffic because people either arrive or leave. Also, be aware that taking a left across traffic takes a while and is a little scary due to the constant stream of cars. Still, if you’re lucky, sometimes a considerate driver knows your pain and will stop traffic for you.

 

When we drove in on Sunday afternoon, it was the peak time for leaving, so we watched traffic on the other side of the road idle for miles and miles from the bridge all the way to where we stayed in Hyannis.

2. Tons of people

 

The traffic makes sense because so many people are on the Cape during the season. Many families are everywhere, from restaurants to the hotel pool and the beaches. While we were there, it was mostly cold and windy, so the beaches were slower.

 

The friendly parking attendant advised us that the best (least windy) areas would be on the Nantucket Sound side of the sand dunes, and the windward side was where the bathrooms and snack bar were.

 

As we walked down to the water on the windward side, a little kid walked past us as his mom trailed behind. His cute little voice said, “It’s just too windy!” and I mentioned to the mom to try the other side of the dune.

 

She looked relieved for a second chance at a beach day. I wonder how long they endured the pelting sand and crashing waves before calling it quits.

 

Something to notice about all of these people is they seem…happy. My theory is that they are on vacation, and the type of vacation is perfect for those looking to disconnect from the busyness of the city. There are many multi-family groups that I imagine are old friends or family. The kids play with their cousins, eat ice cream, and stay up late while the adults relax and reminisce, sharing stories over themed drinks and restaurant-made dinners.

3. Research multiple areas to stay

 

Cape Cod is not a tiny island in the northeast. There are multiple beaches and towns, all with different vibes and clusters of things to do. Hyannis is the largest city, packed with hotels, shopping, and chain restaurants. If you want convenience like Uber Eats deliveries, it’s great!

 

We stayed in Hyannis with the expectation of taking the ferry for a day trip to Nantucket, and it has pros and cons depending on what you’re looking for. If we’d had a better plan, we might have stayed in Chatham, which is supposed to be the classic Cape Cod experience.

 

But to be fair, our budget on our East Coast trip was already thin, and we got a great deal on our hotel, which is why we could visit the Cape in the first place, so Chatham might have been outside of what we were comfortable spending.

 

I really enjoyed our hotel. We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cape Cod – Hyannis, and it was a little older (they are doing some renovations) but was really spacious and clean and in a very convenient location.

4. Consider your budget

 

There are so many options, from vacation rentals to inns, and it can be more expensive than other beach locations on the East Coast. Look into where you’ll stay, dine, and do to see if the pricing of everything looks good.

 

5. Know what you’re getting into and have fun

 

It’s clear by the number of people who annually visit the Cape that there’s something magical to it. It’s wonderfully photogenic, filled with families strolling Main Streets with ice cream in hand. The variety of beaches is an adventure. Some are great for listening to rocks filter crashing waves, others for windsurfing and splashing around in the shelly wading areas.

 

After the initial shock of Hyannis’s car dealerships and rows of hotels, we settled into the sleepy, relaxing, sweet memories that the Cape offers. Take the chance to disconnect from reality and reset your mind while you’re there.

 

6. Day trips to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard might not be worth it

 

Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are just a ferry away from Hyannis, and it was high on my list after reading Elin Hilderbrand’s stories of love, hospitality, and life on the island.

 

Many articles will tell you it’s a great idea, and there are videos of people spending a day exploring, but we changed our minds and went to Provincetown instead for a few reasons.

 

First, getting there is pretty pricey when the town is in season. The one-hour Hy-Line Cruises ride was $89 for a one-way adult ticket, costing $356 for us to visit. I was still going to go, but as I planned out our day, it became clear that it would be disappointing given the little time we could spend there versus how much it would cost.

 

There’s too much I’d want to do in Nantucket, like go to dinners, experience the nightlife, wake up, and get coffee and pastries. Plus, I’m not sure I want the version of the island life I have in my head to be challenged by the reality of visiting.

 

But if you’re interested in walking around the island for the day, you have options!

 

Instead, we took a fuller look at Cape Cod by taking a day trip drive to Provincetown, which did not disappoint.

7. It’s very woodsy

 

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but Cape Cod’s overall biome triggered me to be homesick. So many aspects of the land are similar to Florida but not quite “right.” Perhaps I expected it to be more like a colorful beach town with bright homes and sandy roads with beach cruisers taking over the streets.

 

While some color is sprinkled throughout, most homes have gray or neutral shingles. The winding roads are not along the coast but through the lush woodlands full of leafy trees and a handful of lone seafood restaurants here and there.

 

You’re probably thinking, “Yeah, that’s exactly what I expect on Cape Cod…” And if so, you’ll love it!

8. It’s a larger than you might think

 

You can drive from Sandwich, the first town entering the Cape from Boston, to Provincetown at the northern tip in just over an hour. It’s about 60 miles from one to the other.

 

Depending on how long you’re staying, you might not want to add driving time to your days, so picking the town you want to stay in and frequent is essential.

 

If you are interested in day trips to different places, go for it! Each town has its own charm, historic sites, and restaurants.

 

9. Learn about and respect the Native Americans that occupy the coastal lands

 

There are many sites and activities to learn about Wampanoag history, from exploring the Plimoth Plantation to The Mashpee Wampanoag Museum. Current native residents will provide a modern view and representation of the culture and history of the land and their people thousands of years before colonization to the present day.

 

Mostly, I read about the Wampanoag and Mashpee history and current livelihood when we arrived on the Cape. I didn’t know there were so many sites and ways to learn about the native American experience; by the time I researched places to go, the timeline of us leaving and the museums/activities being open didn’t align. I’d go back to learn more and support the locals who keep this history and the stories alive today.

 

10. Great white sharks can make an appearance

 

Did you know Jaws was filmed throughout Martha’s Vineyard?! The waters around the Cape are known to be hot spots for Great White sharks to live. This is great for conservation but can seem scary if you’re trying to enjoy some beach activities or water sports.

 

But before you’re too scared to enter the water ever again, remember that plenty of other things have a higher chance of hurting you than a shark.

 

Stay away from seals and murky water, and your chances of an encounter are even less! If there is a lifeguard stand, try to stay where they can see you and always listen to officials regarding the safety of the water day to day.

 

If you’re actually into sharks and would like an encounter, some activities allow you to see them. Just choose a responsible activity to keep our shark’s ecosystem safe.

11. Watch out for ticks

 

Unfortunately, ticks are active year-round on Cape Cod, and by enjoying the top activities like hiking, biking, gardening, and anything else in wooded or grassy areas, you’ll need to be aware of them.

 

Fortunately, the harmful repercussions of being bitten by a tick are generally preventable by wearing the appropriate clothing and checking for ticks on yourself, your family, and your pets daily.

 

There are many reasons a tick bite can affect your health, the biggest concern is Lyme Disease, but you should be fine by being aware of your surroundings.

 

Once the initial shock of our expectations was checked, we had a wonderful time checking out five beaches in one day, a day trip to Provincetown, exploring the cute downtown Hyannis, and watching seals and fishing boats in the port.

 

If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway to disconnect and recharge, Cape Cod is a great place to do that. As a Floridian, I’ve seen countless beaches and if you’re looking for a tropical beach vacay, I’d choose a different destination than Massachusetts. And turns out, we spoke to a few Mass residents who AGREED it wasn’t their favorite beach spot either, so it’s really based on your own preferences.

 

If you’re looking for a seafood experience, you don’t have to travel all the way to the peninsula—there are tons of great restaurants throughout New England.

My thoughts today about the Cape…  

 

I’m happy to leave it for those who have loved it for decades. There is a reason it’s a special place for so many, and you could be one of them. Just go in with the right expectations and research for the best time.