Whether it’s the first time or the thousandth time, something happens when you drive over the Sagamore Bridge and officially cross onto Cape Cod—blood pressure drops, the air feels that much fresher, the sunlight hits a little differently. This is New England summer at its finest, with world-class beaches, history in spades, and a collection of towns and villages lining Route 6 all the way out to the tip of Provincetown.
This spit of land has long been a desirable piece of real estate: It was home to some 69 Wampanoag tribes long before the Pilgrims signed their Mayflower Compact in Provincetown Harbor, and today is both a beloved summer colony and a year-round destination, with an enviable array of hotels to boot. There are the five-star resorts, there are the owner-operated B&Bs, and there are the unique boutique hotels that feel as New England-y as a Kennedy accent. Since the pandemic, the Cape has flourished with “year-rounders” who call this peninsula home beyond the confines of the summer months, meaning that good food and great hotels are easier to find than ever.
If you’re looking for a place to rest your head on old Cape Cod, here are some of our favorites—read on for the full list, or jump straight to the area you’d like to stay in.
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FAQ:
What part of Cape Cod is the best to stay?
The beauty of Cape Cod is that in driving end-to-end, which only takes just over an hour, you’ll encounter a number of different communities, each with its own unique vibe and offering. Stay near Upper Cape if you’re traveling as a family. You’ll want the convenience of multiple restaurants, mini-golf courses, antiques and shopping in nearby Sandwich, and proximity to trails and nature reserves. Further out you’ll find the less busy Mid-Cape communities of Dennis, Yarmouth, and Harwich, where some Boston-area families tend to have their own beach houses. Dennis, in particular, is considered the Cape’s cultural hub, with art galleries, museum exhibits, and live theater to explore.
The Lower Cape’s communities of Chatham and Brewster are home to some of the Cape’s fancier hotels, and offer close proximity to the Cape Cod National Seashore for whale-watching and eco-adventures. Further “down” the Cape—which in reality is further north—is the Outer Cape. Its towns like Provincetown and Wellfleet have long attracted artisans, beatniks, and the LGBTQ+ community for their unparalleled natural beauty and anything-goes atmosphere.
What makes Cape Cod so special?
Oh, what doesn’t make Cape Cod so special? The beaches, the history, the nature preserves—it’s all here, and all relatively close together. If you’re not staying physically on a beach, it’s almost never more than a 10-minute drive to plant your toes in the sand. Aside from beaches, there is a ton to explore here: popular dive bars, award-winning restaurants ranging from fine dining to quintessential clam shacks, activities for the kids, historic sites, and, of course, beautiful hotels.
What’s the best time of year to visit Cape Cod?
Peak season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but especially the months of July and August. That’s when you’ll have the longest, warmest days followed by comfortable, breezy nights. Locals know that while the hottest temperatures level off by Labor Day, you’ll still find beautiful weather and the occasional beach day through mid-October. And while a number of restaurants will close after the festive season, there is still a die-hard contingent who enjoys winter’s quiet charms. There’s really no bad time of year to visit Cape Cod.
Upper Cape
AutoCamp Cape Cod
Location: Falmouth
Top amenities: A midcentury-modern Clubhouse with views of Buzzards Bay
Nearby attractions: Falmouth’s 10-mile Shining Sea Bikeway abuts the property
Recreate the nostalgia of camping with all the creature comforts of home at AutoCamp Cape Cod. Having opened during the pandemic, this newcomer to the Cape’s hotel scene offers a mix of tented accommodations, refurbished Airstreams, and standalone suites, all situated on a quiet piece of land offering views over nearby Buzzards Bay. Take it all in from the comfort of your private firepit, or—better yet—borrow one of the house bikes and go for a cruise on the nearby Shining Sea Bikeway, which runs through beaches, cranberry bogs, and groves of Cape pines.
The Coonamessett
Location: Falmouth
Top amenities: Solé cruiser bikes, complimentary breakfast of small plates
Nearby attractions: Ice cream at the must-visit Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium
Sometimes you just need to get away, and the Coonamessett is just the thing. It has the idyllic exterior of a cedar-shingled shake Cape Cod home, but features a gorgeous interior draped in nautical whites, neutrals, and a dash of black. You won’t find over-the-top amenities like houseboats or Michelin-starred dining here, but what you will find is a spacious lawn filled with hammocks, a beach within walking distance, and plenty of room to catch your breath on your next Cape escape.
Woods Hole Inn
Location: Woods Hole
Top amenities: Claw-foot soaking tubs, super comfy beds, coffee from the roasting company next door
Nearby attractions: The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, one of the foremost ocean research institutes in the world
Visit the Cape’s “elbow” at Woods Hole and you’ll discover a quaint village where time seems to stand still—in fact, unless you’re heading here for the Martha’s Vineyard ferry, most visitors to the Cape continue cruising right on by. It may not have the unending offering of mini-golf courses you’ll find in the busier mid-Cape, but what it lacks in gimmicks it makes up for in charm. The award-winning Woods Hole Inn Bed & Breakfast is the place from which to discover this quieter side of the Cape. Originally built in 1887, this B&B has been updated to offer guest rooms with generous square footage, private decks, restored hardwood floors, and cast iron tubs. Breakfast is, of course, a highlight of each stay (make sure to try the delicious homemade quiche). From here, it’s possible to catch the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard for the day—the ferry terminal is right across the street.
Mid-Cape
Bluebird Dennisport
Location: Dennisport
Top amenities: Indoor and outdoor pools
Nearby attractions: Art galleries and theater in neighboring Dennis