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Cape Cod is full of old and beautiful New England towns that cater to budgets of all sizes. That can make it challenging to decide where to stay in Cape Cod.
After thorough research, we’ve compiled some of our favourites.
What is the Best Place to Stay In Cape Cod?
Whether you want to stroll along Cape Cod’s beaches, look out over the Atlantic ocean, browse the shops or take in an evening show, the best places to stay in Cape Cod offer something for everyone.
But different places cater to different interests. As we put together our list of the best Cape Cod vacation spots, we’ve highlighted not only why we recommend the place but what we think makes it worth visiting.
Provincetown
In addition to being one of the best places to stay on Cape Cod, Provincetown has the distinction of being one of the best year-round towns to visit.
Part of the Outer Cape, it offers various attractions that make it an enjoyable holiday destination whatever the season, including:
- Pilgrim Monument
- Herring Cove Beach
- Arts Museum and art galleries
Accommodation ranges from an adults-only 19thcentury sea captain’s mansion to budget and five-star hotels. In other words, there are places to stay in Provincetown for people of all budget types.
It also boasts a thriving arts community and rich and varied nightlife, ensuring visitors can find things to occupy them at all times of the day.
Chatham
Part of Barnstable County in the Lower Cape, Chatham sits at what is popularly called Cape Cod’s elbow.
It has a thriving seaside community and a range of accommodations that overlook the coast. Visitors can choose from seaside guest houses and upscale hotels.
Visitors who stay in Chatham can also enjoy vacation rentals with ocean views, some of which are within walking distance of sights like:
- Chatham lighthouse
- South Beach
- Chatham Pier Fish Market
Falmouth
Falmouth is one of the best areas to stay in Cape Cod if your holiday revolves around day trips. A convenient ferry service runs to Martha’s vineyard and even Rhode Island.
Part of the Upper Cape, Falmouth is a short distance from Woods Hole, where the local ferry service operates, making it the perfect hub for your Cape Cod holiday.
But while Falmouth is one of the best places to stay in Cape Cod for those planning day trips, it’s also well worth exploring in its own right. It’s packed with interesting shops and affordable restaurants that reward visitors for their foray down the main street.
Hyannis
Hyannis is another of the best areas to stay in Cape Cod if your holiday needs you to make use of a ferry. There’s a service running from Hyannis that takes visitors to:
- Martha’s Vineyard
- Nantucket
Another thing that makes Hyannis one of the best places to stay in Cape Cod is its variety of eateries and shops to browse. Of particular note, Hyannis features an indoor shopping centre that features stores like:
- Macy’s
- Barnes and Noble
- Sephora
And visiting history buffs will appreciate this Cape Cod town’s association with the Kennedys.
It’s part of the Mid Cape and hosts a wide selection of accommodation options. Visitors can choose between:
- Hotels
- Motels
- B&Bs
That means that whatever your budget, there’s bound to be something in Hyannis for everyone.
Harwich
Harwich is yet another of the best areas to stay on Cape Cod. It offers a range of places to stay, and like other areas of Cape Cod we’ve discussed, these run the gamut from motels and B&Bs to five-star hotels.
As part of the Lower Cape, many of Harwich’s accommodation choices offer visitors spectacular views of the surrounding beaches and coastline.
Harwich’s atmosphere is also distinct to other areas of Cape Cod in that it’s full of conservation areas and vast stretches of untouched beaches. Adventurous visitors will appreciate the range of outdoor activities to participate in, including:
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
But Harwich isn’t only popular with sporting types. It’s also one of the best areas in Cape Cod for elaborate weddings, and this is reflected in the restaurant and accommodation quality.
Brewster
Like Harwich, Brewster is part of the Lower Cape and one of the best places to stay on Cape Cod.
It’s quieter than Harwich and rife with antique shops for visitors to explore. Historically minded tourists can also explore Route 6A from Brewster, which takes them to Sandwich, Cape Cod’s oldest town.
Brewster’s location enables it to look over the Cape’s other equally charming towns, and both expensive and inexpensive accommodations provide visitors with outstanding views of the Cape Cod area.
Visitors who choose to stay in Brewster will find that accommodation runs the gamut from family-run businesses and self-catering accommodation to hotels.
Yarmouth
Like other parts of the Mid Cape, Yarmouth is one of the more crowded Cape Cod vacation spots. But it’s also a family-friendly destination.
This gets reflected in popular holiday activities, among them:
- Ice cream outings
- Go-karting
- Mini Golf course
Accommodation varies, and visitors can choose between vacation rentals and guest rooms, as well as various B&Bs and hotels. As with other Cape Cod towns, these vary depending on family budgets. However, visitors who plan ahead should find there’s something to suit everyone’s needs.
Even if you choose to stay elsewhere, a visit to Yarmouth is worth it for the view over Barnstable harbour.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best area to stay in Cape Cod, holidayers are spoiled for choice.
Cape Cod towns each have their own attractions and personalities, whether that be the clams, the best beaches or ocean views. There are historical Cape Cod towns and towns for families on holiday.
Ultimately, where you stay is a matter of taste and also budget. The different towns also have individual levels of affordability, and it’s up to you to decide which meets your needs.
But wherever you go, Cape Cod makes for a beautiful part of New England, all times of the year, and we’re confident you’ll enjoy your stay.
