Tom and Gretchen Wedding

Cape Cod National Seashore

Forty-Three thousand acres of Atlantic ocean coastline. Primary features of this National Seashore include 40 miles of pristine sandy beach, a variety of salt marshes, swamps, groves of pine, maple, oak, and cedar, and dozens of sparkling saltwater and freshwater kettle ponds. Established as a National Seashore in 1966, the specific acreage and topography is constantly under the ravages of the Atlantic Ocean. There are a variety of historic structures throughout the park including lighthouses, lifesaving stations, and historic structures that capture the charm of the New England coast.
Parking lots are open 6 A.M. to midnight, daily, year-round. The Salt Pond Visitor Center is open from 9am to 4:30pm daily, year-round, with extended hours during the summer months. The Province Lands Visitor Center is open from 9am to 5pm daily. The park's six swimming beaches are lifeguarded.

Public Beaches

Crystal Lake -- off Monument Road about 3/4 mile south of Main Street: Parking -- if you can find a space -- is free, but there are no facilities.
Nauset Beach -- in East Orleans (tel. 508/240-3780): Stretching southward all the way past Chatham, this 10-mile-long barrier beach, which is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore but is managed by the town, has long been one of the Cape's gonzo beach scenes -- good surf, big crowds, lots of young people. Full facilities, including a terrific snack bar complete with fried fish offerings, can be found within the 1,000-car parking lot; the fee is $15 per car, which is also good for same-day parking at Skaket Beach. Substantial waves make for good surfing in the special section reserved for that purpose, and boogie boards are ubiquitous.
Pilgrim Lake -- off Monument Road about 1 mile south of Main Street: A beach parking sticker is necessary for this small freshwater beach. There are no lifeguards.
Skaket Beach -- off Skaket Beach Road to the west of town: This peaceful bay beach is a better choice for families with young children. When the tide recedes (as much as a mile), little kids will enjoy splashing about in the tide pools left behind. Parking costs $15.

Whale Watching

Whale watches are always a fun and exciting trip for kids of all ages! There are several that leave out of Hyannis and Provincetown.

Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket

Ferries to these islands are available out of Hyannis, Falmouth, and Harwich. Both islands are easily accessible for day trips. The fast ferry is nearly two hours faster one way than the slow ferry and is highly recommended.

Golf

The Cape offers a number of high quality golf courses. Times can fill up quickly on the weekends so book ahead.

Captain's Golf Course at Brewster
Dennis Highlands Golf
Cranberry Golf Course at Harwich
Chatham Seaside Links
If you are staying at Wequasset Resort there is a private golf course

Cape Cod Bike Path

The Cape Cod Rail Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way for 22 miles through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Its paved surface, few hills, and well-marked automobile crossings make it ideal for cyclists. The trail has a wide unpaved shoulder on one side to accommodate horseback riding, walkers, and runners. There are many opportunities to get off the trail and visit a beach. Food and water are also readily available and public restrooms can be found at Nickerson State Park, Salt Pond Visitors Center at Cape Cod National Seashore and the National Seashore Headquarters. If you do not have a bike, bike rentals are available at many points along the way. For people with disabilities, a limited number of hand-cycles are available for rent at specific bike concessions. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is located in the mid-Cape area, in southeastern Massachusetts.

Free parking for trail users is available at:

The trailhead at Route 134 in South Dennis
Headwaters Drive in Harwich
Route 137 in Brewster
Nickerson State Park in Brewster
Orleans Center
Cape Cod National Seashore at the Salt Pond Visitors Center in Eastham, one-half mile from the Locust Road intersection with the trail
National Seashore at Marconi Area
The trailhead at LeCount Hollow Road in South Wellfleet

Chatham Lighthouse

Station established: 1808; Current lighthouse tower built: 1877; Automated: 1982. This is an active Coast Guard station. The lighthouse is not open to the public except during open house dates. Children under five not allowed above base. Proper footwear required. Free admission. Reservations are not required.

Academy of Performing Arts Playhouse

If you enjoy regional theater, then the Playhouse is for you! The Playhouse attracts over 21,000 people each year with its lively drama and entertainment. The Playhouse produces more than 12 shows a year, including musicals, dramas, comedies and original works. In addition, creative music series, benefit performances and faculty performances are all presented at the Playhouse throughout the year to packed audiences. Well-known theater directors, music directors, set design artists, and costume designers all come to the Playhouse to collaborate with Cape artists, under the artistic direction of Peter Earle.

Deep Sea Fishing

For those who can't wait to get away, and then get away to fish, try some of these deep sea adventures.

Bud's Go Karts

Wareham
(508) 295-8360
Two go-kart tracks, batting cages, video arcade, mini-golf, and games.

Cape Cod Baseball League

The premier amateur baseball league in the nation since 1885, the Cape League embarks this June on one of its most exciting slates to date. From Major League legends Pie Traynor, Mickey Cochrane, Red Rolfe, Carlton Fisk, Thurman Munson, Mike Flanagan, Jeff Reardon, to current standouts Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Jeromy Burnitz, Sean Casey, Darin Erstad, Nomar Garciaparra, Mark Mulder, Todd Helton, Frank Thomas, Jason Varitek and Barry Zito, the Cape League has proven to be the best playing experience for top Major League talent since the turn of the century. In 2008 suffice it to say the CCBL will once again prove it is the place where "Tomorrow's Stars Shine Tonight." Teams are located across the Cape in Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Cotuit, Falmouth, Harwich, Hyannis, Orleans, Wareham, and Yarmouth. Season opens June 14.

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