From long walks along the coast to watching the sunset with a lobster roll and cold beer, summer is arguably the best time to visit Cape Cod. Here are a few of our favorite ways to make the most of summer in New England to help with your trip planning.
Stop and Smell the Flowers
You’ll be surrounded by bright blooms no matter where you go this time of year, but for something extra special, make a plan to stop by the Heritage Museum and Gardens for beautiful flowers and weekly events. You can learn all about these famous flowers or just take a tour and snap plenty of pics in front of their walls of colorful flowers. You can also take a stroll through the Cape Cod Lavender Farm, which hits peak bloom in June and offers luxe bath and body products scented with their own harvest.
Explore the Vineyard
The Wood’s Hole ferry is just a short drive away‚ and gives you the option of exploring Martha’s Vineyard for a day. Summer is a great time to take advantage of the island’s extensive hiking and walking trails while the sun is shining. Stop by one of the three Murdick’s Fudge locations on the island to stock up on their famous homemade fudge and buttery peanut brittle before heading back to AutoCamp for drinks by the campfire.
Roll Down the Shining Sea Bikeway
This 10.7-mile, well-maintained bike path takes you on a scenic tour of some of Cape Cod’s most picturesque spots, like Woods Hole and the Salt Pond Bird Sanctuary. AutoCamp offers daily bike rentals, and the mostly-flat trail is a great option for families and less experienced bikers, too.
Get In on Early Beach Season
Experience the refreshing Atlantic waters on sunny days that are ideal for reading and picnicking on the sandy beaches of the Cape. A few of the most idyllic are Old Silver Beach, Race Point Beach, and Herring Cove Beach, both in Provincetown.
Catch a Whale Sighting
Get a glimpse of the sea’s most majestic creatures, who make their way back to the waters surrounding Cape Cod starting in mid-April. Odds are good you’ll get to see a humpback or one of their related species breaching the still-chilly Atlantic waters in the early spring months—and a day spent out among the waves is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the true New England mindset.
Explore Woods Hole
Home to delicious restaurants and the famous Woods Hole Science Aquarium, not to mention just minutes from the charming Nobska Lighthouse, Woods Hole is an ideal place to spend the day eating and sightseeing. We’re partial to Pie in the Sky bakery for sticky buns, quiches, and of course, incredible pies—while Shucker’s World Famous Raw Bar offers fresh oysters with views of the bay.