8 Cape Cod Attractions That Are Outdoors

Summer is coming and New England is calling. With gorgeous natural areas, charming towns, and miles of beaches, Cape Cod is an ideal place for a retreat.

Best Cape Cod Attractions

1. Cape Cod National Seashore

Established by President Kennedy in 1961, Cape Cod National Seashore is an incredible treasure. During your visit, you'll find cranberry bogs, beaches, marshes, pine barrens, and more. Some activities on the seashore include:

• Hiking
• Biking
• Beach driving
• Hunting and fishing

2. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Searching for seals? You'll find plenty of wildlife at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. From grey seals to endangered shorebirds, there are many species on Monomoy Island. You can also see the ancient Monomoy Lighthouse by the shore.

While Monomoy Island is accessible only by boat, the visitor center is located on the mainland. You'll find it just south of Chatham.

3. Nobska Lighthouse

Nobska Lighthouse is located at the southernmost point of the Cape Cod mainland. Once you walk up to the lighthouse, you'll have a view that stretches from Woods Hole Harbor to Martha's Vineyard.

Tours of Nobska Lighthouse are available, and the Keeper's House is being converted to a maritime museum.

4. Cape Cod Rail Trail

Ranking high among Cape Cod attractions is the Cape Cod Rail Trail. This 25-mile walking and biking trail runs from West Yarmouth to Orleans and Wellfleet. It also connects to the Old Colony Rail Trail, which provides access to Chatham.

You can access the rail trail from numerous trailheads and crossings. Several offer free parking, or you can pay for parking at Nickerson State Park to access the trail.

5. Race Point Beach

Situated north of Provincetown, Race Point Beach is perhaps the most famous on Cape Cod. This scenic shoreline features dunes, shorebirds, and bike trails, as well as the famous Race Point Lighthouse. Plus, you can pop into Provincetown afterwards for a bite to eat!

6. Shining Sea Bikeway

Another of the fine Cape Cod attractions for cycling is the Shining Sea Bikeway. Situated near Sun Outdoors Cape Cod in Falmouth, this 10-mile paved trail offers a ride through forests and coastal marshes.

A fun fact about the Shining Sea Bikeway is that it crosses only a couple major roads. This allows you to bike recreationally without contending with Falmouth's notorious summer traffic.

7. Old Kings Highway

In search of a scenic drive? Try cruising down the Old Kings Highway. This historic Cape Cod attraction winds from Sandwich to Orleans. You'll find it on a map as Massachusetts Route 6A.

Some things you can look for on your drive include:

• Historic homes and cemeteries
• Country markets
• Museums and galleries

8. Chatham Lighthouse

Finishing our list of Cape Cod attractions is Chatham Lighthouse. This is one of the few lighthouses in the U.S. that operates 24 hours a day. While tours aren't currently available due to maintenance work, they will resume in the future. In the meantime, you can explore the grounds, which offer beautiful views of the ocean.

Falmouth Camping and RV Resort

Stay close to the action while away from the crowds at Sun Retreats Cape Cod. Tucked into a quiet corner of Falmouth, our resort features tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals on Cape Cod. You'll also find fantastic amenities for your stay:

• Three swimming pools
• Mini golf course
• Private lake with a beach
• Paddle boat rentals ($)
• Clubhouse and camp store ($)
• And much more!

BOOK YOUR STAY at our resort and experience proximity to the best Cape Cod attractions. And before you go, think of whether someone you know could use a Massachusetts vacation. If they could, pass this post along!

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