Cape Cod

No visit to Massachusetts is complete without a journey over the Bourne Bridge – or its twin, the Sagamore – to Cape Cod. This 105km peninsula is dotted with seaside towns, each with its own distinct character to suit every type of day-tripper.  

Swimmers should head to Orleans, where Nauset Beach provides fantastic surfing opportunities, a party atmosphere, and an abundance of food trucks. And if you’re feeling outdoorsy, visit Falmouth, home to the Shining Sea Bikeway. This flat 17km paved path — great for cycling, skating, or walking — winds past cranberry bogs and charming pebble beaches.

When you’re ready to refuel, pop into Mexican bistro Añejo for a spicy margarita and lobster taquitos. Don’t forget to make a pit stop in Chatham for some great souvenirs, where you can find independent boutiques, galleries selling nautical art, and old antique shops. For beach décor, books, and quirky greeting cards, the Mayflower is an essential shopper’s pilgrimage. 

Towards the tip of Cape Cod, Wellfleet is home to a drive-in cinema where you can view much-loved classics, while Truro boasts mid-century architecture and dramatic dunes. Provincetown, at the very end of the peninsula, is the closest thing to a city in these parts, and Commercial Street is its liveliest thoroughfare. Sip frosé on the deck of popular eatery The Canteen, and sample sugar-coated malasadas, or fried dough balls, at the 87-year-old Provincetown Portuguese Bakery – visitors have been devouring these for generations.