Cape Cod Travel Information
Race Point- Provincetown, Cape Cod, originally uploaded by Chris Seufert.
Cape Cod, often referred to as simply “The Cape”, is a peninsula in the easternmost portion of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States. The Cape’s small-town character and large beachfront attract heavy tourism during the summer months. It was formed as the terminal moraine of a glacier, resulting in a peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean.
Cape Cod has a population of about 250,000, but has a busy tourist season each summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Many businesses are cater to summer visitors, and are closed during the 8 to 9 months of the “off season”. There are many hotels and resteraunts that stay open and many deals can be had in the “off season”, a perfect place for a romantic jaunt!
Cape Cod is a favorite destination for beach goers from all over. With over 500 miles of coastline, beaches, both public and private, are easily accessible. The Cape has upwards of sixty public beaches, many of which offer parking for non-residents for a daily fee (in summer). And Cape Cod National Seashore has 40 miles of sandy beach and many walking paths.
Provincetown, at the uppermost tip of Cape Cod, also berths several whale watching fleets. Most fleets guarantee a whale sighting (mostly humpback whale, fin whale, minke whale, sei whale, and critically endangered, the North Atlantic Right Whale), and one is the only federally certified operation qualified to rescue whales. Provincetown has also long been known as an art colony, attracting writers and artists. Many hotels and resorts are friendly to or cater to gay and lesbian tourists.
Cape Cod is also popular for its outdoor activities like beach walking, biking, boating, fishing, go-karts, golfing, kayaking, miniature golf, and unique shopping. There are 27 public, daily-fee golf courses and 15 private courses on Cape Cod.
The Cape is surrounded by islands. Like Cape Cod itself, the islands south of the Cape have evolved from whaling and trading areas to resort destinations, attracting wealthy families, celebrities, and other tourists. The islands include Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, as well as Forbes family-owned Naushon Island, which was purchased by John Murray Forbes with profits from opium dealing in the China trade during the Opium War. Naushon is one of the Elizabeth Islands, many of which are privately owned. One of the publicly accessible Elizabeths is the southernmost island in the chain, Cuttyhunk, with a year-round population of 52 people. Several prominent families have established compounds or estates on the larger islands, making these islands some of the wealthiest resorts in the Northeast, yet they retain much of the early merchant trading and whaling culture.
