Romantic Winter Getaway on Cape Cod – Fire and Ice Getaway Package

The winter months on Cape Cod... as we call them - the Serenity season. No better time than to whisk away on an overnight to a quaint Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay bed and breakfast for some respite and solitude; as well as firing up that romantic spirit! The Classic inns of Cape Cod are offering a favorite romantic package, the Fire and Ice Getaway Package.

The Fire and Ice Romance Package includes:

* Two nights in a fireplace room.
* A bottle of icy champagne and tempting treats in the room on arrival.
* One-hour special “fire and ice” spa treatment
* A romantic 3-course gourmet dinner one night
* Leisurely breakfast each morning

After waking to a fabulous breakfast at your inn, start the day with a beach walk and choose among a number of beach sites which may include:     Sandy Neck Nature Trail, in Barnstable; Fort Hill Trail  in Eastham; Crowes Pasture in Dennis; walking the beach in the winter, gazing at the crisp turbulent water, the seagulls while listening to the crushing waves and the silence of the beauty. 

After a brisk walk, stop at Nirvana in Barnstable or at the Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans (depending upon your location), for a cappuccino and conversation. Then make your way out to Chatham with the cooler you packed with that favorite beverage; mine Bollinger Champagne and some fabulous imported cheese, (we purchased ours from the Brown Jug in Sandwich) and crackers to snack on in front the Chatham Lighthouse, from which you may take another short stroll out to the barrier beach.

Make your way back to your Cape Cod bed and breakfast to enjoy your spa treatment before heading out to dinner at one of the Inn’s recommended fine restaurants that is included in your Cape Cod Winter romance package!

Cape Cod Autumn - Foliage, History and Shopping Abound!

Fall is in the air and it’s a beautiful time on Cape Cod. The days are mostly bright and sunny with the nights crisp and cool. The foliage along the north side of the Cape is starting to pop. The Cape usually has great color until well into middle November. So, if you think you have missed an opportunity to experience a New England autumn, come to the north side of Cape Cod and you can still savor every minute.

As we move into November, it is inevitable that we start thinking about the holiday season. November is very special in New England. For those of you who love the idea of an authentic New England Thanksgiving, you can immerse yourself in the heart of the Pilgrim experience. While most folks believe that the Pilgrims landed in 1620 on Plymouth Rock, many are surprised to learn that the Pilgrims actually first landed in Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod. They landed here and intended to stay to begin their colony. The Mayflower Compact was developed and signed here on Cape Cod during the five weeks that the Pilgrims stayed.

After realizing that the soil conditions were not very conducive to farming, they eventually got back in the Mayflower and set sail again, only to land in Plymouth, known then as Plimoth. Today there is a museum to chronicle their lives on Cape Cod and there is a monument to that first settlement, both in Provincetown. For more details, check out www.pilgrim-monument.org. The town of Plymouth, right over the bridge, has fabulous museums and exhibits of the entire settlement with Pilgrims, Indians, and the Mayflower. What a fabulous, unique way to celebrate Thanksgiving by spending it in the area where it all began. You can find more details at The Plimoth Plantation website.

The best part is that all of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay lie right in the middle of these two areas. So you can stay here and are in a perfect position to pinwheel in potentially any direction to Plimoth, Provincetown or both! See our Historic Cape Cod Inns website for great choices in accommodations.

No contemplation of the holidays is complete without some thoughts of shopping. Whether this is met with dread or excitement, there is no better place to start than the wonderful and unique shops along Route 6A. If this is the year you vow to support local artisans and/or family businesses rather than face malls and/or large box stores, there are endless options for you along the entire Old Kings Highway corridor. For a unique experience, on November 21 the Sandwich Glass Museum begins is second year of a Glassblowers Christmas with fabulous glass ornaments created by regional artists, available to view or buy. Another highlight this year at the Museum is a special exhibit of crèches, or nativity scenes, selected from one of the largest collections in the world, representing many cultures.

What a great way to kick off your holiday season. More information on all of these activities can be found at the website of the Sandwich Glass Museum.

A Perfect Time to Walk the Beach on Cape Cod

The Fall is a particularly beautiful season on the Cape.  The number of tourists has dwindled, the shops, restaurants and roads are less crowded, and the temperatures are just divine.  It may not be swimming weather, but it’s a fabulous time to enjoy the beautiful Cape Cod beaches without the hassles of the busy summer.  In short, it’s a perfect time to take a walk on the beach. 

Brewster

Why not visit several beaches while you’re at it and see which ones you prefer?  You can begin by booking a room at any one of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay, each a unique experience in and of itself.  Your innkeepers will, no doubt, have their own favorite beaches to suggest, but rest assured that there will by many others from which to choose.

Sandwich Boardwalk

Begin your tour of Cape Cod beaches with a stroll across the Boardwalk in Sandwich to Town Neck Beach.  Spend a few minutes gazing across the bay to the shoreline of Sagamore and Plymouth before continuing along historic Route 6A to Sandy Neck Beach, shared by the towns of Sandwich and Barnstable. If you prefer, you may drive further down the Cape and stop at Grey’s Beach in Yarmouthport.

Sandy Neck Beach

 Next you’ll want to stop in Dennis where you’ll find Chapin’s Beach.  Stop at Chapin’s Restaurant and sample some fresh, local seafood while you’re in the neighborhood.  Stroll the beach to your heart’s content before continuing your explorations in the next town along Route 6A, Brewster.  Stretch your legs once again either Breakwater Beach or Ellis Landing while you enjoy the late afternoon sunshine and watch the gulls, terns and sandpipers at play.

Chapin's Beach

Still haven’t found the one beach you’d like to call your own?  Then plan another visit to the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay and explore the dozens of other beaches on the Cape.  Any season is beautiful here, but the Fall is always especially nice for walking on the beach.

From Art and Oysters to Lederhosen and “Shangri-La”... Cape Cod Has it All in Early Fall

Summer of 2011 on Cape Cod is coming to an end. The crowds have thinned, the parking lots are showing more asphalt and the lines of people waiting to get into their favorite restaurant are gone. But now there is so much MORE of so many other things. MORE opportunity to have a section of the beach all to yourself. MORE jaw-dropping moments for “leaf-peepers” as they drive historic Old Kings Highway. MORE festivals!!! Here are just a few of the many upcoming late September and Early October events...


September 23, 24 & 25 is the “Secrets & Miracles” Standard Flower Show at Heritage Museum and Gardens.  Exhibits are inspired by the miracles of nature and secrets of the physical world. 36 floral designs include Op Art, Horizontal Creative, Framed Spatial, Victorian Floral Mass, Popular Table Designs, and Small Designs. Artistic crafts, made from plant material, are masks, botanical jewelry, and decorated boxes with secret tokens. Horticulture highlights include colorful dahlias, perennials, vegetables, plant collections, and horticultural educational exhibits. A don’t-miss exhibition will be “Shangri- La”, a miniature garden created with real plant material and a waterfall in a 3’ x 2’ x 2’ box!!

The 42nd Annual Bourne Scallop Festival will be held at Buzzards Bay Park, Main Street, along Cape Cod Canal in Bourne on September 23, 24 & 25. Over 125 Booths of juried American made arts, crafts and specialty foods. Award winning scallops, seafood and chicken dinners plus midway rides and games and terrific headline entertainment complete this picture perfect New England event. The Bourne Scallop Festival is never far from any of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay, and the Cape Cod Scenic Railroad, which picks up in nearby, centrally located Hyannis, can get you to the festival--so you don't have to drive!

In celebration of the Cape Cod Museum of Art’s 30th Anniversary, the museum will host a new event, Cape Art Blooms, on September 30 - October 2. This event, organized by the Friends of the Cape Cod Museum of Art and the CCMA Docents, was inspired by the famous Art in Bloom event held annually at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Cape Art Blooms brings together floral designers from regional garden clubs Cape-wide and Plymouth to create vibrant floral displays interpreting the museum’s permanent collection and works of art from temporary exhibitions. Additional floral creations by professional designers will be on display throughout the museum.

The 4th Annual Fall for the Arts Festival is a month long, Cape-wide festival that highlights Cape Cod as an arts and live music destination. Free art festivals and free concerts are in abundance during October. In conjunction with Fall for the Arts, The SheArt Network presents an Art and Fine Craft Sale on September 30 and October 1. The sale will be held at The Brewster Ladies' Library. Come and support local women artisans and crafters while finding unique and affordable gifts and treasures! Items for sale include paintings, unique jewelry, pottery, photography, textile designs, knitwear, prints, home decor, paper creations, and more. This is just once example of the dozens and dozens of craft fairs, both small and grand, during the Fall for the Arts Festival.

Cape Cod Beer is working together with the Chatham VFW Men's Auxiliary and the Kiwanis Club of Central Cape Cod to bring you Cape Cod Oktoberfest, a day of fun with music by the Cape Cod Bavarian Band, German Food and Cape Cod Beer on the field at the Chatham VFW. Saturday October 1st Knockwurst, Bratwurst, Beerbrats, 8" long hotdogs , hamburgers, sauerkraut, red cabbage and German Potato Salad. All meats from Grote & Weigel (one of the oldest meat companies in the US). Harvest Ale, Dunkel Weizen, Cape Cod Red, Cape Cod IPA, and Beach Blonde Ale will be on tap—as will some fun games and competitions!


Celebrate the dawn of October and the start of the fall holiday season at the annual Barnstable County Harvest Festival on October 1 and 2 at the Barnstable County fairgrounds. The weekend festival will include roving entertainment, barn animals, children's games, a farmer's market, exhibits and much more!
The Wellfleet OysterFest takes place October 15 & 16. Shucking contest, food vendors, educational booths, poetry readings, live music and lots and lights of fresh clams, seafood, fried, gooey stuff and...oh yeah...OYSTERS! Wellfleet is a quick and easy drive from any of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay. Meander Old King's Highway, or simply shoot up route 6, but know that after shucking arm to arm with 20,000 or so of your closest bivalve-loving friends, your inn of choice will be a restful and quiet finish to a frenzied and fun afternoon.

Riding the Rail - the Cape Cod Rail Trail

As I was watching the bike riders, for the Pan Mass Challenge, on Sunday, it occurred to me that it must be a beautiful ride along 6A. This started me thinking of other scenic areas and trails to ride bicycles. The Cape Cod Rail Trail and the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway are very popular and scenic bike trails.

The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a 22 mile trail that travels through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Eastham and Wellfleet. The trail travels the same path, as the Old Colony Railroad tracks of 1848 connecting Boston to Sandwich and by 1873 the track extensions connected all the way to Provincetown. This allowed visitors’ to travel throughout Cape Cod and it also provided a means for food and other necessary items to be transported. The importance of the railroad continued up until 1935, when bridges were built allowing cars to travel over the Cape Cod Canal, reducing the need for the railroad. As you ride along the Rail Trail some of these train tracks are still visible.

One of the attractions to the Cape Cod Rail Trail is its’ paved surface, few hills and well marked automobile crossings making it one of the most popular bike trails. There are many opportunities to leave the trail to enjoy the beach, get something to eat at the Andale Café in Harwich or just sit and relax. If you don’t have a bicycle, don’t let that stop you. Barbara’s bike rental is located at the start of the rail trail.

The other bike trail I mentioned is the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway, which is approximately 7 to 8 miles long and follows the canal through sections of Bourne and Sagamore. The trail also features a wide road with slight inclines. As with the Rail Trail, there are places to stop to relax or just to enjoy the scenery.

The Historic Inns of Cape Cod Bay invites you to stay with us and choose one of the scenic trails. You won’t be disappointed.

Cape Cod Lobster Rolls

Many of the guests staying at one of the bed and breakfast inns associated with the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay want to experience a true New England lobster meal. As a wash-a-shore to Cape Cod, meaning I have spent many years here but since I was not born here I can never claim to be a true Cape Codder, I will not even start to argue the advantage of a Cape Cod lobster over that of a Maine lobster. Lobster is considered a delicacy by many and a very rare treat for visitors from distant parts of the country or world that are not accustomed to its presence on nearly all restaurant menus.  

Although a treat today, Boston lore tells the story of when the mid-1800s prisoners at the Charles Street Jail rioted to protest the daily servings of lobster.  Lobster was so prevalent in the Boston harbor, it was so inexpensive it was considered only suitable for the incarcerated. The prisoners and officials agreed to limit lobster to twice a week.  Oh, how times have changed. 

The ultimate lobster experience is the traditional New England Clam Bake that starts with New England clam chowder, followed by steamers or maybe a quahog or two, and then the whole steamed/boiled lobster.  Sausages, potatoes, onions, carrot, and corn on the cob often supplement the seafood. 

On Cape Cod we have several companies that will bring a real New England Clam Bake to your home. I have used Wimpy’s Seafood Café in Osterville several times. The Lobster Pot in Provincetown always has The Clambake on its menu where the price depends on the size of the lobster you select, choose from the 1 1/4 to 2 pound or ask the server about the Jumbo (???) Lobster.

Eating a whole boiled lobster requires tools like crackers and picks to access and remove the meat and a fair degree of determination.  Even with tips from experienced local friends or the waiter, it can be laborious and messy and a bib is mandatory. I have found that my degree of pleasure from consuming a lobster has diminished as the work increased. My solution is to order a lobster roll. Someone else does all the work to get the meat and you have all the joy eating it. On the Cape, a lobster roll is usually made of large chunks of fresh lobster with a little mayonnaise and sometimes celery and a light, often secret, seasoning. The mixture is cooled before serving on a roll. I have tasted lobster rolls from Bourne to Provincetown and each cook’s recipe is a little different and the type of roll can vary greatly.  The key is, if it’s fresh lobster the rest doesn’t matter much.  I often eat all the lobster and never touch the roll.

In Bourne, I recommend the Lobster Trap overlooking Buzzards Bay. Nice views if you eat in and also a great fresh fish market to take something home for the next nights dinner.  In Sandwich, I get the largest lobster roll I have ever had at the Aqua Grille right on the Sandwich Marina.  Also, just up the road on the Cape Cod Canal, Seafood Sam’s has a smaller version that is just right for a little afternoon treat at a great price. When we have an afternoon free, we head down 6A to the Sesuit Harbor Café in Dennis. The Café sits right on the water in the back of the Northside Marina. The predictable long-wait line is made bearable with a glass of you own BYO wine or a cold beer.  Usually the guys will wait in line while the girls secure an umbrella picnic table.  Pleasant wait staff delivers your feast to your table. I add some of their great onion rings and enjoy the dramatically changing views as the tides flow. 

Every spring when we reopen our Inn, all my favorite Seafood Shacks are also reopening and I enjoy revisiting each and reacquainting myself with their unique lobster rolls. To help you in your search for the perfect lobster meal, please consider staying at one of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay? Each innkeeper has a favorite seafood restaurant that he/she would be glad to refer you to for a great meal and an experience that makes for wonderful memories to take with you.

Where Broadway Goes to Summer

We are very lucky to have a little piece of Broadway right here on Cape Cod. The legendary Cape Playhouse is America's oldest professional summer theater and has been presenting quality theater on Cape Cod for over seventy years. The playhouse, located in Dennis Village off of Route 6A and just up the street from Corporation Beach, features talented theater folks from all over starring in professionally-run productions throughout the summer months.

Raymond Moore had spent several summers in Provincetown where he was involved in painting scenery, writing plays, and acting in theater. But his vision was to have a theater of his own that would bring Broadway to Cape Cod. So in 1927, he purchased a 19th century former Unitarian Meeting House and had it moved to a pasture land fronting the Old Kings Highway in Dennis and converted it into a theater. The original pews, now with cushions, still serve as theater seats. Over the years, the Playhouse has undergone many changes and improvements, including the addition of air conditioning.

The Playhouse is now owned by the The Cape Cod Center for the Arts (CCCArts), a Massachusetts non-profit established in 1996. The CCCArts’ mission is for the education and benefit of the public by the promotion and fostering of music, drama, horticulture and the fine arts. They are dedicated to maintaining a viable center for the cultural enrichment of the diverse population residing on and visiting Cape Cod. The CCCArts also owns the Cape Cinema, a props barn, a scene show and other ancillary arts buildings, and shares a campus with the Cape Cod Museum of Art and Summer Stock Restaurant.

The 2011 lineup for the historic Cape Playhouse has several exciting productions including Footloose, Crazy for You and Unnecessary Farce. Currently playing is The Graduate, the classic 60's movie which comes vividly to life on the playhouse stage through July 23rd. Adapted from the hit 1967 movie, the play is about a recent college graduate who is trying to find his way in the world. His joyless affair with the older, married Mrs. Robinson complicates his budding relationship with her daughter Elaine. Performances are running Monday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. with matinees on Wednesday and 2nd Thursday at 2:00 p.m. and the 1st Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Tickets prices for The Graduate are Premium Orchestra for $69.25, Regular Orchestra for $49.25, or Balcony seats for $29.25. Go to www.capeplayhouse.com to purchase tickets or call 877-385-3911 for more information on tickets.

Starting July 25th, Footloose the musical comes to the playhouse stage. It's one of the most explosive and popular contemporary tales of a strict small town turned upside down when a kid from the big city moves in and falls in love with the preacher’s daughter. For tickets to this production, again go to www.capeplayhouse.com for more details.

And what's better than a night out to dinner during the summer months on Cape Cod followed by a great night of quality theatre. For some suggestions, just a short distance from the Cape Playhouse is Chapin's for leisurely dinning, with specialties that include Lobster Quesadilla, Cobb Salad, Lobster Pie, Open Flame Steaks, Italian Specialties, Native Seafood and Prime Rib. For something a little more upscale, try Blue Moon Bistro where they use fresh ingredients whenever possible from local purveyors - even from the Chef's garden near the main rear entrance. And if you are planning a weekend, check into the Historic Inns of Cape Cod for a truly memorable stay.

Why not 'break a leg' this summer and make a visit to the Cape Playhouse.