Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay

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

2012-01-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-10-26T16:36:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

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.

2011 Cape Cod Annual Pops by the Sea

2011-07-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

Pops by the Sea is Cape Cod's largest and best-loved annual cultural event, and for a quarter of a century the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra has attracted large, animated crowds to Hyannis Village Green. This year the concert will be held on Sunday August 7th, 2011 from 5.00 to 7.00 pm, with pre-show entertainment starting just after 1 pm.

The fundraising event is often a sell-out to over 15,000 fans, including many Cape Cod residents, but also to visitors from all over the USA and overseas. Some are lucky enough to be seated at a VIP table, others watch from festival seating or simply from a picnic rug on the lawn. But wherever you sit, you are guaranteed to enjoy a magical afternoon of wondrous entertainment, all the while benefiting the arts on Cape Cod. Proceeds from this concert help fund the Arts Foundation's aim to support, celebrate and promote art and culture all year on Cape Cod.

This year the celebrity guest conductors are brothers Peter & Bobby Farrelly, who have written and directed ten movies, including "There's Something about Mary" and "Fever Pitch", which is a Red Sox fans favorite. But before the show even begins you can enjoy some of Cape Cod's most popular performers in the Pre-Show Entertainment which starts at 1.15 pm and goes on until 4 pm.

While in Hyannis for this wonderful event, why not take advantage of some of the many other attractions in the area? A gentle stroll along Main Street will bring you to the JFK Museum, where Kennedy fans can spend a nostalgic hour or so poring over photos, the family tree and other items of great interest. Down on the waterfront is the Maritime Museum, a living boat yard as well as a fascinating museum depicting nautical historic events and even includes actual shipwreck parts.

As for dining, Hyannis has a great variety of choice ensuring no-one goes hungry. Some great favorites include the Naked Oyster, which has a raw bar and wonderful fresh original dishes, the Brazilian Grill, where their slogan is "Vegetarians Beware!" but where you can have a fun evening in the traditional "Curasscaria" style (huge skewers of different grilled meats, carved at your table, all night long if you have the appetite!). Just behind main street Hyannis is the Roadhouse Cafe which has tasty food, a great atmosphere and live entertainment most nights.

To complement your visit to Pops by the Sea and Hyannis, why not consider staying at one of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay? Each inn is within easy reach of Hyannis and can offer you a unique experience and wonderful memories to take with you when you leave.

This blog was written by The Inn at Cape Cod.

Historic Cape Cod, Historic Sites, Classic Inns

2011-06-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

There are many interesting things to do and see on your visit to Cape Cod, world class beaches, upscale shopping, Antiquing, staying in Classic Inns and much more. One of our favorite things to do is visit some of the many Historic sites on the Cape. There are many to see in each of the towns along Route 6A, go to each town’s historic society to get the complete list. Here are a few we recommend you see:

Hoxie House

Hoxie House: Located in Sandwich, this saltbox design house was built in the 1600s. It was a private home until the late 1950s when it was purchased by the Sandwich historic society and restored to historical accuracy. The tour explains interesting historical information about furniture, tools and other necessities of daily life in the 1600s. There’s an explanations of how some commonly used sayings were originated. So you will learn how “Tie the Knot” was started.

The Old Jail (Old Gaol)

The Old Jail: Go East on Route 6A to the Village of Barnstable and see the oldest wooden jail in the United States. Built in circa 1690-1700 by the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colony Courts. It has been moved several times and was used as a jail until 1820. It now is located next to the Coastguard museum and is open for tours. It’s also haunted and part of the Ghost Tour.

Stony Brook Grist Mill

Stony Brook Grist Mill: East again on Rout 6A takes us to Brewster, the site of the Stony Brook Grist Mill. This was once one of the most active manufacturing communities in New England, cranking out cloth, boots and ironwork for over 100 years, starting with the American Revolution. After decades of producing overall and later, ice cream the factory was bought by the town and fitted as acorn mill, with period millstones. Volunteers now demonstrate and urge visitors to get in on the action. A bag of cornmeal cost $2.00.

Enjoy your visit to Historic Cape Cod. Stay at one of the Classic Inns and your innkeeper can direct you to these and many more history sites.

Posted by Ashley Manor Bed and Breakfast

Art for All Seasons: Cape Cod Artisans 2011 Fine Art & Craft Show Schedule

2011-05-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

Each year Cape Cod hosts dozens of fine arts and craft shows that exhibit the works of talented local artisans working in a number of different mediums. One of the highlights of a trip to Cape Cod most certainly is the discovery of a handmade treasure unlike anything you might find elsewhere. Be it glassblowers, jewelry makers, metal sculptors, watercolorists, weavers, or scrimshanders, Cape Cod is a haven for accomplished artists, many of whom are lured here from away. Perhaps it’s the light dancing on the water, the seemingly endless stretch of sand dunes, or the winding roads that wander through the scrub pine that inspire their creativity. Whatever arouses their artistic genius, we are the benefactors of their work.

The Artisans Guild of Cape Cod, one of the premier supporters of fine craftsmen in the area, produce several shows annually. This year’s events will take place as follows:

Eastham
Independence Day Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, July 2 & 3. Outside - Windmill Green - Route 6 at Samoset Road.

Late July, Thursday & Friday, July 28 & 29. Outside - Windmill Green - Route 6 at Samoset Road.

West Barnstable
Labor Day Weekend, sponsored by Whelden Library. Friday & Saturday, September 3 & 4. Inside/Outside - Whelden Library & WB Community Building, Route 149.

Orleans
Fall For the Arts Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, October 1 & 2. Inside - Nauset Middle School - Route 28 near Eldredge Pkwy.

Thanksgiving Weekend, Friday & Saturday, November 25 & 26. Inside - Nauset Middle School - Route 28 near Eldredge Pkwy.

To complement the Artisans Guild, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod recently produced a guidebook of driving and walking itineraries to studios and galleries throughout the region, entitled the Arts & Artisans Trails of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. This well-conceived and beautifully executed guide, now in its second edition, will lead you off-the-beaten-track to the private homes and workshops of artists and craftsmen who have been honing their skills for many years. Grouped into seven distinct areas that stretch from the tip of Cape Cod to the canal, as well as to our off-shore islands, each unique trail is clearly marked and the artists’ work colorfully detailed. Available for purchase online at http://www.capeandislandsartsguide.com, the guide is also an integral part of the “Fall for Cape Cod” vacation package offered by the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay.

Posted by The High Pointe Inn, A Uniquely Original Inn on Cape Cod

Cape Cod Dining is a Bonus to Staying at a Classic Inn

2011-04-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Fine dining is one of the reasons visitors love Cape Cod and the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay. Not only does each inn offer wonderful breakfasts, guests enjoy the innkeepers’ knowledge of local restaurants with superb food, service and ambiance. Here are some of our favorites.

The Roadhouse Café in Hyannis has a 30 year record of excellence. The interior is classy yet casual and cheerful. The menu is extensive with outstanding pasta, seafood, beef, chicken, veal, pork and duck dishes. The wine list is impressive. And unforgettable desserts!

The Red Pheasant Inn in Dennis has been family run for over 30 years. The main dining room is a charming 200 year old barn with local art on the walls. The garden room has a wall length window looking out at – yeah – the garden! And its walls are painted by a local artist. The ambiance is casual and elegant. The menu has a mix of incredibly delicious seafood and non-seafood dishes and there is always a game dish. The accompanying wine list is outstanding. Always a very enjoyable dining experience!

The Barnstable Restaurant and Tavern in Barnstable Village is a warm and comfortable place for lunch or dinner – inside or outside in the warmer months. The wide ranging menu runs from fine dining, Italian specialties, seafood and meats – all excellent! There is lighter fare too – pizzas, burgers, salads, etc. There are regular “special” dinners including wine or beer themes. And Friday late afternoon music on the patio is very popular!

The Dolphin Restaurant in Barnstable Village has a friendly and comfortable ambiance and outstanding food. The Dolphin has been family run for 3 generations. The restaurant has been named “Best mid-cape seafood” for 4 years in a row – as voted on by Cape Codders! Creatively prepared non-seafood dishes are on the menu too. And great desserts!

Spanky's Clam Shack

We would be remiss if a great place for lobster and steamers was not on our list. Spanky’s Clam Shack on the water in Hyannis is just the place! You can dine indoors or outside at this fun and friendly restaurant. Don’t miss the lobster salad – a huge portion of Cape Cod’s freshest on a bed of fresh salads.

Posted by Beechwood Inn

Cape Cod, MA - Late Autumn Tranquility

2010-10-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

The summer crowds are gone, the beaches nearly empty. The air is crisp and clean with the barest hint of winter’s coming chill. What a perfect time to visit Cape Cod!

Picture yourself out for a leisurely drive along Route 6A with just a handful of other sightseers. Imagine strolling along your favorite beach with not another soul in sight. Think about the pleasure of enjoying the Cape Cod Rail Trail without encountering one other cyclist. This is Cape Cod in late autumn.

After you’ve spent some time in the bracing, clear air and worked up an appetite, treat yourself to a bowl of steaming clam chowder, guaranteed to warm you head to toe. And be sure to sample some of the newly harvested crop of cranberries, a perfect reminder of why you love the Cape.

At the end of your Cape Cod day, relax and be pampered at one of the delightful Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay. What could be more perfect than snuggling in front of a warm fire, enjoying a glass of wine and falling asleep in the most comfortable bed with the most beautiful sheets you’ve ever felt? You’ll awake to the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee, muffins or scones warm from the oven, and house specialties to make your mouth water. And you’ll have no trouble getting your innkeeper to make suggestions for how to spend your second day enjoying the serene atmosphere of the Cape in late fall.

Hesitate no longer! Call or log on to any one of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay today and enjoy the tranquility of Cape Cod in late autumn.

Cape Cod Fall Events and Attractions

2010-09-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

EARLY FALL

The End of Summer, and the Beginning of Bliss in “Old Cape Cod”

Have you ever stood in line waiting to get onto the first hole of a miniature golf course with warm ice cream melting down your knuckles and your kid yanking on the back of your shorts complaining that she's hot and bored, all the while asking “why are we just staaaanding??”

Because, kid, Dad chose to bring the family to Cape Cod in the middle of the summer. Not only that, but he decided it was good idea to hit Route 28 on the commercial side of Cape Cod—and on a Saturday?? Jeez...nice going Dad. But hey, Route 28 is undeniably fun for a kid, and the summer is school vacation time. So Dad, you get a get-out-of-jail-free card for your errors. But an hour and a half from now, when you've made it through the 18 holes of sticky golf clubs, sore ankles and whining children, look deep into the eyes of the jolly, smiling whale on the final hole. He's not laughing at you. No. It just seems like he is because right now you feel like the entire world is against you. Look again. He's trying to help you. He's your friend. Listen to the whale carefully...

And then it dawns on you. The whale wants you to come back to Cape Cod AFTER Labor Day weekend--and although somewhere between the 11th and 12th hole you might have snapped under the pressures of Cape Cod's high season and found yourself sharing secrets with an inanimate, grinning object, you've just had a moment of clarity. You compose yourself, hand in your clubs, get the family in the car and add another chassis to the bumper-to-bumper traffic. Back at your hotel the kids decide to hit the over-populated fenced in pool, so you grab a warm soda from the humming vending machine and take a tip from your pal the whale. You Google "cape cod fall events" and a transformation occurs (no, not within you, that happened around the 12th hole, remember?).

Cape Cod suddenly seems different.

Gone are the crowds and the long lines of summer. You read about harvest festivals, ghost tours, outdoor art shows and intimate autumn craft fairs. Suddenly Cape Cod is less of a touristy, beach destination, and more like the place that Norman Rockwell kept in his mind's eye. The destination where the crimson and golds of the rustling trees are celebrated, and the intermittent silences are only broken by a seagull's distant cry.

Experiencing the magic of the shoulder season is only properly done by getting away from the cheap hotels and the Route 28 parking lot (yes, there is still plenty of traffic on the south side even as the season's shadows grow longer). If you want to experience New England in all of its autumn charm, check yourself in to one of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay. Then keep checking that calendar of events you found on line. There are dozens of upcoming late September and early October happenings. Below is a short list of our favorites. All of the events listed are minutes from the inn of your choice in Cape Cod's historic district. Feel free to ask your innkeeper for more information on any of the following.

Let the bliss begin...

September 25: Green Briar Nature Center Family Jam Making Workshops in East Sandwich, 1pm-3pm.

Sept 24-26: 2010 CLASH (Cape Land & Sea Harvest). THE fall festival on Cape Cod which is annual Cape-wide event celebrating the rich heritage and abundance of local foods. Tours, tastings and hands-on events Friday & Saturday. Saturday evening are the “ScoopApalooza” ice cream socials. Sunday is the season finale farmers’ market and farm to table event. See a complete schedule.

Sept 26: Slow Food Cape Cod “Farm to Table Dinner”. Spend an afternoon at Falmouth's Coonamessett Farm and enjoy a sampling of freshly shucked oysters, listen to live jazz music, take in a farm tour and sit down to an elegant five course community meal featuring recipes from the book “Edible, A Celebration of Local Foods”. Co-founders of Edible Communities Publications Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian will be in attendance. Tickets are almost gone, so act now!

Oct 1-3: The 3rd Annual Fall for the Arts Festival in towns across Cape Cod. Fall for the Arts is a regional, free, family-friendly festival that showcases local art and culture.

Oct 8-10: By the Bay Fine Art & Craft Show, Brewster, 10am-4pm

Oct 9-10: The 2010 Sea Glass Festival held by the North American Sea Glass Association, Hyannis, Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm.

Almost daily through November: Barnstable Village's Haunted History Tour. Walk the historic and haunted Old Kings Highway. There are over ten stops on the tour and eight have ghost stories including Cobb’s Hill Cemetery, the 1690 “Old Jail” and Cape Cod’s most haunted building, “The House of Eleven Ghosts”. 7pm

Cape Cod Rail Trail and Other Cape Cod Attractions

2010-09-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

The beauty of Cape Cod can be seen in many ways. The spectacular beaches, such as the National Seashore is a wonderful way to soak up local color and keep cool on these very hot summer days, another way is the Cape Cod Rail Trail.

The Cape Cod Rail Trail is 22 miles long and travels through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. As you ride on the trail there are many opportunities to leave the trail to relax with a bite to eat, stopping at the National Seashore or visiting the Salt Pond Visitors Center. The Salt Pond Visitors Center features displays of the whaling and salt works industries and exhibits of early Cape artifacts such as scrimshaw.

Other side trips might include the Old Colony Rail Trail in Chatham, the Harwich Historical Society or Nickerson State Park.

The history of the rail trail is that it follows a former railroad established in 1848 by the Old Colony Railroad. The railroad tracks connect Boston to Sandwich and as additional tracks were laid, it connected Boston to Provincetown. The railroad increased the popularity of the Cape as a tourist destination and transported visitors from New York, Connecticut and also parts of Massachusetts. The railroad lost its importance with the introduction of automobiles and the construction of the bridges connecting the Cape to the main land.

Visit one of our Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay when enjoying the Rail Trail and other Cape Cod Attractions!

Cape Cod Whale Watching

2010-08-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

"A Whale Tale"

Anyone who loves the environment and wildlife is in for a real treat when they visit Cape Cod Bay, which is home to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. This area of Cape Cod Bay was designated a marine sanctuary in 1972, and it is where whales and their calves feed on the abundance of sand lice, which are also known as sand eels. While feeding, some whales can be seen by watchers "breaching", which is when they lift themselves almost fully out of the water. It is an awe-inspiring sight, and one that any visitor to the area should not miss.

The most commonly seen whale species in Stellwagen Bank are Humpback, Fin, Minkie, Pilot and Northern Right, but you may also be treated to sightings of dolphins or porpoises. The Northern Right whale is, sadly, on the endangered species list, with a current population of only 350 compared to thousands in prior centuries. This staggering decline was due to commercial whaling in the 18th & 19th centuries, but thankfully these days the emphasis has moved from whale-hunting to whale-watching.

Mid-Cape is home to Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises, which departs for Stellwagen Bank twice a day (in the season) from Barnstable Harbor. Take a few hours out to enjoy the exhilarating experience of seeing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, it will be a day to remember forever. Barnstable Harbor is very easily accessed from any of the wonderful inns which together form the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay. Stay at one of these inns, and enjoy a Whale-Watching trip as a very special part of your Cape Cod vacation. And if you take an afternoon Whale-Watch trip, what better way to end your day than to have dinner at the Mattakeese Wharf Restaurant, which overlooks Barnstable Harbor, and is right next to where the Whale-Watch boat docks. Try to be there to see the sunset - the views over the harbor are spectacular, and you'll take away even more wonderful Cape Cod memories.

Cape Cod is also home to the global headquarters of IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, who work tirelessly to improve the welfare of all wild and domestic animals. But the relevance for Cape Cod is that they are deeply involved in innovative marine mammal research and education, which is conducted from their high-tech ship the "Song of the Whale".

You can learn more about whales and the efforts to protect them at http://www.whales.org or http://www.whalecenter.org.

Scargo Lake: Mysterious Beginnings and Hidden Gems

2010-07-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

Scargo Lake, located off of Route 6A in Dennis, was most likely formed millions of years ago by glacial movements, there are stories that suggest otherwise. According to folklore, tribesmen carved a lake out of the earth, using clamshells, at the request of the leader whose goal was the happiness of his daughter, Princess Scargo. However Scargo Lake came about, it now brims with summer activities, many of which may not be known to Cape tourists.

At the top of Scargo hill sits Scargo Tower, built in 1874 as a tourist observatory. Originally made of wood, the tower was destroyed twice before it was rebuilt to its present cobblestone structure. At 30 feet high, the tower offers spectacular views, not only of Scargo Lake but also of the ocean stretching as far away as Provincetown and Plymouth. If you are fortunate enough to travel to the Cape during the other three seasons, Scargo Tower is a must-visit destination to experience the dramatic changes in the coastal landscape.

Scargo Pottery, located at the base of Scargo hill, opened in 1952 by founding artist, Harry Holl. Now run by Holl’s four daughters, Scargo Pottery employs talented sculptors and ceramicists who bring life to the ancient art forms. The studio and gallery are open for the public to explore works of art ranging from functional items such as dinnerware to pieces for your garden to fantastical freestanding vessels.

The final hidden gem of Scargo Lake is Eden Hand Arts. The originator of the Dennis bracelet, now widely known as the Cape Cod Bracelet, Eden’s is a thriving jewelry shop. Eager customers wait outside in line for hours, sometimes rain and snow, for a chance at a beautiful piece of their own. Eve and John Carey opened the shop in 1968 after retiring from jobs as art teachers. After one of John’s bracelets appeared on the television show Felicity in 2000, craziness ensued. The bracelets continue to be the rage among Cape Cod natives and tourists alike, but don’t be fooled by the multitude of shops selling Cape Cod bracelets. If you are looking for the real deal, stop by Eden Hand Arts on 6A in Dennis where you are ensured to get a piece of jewelry that is crafted specifically for your own unique wrist.

You can visit any of these attractions while staying at one of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay.

Cape Cod Baseball League - Play Ball!!!!

2010-07-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

By the time you read this posting, you will know the out come of the Major League Baseball’s 2010 All-Star game in Anaheim, CA. Did the National League finally break their 13-year losing streak? Did the American League continue its dominance of this annual tradition? The All-Star game marks the halfway point for the MLB season with lots more games to see in the hometowns of the MLB teams before the next World Series is decided.

You do not have to go to an MLB city to see a great baseball game or miss your baseball fix while you are on vacation on Cape Cod. Cape Cod is home to one of the premier amateur baseball leagues in the nation, the Cape Cod Baseball League, CCBL. Since its formation in 1885, the CCBL has been a stop for thousands of future major league players. Last year, 217 CCBL alumni were playing in the majors or one in seven of the current MLB players spent time honing their skills on Cape Cod.

The Cape League is recognized as one of the best summer leagues in the country by college coaches and professional baseball scouts. College players from all college divisions are recruited to play in the ten-team league. College coaches want their players to have the experience of the team format and the opportunity to test their skills against players from different college divisions. Players can see how good they are at a level or two above where they play their college games. In 1985, the Cape League became the first collegiate summer league (one of only two) to return to wood bats from the aluminum bats. Professional ball is played with wood bats and the Cape League is one of the few places the scouts can see how a player can hit under the same conditions as in the majors.

For visitors to Cape Cod, seeing a game is never a problem. Teams are located in Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Cotuit, Falmouth, Harwich, Hyannis, Orleans, Wareham, and Yarmouth-Dennis. Between the start of the season this year on June 13 and the end of the regular season on August 4, 2010, three to five games are scheduled each day/night of the week. The playoffs start August 6 and run through August 14 if necessary.

See complete 2010 schedule and direction to the ten team’s fields at www.capecodbaseball.org.

The Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay have Inn members near all of these unique baseball venues. Ask your innkeepers about their favorite teams? Ask which of the team’s past players are now on the national scene that they may have meet when they were just dreaming of the big leagues here on Cape Cod. Let your Innkeeper help you get to their nearby field to experience the highest level of amateur baseball in a unique Cape Cod setting.

You may get the chance to watch a future Cy Young winner in action, see the ball go out of the park off the bat of the that future All-Star game Home Run Derby title holder or see the 2015 World Series MVP run the bases or make that double play throw. Also for the real die-hard baseball fans more information and memorabilia can be found at the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame exhibit at the JFK Museum located in downtown Hyannis.

The Cape Cod Baseball League is celebrating its 126th season and continues to provide fans with competitive baseball entertainment, where the country’s top college players display multi-dimensional skills in their purest form. The CCBL motto is:

"Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight”

This posting by the 1750 Inn at Sandwich Center.   Stay tuned for the next posting by the Beechwood Inn.

It’s Officially Summer… The Melody Tent is Open

2010-06-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

Cape Cod has many well-known landmarks. The Sagamore and Bourne Bridges herald the entrances to the Cape, the Monomoy Lighthouse in Chatham marks the “elbow”, and of course, the big blue tent of the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis signifies that summer is in season. Located on west Main Street in Hyannis, the Melody Tent is just minutes from any of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay.

    Attending a concert or event at the Melody Tent is a quintessential Cape Cod experience. The Melody Tent and its sister venue, the South Shore Music Circus, are the only two working theaters-in-the-round in the United States. The Cape Cod venue is intimate and the stage rotates during performances to give every audience member a great view.

    The Melody Tent has entertainment for everyone. Some musical artists scheduled for this summer include popular musicians like Bret Michaels, Hanson, and Adam Lambert, and classics such as Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, The Beach Boys, and Tony Bennett. Chelsea Handler and Jim Gaffigan are two of many comedians featured. Other entertainment events are held at the Melody Tent as well, like the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats, World Wrestling Entertainment's World Tour, and of course, this year's 30th Annual Cape Cod Chowder Fest. For families, there are a number of kid's shows presented by Kaleidoscope Children's Theatre.

    If you are interested in this don't-miss summer opportunity, you can buy tickets in person at the Box Office, or you can purchase them online or over-the-phone through Ticketmaster. The Box Office opens for the season on Memorial Day weekend. The Melody Tent offers free parking for every concert. Gates open for parking two hours before the show and space is limited, so get there early to get a spot. But don't forget: vehicles will be ushered in all around you, so once your car is parked, it's there until the end of the show.

Burgers, popcorn, pizza, cotton candy, and chips are just a few of the food options available at concessions. If you're thirsty, you can purchase soda, juice, coffee, beer, or wine.

After the show, complete your evening by getting dinner or drinks at one of many nearby Hyannis restaurants and bars. The Paddock, a classic Cape Cod restaurant, is located right behind the Melody Tent. The Roadhouse Cafe, a top pick by the Phantom Gourmet, is a short drive around the corner. And of course you can find many more excellent bars and restaurants on Main Street in Hyannis, a five minute drive from the Melody Tent.

Whether it’s Willie Nelson, Tony Bennett or The B-52s, an evening at the Melody Tent will be a memorable part of your Cape Cod Visit

Cape Cod Walking Trails

2010-05-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

Cape Cod is famous for many things: its quaint inns, fabulous seafood restaurants, bounty of antique shops, gorgeous white-sandy beaches, charming storefronts, pristine golf courses, and of course, we can’t forget to mention, the biking and walking trails.

Simply put, one of the best ways to see Cape Cod is on foot. There are more than 100 public walking trails throughout the 15 towns on Cape Cod, each with something different to offer. Some are seaside, others carve out state parks and conservation land, and a few even run through beautiful gardens and museum grounds. Most are free, but some do require a small fee so be sure to take that into account when you plan out your trail.

Located on lower Cape Cod, one of the most accessible to the Old Manse Inn, is Nickerson State Park off of Route 6A. Sights include almost 2,000 acres of paved and dirt trails through woods and along eight freshwater kettle ponds. While you are there, you can go swimming, fish or even have a picnic. There is also a motor boat and canoe launch for maritime excursions.

Make your lodging arrangements at one of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay, to ensure you will have a lovely place to rest and relax after your walk.

Regardless of which town you live in or are planning on travelling to, each has its own set of trails that have something unique and special to offer. So what are you waiting for? Cape Cod awaits you.

BOURNE TRAILS
Bournedale Hills Trail
Four Ponds Conservation Area
Monks Park
Nickerson Conservation Area
Bourne Sisters Woodland
Little Bay Park
Red Brook Pond Conservation Area
DeNormandie Woods Conservation Area
Broyer and Robinson Conservation Area
Robinson Conservation Area
Dimmick Waterfront
John E. Handy Conservation Area
Lawrence Island beaches

SANDWICH TRAILS
Scusset Beach State Reservation
Sandwich Boardwalk and Town Neck Beach
Briar Patch Conservation Lands
Murkwood Conservation Area
Talbot's Point Conservation Lands
Maple Swamp Conservation Area
Boyden Farm
Ryder Conservation Land
Shawme-Crowell State Forest

FALMOUTH TRAILS
Ashumet Holly and Wildlife Sanctuary
Goodwill Park
Beebe Woods
Washburn Island
Salt Pond Area Reservation
Sea Farms Marsh
Bourne Farm
The Knob

MASHPEE TRAILS
South Cape Beach State Park
Lowell Holly Reservation
John's Pond Conservation Area
Mashpee River Woodlands
Jehu Pond Conservation Area
Quashnet River Corridor
Besse Bog Conservation Area

BARNSTABLE TRAILS
Meetinghouse Farm
Sandy Neck Recreation Area
Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
Long Pond Conservation Area
Crocker Neck Conservation Area
Hathaway's Pond
Otis Atwood Conservation Area
West Barnstable Conservation Area
Bridge Creek Watershed
Whelan Property
Old Jail Lane Conservation Area

YARMOUTH TRAILS
Callery-Darling Conservation Area
Dennis Pond Conservation Area
Horse Pond Conservation Area
Raymond J. Syrjala Conservation Area
Sandy Pond Recreation Area
Historical Society of Old Yarmouth Nature Trail

DENNIS TRAILS
Indian Lands Conservation Area
Fresh Pond Conservation Area
Quivet Neck and Crowe's Pasture Conservation Area
Romig-Jacquinet and Simkins Neck (Blueberry Patch) Conservation Areas
John Kelly Recreation Area

BREWSTER TRAILS
Punkhorn Parklands
Seymour Pond Trail
Boot Swamp Trail
Calf Field Pond
Eagle Point
John Wing Trail
Spruce Hill Conservation Area
Nickerson State Park

HARWICH TRAILS
William and Barbara Lang Hacker Wildlife Sanctuary and Island Pond Conservation Lands
Janet DeFulvio Wildlife Sanctuary Boardwalk
Coy's Brook Woodlands
Bluebird trail at Bank Street Bogs Sanctuary
Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands
Bell's Neck Conservation Lands
Hawksnest State Conservation Lands
Thompson's Field

CHATHAM TRAILS
Former Old Colony Railroad Right-of-Way
South Beach
Morris Island Trail
Strong Island
Frost Fish Creek Trail
Barclay Ponds Trail
Cedar Swamp
George Ryder Road, South Trail

ORLEANS TRAILS
Paw Wah Point Conservation Area
Bakers Pond Conservation Area

EASTHAM TRAILS
Lamont Smith South Eastham Conservation Area
Cotton Acres Conservation Area

WELLFLEET TRAILS
Massachusetts Audubon Society Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Fox Island Marsh and Pilgrim Spring Woodlands Conservation Area
Box Turtle Woods Conservation Area
Bayberry Hill Conservation Area

TRURO TRAILS
Railroad Dike-Corn Hill to Pamet Harbor

PROVINCETOWN TRAILS
Corn Hill to Pamet Harbor Railroad Right of Way
Whistle Path Woods
Foss Woods
Clapps Pond
Hatches Harbor Trail
Shank Painter Overview
Nicky's Park

CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE TRAILS
Fort Hill Trail (Eastham)
Red Maple Swamp Trail (Eastham)
Buttonbush Trail (Eastham)
Doane Loop Trail (Eastham)
Nauset Marsh Trail (Eastham)
Atlantic White Cedar Swamp (Wellfleet)
Great Island Trail (Wellfleet)
Pamet Area Trails- Bearberry Hill Overlook (Truro)
Small Swamp Trail (Truro)
Pilgrim Spring Trail (Truro)
Beech Forest Trail (Provincetown)

To access maps of trails and driving directions to each visit www.capecodcommission.org/pathways. To decide which trail best fits what you would like to see visit www.capecodtravel.com/attractions/walkingbiking/walking.shtml

Cape Cod Attractions - Heritage Museums and Gardens

2010-05-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

Ah, Spring on Cape Cod!! The daffodils along the roadways are in bloom as are the trees providing splashes of color across the blue sky. And there is no better place to enjoy the Spring bloom on Cape Cod than a visit to The Heritage Museums and Gardens, located in Sandwich, MA. The Heritage consists of 76 acres of meticulously groomed gardens with several miles of paved walkways and trails.

The Heritage Museums and Gardens is probably most widely known for its collection of Dexter rhododendrons. Charles Owen Dexter was a very successful textile manufacturer in New Bedford who, in 1921, at the age of 59, was told that he did not have long to live. To live out his remaining days, he purchased the old Shawme farm. Despite the warning of his doctors, Dexter lived for an additional 22 years and during this time, worked with the noted landscape architect, Paul Frost of Cambridge, to transform the farm and surrounding woodlands into a magnificent country estate. Dexter took a personal interest in rhododendrons and starting with a Chinese species, Rhododendron fortunei, produced over 145 distinct hybrids noted for hardiness, size, color and fragrance . Today, the Heritage Museums and Gardens maintains thousands of rhododendron shrubs representing over 125 of these species. Since these scrubs bloom from mid May to mid June, it is not too late to book a stay at any of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay and visit the Heritage to view this amazing sight.

While the rhododendron gardens are spectacular, The Heritage Museums and Gardens also maintain various collections that bloom throughout the Spring, Summer and Fal l with over 1,200 varieties of daylilies, 136 varieties of hosta and 62 varieties of heaths and heathers and a collection of specimen trees including European Beech, Fringe Tree, Chinese Witch Hazel, Weeping Spruce, Blue Atlas cedar, Silk Tree and Japanese Stewartia Tree.

In 1969, Josiah K. Lilly III, Great Grandson of Eli Lilly, purchased the estate and established the Heritage Plantation (later renamed The Heritage Museums and Gardens). JK Lilly was a noted philanthropist and first executive director of the Lilly Endowment, was a long time Cape Cod resident and through his own personal donations, was a benefactor of Falmouth Hospital, the JML Care Center, Falmouth Academy and the Cape Cod Conservatory of Music and Arts.

In addition to maintaining and enhancing the Gardens on the estate, JK Lilly also established several museums to house various Lilly Family Collections including an American History Museum, Art Museum and perhaps most famously, the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Museum . This museum, housed in a replica Shaker Round Barn, contains over 30 automobiles including several of historic significance including a 1909 White Motor Company Steam Car Model M which was one of the first official cars of the White House, owned by President William Taft) and a 1930 Duesenberg formerly owned by actor Gary Cooper. Other not to be missed exhibits are the working 100 year old hand-carved Charles Looff carousel and the 210 year old windmill.

The Heritage Museums and Gardens, located in Sandwich, MA is open from April 1 through October 31 and is an easy drive from any of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay (4).

This week's post by the 1830 Quince Tree House. Stay tuned for next week's post by Old Manse Inn.

Going Once, Twice, Sold! Cape Cape Auctions

2010-04-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

“We have a beautiful walking stick from our estate collection, scrimshaw and wood from the 19th century.”, the auctioneer describes. “Do I hear $1500.? Anywhere, $1500.? $1000.00 then anywhere, $1000.- Okay, $1250,-$1,500, you say? $1,500., $1,750.? Anywhere? $1750. Okay, do I hear $2000., $2,000., you say, $2500., $3,000., $3,500., $4,000., $4,500., $5,000., $5500., $6,000., $6500., $6500., $7,000., $7,000. $7,500.? Going once, going twice, sold (the gavel pounds down finalizing the bid) for $7,000. to number 563!” The excitement mounts with each increment in the bidding. If you find Antique Road Show or series like the BBC Bargain Hunters and Cash in the Attic you are sure to enjoy auctions on Cape Cod. 6A or Old King’s Highway is in close proximity to two, Eldred’s Auctions on 6A in Dennis and Sandwich Auction House on Tupper Rd. in Sandwich.

Each auction has its own drama, excitement and yes, disappointment. Knowing when to fold or keep going is an art. The idea is to bid on an item and get it at a price that will hold up. Auctions have themes, Maritime, Americana, dolls, Antique Tools and so on. Some items bought at local auctions re re-auctioned at off cape houses and bring in hundreds or thousands more. Other items show up at antique shops or collectible stores for double or triple the price.

Unique one of a kind items, furniture, signs and works of art, items one would not think of purchasing are paraded one after the other, 19th century Chinese vases and serving dishes, 19th century trunks, early 20th century ship’s models, a New Bedford Schooner log book, one could go on and on. Auctions are scheduled year round at specific times, mostly on weekends but also during the week. Stay at one of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay on Friday night, view the auction items on Friday evening or Saturday afternoon, and attend the auction on Saturday morning or Saturday night, home on Sunday with a bargain. That’s a satisfying weekend off season or in season on Cape Cod.

This week's post by the Maple Street Inn. Stay tuned for next week's post by the Quince Tree Inn.

Ten Reasons to Choose a Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast

2010-04-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Myths abound regarding B&Bs, some so persistent that they compel travelers to steer clear and always choose a hotel. And while the main reason people fail to choose a B&B instead of a hotel is because they just don’t think of it, we know that some people have “reservations” regarding the value of such a stay. Here, therefore, is a list of the top ten reasons why you should choose a B&B from the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay the next time you visit Cape Cod.

#10 Private Bathrooms - Contrary to what many people believe, more than 90% of all B&Bs have private baths, many featuring whirlpool tubs and other luxurious amenities. You’ll find private baths in 100% of Classic Inns’ B&Bs.

#9 Comfortable Beds – You’ll find the very best mattresses and bed linens in our B&Bs. We pride ourselves on the quality of sleep our guests enjoy when they stay with us, leaving them rested and refreshed so that they can enjoy all that Cape Cod has to offer.

#8 Peace and Quiet – Just what you need to help you relax! Our B&Bs will give you a well-deserved respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

#7 Off Street Parking at No Charge - Unlike hotels, B&Bs provide plenty of parking at no extra cost to you.

#6 Wireless Internet Connection at No Charge – A B&B won’t charge you for using its WiFi system to connect to the internet, and most offer a computer for guest use at no charge, too.

#5 Complimentary Beverages and Snacks – At no charge to you, B&Bs offer 24/7 coffee and tea service as well as bottled water. Most have snacks available, too.

#4 Great Atmosphere – You’ll find truly interesting architecture at all of Classic Inns’ B&Bs. Many are historic homes with novel features and wonderful surprises. You’ll feel right at home in the welcoming décor of a B&B that makes you want to sit down and stay forever.

#3 Location, Location, Location – Just a few minutes’ walk or a very short drive from our B&’s will find you at the beach. Many B&Bs are within walking distance of restaurants, too, as well as other places of interest such as museums, art galleries, antique shops and historic places.

#2 Friendly Innkeepers Who Offer Excellent Service – You’ll be greeted at the door with a smile at a B&B, and that’s just the beginning of service that is unsurpassed. The innkeepers will cheerfully answer your questions, make suggestions, offer directions, make reservations and provide you with all the information you need to make your stay on Cape Cod memorable.

And the #1 reason to choose a Bed & Breakfast from the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay for your visit to Cape Cod is – Fabulous Breakfasts! Every morning you’ll enjoy a breakfast experience that will put a smile on your face and start your day beautifully. From fresh fruit to homemade baked goods to hot entrees, each breakfast is designed to help you make the most of your Cape Cod vacation.

So as you’re planning your visit to Cape Cod, be sure to make a selection from Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay the focal point of your trip. You’ll be so glad you did!

This week's blog post by Isaiah Jones Homestead Bed & Breakfast. Stay tuned for next week's post by the Acworth Inn.

Historic Cape Cod Bay and the Cape Cod Canal…Relish the History

2010-04-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Cape Cod! The first sight everyone who “enters” the Cape is the Cape Cod Canal. It’s a beautiful sunny day and as we walk on the Canal smelling the sea salt, gazing at the passing craft the simple pleasure of taking time is actually exhilarating for this innkeeper. Take the time to take in the sights and history of Cape Cod Canal while visiting Cape Cod. Check out the live cam!

History
The historical significance of the canal to connect Cape Cod Bay with Buzzards Bay to save the expense and danger of rounding the Cape was the impetus of this mammoth project. As early as 1623 the idea was considered to connect the trade route from east to west. After many unsuccessful surveys 1791, 1803, 1818, 1824-1830 and 1860 none came to fruition. Finally in 1909 construction began under the direction of the Boston, Cape Cod and New York Canal Company. It was officially completed in 1916. Presently maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers the canal stretches some seven miles with width of 540 feet and current depth of approximately 35 feet.

Cape Cod Visitor Center
Some things in life are free and this has to be one of the best! The center introduces visitors to the history, features and operation of the canal. A 46 seat theater showing continuous presentations of the history as well as real time radar and maritime control. The center is open from May through October and admission is FREE.

Take in a Picnic/Bike Trail/Joggers Paradise/Dog Walkers Heaven
Just a step away from the Visitor center is a grassy knoll perfect to place ones beach chair to share the canal activity while sipping your favorite beverage and picnic snacks! Both sides of the canal feature a wide service road with minimal grades it is ideal for beginner to casual cyclists. In addition the road provides access for fishing, in line skating or just to walk. There are parking lots on either end and many places to rest along the way.

This week's post by The Belfry Inne. Stay tuned for next week's post by Isaiah Jones Homestead.

Cape Cod Bay - The Only Place to Stay

2010-03-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

When you are planning your trip to Cape Cod this year, whether this is your first or twentieth visit, why not consider making your base camp somwhere along the Bay, in one of the outstanding bed and breakfast inns located on the northern historic side of Cape Cod? We, and many innkeepers like us, can give you an insight into why most of us chose to change our lifestyles and come to this wonderful part of the world. You truly do get the best of everything, and as there are so many attributes we can't possibly mention them all. But here are just some of the reasons why we all live around and love Cape Cod Bay:

1. Getting around between Sandwich on the western side of Cape Cod, and Brewster towards the eastern end of route 6A, is an absolute joy, whatever the time of year. Route 6A, also known as The Old King's Highway is designated one of the USA's top 10 most beautiful byways, and we can see why. As spring approaches and the buds start to appear on the many trees lining the route, you really do feel blessed to be able to witness this particularly wonderful time of year in such a spectacular setting.

2. Dining in one of the many varied restaurants easily accessed from Route 6A is always a highlight of any stay in the area. Here are some of our favorite eateries, working from east to west along the Old King's Highway: The Belfry Bistro in Sandwich, where you will find yourself in fabulous, religious surroundings eating the most devilishly good food; the Mattakeese Wharf Restaurant in Barnstable where you dine on fresh, deliciously prepared fish and seafood, overlooking Barnstable Harbor, watching the fishermen's catch of the day arrive or just enjoying another wonderful Cape Cod sunset; the Old Yarmouth Inn in Yarmouth Port, which is Cape Cod's oldest inn (1696), and where you are guaranteed a top quality meal with a wine list to match; the Blue Moon Bistro in Dennis Village which has a lovely intimate atmosphere and offers very interesting and tasty menus, personally created by the chef/owner Peter Hyde; also in Dennis you will find the Sesuit Harbor Cafe, which is located right on the inlet and where you can enjoy freshly prepared, casual meals, al fresco, watching the comings and goings of private boats and local fishermen. A dream on a hot summer's day! Then in Brewster, one of our favorites is Chillingsworth Bistro where you sit in the "Greenhouse" and enjoy a bistro atmosphere and French-influenced tasty cuisine.

3. The many beaches that line Cape Cod Bay are stunning, and offer a much calmer and serene outlook (on most days) than the open ocean. We often find a rock to perch upon, and then just lose ourselves in the wonderful views of marshland, nature and the bay itself.

4. Route 6A is an absolute mecca for shoppers, antique hunters, art lovers and coffee drinkers! You could spend days on end just traveling along this highway, stopping every few miles to explore another "gem" of a store or cafe, or noticing a book or yard sale along the way which catches your eye. If you are really into antiques, check out the Cape Cod Antique Dealers Association website where you will find lots of links to the various dealers and auction houses.

5. Nature trails abound along Cape Cod Bay, and it would take years to explore every one. We love to just wander where the mood takes us, and see where we end up, which is usually somewhere by the water with a lovely view of the Bay.

So, to sum up, no matter what brings you to Cape Cod, you are going to be totally sold on Cape Cod Bay, and the joys of getting around on the wonderful, historic, Old King's Highway.

This week's post by the Inn at Cape Cod. Stay tuned for next week's post by the Belfry Inne and Bistro.

Cape Cod Treasure Hunting

2010-03-18T14:12:00.000-07:00

Many of our Inns will blog about the best things to see and do on Cape Cod: Art galleries, antiquing, restaurants, beaches, and of course, whale watching. But pay close attention to the much smaller festivals and “out of the way” places and events that will ultimately be sprinkled throughout these blogs. When sitting at the breakfast table at your inn, peruse the local newspaper. Don't just hop in your car and search out “the basics”. Any good pirate will tell you, the majority of treasures require a little digging.

Shopping for Valentine's Day this winter at the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association annual weekend proves the point. I'm serious here. I'll preempt this revelation by saying that, like all of my fellow innkeepers of the Classic Inns of Historic Cape Cod Bay, I can easily guide visitors to the best lobster joints--that's easy (although our favorite spots all differ!). But when it comes to Cape Cod's beloved darling--the luscious lobster-- I find theses creatures, shall we say...horrific. Nobody can deny that their meat is incredibly scrumptious—but let's face it, the only real difference between a lobster and a tarantula is a good set of lungs (I am not crazy here. I know there are people reading this nodding their heads). So when Laurie Caron, the co-owner of Salty Lou's Lobsters announced to a group of us that the Cape Cod Lobstermen's Association was open to the public, “a lot of fun”, and something to see regardless if you were a lobster lover, we were curious (and at least one of us, a tad fearful).

The Lobstermen's Association weekend ended up to be a complete surprise. It was open to the public, and free of charge, as promised, so we let our curiosity take over and began perusing. Giant, shiny motor engines, stacks of lobster traps, and enough rope of every color, length and width to circle North America, twice, were interspersed throughout the enormous room. But among the lobster and fishing paraphernalia were booths filled with crafts more unique than we had seen at any of the countless Cape Cod craft fairs we'd attended in recent memory. Local artisans, as well as others from points northeast, proudly boasted their homemade wares. Crystal statuettes glistened under the fluorescent lights, nautically-themed dolls welcomed browsers, massive drift-wood furniture boasted carved intricacies as if created by the finest Italian sculptor, and delicate, polished beach stone jewelery stone danced on fishing lines.

Noting the quality of the crafts, I asking a rugged, heavily bearded lobsterman how they managed to collect such an incredible group of local artisans. He rolled his eyes in what was definitely a look of defeat, “The wives needed something to do for the 4-day weekend”, he says flatly, “So either they spend their days shopping or selling” (clearly this man is here to work and not to shop for turquoise turtle paper weights). Eventually we leave with a bit more knowledge of what lobstermen do, but more importantly, with treasures in hand—satisfied with the outcome of this completely different afternoon.

So why are you reading about a winter Lobstermen's Association weekend as we're dangling on the edge of the season where the Cape gets on it's Sunday best and readies itself for another dazzling summer? (Incidentally you almost read about the Barnstable High School Drama Club productions as well. Last year's Wizard of Oz was so over-the-top that Warner Brothers shot an extensive on-line “makin of” series called Against All Oz--take that, Broadway). It's to arm all you good pirates to bring your best treasure diggers this season. Watch out for those hidden gems while you're here. They're always going on, especially in the high season. Pick up that newspaper, and grill your innkeeper. Even a group of salty dogs getting together to check out the latest way to lasso an underwater tarantula can prove that Cape Cod holds many hidden surprises-- if you're digging inn the right places. Yo ho!

This week's post by the Lamb and Lion Inn. Stay tuned for next week's post by the Inn at Cape Cod.