Cape Cod – Unlimited Family Fun!
Written: Aug 08 '04 (Updated Aug 14 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cape Cod is the PERFECT spot for a family vacation!
Cons: Can be expensive!
The Bottom Line: You can't go wrong choosing Cap Cod for your family vacation. Pack warm clothes nights are cool.
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| sgentile's Full Review: Cape Cod |
Who says there is not much to do for families with young kids at the Cape? I say that is simply untrue! All you have to do is pick up the little free brochures that are available every restaurant and many stores you visit, my favorite is Kids On the Cape www.kidsonthecape.com , or do a little research online before you go. Here is a link to the Cape Cod Recreation-Kid Corner site http://www.capecodrec.com/kids/ (you can even get a very detailed list of all the playgrounds in Cape Cod!). Go here for current events and activities that will be going on during the time you plan to visit Cape Cod here http://www.capecodinfo.com/events/ . While you are at it, check the local paper, The Cape Cod Times http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/
I have already reviewed the Cape Cod Children’s museum http://www.epinions.com/content_150012857988 , and the Pirate Adventures on the Sea Gypsy http://www.epinions.com/content_150854274692 and plan on posting reviews on the Cape Cod Central Railroad and possibly a few others. Since I like to include a lot of detail in my reviews I chose to separate those from this overview. In this review I will only briefly touch upon a few activities and places we went to and liked. I have also describe the things that caught my eye that I plan to get to during our next visit; give you more options to explore before you get there (there is only so much you can do in 9 days).
One word to the vacation planner in your house: You do not have to have hotel reservations before you get there. Every time I am there the number of vacancies I see in every town amazes me. Of course if you want to be sure to be on the water, or in a finer hotel, you probably do want to reserve ahead of time. It is also worthwhile to explore the option of renting a cottage or time-share there. Renting saves you money because you can cook many of your own meals and do laundry there. You can explore your options by putting & Cape Cod rental in your search engine or looking online at the local papers. Oh and bring your own coloring books, workbooks and crayons; the wait for a table and then your food is more easily passed when your kids have something to do.
Onward to the fun!
** Go-Kart Cartwheels, 11 South Gages Way, South Dennis. 508-394-6755. The price is $5 per ride (no extra charge for passengers in your two-seated Go-Cart) for 10 minutes. This is a FUN activity even for those not big or old enough to drive. The line moves quickly enough, and 10 minutes DOES feel like a long drive. There is another Go place in Harwich, but this is the one we go back to year after year (we have not tried the other one).
** Jump On Us! Trampoline Fun House, 260 Route 28, W. Yarmouth. 508-775-3304
There is another trampoline place that shares a Seafood Sam's parking lot, I do not remember which town). This trampoline place is COVERED (so even if it rains you can play!). It is $5 for 10 minutes (in 2004). Don't let the line scare you. They have several cars and almost every time I have been there, we have only had to wait one race's duration before getting a turn.
** The Wellfleet Drive-In & FLEA MARKET. http://www.wellfleetdrivein.com/ This place is a blast from the past! If you have an overcast day I highly recommend coming to the flea market! It has the most vendors on the weekend days. There is a little playground for your kids (you will just have to tag-team shop with your partner), and a snack bar and bathroom too. Most items are new but there are a few who display their household discards & treasures for sale too. You can easily spend an hour or two here! It costs only $3 per car to get in on Sunday, less on the other days. Check the website for pictures and additional information.
** Festivals, Night life. Just be sure to get a local paper when you arrive, and scan through all the Cape Cod booklets you collect. There was a weekly festival (live musicians, etc) in Harwich when we were there. There are arts & crafts exhibits sprinkled around the Cape. But regardless you can count on each and every town to have a charming "downtown" with sidewalks that you can walk and explore the shops in. My kids loved these walks and they always ended up in either an impressive candy/fudge shop or a homemade ice cream place.
** Christmas Tree Shops Please do not leave Cape Cod without checking out the FAMOUS Christmas Tree shop in Hyannis! Christmas Tree shops are scattered all over the Cape and offer some of the best bargains on ALL kinds of REALLY NICE (quality) stuff! If you have never been, you must! I had trouble getting the exact address of this, but here are the directions I found: Get on route 6. Take Exit 6 and bear right onto Route 132. Christmas Tree Shops is approximately 2 miles on the right, just past the Cape Cod Mall. (before Hyannis Airport rotary). An Idea: I bribed my kids with a quarter for every new food they tried, and started them on the trip with five dollars each. Their money goes along way at the Christmas Tree Shops!
** Favorite Beach: Mayflower Beach, Cape Cod Bay, Beach St. off Route 6A. This is an extremely kid-friendly beach. Low tide reveals the most amazing sand bars. Older kids can use their boogie boards. Younger kids and swim and catch tiny tad pole like fish, and snails too. This beach is surrounded by sand dunes. The ocean does not have big waves since it is on the bay side, and the water is a bit warmer too. Has a great snack bar and clean restrooms. Arrive by 9:30am on weekends or you will not be able to get in. By 10-10:30am during the week. If you can not get in, try again around 2pm when many people leave. There is a cute playground near by too. *** I also thought the beaches in Provincetown were breathtaking!
** My favorite Ice cream spot: Ice Cream Smuggler. 716 MAIN ST – Dennis. It is not far past the Dennis Market on route 6A. There are also great candy store/ice cream places in both Chatham & Harwich (I think we hit them all too), where all the shops are.
RESTAURANTS:
- Favorite perfectly (lightly) battered fried fresh seafood Seafood Sams. These places have an extensive kids menu, and everything my family of 6 (grandparents were with us) tried was wonderful, including chowders and onion rings. Portions are large too. There are a few locations and all the locals know them, so just ask for directions or look in the booklets.
- The Hearth n Kettle chain is good food, in a family friendly environment that is reasonably priced. This isn't a favorite restaurant as far as atmosphere or unusual foods, but you WILL enjoy your food, and it is more reasonable than most. You can see the menu here (children’s too). www.hearthnkettle.com
** GREAT playgrounds: We stayed in the Yarmouth Port area. I loved the playground at the corner of Union St. and route 6A. This is a huge grassy area, with lots of equipment for the kids to play on.
Other activities:
You can rent bikes, bike trailers, tagalongs (your bigger small child can ride with you tandem style in a seat and handle bars/pedals she can reach). Strollers and jogging strollers can be rented at most bike rental places too. Paddle boats, canoes and row boats can be rented all over (there is a nice one in Denis that follows a calm little channel). Miniature golf is available in every town and these places are quite spectacular to see.
Attractions we will try Next trip:
**Cape Playhouse Children's Theater, 820 Route 6A Dennis. You will find this theater on the stage of the Cape Playhouse. This place has shows at 9:30am and 11:30 am. Tickets are $7 and $6, and occur on Fridays June 27th until August 22nd, and a few Thursdays too.
** Cape Cod Melody Tent. www.melodytent.org 21 West St, Hyannis. Tickets 800-347-0808. The 2004 shows include: Alice in Wonderland, Rapunzle, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty (Aug. 18), and Snow White (Aug. 25). Performances are on Wednesdays at 11am.
Seal & Whale Watching excursions. There are several to choose from, just browse through the booklets. I heard many good things about these excursions from the families and little kids I met along the way.
** Miniature Golf. As I mentioned there are several impressive places throughout Cape Cod. Pirate's Cove in Yarmouth seemed the most impressive, with a real pirate ship, bumper boats and more!
** Mermaidia. www.mermaidia.com The ad in the Kids on the Cape booklet says: . . .100% interactive, family variety shows. . . audiences uses beautiful handmade puppets, props and costumes to become mermaids, waves, shark triplets, talking fish, seahourses and more, then together creates a rip-roaring sea adventure. Afterwards everybody makes a fantastic Swinging Tail Puppet to take home. Weekdays 4pm at First Parish Brewster in Brewster. July 12th through Aug 20th. Tickets are $8 at the doors. First Parish Brewster on 6A, Brewster. 508-896-5577.
For a detailed account of my favorite activities be sure to read these reviews:
Pirate Adventures On the Sea Gypsy http://www.epinions.com/content_150854274692
Cape Cod Children’s Museum http://www.epinions.com/content_150012857988
I have a few more detailed reviews in the works. I hope you enjoy your Cape Cod family vacation!!!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
sgentile
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Location: New England, United States
Reviews written: 249
Trusted by: 476 members
About Me:
I'm a mother who focuses on safety, fun, & value. I write from experience.
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