A few weeks ago, I did a story on making a Cape Cod bucket list — and it included a number of must- see, don’t-miss things to do when visiting the popular vacation destination.
Since then, I’ve received numerous emails from readers questioning my picks and suggesting their own activities, restaurants and adventures. (Ok, “questioning” and “suggesting” might be putting it too mildly. I’ve learned that people tend to get as steamed as cooked lobsters when they feel their personal favorites have been overlooked.)
Since there’s plenty of summer left — and fall is a fabulous time to visit as well — there’s still time for you to experience many of these Cape favorites from readers.
>>The waters around Cape Cod have been ranked among the world’s top 10 whale-watching destinations by a number of travel sites, and for more than 30 years Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises has provided whale watching eco-tours to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, seasonal home to a variety of whale and dolphin species. Tours, which depart from the company’s dock in Barnstable Harbor go out from mid-April through October. Information: www.whales.net.
>>Whale watching fleets based in Provincetown also tour the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown, which departs from MacMillion Wharf in the center of town, bills itself as “New England’s first whale watch” offers tours from April through October. www.whalewatch.com.
>>The Cape Cod Central Railroad in Hyannis offers scenic shoreline excursions, lunch, brunch and dinner trips and holiday events. Information: www.capetrain.com.
>>The Sundae School has been serving up ice cream treats since its first shop opened in Dennisport in 1976. (There are two additional locations; in East Orleans and Harwich Port.) The company makes ice cream and frozen yogurt daily and was named one of the “Best Ice Cream Spots in the U.S.” by Food and Wine Magazine. Information: www.sundaeschool.com.
>>Sandwich, founded in 1639, is the oldest town on Cape Cod and the town was a key player in American glass production. The Sandwich Glass Museum, 129 Main St., in Sandwich, has collections of early glass, glass blowing demonstrations and tours. Information: sandwichglassmuseum.org.
>>Heritage Museum and Gardens, also in Sandwich, features American folk art galleries, a vintage carousel, antique automobiles, traveling exhibits, an 1800 windmill and extensive gardens. Information: heritagemuseumsandgardens.org.
>>Max’s Seafood, a clam shack on the beach in Wellfleet, offers a menu of fried clams, steamers, lobster rolls and onion rings. You order at a window, pick up your food at the counter and head for one of the picnic tables on the sand. Along with quintessential Cape food, you get a million dollar view of Wellfleet Harbor. Information: macsseafood.com.
>>Cape Cod Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league, has teams in 10 Cape Cod towns and games are free. If you haven’t caught a game this summer, you may have to wait until next year, since the schedule ends in mid-August: capecodbaseball.org.
>>Another great freebie: There’s no charge to visit the Woods Hole Science Aquarium, where 140 species of marine animals are on display. The aquarium offers touch tanks, behind the scenes tours and collecting walks at area beaches. Information: aquarium.nefsc.noaa.gov.
