Boston Round Trip: A Cape Cod Adventure

Before you head out to experience the rustic charm of Cape Cod, you have the chance to explore one of the oldest cities in the United States. Boston is rich with history, offering all kinds of windows into the past for those with an interest in America’s national heritage. Don’t linger too long in the big city though, especially if you’ve only got a 3 day long weekend to work with. Boston has plenty to offer visitors, but for the best part of this road trip you’ll want to head for the Cape as soon as you can.
 
Boston
 
The main reason that you’ll be starting out your Cape Cod experience in Boston is simply that this is where it’s easiest to pick up an RV rental, but since you’re in the city there’s no reason to skip experiencing it altogether unless you’re really pressed for time. After all, there are enough stories in this old city to keep you intrigued and astounded for as long as you’d like to linger.
 
If it’s your first time in Boston and you’ve only got a short amount of time to spend, making it to the Freedom Trail is a must. This 2.5 mile walking route takes you past all kinds of historic sites including Bunker Hill Monument and the Boston Massacre Site. Even if you’re not a keen history buff, this is a great way to get a feel for the city. Experiencing the whole trail will take about half a day but if you know which highlights you’re interested in, you can cut down the time to pretty much whatever suits you. There are paid guided tours available, but the route is easy to navigate by yourself. As a bonus, there are plenty of places to stop in for a coffee or a bite to eat along the way.
 
The Boston Common actually lies at one end of the Freedom Trail but even if you’re not planning to walk the trail, those looking for a picnic spot or a place to let the kids run around will want to pay a visit to America’s oldest public park. If you time your visit right, you might even catch a musical or theatrical performance on the Common. It’s also nestled right in the middle of downtown Boston, so you can strike out from here to explore the rest of this central area on foot.
 
Another Boston outing to consider before you drive on out of the city is a trip to Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Weekends see throngs of people heading to the market, so if you’re not so keen on crowds consider attending during the week if possible. Whether your buying or browsing, don’t forget to swing by Quincy Market (part of the larger Faneuil Hall Marketplace) to pick up something tasty for brunch or lunch.
 
Once you’ve taken in your fill of Bostonian sights, it’s time to jump on the 93 and head south out of town. If you’re smart about avoiding heavy traffic times, it should only take you a little over an hour to reach the gateway to pass over Sagamore Bridge, reach Cape Cod itself and pull into its gateway town.
 
Sandwich
 
Sandwich was amongst the earliest European settlements in America, and the very first to be established on Cape Cod. The town’s Pilgrim founders valued the location for its nearby marshes (instrumental in providing salt hay for their livestock) but today visitors will be more likely to admire Sandwich for its famous glassware and historic colonial buildings, many of which have been lovingly restored and are open for visitors to experience. Don’t miss seeing the Dexter Grist Mill, originally built in 1654, restored in the 20th century and still producing cornmeal in the same traditional way it built for so many years ago. After all the historic landmarks, don’t forget that there’s some gorgeous scenery to be admired in Sandwich as well. An excellent way to see some of the town’s scenic assets is to take a stroll along The Boardwalk. Crossing Mill Creek out to the dunes at Town Neck Beach, this track has been singled out by National Geographic as one of the top ten boardwalks in the entire country. Originally constructed in the 19th century and rebuilt many times over the years, the Sandwich boardwalk provides a tranquil excursion amongst iconic Cape Cod surroundings.
 
Yarmouth Port
 
As you depart Sandwich, following the north coast along Route 6A (also known as the Old King’s Highway) take time for a brief detour to the beautiful Sandy Neck Beach - and if you have a bit of time on your hands, you can even walk the trail to the Sandy Neck Light, a 19th century lighthouse. Heading on, you’ll pass through the old fishing town of Barnstable, before arriving in Yarmouth Port. While you’re in town you may want to take a look at Yarmouth Port’s many historic homes which once upon a time housed wealthy sea captains.
 
On your way onward from Yarmouth Port, you run across the town of Dennis, famous for The Cape Playhouse (you might like to catch a show here during the summer months) and Scargo Tower. On a clear day you can see pretty much the entirety of Cape Cod from the top of the tower - just be aware that if it’s been raining the stairs can be little slippery. Once you’ve seen your fill, it’s time to cover the last handful of miles to your final destination for this leg: Nickerson State Park.

The second leg of your trip will take you from one of Cape Cod’s most beautiful natural spaces up to the very tip of the Cape, before turning south again toward the sedate town of Chatham. The entire drive could be done in less than 2 hours but there are several places along the way where you’ll want to stop for at least a few hours to explore and relax. Keep in mind that you’re able to camp overnight at Nickerson State Park if you so choose - although it pays to book a spot well ahead of time, especially if you’re travelling during peak tourism season.
 
Nickerson State Park
 
There is no better spot on the Cape to get out in the midst of nature. Nickerson State Park boasts miles of trails; both hikers and mountain bikers will find plenty of opportunities to explore wooded paths and enjoy fresh Cape air. The park’s cycle trails even link up with the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a 35 kilometre paved trail which runs across most of eastern Cape Cod. Head here in the cooler months to enjoy a more isolated experience or join the throng basking in the summer sun - how you choose to savour the natural attractions of Nickerson State Park is entirely up to you. Once you’re done delighting in the park’s gentle wilderness surroundings, make sure to connect with Route 6 for the journey north to Cape Cod’s tip.
 
On your way north, consider stopping at Cape Cod National Seashore, a 43,000 acre protected area founded by President John F. Kennedy to preserve precious beaches, woodlands and wetlands. Just a little further to the north is Wellfleet, one of the best beaches in America that no one’s heard of - the small community of Wellfleet is also renowned for its fresh seafood, so this could be a good spot to stop in for lunch.
 
Provincetown
 
Although Provincetown has a year-round population of just a few thousand, in summer this number swells to as many as 60,000. This is a surprisingly lively place, which over the years has drawn many artists to town, resulting in a colourful, somewhat bohemian vibe. The art galleries are excellent and street life is lively, giving the town an instantly welcoming feel. Provincetown is also a major holiday destination for the LGBT community, so it’s no surprise that the nightlife here is spectacular.
 
While you can find plenty to do in Provincetown itself, don’t forget to explore a little beyond the center as well. Pilgrim Monument is definitely worth a visit - this commemorative structure memorializes the first landfall of the Pilgrims in 1620, and you can climb most of the way to the top via inner steps to get a stunning 360 degree view of the surrounding area. To see some of Provincetown’s bucolic natural surroundings up close, head toward nearby Province Lands. Call in at the visitor center to start with, where you can look out from the observation and see town, dunes and waves all in one. There are also hiking trails here and even a cycle loop so you don’t just have to experience the quiet beauty of the Province Lands from afar - you can immerse yourself in the serenity of this wonderful place.
 
With Provincetown under your belt, it’s time to jump back on Route 6 and make the hour’s drive back southward to Chatham.

This may be the final leg of your trip, but that doesn’t mean your journey is over just yet. This section will treat you to the southern coast of Cape Cod, replete with expansive coastal vistas, historic sites and museums, and a few unique attractions that might come as a surprise to some travellers. Once Cape Cod lies behind you, it will be time to drive northward and return your Boston RV rental. Every holiday has to come to an end sometime, but even with just three or four days to spare, exploring Cape Cod in a motorhome will give you to chance to relax, find adventure and discover something new.
 
Chatham
 
In the height of summer, Chatham is thronged with holidaymakers but if you visit during the shoulder seasons then you’re likely to find a more sedate place than Provincetown, with leafy avenues sheltering historic houses, and museums commemorating the lives and times of early Cape settlers. The Chatham Lighthouse is a popular destination for many visitors, with tours offered during the high season. Like much of Cape Cod, in Chatham you’re never far from gorgeous natural spaces - a prime example of which is Monomoy Wildlife Refuge. Bird enthusiasts in particular should make an effort to take the short boat trip from Chatham to Monomoy Island for an unparalleled chance at seeing up to 285 avian species, both rare and common.
 
Falmouth
 
Less than an hour and a half west of Chatham along the 28 lies the town of Falmouth. If you’d like to break up the journey, you may want to stop halfway at Hyannis to check out the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. President Kennedy had a long running love affair with Cape Cod, and this museum memorializes this in photographic form. From Hyannis, head on to Falmouth, formerly a major 19th whaling and shipping center, now home to a number of organisations devoted to understanding and protecting the ocean rather than exploiting it. Woods Hole, a village in the Falmouth area hosts the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Woods Hole Science Aquarium. Laying claim to the title of the oldest aquarium in the United States, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium is home to about 140 different species which can be found in local waters and the greater surrounding area. The aquarium also has a rehabilitation program for sick or injured sea turtles, though these creatures are not displayed to the public.
 
From Falmouth it’s less than an hour and a half drive north to bring your journey full circle in the city of Boston. A Cape Cod road trip will set your soul at ease and put you back in touch with the quiet beauty that can be found in small towns and lovingly preserved natural spaces. Chances are, you’ll find yourself returning here again and again to recapture the wonderful sense of freedom and relaxation of your first RV rental road trip across the Cape.