Travel Guide: Eastham | Cape Cod
this. is. the. spot.
Why is Eastham the understated powerhouse of cape towns?
THE BAYSIDE.
Eastham’s long bay front feels as cool as it looks. It is home to neighborhood associations spanning from Kingsbury Beach, through Thumpertown and up to Sunken Meadow. These residential swaths of peaceful beaches live life with the sun and the tides.
Here in Eastham are hidden clusters of sun streaked dirt-to-sand-roads and scrub pine paths that lead you to sparkly Cape Cod Bay via boardwalks and steep wooden steps.
You might descend to a low tide oasis with a vista of rolling sandbars or come upon a high tide retreat. Bring a raft on a calm day and float in with the tide. You will definitely walk down with a Yeti Rambler of ice cold Albariño or Sancerre in hand for sunset.
Yes, the Bayside gets the sunsets. May they embrace you and yours in a golden end of summer day mesmerizing glow.
I remember some years ago posting to my Instagram story and even locals asking me “where are you?! what beach is that?!”
Being on a long versatile stretch of constantly changing with the tides beach front allows extra long walks and dreamy, novel explorations.
It is about discovering untold secrets of cape lands as they appear, disappear and re-appear again.
STAY @ Airbnbs
If getting as close to the beach as possible is your goal, the two rentals below are ones to beat.
Bayside Beach House — 2 bedrooms / sleeps 4. Recently renovated in bright whites and costal tones, the home is perfectly situated for a family of four. Outdoor space includes a new composite wrap around deck, a seashell meets Adirondack fire pit area, a shed with all the beach gear, and an outdoor shower.
Sandbars + Sunsets — 3 bedrooms / sleeps 8. There is a large renovated master suite upstairs and two small bedrooms on the (partially renovated) first floor. The galley kitchen is manageable while the living area is large and comfy. Yes to an outdoor shower (I probably would not rent a home around here without one!)
Both homes listed have a washer dryer which is helpful for a week away.
We’ve also stayed in a home directly on Herring Brook Road — the main road that spans the length of these neighborhoods. Herring Brook then runs into Massasoit Road — both are a distinguishing landmark for understanding what’s easily walkable to the beach versus still walkable but farther, (or maybe quick drop-off able) and knowing where you have to cross a main road.
Public Beach Parking Information + Daily Passes — You can still access the beauty of Eastham’s bayside via paid public beach parking at First Encounter, Campground and Cooks Brook Beaches.
PLAY (not on the bay)
Wiley Park on Great Pond — Centrally located are a cluster of small freshwater kettle ponds. If you rent in the Kingsbury association area these are likely walkable. Wiley Park offers access to a small beach plus a playground, and pretty walking paths.
Nauset Light Beach — Ocean side just north of and usually less crowded than Coast Guard Beach. There were lots of surfers the last time we visited.
HIKE or BIKE
Salt Pond Visitor Center + Trails — The gateway to the Cape Cod National Seashore, this is the southernmost point where the vast stretch of NPS (National Park Service) Atlantic Ocean Outer Cape beaches officially begin. Inside the visitor center there is a small museum where you can learn about the Cape’s history.
The Nauset Marsh Trail is a scenic 1.3 mile loop hike, with the option to take the 1.5 mile Coast Guard Beach extension spur. There is also the Nauset Bike Trail — a 1.6 mile paved path up to Coast Guard. You’ll encounter this boardwalk through the marsh on your way.
The Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) can be picked up at the NPS Visitor Center as well. Head North and you’ll end at Lecount Hollow Road in Wellfleet, with the option to grab lunch at the Boulangerie. Bike the opposite direction into Orleans and sandwiches / smoothies / ice cream await you at Hot Chocolate Sparrow. The CCRT runs all the way to South Yarmouth — though that far south and west from Eastham is for serious or prepared to make-a-day-of-it bikers.
Fort Hill Trail — A 1 mile loop hike. Great for young kids. Wildflower brush views over Nauset Marsh (above). Option to combine the Red Maple Swamp trail, the < 1 mile boardwalk through this forest gives mysterious and otherworldly.
DINING OUT
Thinking about beloved Eastham — I don’t have a restaurant to put on my classic GOAT pedestal, likely due to being immersed in long beach days and cooking / grilling / sunsetting / fire pit s’mores-ing.
Caroline’s Bar + Grill was one of our Airbnb hosts favorites and we would like to visit at some point.
Hole in One Bakery + Coffee Shop — A great thing about Eastham is this bakery. Grab a seat at the counter with retro swivel stools. Love their doughnuts.
Eastham Superette — Grocery, Deli, Liquor Store without having to drive all the way to the busy Stop n Shop in Orleans.
Mac’s Market + Kitchen — counter service seafood + prepared foods from Mac!
Staying in Eastham offers a convenient proximity within the outer cape to access towns further north/east (Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown) or in the lower cape (Orleans, Chatham, Harwich, + Brewster).
Eastham, Massachusetts — for families who play together! Once overlooked and now here in abundance!
There were so many thoughtful comments on last weeks post where we talked about Affordable Travel Tips + Ideas for Families. The biggest takeaways is kids or no kids, everyone is big on Airbnbs!!
said: I love being able to stay in a fancy hotel but with kids, it’s been a bit of a no go in recent years! A good Airbnb is the best or we’re trying out camping this summer for even cheaper options.Loved this reminder about camping! We took Camden yurt camping when he was an infant, which was nice because you could set up a travel crib in the yurt.
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said: I have gotten very lucky booking short term rentals that are new to the game and getting what I think is an insane deal (i.e. lower prices to attract renters as they have no reviews) and I have found them through Instagram searches or by perusing google mapsThis is a smart tip and I have done this too! In fact the smaller Airbnb listed above for Eastham, we were the first renters to stay there. Once you connect with the owner you get a sense if you are in good hands, even if the home has no reviews yet.
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said: My husband and I took our kids on a vacation in March to St. Croix and loved the island. We stayed at "The Buccaneer" - highly recommend if you're ever looking to travel to that area.Kay is the thoughtful writer behind
and her comment reminded me that I’ve always wanted to check out St. Croix. Fare alert, activated!//
said: Love this round-up and these tips!! I'm still a big Airbnb fan. and I are actually running a feature on the last Airbnbs we've bookmarked, and now I have a few more to add to my own wish list.📰 Aja + Aliza write . Their swoon worthy newsletter today is 9 incredible Airbnbs worth Building a Trip Around and I’m featured! Be sure and check it out!
You can walk for miles on the bayside flats. Great photos!
Love getting to travel vicariously through your posts! My littlest is almost old enough for us to dip our toes in travel again 🙂