Travel Guide: Truro | Cape Cod

nestled quietly in between Provincetown and Wellfleet, with easy access to both, Truro is a beloved rural Cape town.

Here is the deal with my cape guides: I have a plan to work my way down the map in order-ish. In my hero post I remarked I can forge beyond crowds to find the raw, unspoiled, life affirming shores and dunes.

Prior to conceiving these guides I was conversing with a friend of a friend over Rosé while our kids played. Having no idea I grew up here (in Yarmouthport) but even after mentioning it, she spoke her truth: vehemently detests the Cape for the traffic getting to and from, for the crowds. It was abundantly clear how much dislike for Cape Cod exists within her. (Her in-laws love it, hence family trips).

Look I get it. No really, I get it. I grew up here. The population tripled in the summer and “our life is your vacation” was our coming of age existence, the trademark party shot chant, the high school yearbook quote to beat.

To have a Cape Cod experience of unremarkable tourist frenzy and feeling overwhelmed by the crowds is one way to say….you’re doing it wrong. But also no! Sometimes you are not doing it wrong, the chaos is unavoidable given the circumstances.

To visit in the shoulder seasons when a notoriously warm weather, summer break destination beckons will not resonate with everyone’s state of affairs.

And then, not everyone wants to go beach hiking, or wants to get an oversand pass to drive on the beach. But I can still offer suggestions should you decide your lifestyle permits putting in the extra effort.

If you want to experience the Cape’s unspoiled beauty, sans a crowd, you might have to dig deeper. And keep following along ;)

I came in flame broiling with my guides to Provincetown + Wellfleet — plus I had so many photos. I have much less for cool and collected Truro. Less bright Commercial Street, Beachcomber, blazing family vacation-ness.

Truro feels like the eye of the tempest, the middle child, nestled quietly in between Provincetown and Wellfleet with easy access to both. Truro is beloved for its connection to nature. It is a good place to escape a typical Cape crowd.

DINING OUT

Terra Luna was going to be a recommendation for a really nice date night. A balmy July evening surrounded us with bric-a-brac antique décor over Sicilian clams and galvanized pork chops. They closed in October (2023). We’re riding the wave of nostalgia here and Chef Tony Pasquale and former Chef Raina Stefani are too.

That link mentions a couple key points: a) Pasquale will look to offer pop-ups + catering and b) the landlords have mentioned looking for a new chef for the upcoming season. (The property containing 19 cottages was sold in 2021).

“It didn’t start, and it doesn’t end, with Terra Luna,” Stefani said. “It seems like whoever is in that space does well. It’s destiny.”

If you are home-based on the outer cape, (on this particular trip we were staying in North Eastham), it was worth a visit. The space embodied something special. So let’s keep an eye out for what’s next on all fronts (a+b)!

STAY

HI Truro Hostel

I have never stayed in Truro save for the full week I spent at the HI Truro Hostel né Pamet Hostel with my entire fifth grade class. Best week of my elementary school existence. We hiked every single day through the woods, bogs, beaches and salt marshes. Environmental education outside of classroom learning, we explored the best of what outdoor outer cape had to offer — and you can too!

While I can not personally speak to staying at the hostel under revamped ownership, I would still like for you to be familiar with its whereabouts. If you want to hike the Pamet Area Trails — a Truro highlight — the parking area for the trails are here, adjacent to the hostel!

Airbnb Cottages / Quaint homes — a sampling to chose from mostly on the bayside. (I’ve always wanted to stay in a historic flower cottage!)

BEACH IT

Sprawling Atlantic Ocean facing Ballston Beach, located at the end of South Pamet Road can be reached by hiking the aforementioned Pamet Area Trails. Crowds are impossible to come by at this Cape Cod National Seashore escape but note, you can not park directly here in season (3rd weekend in June — Labor Day) without a town beach pass. This is why I recommend visiting in the off season or as a cranberry-bog-to-beach hike! Soothing vistas stretch outward and upward in every direction.

There is total enchantment to be had, long walks on the beach style at Ballston.

Additional guidance on Truro’s Beaches here.

VISIT / SHOP

Atlantic Spice Co. is housed in a brilliant blue warehouse nestled on a hill off Route 6. Since 1994 they have been selling high quality spices, herbs, coffee + teas and so much more at wholesale or affordable price points. They are well known outside the Truro community, in fact they sell to businesses all over the country. A visit here perusing gourmet foods, cookbooks, kitchen + table top essentials is sure to be worthwhile.

Highland Light — climb to the top of the lighthouse, visit the museum, take in the vistas.

I’ve never been to Truro Vineyards! They are often hosting live music events and food truck pop-ups. If the visit happens, the guide will be updated. I can vouch for deliciousness of their distillery blends from South Hollow Spirits.

Finally, take the kids to Puma Park Playground. A mecca of bright colors and nautical themes arise.

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If it is about discovering what’s off the beaten path, putting in extra effort is the answer. Only then can you free yourself from the typical tourist crowd. I have lots more of this to share as we continue down the cape. Eastham is next!

Thanks to

Sunhats and Chardonnay

for calling my attention to this thought provoking piece by

Justin S. Bailey

.

And THANK YOU to my subscribers. Your support allows me to carry on doing what I love, creating recommendations for and about my favorite places.