A Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast
in Yarmouth Port Massachusetts

 Cape Cod never disappoints us on the wealth of its history, and awesome landscape. We have the privilege of living here and running our Cape Cod bed and breakfast as “guests of the U.S.Government”or “Legal Aliens”, and do not miss any opportunity to enjoy our surroundings. Today we had some business to take care of in Orleans, 20 minutes from our inn by car, and as we had time for lunch we thought we would take advantage of the warm sunny spring weather and take a sandwich to Rock Harbor. We knew just the place – a recent find during this past winter – it is on Main Street and lovingly called Cape Cup. Read the rest of this entry »

The Cape Playhouse, in Dennis village, is proud to be America’s oldest professional summer theatre, and celebrates over 80 seasons in a former 19th century Unitarian Meeting House, which was converted into its present form in 1927. Californian actor and playwrite Raymond Moore purchased the building for $200, then moved it to its present location just off the Old King’s Highway in Dennis. He even kept the original pews, which are now used as seats for the audience.

The fabulous actress Bette Davis actually worked here as an usher before making her professional stage debut on these very boards. Other stars who began their careers at the Playhouse include Gregory Peck, Lana Turner, Ginger Rogers, Humphrey Bogart, Helen Hayes, Julie Harris & Jane Fonda. This would explain why it is also known as “The birthplace of the Stars”. Read the rest of this entry »

 Some first-time visitors to Cape Cod are amazed to discover that the peninsula/island is a lot more than just a sand-dune, and that in fact Cape Cod is 65 miles long, has 15 separate towns and an area of almost 400 square miles. Any English visitor here (as we were, at one time) will recognise town names, but will notice, sometimes, a slight change in spelling from the original namesake in the old country. So we’d like to explain how and where some of the town names came from, back in 17th century New England. Read the rest of this entry »

No we are not kidding. Summer days on Cape Cod Bay  can often give us the feeling that we are back in Mediteranean Europe, where we spent so many years before coming to the U.S.A. We look at the wonderful beaches that we and our guests can enjoy, there are six or seven Bay side within ten minutes of our inn, not to mention the same number again on the southern coastline within twenty minutes of our Summer Street tranquil retreat. We believe that Cape Cod Bay beaches seriously rival most Mediteranean beaches, and they are for the most part considerably less busy (photo shown is the Med, just in case you thought it was the Cape). Read the rest of this entry »

 Whether you have come to Cape Cod for the glorious beaches, stunning vistas or the serene calm, vacation or weekend break, you will have the opportunity if not the inclination, to visit any number of artists’ and craftspeoples’ exhibitions, which are mostly displayed in their private homes. The many things you will see and love about the Cape during your stay, have contributed to the inspiration of a great many artists and will no doubt continue to do so. You will be able to appreciate their work all the more as a result. There is, if you explore off the beaten track a little, an interesting mix of inhabitants who have been honing their craft here for years, and relative new arrivals. Read the rest of this entry »

 First-time visitors to Cape Cod are often surprised at how many good golf courses there are to play, in fact it is second to Myrtle Beach as a golfing destination. The Cape and islands offer such a weaith of history, culture and outdoor activities, not to mention the miles of white sandy beaches, that it is hard to resist for golfers looking for a vacation beyond the miles of fairways!

You will be close to one or more courses wherever you stay on Cape Cod, however if you are a serious golfer you will doubtless wish to do your own research on the various courses or you may wish to use the detailed information including maps, on our own website, whether you choose to stay with us or not. Read the rest of this entry »

 The average visitor to Cape Cod in the shoulder season will be likely to take in at least one museum during his or her stay. Even weekenders often find the time, and are well rewarded from what we hear of their experiences. It is perhaps  fair to say that the summer months do not drive as many tourists towards the museums as they should – with the warm weather come the many outdoor attractions that visitors to the Cape have to choose from. Read the rest of this entry »

The section of the Old King’s Highway, which winds its way through the historic village of  Yarmouth Port, has another name dating back decades.

For years locals have referred to this stretch of Route 6A as “Captains’ Mile” due to the large number of historic sea captains houses that line both sides of the road inbetween Willow Street and Union Street. In fact, in 1966 this beautiful district was declared a national historical district. In addition to the 47 sea captains’ homes that are on  the highway, there are a further eight to be found in this charming village, not to mention a number of other historic buildings, including our inn which was the Sears Hotel in the early 19th century. Read the rest of this entry »

Oh how we have missed you during the winter. Your return each year serves the Cape Cod community in two invaluable respects. The first of these is a rather obvious one to all of us who know and love you : you serve the freshest of fish and seafood, cleanly cooked to perfection, and always with a smile. Then there’s the welcome reminder your re-opening brings that spring is just around the corner – thank you for that!

Only ten minutes from our Yarmouth Port inn, Cookes  is a popular choice for tourists and Cape Cod residents alike, with it’ relaxed ambience. The dining salon was bustling on the evening last week that we decided to pay our visit. From the expressions on many diners faces, ours included, and the occasional nod of approval, I guess we can only draw one conclusion : it’s business as usual, and we can’t wait to return. Oh and the other thing that spring is on its way. Well we really already knew this after last week’s wonderful sunshine, everyone seemed to be out getting that whiff of ocean air that we find so envigourating.

If you dont already know Cape Cod or believe this year is as good as any to renew your acquaintance, well now is the time to start making those plans. Why not take a look at Mid-Cape along Cape Cod Bay, you will not be disapointed. Who knows, you might just choose to spend some time with us.

 During the last 300 years there have been 3,000 or more shipwrecks in Cape Cod’s waters, the majority of which were between Chatham and Provincetown. The advent of lighthouses, some twenty or so on Cape Cod’s shoreline in the last 200 years, went a long way to safely guide vessels through these treacherous waters. Seven lighthouses still operate, while several others, now decommissioned, can also be found. The 1914 opening of the Cape Cod Canal was also a significant factor in the decline of the number of shipwrecks.

Here are nine of the most well known lighthouses to choose from to go and see, or indeed you could plan a day out to see all of these. Be warned that there is a lot of healthy exercise involved, so you may decide to target half this number.

Start perhaps with the most northerly, which is Race Point Light, you’ll need a stout pair of sneakers as you have to leave your car and walk the last 2 miles along the beach. The lighthouse was first erected in 1816. Nevertheless more than 100 ships were wrecked in this area between then and 1949. You can stay overnight at this one, but you will need to make a reservation well in advance.

There are two other” twin lights” around Provincetown, Wood End erected in 1873 and Long Point 1823, both guarding the entrance to the harbour. The former is now solar powered. Both are a walk along the breakwater, there is a summer boat service to Long Point from MacMillan Wharf.

Back on Route 6 again travelling south a matter of minutes, turn onto Highland Road and follow this to the end , then right onto Lighthouse Road. Highland was the first lighthouse to be built on Cape Cod in 1798, but the present lighthouse was erected in 1857 and moved inland in1996.

Probably by now you are feeling like a bite to eat after such an energetic morning - I did warn you – but you can relax now with a beautiful view over Wellfleet Bay while you tuck into a dozen oysters freshly gathered from those famous oyster beds 200 yards from your table. The Bookstore Restaurant is well known by locals and regular visitors to the Cape for its seafood and magnificent view. So it’s here that you can contemplate the adventures of the afternoon and soak up that New England feeling of tranquility. After lunch, allow yourself some time to visit the many art galleries in charming little Wellfleet village – you can almost at will switch back and forth from serene calm one moment to yet another discovery the next; this is one reason that I believe makes Cape Cod such a great tourist destination.

If you can face another five lighthouses, Route 6 will take you onto Eastham’s Nauset Light, whose original structure was built in 1838. The current tower was moved to here from Chatham in 1923. From the parking lot you can take a short walk along Cable Road to the Three Sisters, towers that were constructed in 1892 and replaced in 1923 by the current Nauset Light.

Our remaining three lighthouses are all in Chatham at the end of the scenic part of Route 28 which hugs the coastline between Orleans and Chatham. There are some spectacular views along the way. Chatham Light is on Shore Road at the end of Main Street and was built in 1877, however the first structure pre-dated this by 69 years. There are tours available inside the lighthouse during the summer months.

The Monomoy Point Light is only accessible by boat. The original tower, built in 1823, was rebuilt in 1849 and finally decommissioned in 1923 before it became part of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. Overnight stays are available at the lighthouse keeper’s house.

The last of our nine, if you are still in the hunt that is, is Stage Harbor Light, which requires a mile walk along the beach from the Harding Beach parking lot. This was the last lighthouse to be built on the Cape and was closed in 1933 to later become a private residence.

Well it has been another day on the Cape to remember, but it has not quite finished yet. There is maybe time to see the sun go down at a wonderful restaurant with a view ( believe it or not there are not very many ). The Ocean House, yes that’s the one that your ever attentive innkeeper made you a reservation for the previous day – you sure won’t get a table without one  – and it will make the evening one to remember.

We always appreciate feedback from our guests during breakfast , on their previous day’s exploits, when we continue to help them with their plans. There is a good amount of information on our website to help visitors understand the enormity of what there is to do and see on Cape Cod, before they arrive. Sometimes we put together daily itineraries for our guests’ entire stay – and nothing gives us more pleasure!