Need recommendations for Cape vacation

[Jim in CT]

I have never vacationed on Cape Cod. Looking to rent a house from June 16 - June 23. Looking for a 4+bedroom, direct beachfront or VERY short walk. Want very easy access to a beach that's good for kids (ages 5, 3, 1). I'd like a town that has at least a few decent, casual restaurants.

Any info or recommendations woud be appreciated.

What towns will be a good fit?
Ocean or bayside?
Any real estate agencies or websites you guys recommend to fibnd a house?

Thanks!

[bart]

Chatham. The fishing is a shell of what it used to be, but that doesn't seem to be a priority for you. You won't be able to get a house directly on the water, but walking to the beach is no problem. My favorite place in the world...

[bart]

the south facing beaches would have warmer water, but Chatham is just so beautiful, I would take it over the south cape beaches in a heart beat. And you have great restaurants/bars/shopping all within walking distance if you get the right place. Good luck...

[numbskull]

You might consider Falmouth. It is not as romantic or wild as the outer cape but it is a decent spot for kids. The water will be cold in June, even in Buzzards Bay. If your kids want to swim and play, you are looking for an estuary next to the beach. Woodneck Beach in Falmouth is such a place. The water heats during the day and is very warm coming out of the saltmarsh. Every little kid in town wades around in the outflow with a net catching crabs and minnows. The ice cream truck shows up as well. You can sneak away for a few hours at dawn and plug the rocks, decent fish will be moving through then. At night you can fish the outflow itself. The beach in front of Woodneck is shallow and has waves to play in. Old Silver in N falmouth is another good kids beach. There is an aquarium in Woods Hole, and a fish hatchery in Sandwich that are good day trips. Plenty of play grounds (Goodwill park has a swimming and trout pond in it as well) Good bike path nearby. Plenty of family friendly restaurants and ice cream shops.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by numbskull

You might consider Falmouth. It is not as romantic or wild as the outer cape but it is a decent spot for kids. The water will be cold in June, even in Buzzards Bay. If your kids want to swim and play, you are looking for an estuary next to the beach. Woodneck Beach in Falmouth is such a place. The water heats during the day and is very warm coming out of the saltmarsh. Every little kid in town wades around in the outflow with a net catching crabs and minnows. The ice cream truck shows up as well. You can sneak away for a few hours at dawn and plug the rocks, decent fish will be moving through then. At night you can fish the outflow itself. The beach in front of Woodneck is shallow and has waves to play in. Old Silver in N falmouth is another good kids beach. There is an aquarium in Woods Hole, and a fish hatchery in Sandwich that are good day trips. Plenty of play grounds (Goodwill park has a swimming and trout pond in it as well) Good bike path nearby. Plenty of family friendly restaurants and ice cream shops.

Good recommendations.

I'd be cautious, however, about venturing out after dark near the shoreline alone, particulary in the N. Falmouth area. Word has it a bespectacled creature resembling an aging troll frequents this locale. If you encounter him I'd recommend holding two dead, stiff eels in the from of a crucufix to ward him off. If this doesn't work I'd tell him you're the ghost of Danny...

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Good recommendations.

I'd be cautious, however, about venturing out after dark near the shoreline alone, particulary in the N. Falmouth area. Word has it a bespectacled creature resembling an aging troll frequents this locale. If you encounter him I'd recommend holding two dead, stiff eels in the from of a crucufix to ward him off. If this doesn't work I'd tell him you're the ghost of Danny...

Wow. A Back Beach post!!! I thought you had moved to Rancho Mirage and taken up sand surfing.

[JeffH]

With kids that age you want to be on the south facing beaches. We spent years in Harwichport from the time when our kids were 2-3 years old on up to their teenage years at which time they want the outer beach waves. Harwichport is close to Chatham for shopping, Cape Cod Baseball League games and nice calm beaches (although in June the wind will blow SW)

Try here Commonwealth Associates and ask for Neal or Patty they will help you find a place.

[Jim in CT]

Thanks. Not too concerned about fishing, although I will fish, it's more aboutthe kids having a blast.

I keep hearing how great the bay beaches are for little kids, First Encounter Beach is one that I keep hearing about. Is the water too cold in late June?

[2na]

at that time of year most of the bay beaches will have warmer water on the pushing tide than on the ebb - the water warms as it goes over the sun heated sand. Corn Hill Beach in Truro is exceptional for little kids - shallow, sandy, the Pamet River mouth a few hundred yards down the beach.

Day's Cottages in Truro are right on the water, but just 2 bedroom cottages - maybe string two together?

And lastly, like I said in my post on Spence's thread (in the scuppers), you are late in reserving time -

[Moses]

Even though the water is warmer on the sound side, I prefer bay all the way. Beaches from Mayflower to Skaket are great for family & kids. Sandy beaches, never see any sea weed (sound side can suck) and with the flats, low tide exploring with kids is fantastic.

[jlnel]

[QUOTE=2na;932684]
Day's Cottages in Truro are right on the water, but just 2 bedroom cottages - maybe string two together?
QUOTE]

those are awesome, been there a few times, but book early, usualy the season before

[Jackbass]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

Thanks. Not too concerned about fishing, although I will fish, it's more aboutthe kids having a blast.

I keep hearing how great the bay beaches are for little kids, First Encounter Beach is one that I keep hearing about. Is the water too cold in late June?

First Encounter is in Eastham a mile from my in laws it is a great place for kids. At low tide you can walk out for ever and find shells crabs etc etc. Eastham is a great place the national seashore head quarters are there and they offer all kinds of tours and educational experiences for the kids. Plus it will be less money than Chatham. That time of year is still technically pre season you may have good luck getting a nice deal. Check Craigslist. If I wind up getting down (in law dependent) there i will have the sand pass for the sea shore. I will PM you and get you into fish.

There are also some nice family friendly places in town for food. Arnolds, red barn, fairway, etc. also less than ten miles up the road is Marconi Fried chicken to go which is the bomb.
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[vineyardblues]

Originally Posted by JeffH

With kids that age you want to be on the south facing beaches. We spent years in Harwichport from the time when our kids were 2-3 years old on up to their teenage years at which time they want the outer beach waves. Harwichport is close to Chatham for shopping, Cape Cod Baseball League games and nice calm beaches (although in June the wind will blow SW)

Try here Commonwealth Associates and ask for Neal or Patty they will help you find a place.

2nd this one , Eric also does rentals
VB

[Matt D]

Once you figure out what town you want, try vrbo.com (vacation rentals by owner). Might save a buck or two.

[The Iceman 6]

Big fan of Truro.

[jlnel]

Cape Cod Summer fun golf tennis mall restaurant seafood mini golf map beach golf

its a start

[spence]

Dude, get a big enough place and we'll crash there the 21st and 22nd

-spence

[Jim in CT]

Thanks. So, in reading the responses, I want something between Falmouth and Truro, either on the Bay side, or south facing, or east facing.

That certainly narrows it down!

Seriously, thanks. My 2 oldest (ages 5 and 3) would go berserk watching the fishing boats unload catches at Chatham Fish Pier, that's exactly the type of recommendation I need.

[capecodder]

Definately go to the CC Bay side. Dennis, through Truro, get as close to beach as you can. Water is warmer, calmer, clearer. Sandy bottom. Sand bars. Great for kids.

[Jim in CT]

My wife found a great house in Eastham, direct waterfront, on Kingsbury Beach. Never heard of it. Anyone know it? Good for little kids?

[Rappin Mikey]

Bring bug spray. The no see-ums usually pick up in the evenings when there unlaoding their catch.

[vineyardblues]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

My wife found a great house in Eastham, direct waterfront, on Kingsbury Beach. Never heard of it. Anyone know it? Good for little kids?

Yup, bay side , last house on right ?
tide go's way way out ,

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

My wife found a great house in Eastham, direct waterfront, on Kingsbury Beach. Never heard of it. Anyone know it? Good for little kids?

Ya, when you go down to the beach make sure you stay to the right. The lady who owns the beachfront house to the left of the right of way calls the cops and has you arrested for tresspassing. She demands that no one go on her property which by law extends 1400 and some odd feet out from the beach.

[capecodder]

Kingsbury is a great location. Tide goes way out leaving huge sandbars. Great for little kids. Walk south on the bars and you will find a creek that goes back into the marsh. Kids love it, mud, crabs, etc. Can Kayak back there.

At high tide you will have shallow, warm water over a sandy floor.

Eastham is relatively quiet compared to Chatham, Orleans, Dennis, yet you are close enough to all those areas.

[lamigsb1]

the north side of Dennis sounds perfect for kids your age. miles of shallow sand flats for the most part, but the water will still be much cooler than the south side that time of the season.

[Jackbass]

Kingsbury is on the bay same stretch of sand as first encounter. You will have a great time.
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[jlnel]

Water can go a ways out at low tide in the area
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[jlnel]

Everything is close by, n matter where, just plan for traffic, 28 is more of a pain, you can go from yarmouth to chatham in under a half hour now, maybe an hour in summer, stay away from hyaniss-mall area, from 28in yarmouth to cape cod mall sucks in summer, especially if raining
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[Bronko]

That time of year Kingsbury and the beaches nearby can be great throwing chunks or squid on the last couple hours of the incoming. And this is coming from a guy that doesn't fish bait much.
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[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by Bronko

That time of year Kingsbury and the beaches nearby can be great throwing chunks or squid on the last couple hours of the incoming. And this is coming from a guy that doesn't fish bait much.
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Thanks. At some point, of course, I was going to ask about fishing. Because while the kids will be the focal point of the trip, of course I will bring a rod or two with me. Even if I just toss out a chunk at night and run the line up the beach, through the window, and tie it to my toe in bed.

Can anyone recommend any good charter captains in the area? not looking for a 6-pack boat, I'd prefer a smaller center console. Something I can take the 5 year-old on to maybe catch some scup, and maybe troll a little tube-n-worm.