camping on the Cape in July - suggestions for family fun?

[Jim in CT]

3 years ago, we rented a house in Truro for a week, my first and only time on the cape. Many here gave us some great suggestions that made it a lot more fun than it otherwise wouod have been.

we are going back this summer, unfortunately, in July, from July 6 - July 13. We will be camping in Eastham, me, the wife, 3 boys (ages 8, 5, 4).

Suggestions for family fun, restaurants, things to do, tourist traps to avoid, etc?

Hoping to fish with Capt Rich from Nelsons, we fished with him 3 years ago and loved it.

Hoping to do a 2 hour lobsterboat tour with a lobsterman, watch him pull his traps, kids loved that.

Kids loved first encounter beach at low tide, a magical place.

We will ride bikes on the bike path.

Any good lakes to swim in around there? Good restaurants? we loved something called Savory, I think, in Truro, most stuff cooked over a wood oven, unbelievable food.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Jackbass]

Check out catch of the day on wellfleet for half priced steamers before 5. Also for a couple bucks the mini golf at red barn and pizza can't be beat. Pizza isn't horrible and relatively speaking makes for an inexpensive night.
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[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by Jackbass

Check out catch of the day on wellfleet for half priced steamers before 5. Also for a couple bucks the mini golf at red barn and pizza can't be beat. Pizza isn't horrible and relatively speaking makes for an inexpensive night.
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You guys are the best, thanks. Where is the Red Barn?

[Rappin Mikey]

Heading East on Rt. 6 on your right. I am pretty sure it is still in Eastham but might be in Wellfleet?

[Renegade6]

Have fun. We will be rolling into N.Truro the Saturday of your last weekend there.

Have fun fishing with Rich. I think it's a new boat since you last chartered him.

Last summer my 8 yo and I went out on a lobster charter set up by another member here with his family on: http://www.billingsgatecharters.com/

Dave couldn't have been better with the kids. They had a blast and learned alot. We went home with lobsters for everyone to eat that night and a few "bonus" ones for kids answering his questions correctly. Well done and recommend without hesitation.

Agree about Savory. Good food and even better ice cream.

[Jackbass]

Red Barn is on the eastbound side of Rte 6 in Eastham, can't miss it. Definite Tourist trap but low cost mini golf. Your kids are the perfect age for it. They have skee ball and stuff too. Also get donuts at Hole in one get there early skip dunkin they make real old school donuts pure heart attack pills
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[Swimmer]

Ya know as a kid I use to scrape around in the dirt around the rock at First Encounter and find an occasional arrowhead. Had a house a short distance away for over twenty years. Way before they charged for parking.
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[l.i.fish.in.vt]

Jim,if the squid are around the kids would have a good time catching some and they are great eating.my kids always enjoyed walking around the flats up by the ptown inn or off 6a by the old holiday inn.if you have a 4x4 get a week pass for RP,hang out up by hatchs harbor . and bring some tubs for floating out with the dropping tide.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by l.i.fish.in.vt

if you have a 4x4 get a week pass for RP,hang out up by hatchs harbor . and bring some tubs for floating out with the dropping tide.

What is "RP"? And what can we do with that pass for the week, and how do I get that pass?

[Sea Dangles]

Race point
Drive on beaches
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[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

Race point
Drive on beaches
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This - if you have a vehicle that handle it plus all the necessary gear - great time! Like your own private beach in some small ways.

A&W Rootbeer Harwich Port, AFTER the trampolines and other kiddy things around there. I still remember trips there as a kid almost 40 years later

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by JohnR

This - if you have a vehicle that handle it plus all the necessary gear - great time! Like your own private beach in some small ways.

A&W Rootbeer Harwich Port, AFTER the trampolines and other kiddy things around there. I still remember trips there as a kid almost 40 years later

I have a Nissan Pathfinder in great shape, which I assume is OK on the sand? I think I know the safety gear that's required, but who do I contact to get this permit, and where, exactly, does it allow me to drive on the sand?

Thanks guys.

John, 3 years ago, you recommended the trout hatchery on th ecape, we stopped there on the way home, the kids loved it. You and Johnny D gave me some great, great suggestions.

[Jackbass]

http://www.nps.gov/caco/cape-cod-nat...ch-driving.htm

This is the link to the Oversand page with all info. You can pre register for weekly permits. But have to pick it up at the oversand station. 50$ I think. It is nice to not have to lug all your equipment out to the beach
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[hardcore from shore]

Canal visitor center cape side east end in sandwich is great for kids (and adults). Our 3 granddaughters ages 7, 9 and 11 loved it. Interactive stuff. Old canal patrol boat inside etc.
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[JamesJet]

I have boys 6 and 4 and aside from many of the items already posted we really enjoy the following below that maybe arent as well known. We are in Harwich and spend a lot of time there.

FWIW A&W is not what it used to be and is pretty expensive actually except on Tuesdays its .99 chili dogs.

Heritage Museum http://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/ far down from you but pretty cool place

Natural History Museum http://www.ccmnh.org/- dont forget beach / low tide gear nets buckets etc

[Jenn]

Not to be a Debbie downer but as far as the oversand goes be forwarned they already have much of the beach roped off for the birds as of 2 weeks ago....thats right on the plus side there is still plenty of room on the south side to drive but that too has a lot of ropes on it!