Eastham it is for vacation, need final suggestions

[Jim in CT]

Based in part on the awesome feedback here, we rented a house in Eastham from June 16 - 23. The house is right on the bay, above the beach, with steps leading down to the beach. House is on Martha Ave in Eastham, if anyone knows that area.

Anyway, I welcome any and all suggestions for a good family vacation. My kids are 6, 3, and 1, all boys. Obviously we'll spend a lot of time at the beach below the house. Here's where I need help...

Cool things for the kids? I know there is a fish hatchery where they can feed fish somewhere near Sandwich, I know that seals gather at Chatham fish pier for eating by-catch tossed overboard.

What other fun things can we do?

Is it worth driving to First Encounter Beach, or should we stay at the house?

Suggestions for rainy days (movies, kids' museums, etc)?

Kid-friendly charter captains in the area?

How about a lobster cruise, where we watch the capt pull up the traps? I've seen guys offer that, I think the older 2 would love it.

Restaurants for lunch/dinner? We love seafood, and we prefer casual (a clam shack with picnic tables) to ritzy places. Where to go for lobster? Where to go for fresh clams? Any must-hit restaurants?

How are the whale watches in Providence?

Might I see some fish at the beach where we're staying? Worth fishing at night? Eels, or artificials with a sand eel teaser?

Thanks again. We have never been to the Cape, and we are psyched...

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

Jim,if you want to do a lobster trip,Chris Townsend does them out of Ptown.his grandmother was Kay Townsend who had the womens record bass for a time.not sure if does whale wacths,but if you ask him might do both.

[The Iceman 6]

You can definitely check out Coast Guard Beach (great shuttle service and a few years ago was rated one of the top 5 beaches in the Country) and Nauset Light Beach which are right in your backyard. Nauset Lighthouse is cool, also, definitely check out Cape Cod Light. It's massive, and you can take a tour of that which the kids will love. I believe Arnold's is right there (& your type of restaurant according to your criteria). and I used to like going to Eastham Lobster Pool (D/K if still is in business). There's also a great little breakfast place in Eastham that has homemade muffins and stuff (can't think of the name but you'll find it if you look hard enough).

Sounds like you're right on or close to one of the bay beaches, maybe just go there everyday and soak up the sun.

I believe in Eastham or Welfleet there's a drive-in movie theater, as well as, regular theater. In Welfleet or N. Truro check out the Whitman House for some very good food and very kid friendly place. Bay side beaches will be warmer and might be worth going to Corn Hill Beach (one of my favorites for kids).

Might as well take a trip into P-Town just for the show if not anything else. Whale Watching is always fun (might be tough with the 1 year old but doable I would say). Eat at the Lobster Pot while in P-Town just so that you say you did and I actually happen to like it there (also kid friendly, stop the cold bar right on the way in).

You can always hit the P-Town monument for some exercise. Worth fishing, you betcha. I would personally sling eels at night on the bay, as well as, Ocean Beaches and I'm not going to spot burn but you're in some prime real estate so just look for structure.

Mini-Golf, driving range, and a batting cage are right there as well in Eastham. Be sure to check out the Red Barn (kids can play video games and the wife will end up picking up something or other). Pizza's not too bad either, respectable I think.

Would definitely stop by Nelsons (say hi to LI Fish in VT) and Black-Beards for some local fishing reports. Chatham Light is also beautiful. If memory serves me correctly, Marconi Beach forms nice tidal pools for the kids. Also, another beach in P-Town is Herring Cove Beach (what makes this beach special is you just park and the beach is 20 yards away). I'm sure others can chime in with much, much, more knowledge of CC then I can. I do love it up there as do my daughters.

No matter what, always have a rig with you at all times when on any beach. You just never know.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Ice

[JeffH]

Things to do:
First Encounter Beach at low tide, lots of critters.
Marconi Beach on an outgoing tide down to low tide, nice tidal pool.
Arnold's Clam Shack (cash only) on the way back from Marconi.
Chatham Fish Pier, Chatham Lighthouse and Chatham for shopping.
Orleans for Cape Cod League Baseball.
The Yardarm in Orleans for great reasonably priced food with local flavor.
Brewster General Store for Ice cream and penny candy.
Whale watch out of Provincetown if that's your thing.
Cape Cod National Seashore Visitors Center in Eastham.
As mentioned above the Red Barn for pizza just down the street from Arnold's
The drive-in is in Wellfleet

[Swimmer]

You need pizza go to Rookie's in Wellfleet just before the Marconi Station.

If you need cherrystones, go after dark by the Salt Pond Motel right behind the National Seashore visitor ceneter, just wade into the pond by the ramp and feel them with your tows, no permit need if you don't get caught, LOL.

There should be plenty of steamer on the flats low tide in front of your cottage. Nobody has checked for permits since Phil Schwin passed away.

Rock Harbor at high tide to watch the boats coming in and leave, same for Wellfleet Harbor.

For you and the wife, a bottle of Moet, beachchairs or blanket, and the most beautiful sunset in the entire universe in front of Kingsbury Beach.

[jlnel]

Fairway is the breakfast place, hole in one( i think) it's attached has great donuts and muffins... Get there early! ****** dont speed through eastham, ;-)
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[Saltheart]

Read my story called "Ship of Fools" in JD MUllers Striper Tales. It all happened when we were using my friends house in eastham as our home base.

I like Eastham. Be careful with the kids when the tide goes out. It goes way way out but when it comes in you need to stay way ahead of it if with kids or elderly people who can't walk so fast.

We used to dig quohogs out there , make chowder and stuffies from them. Nice area from which to go up and down the cape also.

[Rappin Mikey]

Nauset market for breakfast pizza or a great steak and cheese (they'll even make one at 7:00AM) There's some fun crabbing at the creek on the way out to high head. No Blues but enough greens and stuff to give the kidos a fun time. Swimming at the kettle ponds in Welfleet after 5:00 (Great Pond, take a right at PJs on 6). You won't have the lines for food like you do at other places if you go to Cook's in Orleans.

[JohnnySaxatilis]

National Seashore park trails are a nice day thing. White Cedar Swamp board walk is deffinately worth checkin out. Have fun, catch em up if you get the chance!

[JohnnySaxatilis]

Originally Posted by jlnel

Fairway is the breakfast place, hole in one( i think) it's attached has great donuts and muffins... Get there early! ****** dont speed through eastham, ;-)
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AHH been there once, thumbs up. Corn beef hash there is KILLER!

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by jlnel

dont speed through eastham, ;-)

There's no better advice in the thread than this comment. And by don't speed, he means not even the "understood" 4mph over... especially with out of state plates.

[Squid kids Dad]

If it was me,I wouldnt leave the house once I got there..Try to bring all the grocerys you can..If you have to leave go to Eastham Supperette,or Browns..They have everything including sandwiches..Arnolds on Rt 6 is a good place for seafood..Fast and on roller skates..And enjoy the sunsets on Cape Cod Bay..None better..Let us know what you think

[Jackbass]

Hole in one is awesome great breakfast stuff they push 750 muffins on a Monday and with good reason. I usually stop in for coffee and stuff on my way back from fishing. First encounter is great with little ones bring a couple of floats down as the tide comes up go over to the left side and enjoy a natural lazy river. We call it the Bees river
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[DZ]

When you stop at the National Seashore Visitors Center make sure to pick up a Nighttime Parking Permit that will allow you to park in some of the beach lots after dark. Last time I was up there it was free.

P-Town - try the Peri Peri Shrimp at Karoo Cafe (South African food) or just pick up a bottle of the Peri Peri sauce and make your own. Sauce is delicious.

Have a great time.
DZ

[capecodder]

Lots of great advice already, but I'll throw in a little as well.

Fairway restaurant is excellent for dinner as well, very kid friendly and very good food. Always been happy with it. Arnolds is great, but also Moby #^&#^&#^&#^&s in Wellfleet which is BYOB as opposed to Arnolds.

The beach in front of you is as good as it gets. Ocean side beaches are beautiful, but crowded and the water is FRIGID. Your kids will be much happier in the bay.

Provincetown is definately worth a trip. At low tide walk across the jetty in the harbor and on to the flats (or part way) with the kids. Marine Specialties will be a hit with your 6 yr old. Have lunch outside at the Surf Club looking at the harbor. Dolphin Fleet started the whale watching industry in the NE. Your kids will like the Wydah Pirate museum on the wharf. Bike through the dunes out to the beaches on the Provincelands bike path. The CeeJay does harbor fishing trips that may be pretty good for the kids.

We have spent many vacations on the outer cape with our kids where we rarely leave the house/beach. You can rent kayaks and have them delivered to your house. On a calm day, take a light tackle setup out in the bay and cast to stripers and blues. Soak some sand eels on the bottom at hi tide. Sunsets are amazing. Sand bars and tidal pools will keep the kids happy.

If you wish to cook your own lobsters, call Cheryl the Lobster Lady in N Truro. Best lobsters on CC, hands down. She sells from her garage the lobsters her husband brings in that day. None better. PM me for a number. Pick them up on the way back from PTown.

The CC Rail Trail (bike path) is not far from you and goes by Arnolds.

If I were you, I would focus the activities from Orleans/Chatham to PTown. Otherwise you will have lots of traffic issues between Orleans and Dennis on Suicide Alley.

So much to do, start planning for next year...

[jlnel]

In Orleans, just up from the rotary is a bowling alley, for a rainy day with the kids, I think they have those bumper side ones, not sure though.. If you travel around on route 28, allow extra time and watch out for bicyclist and jaywalkers!!!

[BigFish]

Moby #^&#^&#^&#^&s is an overpriced tourist trap!!!! Charge you big dollars for cafeteria style service on paper plates at picnic tables. Food is not worth all the extra you pay for the "Cape Experience"! Not one mention of Russ and Maries BBQ in Eastham??? Are you kidding me???? Best BBQ on the Cape! Best pizza down that way is Wellfleet Town Pizza....thin crust and delicious! Red Barn is way over rated....in my opinion! Try Sam's Deli for sandwiches and baked goodies!!!

[jredfly]

Originally Posted by capecodder

Moby #^&#^&#^&#^&s in Wellfleet which is BYOB as opposed to Arnolds

I can see why BF would say Moby #^&#^&#^&#^&s is a tourist trap because most of the time I would rather go to smaller local places when I am on vacation. If you do go to Moby #^&#^&#^&#^&s one good tip I got is do not be intimidated by the the long line out front it moves very fast. The line was beyond the length of the building into the parking lot and I was seated in 15 minutes (family of six). It is very casual with picnic tables, I thought the food was good and I found out they change the oil in their frialators daily.

Be careful in the surf with the kids on the ocean side!

A lot of great advice in this thread, I am going to save to use my next trip down.

HAVE FUN!!!

[Haus]

Fairway Pizza in Eastham is hands down the best pizza in that area! They also have the best donuts in the morning!