Popular Cape Cod Tourist Attractions

Everyone knows that Cape Cod has amazingly beautiful beaches, great fishing, and a quaint maritime atmosphere, but did you know it is also home to hundreds of unique attractions? If you are looking for a vacation that will keep everyone in your family busy and engaged, taking some time to learn about the many Cape Cod tourist attractions could make your decision easier. With a little help from this guide, you can create an itinerary that will have your family begging to come back to the Cape before they even leave it!

Enjoy Endless Museums

If you or anyone in your party considers themselves to be a museum buff, Cape Cod can fill their schedule for an entire week. You could always start your museum tour with a visit to the Heritage Museum and Gardens. This museum focuses on nature and American folk culture. It is situated on 100 acres of walking trails and gardens and features many exhibits on the natural world. Once inside its galleries, you will be welcomed by vintage automobiles, American folk art, and a vintage carousel, among other pieces of Americana.

Divide and Conquer

If you have come to the Cape with children in tow, one of the best stops you can make is the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. This museum offers Kidsummer Day Programs, which are a great way to keep the kids occupied, get them educated, and spend some alone time with your spouse. These programs start for kids as young as 7 and go all the way up to 12-year-olds. Some of the programs you can sign your children up for include astronomy week, birding, and shark week. What a perfect way to make sure everyone gets to do something they enjoy!

Get On Track

Another family-friendly attraction you may want to consider visiting is the Cape Cod Central Railroad. While most tourist destinations have a train ride of some kind, this one is considered one of America’s “Great Train Rides” by Parade Magazine. Besides offering a family-oriented dinner ride, this train also caters to couples with romantic evening rides. In order to book a ride that meets your specific needs, be sure to call or visit the railroad online at www.capetrain.com.

The Shows Go On

For those who are patrons of the performing arts, you will probably be surprised at how many opportunities there are to feed your appetite as well. For the most up-to-date information about the greatest shows and venues hitting the Cape, be sure to visit the Cape Islands Theater Coalition at capecodlive.org. This organization supports 23 different theaters and performing arts venues and keeps track of each schedule. Some of the shows that will be performed this year include Pirates of Penzance, The Music Man, and Aladdin, among many, many others. 

Take Some Notes

If music is more your scene than a theater, you may want to consider visiting during the annual Jazz Festival which takes place in mid-August in Provincetown. Other musical venues you may want to check out include the College Light Opera Company at the Highfield Theater which features such shows as The Mikado, West Side Story, and Oklahoma! as well as the Cape Symphony and Conservatory which offers shows featuring everything from big-band music to holiday jingles. If music is your thing, you can certainly get your fill of it here!

A Lighter Option

Of course, the list of Cape Cod tourist attractions would be incomplete without mentioning this area’s many lighthouses. If you’re interested in seeing a lighthouse, there are no shortage of tours and hotel packages to get you the inside scoop. While there are plenty to choose from, always call to find out if and when they are open to the public.