Cape Cod

Looking for a great summer escape that has beaches, the flavor of history, and a lot of fun things to experience? Try Cape Cod; a beautiful throwback to older times, a haven for artists, naturalists, history buffs, and bird and sea-animal aficionados. There is something for everyone on this East Coast peninsula to enjoy. And for more exciting, historic fare, take A Day Trip to Boston. Check out the region this summer!

Biography

A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman by Joan Anderson: A woman spends a year in Cape Cod to reflect on her life and marriage through observations of the changing ocean and natural world. Similar to Anne Morrow Lindberg's Gift from the Sea.

History

The Enduring Shore: A History of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket by Paul Schneider: A natural history of the region which describes the past and present landscapes, as well as a human adventure history of explorers, natives, whalers, hurricanes, people lost at sea, captured by pirates or locked by ice. Also covers the ill-fated Essex Expedition that inspired the story of "Moby Dick." The award-winning author is a native of Martha's Vineyard.

Land's End: A Walk Through Provincetown by Michael Cunningham: Portrays the beauty and historical significance of Provincetown, Massachusetts, as well as the artists and writers for which it is known.

Travel Guides

Beauty of Massachusetts by Paul M. Lewis: Color photographs of Massachusetts including Cape Cod, as well as an essay on the highlights of Cape Cod.

Frommer’s Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard 2005 by Laura M. Reckford: This covers all three of the state’s top beaches, plus insider tips on planning the perfect romantic getaway, outdoor adventure or family vacation. The author has been a long-time resident of the area.

National Geographic Traveler, Boston and Environs With the Cape, Providence and Newport by Paul Wade: Gorgeous colored photographs, a thoroughly detailed history of the region, colored maps of walking and driving tours, and specially commissioned artwork along with the usual visitor information on shopping, hotels, restaurants and entertainment make this a visual feast. Covers approximately 20 pages on Cape Cod, but is also useful if one wishes to include the 60-minute trip to Boston as a day excursion.

The Nantucket Book by Betty Lowry: Various chapters cover history, transportation, lodging, culture, tours, museums, restaurants, recreation, natural environment and shopping. Additional lists of bargain books about Nantucket, important/emergency phone numbers, and locations of service facilities such as laundries, banks and churches are included. There is a regular index, an index of lodgings by price code, and also cuisine by price code and type of cuisine. Special section includes two pages on "if time is short."

Daytrips New England by Earl Steinbicker: Chapters are divided into the "Upper and Mid Cape," "The Outer Cape and Provincetown" and "Martha's Vineyard," complete with phone numbers, dates and hours of operation, routes and attractions. Sites are numbered and correspond to numbers on the map, allowing a choice of attractions to visit in succession. No information is given on how much time to allot for each place of interest, but suggestions are given for road trips and stops along the way. A "Food and Drink" section is included.

Hidden New England by Susan Farewell: This guide aims to bring the tourist closer to the local people and the natural environment of New England by concentrating on one-of-a-kind places and locally owned establishments. These locales are popular with residents, but often overlooked by visitors. Cape Cod is divided into North, Outer and South Capes individually, as well as Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Outdoor Adventures and Transportation. Each section then lists hidden sights, beaches and parks, as well as unique lodging, dining, shopping and night life.

With Kids

Fun Places to Go With Children in New England by Diane Bair and Pamela Wright: The Cape Cod section of the Massachusetts state chapter covers kid-friendly museums, hatcheries, trails and sanctuaries, petting zoos and sea animal shows, clam digging/bakes, restaurants, u-pick farms and beaches. Information on transportation to the islands as well as places to see and eat are also included.

Fun With the Family in Massachusetts: Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips With the Kids by Marcia Glassman-Jaffe: Has chapters on Greater Boston and Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, as well as other areas of Massachusetts. Each entry includes address, telephone number, website and description, and, if possible, hours, prices, directions and age ranges. Includes where to eat, where to stay, other things to see and do in addition to main attractions, as well as interesting historical tidbits about each area.

Video

Cape Cod: The Sands of Time (Videocassette): Prepared by the National Park Service to talk about the formation of Cape Cod by ice, wind and waves. Talks about how erosion is a necessary part of what makes the Cape today.

E-Books

Enchanted Summer: A Romantic Guide to Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard by Cynthia Mascot: For couples or honeymooners, covers romantic inns and hotels, restaurants, individual cities and their histories, walking tours, outdoor fun and beaches, forests, parks and preserves. Arranged geographically with separate sections on Martha's Vineyard, the Upper, Mid and Outer Cape, Nantucket and Boston. Charming black and white etchings convey the local flavor. Good index by city, tourist attraction, recreational activity, restaurants and accommodations.

Quiet Places of Massachusetts: Country Rambles, Secluded Beaches, Backroad Excursions, Romantic Retreats by Mike Tougias: Includes information on bicycling and walking the Upper Cape, Woods Hole, West Falmouth and Bourne, as well as the Outer Cape dunes, bike trails, Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet and Eastham. Maps of both the Upper and Outer Cape are included.

Websites

Best Read's Guide: Cape Cod Travel: An up-to-date guide to lodging, dining, rentals and activities; including museums, historic sites, performing arts, "especially for kids," and golf; travel information, feature stories and weather. Time schedules and specialties of the various ferries, cruises and steamship services are available. Search by geographic section to get a run-down of cities and their attractions or by above topics. Coupons for lodging, shopping and dining are available.

Cape Cod: This is the official website of the Cape Cod National Seashore, which is open year round. Scientific information on the seashore, nature life, history, educational programs, activities, accessibility, news and employment are featured. “Plan your visit” links to map, lodging, fees, attractions, weather, climate, camping and permits.

Cape Cod: A Short Trip to Far Away: This is useful for local businesses, lodging, accomodations and restaurants that are chamber of commerce members.

The Cape Cod and Islands: Information on history, arts, entertainment, fine dining and accommodations. One can approach geographically by Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket.

Cape Cod Central Railroad: This is the website to the Cape Cod Central Diner Train which is open April through December. Choose an elegant dinner train, scenic fun train, luncheon train, family supper, holiday Santa or special events. The Scenic Excursion Train is among the top ten scenic train tours in the country according to USA Today and the Elegant Dinner Train was voted among the top three dinner trains by the TV Food Network.

Cape Cod Online: A travel guide with information about beaches, recreation, golf courses, dining and lodging, as well as local news, traffic reports, shopping and a business directory yellow pages for the entire area.

Cape Cod Shops: Local Shops: This links to various shops in the Cape Cod area, including collectibles, books about Cape Cod, Nantucket Baskets, antique reproductions, artwork, puritan clothing and custom gifts. Offers a search by store type and "special occasion" such as "Bon Voyage" for gift giving. Includes separate categories for new sites, featured sites, local sites and sites coming soon.

Sandwich Glass Museum: This is the official website of the famous glass museum at 129 Main Street in Sandwich, Massachusetts.

A Day Trip to Boston

Books

Fodor's '06 Boston: Local experts well-traveled through the city write on the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities for the greatest variety of experiences.

Frommer's Boston 2006 by Marie Morris: A local author provides details of Boston highlights, shopping, nightlife, Cambridge area, walking tours and side trips to Lexington, Concord, Plymouth and the North Shore. Color photos and fold-out color map are included.

Boston for Dummies: A Travel Guide for the Rest of Us by Marie Morris: Easy and fun travel guide to getting around and having fun in Boston. Large scale maps and sections frequently broken down into specialty areas such as "Especially for Kids/Teens/Sports Buffs" make this an accessible help source.

Boston (Eyewitness Travel Guides Series) by David Lyons: This is a DK book with large scale tour maps and beautiful photographs. Contains information about history, various tours by specific area, travelers' needs, childrens' Boston, and a survival guide with street finder, practical information and general index.

E-Book

Boston: Off the Beaten Track by Patricia Harris: Use this guide to find little known historical and cultural gems, less well-known features of major attractions, unique restaurants and lodging, plus one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques. Detailed maps and directions are provided.

Videos

Portrait of Boston: A Video Souvenir (Videocassette): Tours Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, the U.S.S. Constitution, Beacon Hill, sites of the American Revolutionary War battles, Boston Harbor, Harvard College and more.

The Freedom Trail (Videocassette): Tours Old Ironsides, Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere's home, and the Old Corner Bookstore. This three-mile walk covers 16 sites in all.

Website

Search Boston: This is an overall directory to arts, entertainment, shopping, food, dining, travel and transportation. The section on Boston tourism includes attractions, maps, live webcams, plus historic sites.

This Special Collection last updated on December 4, 2007.