Cranberry Bogs & The "Rock"

Whale watching, Plymouth Rock, Hyannis and Kennedy compound, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Driving is your best option, we rented a vehicle in Boston at the airport and drove it down to the Cape. It is approximately a 1 hour drive from Boston's Logan Airport to the Cape area.

Lovely inn located in the hamlet of Yarmouthport. Grand Greek revival style building with huge white pillars outside make the inn very striking when driving up to it. The inn used to be a retirement home years ago and has been lovingly restored and decorated by its current owners. Every room is different, many done in the Victorian style. The Honeymoon Suite is located on the second floor complete with ensuite sitting area and bathroom facilities.

Breakfasts were superb and served in the bright, cheery breakfast nook which had room for about 4 tables.

Convenient to all attractions. Approximately 1/2 hour drive to Hyannis. Thirty minutes to whale watching out of Barnstable Harbor.

We would definitely stay here again.

The Aardvark Cafe is a charming restaurant in the hamlet of Yarmouthport located in Cape Cod, Mass. The cafe features a superb coffee bar/bistro area for light snacks during the day. Evenings, the dining room is opened and a wide array of mains are on offer: fresh local seafood, pastas and meat dishes. Lovely dining area located in an old cape house. Prices are reasonable and cuisine is excellent.

Whale watching cruises leave from a number of areas on the Cape, namely Provincetown and Plymouth. We took a cruise out of Barnstable Harbor which was located about 15 minutes from our inn. The cruise ventures out into the Stellwagen Banks, one of the most popular areas for whales to satisfy their insatiable need for fish, lots of fish! The shallow warm waters create a very hospitable area for the whales to stock up before making their long journey during migration.

The cuise itself takes approximately 3 1/2 hours to get to the area, and once there, you are ALMOST guaranteed to see whales. Our first sighting was a mother humpback teaching her baby how to "breach" above the water.

Try to secure a spot at the front of the boat so that you can make sightings from both sides of the vessel. You will spend approximately 1 1/2 hours in the area before venturing back to the mainland.

There is a snack bar on board with fast-food type snacks. You may also pack your own picnic lunch.

When we returned to port, we did enjoy a lovely dinner at a restaurant located right by the whale watching boat. The name escapes me, but it may possibly be called "McGees." I had the best fish and chips and crab cakes there during the whole trip. Enjoy!

Remember your cameras to snap pics. of all the whales. It is quite an experience to see these huge creatures of the sea up close.

We stopped by the town of Plymouth on our way back to Boston from the Cape. It is approximately a 1/2 half hour from Boston; the Cape area is another 1/2 hour beyond Plymouth so you can visit enroute or returning from the Cape area.

Unfortunately, the rock has deteriorated over the years as it is still sitting in the ocean so erosion has taken its toll. There is a large, concrete portico around the rock, and the rock itself is engraved with the year of the first settler's arrival on the Mayflower.

A replica of the Mayflower is also nearby for tours.

We chose to take a day to drive up to the tip of the Cape Cod "arm" to visit the colourful Provincetown. This town is very much an artistic centre of the area featuring many galleries. Favoured by a large gay population that frequents the town, many coming down from Boston for the weekends, you will find many artistic pursuits here.

The town features many shops, galleries and restaurants.

Optionals may include a sand dune tour by buggy just outside of the town.

Race Point Beach was also a lovely beach just north-west of Provincetown itself and makes for a nice spot to enjoy a picnic lunch. Parking at many Cape Cod beaches can be a problem, but we had no difficulty at this beach. Of course it also has a lighthouse.

Provincetown also offers a number of whale watching cruises by many operators here. Tip, book your cruise first thing when you arrive. They tend to sell out and you may not be able to buy a ticket for that day if you just show up before the cruise leaves. If you can, arrive early in the morning, book your cruise then stroll the town until you embark later in the day.

This was a bit of a disappointment. We thought there would actually be a huge cranberry bog to view, but apparently Ocean Spray has farmers across the country that grow the berries for them. There is a small "sample" bog just outside the main building/museum but it is only about 10ft x 20 ft. and is nothing spectacular to look at.

Inside, the museum is interesting. There are old farm implements and pictures of local farmers from the turn of the century.

The highlight was the ability to buy Ocean Spray's products at low prices and the chance for some samples at the end of the tour.

Like Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard is the other island easily accessible by ferry off the Cape Cod mainland.

Ferries leave regularly from various ports, Hyannis being the most popular and convenient one. Ensure you call ahead a day or two in advance to purchase your tickets, as seats sell quickly. You may take the slow ferry or choose the faster "Flying Dolphin" catamarans that cut the travelling time in half.

Martha's Vineyard is much larger than Nantucket and its sights are much more spread out over the island than Nantucket. When you are traveling by ferry, you will be given the option to buy a seat for one of the bus tours when you disembark from the ship. The buses pick you up at the port and proceed to take you on a 2 hour tour around the perimeter of the island. The driver is usually a knowledgeable local who will point out where many of the celebrities and tv personalities have their summer homes and cottages. In particular, you will drive by the former "cottage" owned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and now her children.

Once your tour is complete, you may then decide which areas you would like to visit for the rest of the day. Taxis are easily found and can transport you back to any other area of the island. Edgartown is the commercial hub with many inns and shops. The beaches are excellent and the tour will also point out where scenes from the movie "JAWS" were shot on these very beaches.

Martha's Vineyard is also home to the Black Dog Tavern. They were made famous recently when former President Bill Clinton was seen purchasing items here which were later given to Ms. Lewinsky.

Another option is to rent a bicycle and explore on your own, this also makes it easier should you wish to pay your respects at the grave of former actor John Belushi which is also pointed out on the tour.

If you are visiting the Cape for more than just a weekend, make sure you spend a day visiting Nantucket, an island approximately 2 hours away by ferry.

Nantucket is a charming place. The seaside cottages are spectacular. Ferries can be taken from numerous ports, but the most popular terminus is out of Hyannis. Tip: Call the Steamship Authority at least a day in advance to purchase tickets during summer months as they fill quickly.

The town is filled with many galleries, antique and gift shops. There are many restaurants through-out the island as well.

Fans of Claire Murray and her exquisite collection of home accessories will find her local store filled with many Nantucket themed hooked rugs which make an excellent souvenir of your vacation to bring home.

Local bus transport is easy to find and use if you wish to explore beyond the main town of Nantucket. In particular, hop on a bus and visit Siasconset...to those in the know, it is known simply as "Sconset". This area is filled with charming small Cape cottages covered in blooming hydrangeas during summer months. Wander down to the beach and enjoy the beauty of south end of the island before making your way back to town.

Before you go exploring, ensure you get a ferry schedule for returning back to Hyannis. Arrive a little earlier for the last ferry back each day as you don't want to leave yourself stranded. Though, there are many guesthouses and inns should you find yourself in that situation.