Spring Events on Cape Cod!

For the first time I can remember in the six years I've lived on the Cape, we are actually experiencing a beautiful spring climate. Starting in late March, temperatures suddenly spiked into the 60’s and while we still suffer the occasional cool, rainy period, the majority of days now require just a light jacket, sunglasses, and occasionally I’ve broken out my favorite flip flops!

With the pleasant weather come several spring events well worth taking advantage of. The Dolphin Fleet has started its annual whale watching expeditions – a favorite amongst locals and tourists alike. We have already had guests take advantage of this activity and were able to see nearly a dozen whales on one trip!

Also coming up is the annual Nantucket Daffodil Festival on the weekend of April 24 and 25. A day trip to Nantucket from Chatham is easy on the high speed ferry and well worth it, particularly this weekend with over 3 million daffodils of every bloom and color imaginable.

Finally, did you know that April 24th is National Go Bird Watching Day? What better place to attempt to see dozens of species of birds than Cape Cod, home to the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Massachusetts Audubon's largest and most beautiful sanctuaries. Also, just down the street from the Captains House Inn is Monomoy Wildlife Refuge which provides important resting, nesting and feeding habitat for migratory birds, including the Federally protected piping plover and roseate tern.

Not only are spring activities becoming more doable now that the weather has improved, but some of our favorite restaurants are opening for the season including the Cape Sea Grille, now opened, and Pisces of Chatham, opening April 29th. Don’t miss out on the first spring the Cape has had in years and book your reservation at the Captains House Inn (winter rates are still in effect!) today.

Cape Cod Vacation Itinerary Day Two

Wake up on the first full day of your Cape Cod vacation to a tray of tea, coffee and juice delivered to your room. Linger over your morning caffeine fix outside on one of our private terraces in the summer or in front of your fireplace in the winter. Then, make your way to our dining room, or spoil yourself and order breakfast to your room - either way, enjoy a two course gourmet breakfast and an extensive buffet while reading the local paper and chatting with the interns and innkeepers about your plans for the day.

After breakfast, head North toward Provincetown, the tip of the Cape. Along the way, don't miss stopping off at the Fort Hill area in Eastham where you can stroll along the trails on the marshy shoreline, the National Seashore beaches such as Coast Guard Beach and Marconi Beach, the many lighthouses dotting the shoreline, and the artist's town of Wellfleet known not just for oysters, but for its many galleries. For lunch in the summer, you may wish to stop at Arnold's, famous for fried seafood and "the best onion rings around," or the Beachcomber at Cahoon Hollow Beach with a hopping scene overlooking the beach. In the winter, save your appetite for Napi's in Provincetown, a landmark featuring a varied menu with something for everyone.

Provincetown offers a myriad of options, depending on the season and your preferences. From April through October, enjoy a whalewatch with the Dolphin Fleet where year after year, tourists can view whales frolicking in the water just beside the boat. Another popular choice is taking a four wheel tour of the Dunes with Art's Dune tours where you can see "the other Provincetown." Don't miss strolling along Commercial Street, Provincetown's main drag where the people watching alone is worth a trip. On the return trip to Chatham, stop off at Truro Vineyards if time allows. There, you can enjoy a tasting of their wines under a tent and learn about their winemaking process.

Finally, head back to the inn to unwind before heading out to dinner. To complete your day of seaside fun, head to the Cape Sea Grille in Harwich Port for some of the best food around. There is a nice variety of seafood on the menu in addition to several land options - no matter what you order, you can't go wrong. Finish the evening with a plate of homemade cookies and hot tea or coffee from our open kitchen before resting up for another fun filled day tomorrow.