The ultimate family guide to Cape Cod

Best picnic areas
Doane Rock (Nauset Rd., Eastham). This favorite picnic spot is near the homestead site of John Doane, the first of the Plymouth settlers to make his home on the Cape, in 1644. A unique feature is a huge exposed boulder that was transported to the spot by glaciers. There are plenty of picnic tables and hiking trails.

Best public beaches
Everybody’s got a personal favorite. Yours will depend on what kind of beach experience you’re looking for and, to some extent, how old your children are. For the classic Cape Cod beach—humongous dunes, huge waves, chilly water, and miles of uninterrupted sand—head to the Cape Cod National Seashore on the Atlantic coast. West-facing beaches generally have the sandiest shores, gentlest waves, and most temperate waters. Southside beaches on Nantucket Sound are known for their gently rolling surf. And don’t forget inland. There are said to be 365 freshwater ponds on the Cape, one for every day of the year, with clear, warm water and sandy beaches that are ideal for small kids. Here are some of the most beloved beaches on the Cape:

1. Coast Guard Beach, Eastham. A favorite among the many quintessential dune-backed beaches that make up part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. “Coast Guard Beach has been cited by the Travel Channel as one of the most beautiful beaches in the US.” During the summer, there’s no on-site parking; you catch a shuttle bus from the Little Creek parking area, across from the Doane Area.

2. Nauset Beach, East Orleans. A “beautiful town-managed beach” with a nice boardwalk and snack bars.

3. First Encounter Beach, Eastham. At low tide, the beach is at its most dramatic. “The sand seems to stretch on forever and you can walk out up to two whole miles!" The tidal flats harbor a multitude of interesting treasures to collect and “the water is quite warm when the tide comes back in because it passes over the heated sand.” Bring pails and minnow nets.

4. West Dennis Beach, West Dennis. Long and wide, with pristine marshland and “awesome for windsurfing.” Families love it because there’s a playground, snack bar, and restrooms.

5. Long Beach, Centerville. This lesser known gem is just west of Craigville Beach. Though “it’s a bit of a walk from the parking lot,” the reward is that “you get away from the crowds and it’s a great beach to walk and explore.”

Best fun attractions
1. Red Barn Pizza & More (4180 Rte. 6, North Eastham; 508/255-4500). “Fun for tots and teenagers alike.” There is an outdoor mini golf course and an air-conditioned indoor arcade with plenty of fun games. “You’ll also find a huge selection of candy that you mound into a basket as selections are made a fun way to shop!”

2. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf (728 Main St., South Yarmouth; 508/394-6200). "The best place for mini golf on the Cape" offers two 18-hole swashbuckling courses "for the most over-the-top putt putt experience."

3. Bud’s Go-Karts (362 Sisson Rd., off Rte. 28, Harwich Port; 508/432-4964). "Kids love getting behind the wheel and going really fast" around the track at Bud’s, "a must stop in Harwich."

4. Cartwheels (11 Gages Way, South Dennis; 508/394-6755). A fun place for the whole family to spend a few hours. There are “top-of-the-line go-karts, batting cages, and an arcade.”

5. Cape Escape Adventure Golf (14 Canal Rd., Orleans; 508/240-1791). This particularly lovely mini golf course “not only is a lot of fun, but it delivers an authentic Cape ambience.” Decorations include real fishing boats, a live koi fishpond, and pretty waterfalls.

Best for whale watching
1. Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch (MacMillan Pier, Provincetown; 800/826-9300 or 508/349-1900; $30/adult, $22/kids 5 to 12, free for kids 4 and under). These “excellent four-hour trips” feature narration by marine biologists from the Center for Coastal Studies. You might spot humpbacks, minkes, finbacks, or dolphins. “It’s incredible to watch a whale surface!” Book in advance, and “check the web site for online discounts.”

2. Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises (Barnstable Harbor; 1-888/WHALE-WATCH; $37/adult, $20/kids 4 to 12; free for kids 3 and under). This is the only whale watching outfit on the Mid Cape. Cruises last three-and-a-half hours, with commentary from expert naturalists and a good chance at seeing humpbacks, finbacks, and other species. “During the summer, tickets are first come, first served.”

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