If you want a break from the outdoors and need some AC, check out Eastham Public Library - it’s one of the most beautiful libraries on the Cape! They have a great kids section for the kiddos to run around in, and also they have really cute Turnip Festival Tee Shirts (Eastham has a Turnip Fest in the fall 😂). I moved to the Cape a couple of years ago and work at a library Mid Cape, so obviously I had to recommend a library.
Also yes for Supergoop!! Their sunscreen is incredible!
Years ago, they had a series of library cats there- do they still have one? I spent lots of time there when visiting Eastham growing up! So envious that you live nearby!
Eastham resident here. Eastham Library is the best for littles (and also for working, if you need to do any of your own work), and Provincetown Library is pretty magical too (with a whole ship going up the center). Truro Vineyards is a lot of fun, especially if there's live music. The Payomet circus troop puts on a fun, kid-friendly show a few times a week at the WHAT theater in Wellfleet, and Payomet has plenty of great shows for grown-ups too. And you've got to do the Wellfleet drive-in, currently showing Jaws!
So the shark museum has moved to Chatham -- not sure what happened but I think there were some issues with the facility in P-town.
Your kid (and probably you) will love the Sharktivity app -- there's a tracker so you can see where they are all at. We were going to go to Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, and saw a shark on the tracker that was within 10 feet of the shore! We decided not to go that day. But they have a bunch of the area sharks tagged so you can see where they are and where they tend to hang out.
Truro is my favorite place on earth! Don’t stress about groceries- either Provincetown Stop and Shop or you could hit the Shaw’s in Orleans on the way onto the Outer Cape. For beaches, check out Ballston on the ocean side (bring boogie boards) and Corn Hill on the Bay Side and also Race Point out in Provincetown is so so beautiful. Feel free to DM me for other recs. The Outer Cape is the most special place, have so much fun!!
Same!!! I grew up spending a week in Truro, specifically tue cottages across from Corn Hill Beach. It is a lovely kid friendly beach since it is on the bay side.
* Friends Marketplace in Orleans would be my pick for groceries close to Truro. It has some nice local/bougie options but also the basics.
* Hyannis also has a Trader Joe's; that's my go-to for easy beach food.
* If you need anything hyper-specific food-wise, you can probably get it from The Cook Shop in Brewster.
* Sunbird Provisions in Orleans makes DELICIOUS food to go that you can take to the beach for a picnic.
* Umami in Dennis is a fun outing as well; kids can make their own pizza, and you can take it to Mayflower Beach to watch the extremely Instagrammable sunset.
* Bay side beaches tend to be mellower as a rule than ocean-side beaches, so I prefer them for smaller kids. In Truro you can try both though.
* If you need an indoor option for any rainy days, the Cape Cod Natural History Museum is lovely, as is the Chatham Shark Center, especially if you can go before noon. Snowy Owl near the museum in Brewster is also a great place to get snacks/caffeine before or after.
* If you can get a date night away from kids, go to Clean Slate Eatery. You will not regret it.
* If you can't, I concur with others on Mac's Shack as a good night out option: all the locations offer a great "has something for everyone" spread.
* Hyannis has an Old Navy if you run into any sartorial emergencies :)
Thanks so much for the new Lands End swimsuit find! I love that brand but my only complaint is the chlorine fade ruin is real from daily swim! My son and his partner and family will also be in Cape Cod for 10 days in August! Have so much fun! 💙💙💙🎉🎉🎉
My fave brand of suits are now fading super fast in the pool. I'm so annoyed. I bought a cheapo from Amazon for my swim class. But I'm looking for a more fun option for pool days that will hold up to chlorine.
I have found there is no such thing as a fade proof suit. Definitely not any on Amazon. Lands End or Cupshe are best. Old Navy good but I find don't fit me well!🩵🩵
Box Lunch in Truro is SO YUMMY for lunch wraps etc, Mac's Shack(Wellfleet) is to die for, Montano's is delicious for dinner, Oyes Pizzeria and i know im missing some great ones too
Oh Virginia! I am such a massive fan of Archie’s and so glad you love yours too. I finally added a pair to my summer rotation on my physio’s recommendation. My longtime default sandals are Saltwater Sandals, which only take twenty minutes to break in and can dress up or down and last me, a person who is Certifiably Hard On Stuff, at least four years. (Also they pack completely flat.)
My biggest grocery shopping tip for family holidays is to just embrace a lot of big salads (not in a gross diet-y way, but more in like “it’s easy to double or triple or quadruple this” way), and also to go hard on snack plates. We’re inveterate grazers so this works for us. My sister made an incredible thing called a “big mac salad” when I was visiting the US in June, which scaled up for the whole family, and was really good (probably because she is an amazing cook). In general I prefer to shop when I get there but only if we meal plan ahead of time. Otherwise it’s just me in a grocery aisle gazing with heart eyes at the fancy cheese aisle. :)
(Tbh I’m way more likely to scout out good nearby takeout when we’re on holiday, and planning for that makes me feel like I’ve done something without having to, you know, actually cook when I’m meant to be reading!)
I hope you all have a wonderful trip and really enjoy the time away and get to recharge! Your summer plans are making me look forward to spring — we’re in the dregs of winter now and I am ready for a warm breeze. :)
I’m a big fan of bringing all the specialty food I’ll need on a road trip with me. We go to the Oregon Coast, and there’s plenty of shopping on the way down, but do they have a Trader Joe’s on the coast? No. I also love to bring my fancy olive oil, salt, spices, a good knife and all the board games. Have a fun break!!
Cape Cod is so nostalgic for me! My grandparents used to have a beach cabin there that they converted into their full-time home in their later years. Such a special place <3 (And, in my memory, it's always chillier than you expect by the beach and in the evenings)
We stay in Truro off season and I think it’s a totally different game but…
Agree with everyone about Mac’s shack
We usually stop at PB Boulangerie (wellfleet) on the way but I think in season maybe too crazy? Amazing breads and pastry.
We use a plug in to the car cooler and just bring a lot of groceries, I can’t deal w shopping a lot in vacation and I’d rather just schlep it. And then fill in what we forgot at the Wellfleet market even if it’s Very Precious.
Love the Wellfleet Farmers Market (Wednesdays).
Ballston beach is great and has no scary climb (I’ve got a “kid” who’s scared of heights).
Hey Virginia! I live on Cape Cod, born and raised and I absolutely love it here :) You will absolutely need at least one sweater, you might want to bring a pair or two of leggings or sweats etc for night time or cloudy cooler days which come and go. Our hottest days are still not as hot as ots of other places, especially on the beach in Truro. Which is an absolute heaven-on-earth place to be anytime, espesically in the summer months!! Lots of grocery stores are nearby, they have the pick up/ delivery options if you order on their apps ahead of time and there's also a decent amount of nearby markets and road side farm stands :) All the restaurants and cafes are delish. Wellfleet has a Drive In movie situation or a regular movie theatre option and they also have a flea market which is lots of fun! I hope you and your sweet fam enjoy to the fullest!!
I love Truro so much. If you don't want to bring groceries from home, stop in Orleans to stock up on the way in. You and the kids will appreciate the bathroom break and breather from the bottleneck. To stock up mid week, if you don't want to go all the way to Orleans, the Wellfleet Market will cover most needs (but maybe not the most specific needs of a child with a limited diet -- ask me how I know). If you have to go back to Orleans midweek, make it worth it with a trip to the bookstore and toy store.
OMG I had flashbacks of a lovely trip to Cape Cod when my kiddo was 3, except when my father in-law insisted we go to the glass museum. The front desk woman followed us around in horror as my kid understandably almost broke everything. The cape cod chip factory tour was much better!
OMG I had flashbacks of a lovely trip to Cape Cod when my kiddo was 3, except when my father in-law insisted we go to the glass museum. The front desk woman followed us around in appropriate horror as my kid understandably almost broke everything. The cape cod chip factory tour was much better!
I am leaving in 2 1/2 weeks for our two-week stay in Eastham. This made me really want to head there now! I don’t have any great advice — there’s just two of us with no kids, so we eat out most meals — but I enjoy hearing everyone’s recommendations (particularly the Eastham Public Library). I don’t know that kids will get the same kick out of going to a drive-in as I do, but we enjoy the Wellfleet Drive-In a lot.
The jumpsuit almost looks like it holds in the girls without a bra, is that just wishful thinking? and thanks for the Lands end suit recommendation. I am in desperate need of new swimwear and they discontinued my favorites. Hope you are have a great vacation.
A lot of people wear these jumpsuits without bras! I don’t feel like it gives me enough support to wear out that way, but truly a personal preference call.
If you want a break from the outdoors and need some AC, check out Eastham Public Library - it’s one of the most beautiful libraries on the Cape! They have a great kids section for the kiddos to run around in, and also they have really cute Turnip Festival Tee Shirts (Eastham has a Turnip Fest in the fall 😂). I moved to the Cape a couple of years ago and work at a library Mid Cape, so obviously I had to recommend a library.
Also yes for Supergoop!! Their sunscreen is incredible!
This is amazing intel thank you!
i second the eastham library rec!
Years ago, they had a series of library cats there- do they still have one? I spent lots of time there when visiting Eastham growing up! So envious that you live nearby!
Eastham resident here. Eastham Library is the best for littles (and also for working, if you need to do any of your own work), and Provincetown Library is pretty magical too (with a whole ship going up the center). Truro Vineyards is a lot of fun, especially if there's live music. The Payomet circus troop puts on a fun, kid-friendly show a few times a week at the WHAT theater in Wellfleet, and Payomet has plenty of great shows for grown-ups too. And you've got to do the Wellfleet drive-in, currently showing Jaws!
Those shark signs at every beach are so terrifying I hardly need Jaws! The shark museum in P-Town is really cool though.
Oh I have a kid who would love that. Though yes we are all feeling a little 👀 about getting in the water!
So the shark museum has moved to Chatham -- not sure what happened but I think there were some issues with the facility in P-town.
Your kid (and probably you) will love the Sharktivity app -- there's a tracker so you can see where they are all at. We were going to go to Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, and saw a shark on the tracker that was within 10 feet of the shore! We decided not to go that day. But they have a bunch of the area sharks tagged so you can see where they are and where they tend to hang out.
Truro is my favorite place on earth! Don’t stress about groceries- either Provincetown Stop and Shop or you could hit the Shaw’s in Orleans on the way onto the Outer Cape. For beaches, check out Ballston on the ocean side (bring boogie boards) and Corn Hill on the Bay Side and also Race Point out in Provincetown is so so beautiful. Feel free to DM me for other recs. The Outer Cape is the most special place, have so much fun!!
It's truly magical here especially for nature lovers!!
Same!!! I grew up spending a week in Truro, specifically tue cottages across from Corn Hill Beach. It is a lovely kid friendly beach since it is on the bay side.
Amazing thank you!!!
I just moved from the Cape and have a whole Google Doc that I send to friends with kids who are visiting. You are welcome to it! :) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qcPBKVPJxobHdvnnrlDEdo7DeOcWKbyL7p4hFMM9exg/edit?usp=sharing
A few highlights:
* Friends Marketplace in Orleans would be my pick for groceries close to Truro. It has some nice local/bougie options but also the basics.
* Hyannis also has a Trader Joe's; that's my go-to for easy beach food.
* If you need anything hyper-specific food-wise, you can probably get it from The Cook Shop in Brewster.
* Sunbird Provisions in Orleans makes DELICIOUS food to go that you can take to the beach for a picnic.
* Umami in Dennis is a fun outing as well; kids can make their own pizza, and you can take it to Mayflower Beach to watch the extremely Instagrammable sunset.
* Bay side beaches tend to be mellower as a rule than ocean-side beaches, so I prefer them for smaller kids. In Truro you can try both though.
* If you need an indoor option for any rainy days, the Cape Cod Natural History Museum is lovely, as is the Chatham Shark Center, especially if you can go before noon. Snowy Owl near the museum in Brewster is also a great place to get snacks/caffeine before or after.
* If you can get a date night away from kids, go to Clean Slate Eatery. You will not regret it.
* If you can't, I concur with others on Mac's Shack as a good night out option: all the locations offer a great "has something for everyone" spread.
* Hyannis has an Old Navy if you run into any sartorial emergencies :)
Oh my gosh, this is GOLD
I can't wait to hear how it all goes! <3
Also, I f-ing love Imbodhi jumpsuits, I have them in two different colors!
Thanks so much for the new Lands End swimsuit find! I love that brand but my only complaint is the chlorine fade ruin is real from daily swim! My son and his partner and family will also be in Cape Cod for 10 days in August! Have so much fun! 💙💙💙🎉🎉🎉
My fave brand of suits are now fading super fast in the pool. I'm so annoyed. I bought a cheapo from Amazon for my swim class. But I'm looking for a more fun option for pool days that will hold up to chlorine.
I have found there is no such thing as a fade proof suit. Definitely not any on Amazon. Lands End or Cupshe are best. Old Navy good but I find don't fit me well!🩵🩵
It’s 1 to 76, Virginia! Can’t wait. Also great if folks have recommendations for takeout for parent cooking nights!
Whoops, that was a typo! And yes, we need takeout intel!
Box Lunch in Truro is SO YUMMY for lunch wraps etc, Mac's Shack(Wellfleet) is to die for, Montano's is delicious for dinner, Oyes Pizzeria and i know im missing some great ones too
Oh Virginia! I am such a massive fan of Archie’s and so glad you love yours too. I finally added a pair to my summer rotation on my physio’s recommendation. My longtime default sandals are Saltwater Sandals, which only take twenty minutes to break in and can dress up or down and last me, a person who is Certifiably Hard On Stuff, at least four years. (Also they pack completely flat.)
My biggest grocery shopping tip for family holidays is to just embrace a lot of big salads (not in a gross diet-y way, but more in like “it’s easy to double or triple or quadruple this” way), and also to go hard on snack plates. We’re inveterate grazers so this works for us. My sister made an incredible thing called a “big mac salad” when I was visiting the US in June, which scaled up for the whole family, and was really good (probably because she is an amazing cook). In general I prefer to shop when I get there but only if we meal plan ahead of time. Otherwise it’s just me in a grocery aisle gazing with heart eyes at the fancy cheese aisle. :)
(Tbh I’m way more likely to scout out good nearby takeout when we’re on holiday, and planning for that makes me feel like I’ve done something without having to, you know, actually cook when I’m meant to be reading!)
I hope you all have a wonderful trip and really enjoy the time away and get to recharge! Your summer plans are making me look forward to spring — we’re in the dregs of winter now and I am ready for a warm breeze. :)
I’m a big fan of bringing all the specialty food I’ll need on a road trip with me. We go to the Oregon Coast, and there’s plenty of shopping on the way down, but do they have a Trader Joe’s on the coast? No. I also love to bring my fancy olive oil, salt, spices, a good knife and all the board games. Have a fun break!!
Cape Cod is so nostalgic for me! My grandparents used to have a beach cabin there that they converted into their full-time home in their later years. Such a special place <3 (And, in my memory, it's always chillier than you expect by the beach and in the evenings)
We stay in Truro off season and I think it’s a totally different game but…
Agree with everyone about Mac’s shack
We usually stop at PB Boulangerie (wellfleet) on the way but I think in season maybe too crazy? Amazing breads and pastry.
We use a plug in to the car cooler and just bring a lot of groceries, I can’t deal w shopping a lot in vacation and I’d rather just schlep it. And then fill in what we forgot at the Wellfleet market even if it’s Very Precious.
Love the Wellfleet Farmers Market (Wednesdays).
Ballston beach is great and has no scary climb (I’ve got a “kid” who’s scared of heights).
Have a great time!!
Hey Virginia! I live on Cape Cod, born and raised and I absolutely love it here :) You will absolutely need at least one sweater, you might want to bring a pair or two of leggings or sweats etc for night time or cloudy cooler days which come and go. Our hottest days are still not as hot as ots of other places, especially on the beach in Truro. Which is an absolute heaven-on-earth place to be anytime, espesically in the summer months!! Lots of grocery stores are nearby, they have the pick up/ delivery options if you order on their apps ahead of time and there's also a decent amount of nearby markets and road side farm stands :) All the restaurants and cafes are delish. Wellfleet has a Drive In movie situation or a regular movie theatre option and they also have a flea market which is lots of fun! I hope you and your sweet fam enjoy to the fullest!!
I love Truro so much. If you don't want to bring groceries from home, stop in Orleans to stock up on the way in. You and the kids will appreciate the bathroom break and breather from the bottleneck. To stock up mid week, if you don't want to go all the way to Orleans, the Wellfleet Market will cover most needs (but maybe not the most specific needs of a child with a limited diet -- ask me how I know). If you have to go back to Orleans midweek, make it worth it with a trip to the bookstore and toy store.
OMG I had flashbacks of a lovely trip to Cape Cod when my kiddo was 3, except when my father in-law insisted we go to the glass museum. The front desk woman followed us around in horror as my kid understandably almost broke everything. The cape cod chip factory tour was much better!
OMG I had flashbacks of a lovely trip to Cape Cod when my kiddo was 3, except when my father in-law insisted we go to the glass museum. The front desk woman followed us around in appropriate horror as my kid understandably almost broke everything. The cape cod chip factory tour was much better!
All of these recs make me want to book a trip. I hope you all have the best time. Enjoy your break!
I am leaving in 2 1/2 weeks for our two-week stay in Eastham. This made me really want to head there now! I don’t have any great advice — there’s just two of us with no kids, so we eat out most meals — but I enjoy hearing everyone’s recommendations (particularly the Eastham Public Library). I don’t know that kids will get the same kick out of going to a drive-in as I do, but we enjoy the Wellfleet Drive-In a lot.
The jumpsuit almost looks like it holds in the girls without a bra, is that just wishful thinking? and thanks for the Lands end suit recommendation. I am in desperate need of new swimwear and they discontinued my favorites. Hope you are have a great vacation.
A lot of people wear these jumpsuits without bras! I don’t feel like it gives me enough support to wear out that way, but truly a personal preference call.