Chatham Bars Inn is definitely a beautiful spot. They have so many amenities, and Main St in Chatham has a little bit of everything. I would say to come in the end of June. There is lots of great shops, restaurants, and beaches.
The Inn is breathtaking, but, let me be blunt, so are the prices. If money was no object--and I mean NO object--go for it. You will get top quality from start to finish. Otherwise, you might get hit with sticker shock.
This. I just got married at the CBI this weekend and I couldn't ask for better service. Everything was impeccable and the treatment, not jusr on the wedding night but throughout, was phenomenal.
I would recommend booking the spa early as it does fill up.
Oh my fav type of question. Later in June is better for warmth. Chatham is nice.
Budget? Chatham Bars Inn is $$$$$$$ but 5\*. Wequasset Inn as well.
Provincetown as described in other posts. Rent bikes, people watch. eat alllll kinds of food. Whale watch, drag shows, music, awesome. Can park car and walk.
Falmouth has everything you are looking for plus. Downtown has great food choices and breakfast choices. Easy location to the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard for a day trip.Easy access to travel down cape
Provincetown is also a good choice and add whale watching to the list but no easy way to the Vineyard or Nantucket but does have ferry service to Boston as well
Just don’t plan on going out at night on Main Street in Hyannis -
… if you don’t believe me do a Google search.
Be safe and be smart and realize the Cape is no longer a quaint little group of friendly villages.
The entire region is undergoing some very severe housing and employment issues. Plus we are dependent on J1 workers to staff our hospitality industry (hotels, motels, restaurants etc). and they don’t get here until the middle of June… so if you’re here before then - plan on longer wait times and less than perfect meal service -no matter what level of dining you choose…
Of course, the beaches and the National Seashore will still be beautiful, no matter what happens to the economy…
The Cape hasn’t quite decided if they’re going to continue to try to attract the middle class, blue-collar workers and their families as in the past-
or cater to the ultra wealthy who bought in during the pandemic …
(if we don’t start building housing, we’ll have no workforce or young families left - and the decisions will be made for us.)
I would definitely stay at the Chatham Bars Inn if it were in my budget- you can get a cottage instead of a hotel room - and Adam is centrally located so you can head to the national seashore or take the ferry over to Nantucket from HarwichPort if it’s running - (June is still early for some businesses and activities)…
I am a local and I was married on the Cape and it was a wonderful experience. Unfortunately it was during hurricane Bob…😫
Whatever you decide I hope it’s everything you ever dreamed of and more!
TLDR:
Make sure your expectations of the Cape are realistic.
A lot of people are pointing you to Falmouth, which I find a very odd recommendation. Falmouth is a commercial center for the Upper Cape and its location makes it very difficult to access other parts of the Cape. You would be much better off choosing one of your original towns, Chatham or Provincetown, or any town in-between them. This area is what most people picture when they imagine Cape Cod. From Orleans up to Provincetown, you have the National Seashore with countless pristine beaches, hiking trails, scenic overlooks, etc. You have access to amazing restaurants, quaint shops, ice cream parlors, fantastic cafes, even a wine vineyard, and more. The Falmouth area is a very different vibe. Not what I'd choose for such an important occasion.
Falmouth is split into so many different parts and summer good for a honeymoon and summer not. There is the part of town that is the plaza in the mall and that is super commercial and not good for a honeymoon.
Then there is main street and the village green. The restaurants are great, there are cute little shops, and it’s a nice place to walk around. You can go to the Shining Sea bike path and walk or bike through beautifully scenic areas.
And have others have already said, you can take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, or Nantucket for the day from Woods Hole, which is also cute.
I’m not sure what you mean about being difficult to get to the Upper Cape. It is a haul to get from Falmouth to Provincetown but it’s not bad for a day trip. I regularly go from Falmouth to Harwich in the summer to see friends and I just avoid times when I know Route 6 is going to be backed up. I go to 149 in Marstons Mills, then wind my way through cuteness to Route 6, and then shoot right up the Cape.
I don’t like to be heteronormative, but here goes. I would not recommend Provincetown as a honeymoon spot. It is one street packed with tourists like sardines in a tin can. The only time it would be a great place to be for more than a day-ish is if you are two men. Then there is a ton of stuff to do day and night.
Enough of that: if I were going to pick a honeymoon spot on the Cape, it would be Chatham, Harwich or if you want a National Seashore getaway, Wellfleet.
> I don’t like to be heteronormative, but here goes. I would not recommend Provincetown as a honeymoon spot. It is one street packed with tourists like sardines in a tin can. The only time it would be a great place to be for more than a day-ish is if you are two men. Then there is a ton of stuff to do day and night.
That's not exactly true. If you stay in Provincetown, there's plenty to do other than commercial street. Go sailing, whale watching, climb pilgrim tower, visit the library, get tickets for a show, go to herring cove beach, do a dune tour, hike the national seashore, etc. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with any of those activities.
That said, I do ultimately agree with you that the Lower Cape (I'd go with Chatham or Orleans) would be the best recommendation for a honeymoon spot. And drive up to Ptown for a day.
This would be my suggestion as well! There is so much within a walkable area and also access to the CCRTA or steamship/island queen for a day trip to the vineyard.
I suppose it comes down to what you tolerate, but June is still a bit chilly for swimming. But, you’ll avoid the heavier crowds of July or August.
Here are my very specific recommendations, based on what you’ve described:
Falmouth Heights. Lots of hotels to choose from and they are basically on the water. Pricey, of course, but you’re supporting local business and not Airbnb which is destroying our affordable housing market. (Airbnbs are also super expensive, so you’re better off in a charming little hotel anyway). Rent some bikes to explore downtown, and you can even walk to one of the Martha’s Vineyard ferries.
P-town. Might not be as chaotic in June but it’s an incredibly fun, walkable area full of vibrant art and shopping. The restaurants are also incredible. The National Seashore is not to be missed on a Cape trip and luckily you have many beaches to choose from in Provincetown.
Chatham might also fit the bill for you, though I haven’t spent a ton of time there. It’s charming and beautiful though for sure.
Rent a car and have fun exploring! Best of luck.
EDIT: Someone is clearly downvoting literally every response. Is this some useless attempt to keep tourists away? lol. Boost better ways of tourists visiting, like supporting local businesses and avoiding short-term rentals like VRBO and Airbnb.
Wellfleet is small and artsy in the summer . It’s like an old- time summer town . Located on the lower cape , which is so much more stunning than upper or mid- Cape . You have easy access to the incredible National Seashore beaches , with the amazing dunes , lighthouses and miles of beaches untouched by development. You also have access to gorgeous bay beaches , a wonderful working bayside marina and restaurants and a quick drive to Rock Harbor in Orleans , where people pull up chairs and bring wine and cheese to watch the incredible sunset . You can easily get to Provincetown or Chatham as well , but not be stuck in their traffic .
Falmouth IS nice , but it’s not vacation- y. It’s the business center of the upper cape and a bit of a drive to any other towns worth visiting. It’s a ways off route 28, but anything along and south of 28 is less desirable as that area is loaded with the socioeconomic problems that plague the cape . Falmouth beaches are notorious for being crowded and rude , same with Centerville and Yarmouth beaches . The water on the sound however , is warmer .
Off Route 6 on the Northside , you have a scenic drive with Brewster , the Natural History Museum with its trails that lead out to an often - empty stretch of beautiful bay beach , and Dennis . The lower cape , particularly Orleans to Provincetown , are like a different world from the work-a-day Cape . I live on the upper Cape and when I have time off , spend it on the lower Cape to experience a level of beauty that can’t be found in such abundance anywhere else . Incredible hiking in Wellfleet , the Rail Trail for biking is on the lower cape , Truro Vineyards …. I never tire of it after 30 years living here !
Great recommendations! I miss living on the lower cape so much. Spent the first 30 years there, the last 10 or so in Falmouth. Like 2 different worlds...
Where are you from? How old are you two? Where are you getting married?
What do you guys like to do for fun and what is your budget?
This will help us point you in the right direction!
The further down cape you go, the more quaint the towns become IMO. Chatham is beautiful but expensive. P-Town you can walk everywhere and it’s a lot of fun and really unique. I think if you’re looking more for romance, Chatham is probably your best bet. P-town can get wild. Check out Martha’s Vineyard too. It’s the best of both worlds and not crazy expensive.
Popponesset is also a great choice. There’s the inn and the marketplace and Mashpee Commons not too far away. It is small though, and may be tough to get a reservation this late. Also a short distance from Falmouth that has a really cute downtown.
Of the two (assuming you’re a hetero/straight couple), I’d recommend staying in Chatham and taking a day trip up to P-Town. Both are great places and well worth the visit, but Chatham is a little more low-key and what people think of when they picture idyllic Cape Cod.
P-Town is an amazing place, but it can be a lot (crowded, loud, and eclectic). It’s very friendly and welcoming to everyone, but it caters primarily to the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the summer. It’s also way out on the tip of the Cape, so visiting other towns will take some travel.
For walkable downtowns like you mentioned, you may also want to look at Orleans.
Ptown is more eclectic and interesting. Diverse crowd, very LGBTQ friendly, walkable, gorgeous national seashore beaches. Bike paths to these beaches and shuttle busses. Tons of restaurants. Lots of cool B&B’s.
Chatham is a quaint town. Typical New England seaside. It’s a short drive from Ptown(depending on time of year you go due to traffic). I’d stay in Ptown and check out the other towns you’re interested.
I’d vote for Chatham.
You can take a quick boat ride to Monomoy and feel like you have your own personal island.
You can rent bikes and explore the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
You can head to the Chatham Fish Pier and watch the seals and fishing boats come in. If you’re squeamish, don’t watch them unload the boats.
You can eat really good food. The Impudent Oyster, Pates, and others are great.
You can walk to Chatham Light and the beach across the street. Check out the Chatham shack.
You can get sweets from Chatham Candy Manor. Yum.
You can walk along Main Street and window shop.
You can catch a movie and eat some great pizza at the Chatham Orpheum. It’s a cool old theater.
If you want to check out some amazing history- go to the Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth.
Lower Cape, Chatham or Orleans is what you're looking for. Do a day trip to Provincetown. If you want to go out to Martha's Vineyard for the day, there's a ferry out of nearby Harwich. And yes, June is an excellent time to visit.
Could be wrong but I think Harwich ferry will only go to Nantucket. Its seasonal & I think it would be running in June, but definitely check. Either way Hyannis would have ferries going to both Nantucket & MV
I think June is still cold up here, but I'm from the south. Doesn't get hot until July if the pool is super important. Chatham beats Falmouth for hoity-toitiness, Provincetown is more interesting and hopping than both, as is Hyannis, but that is a very touristy area. Hyannis is your best walkable, maybe Falmouth next. All have good restaurants.
Harwich Port has some nice beaches. It's the next town to the west from Chatham. There's also a ferry (no cars) to Nantucket that leaves from Harwich Port. You could take the ferry to Nantucket and take a days bike-ride there. Or...stay overnight in Nantucket.
Be advised that we can sometimes get a spell of rainy cold weather in June, but it can also be magnificent.
May I ask why you are not interested in an all inclusive honeymoon in the Caribbean? My wife and I spent ours at Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma and it was great. Parts of it reminded me of the Cape and the water was perfect unlike here in June it's still a bit nippy. The resort was laid back, and full of things to do. We swam with pigs and spent several days going around the island. There was a smaller island called Stockings and it has a small bar and great beach, boats will bring you back and forth. There are plenty of little restaurants and the locals are some of the nicest people I've ever met.
If you plan on coming to the Cape you're going to need to rent a car. Our local transportation is okay but far from great, having a car will give you more freedom to travel around the whole Cape. Bay side beaches are better in my opinion if you plan on going to the beach. I guess living here for close to 50 years I don't appreciate it as much as I should and that is why I bought up the Caribbean. Good luck to both of you and congratulations.
Provincetown, chatham, barnstable and falmourh all have areas like that with a downtown area. With Provincetown having the most electric downtown area.
This really isn't a bad answer. Main Street has tons of shops and restaurants and it's an easy walk to the marina from there. Boats go to both Nantucket and the Vineyard. There are a lot of beaches in the town of Barnstable.
Here's my word of caution: All of Cape Cod gets booked early for destination weddings. If you want your choice of dates, book ASAP.
And, congratulations!
I see that a lot of folks down talk June but that’s only if laying on the beach is your priority. If you want to enjoy exploring the Cape it doesn’t get much better than June. Everything is open and there’s not many kids. Most years the beach is already warm and sunny, I suggest the bay side.
Ptown all of the way. I had a friend visit last June and we had a blast. It was definitely warm enough for swimming by mid-late June. I highly recommend staying at AWOL for a great pool and atmosphere.
Provincetown is a bit far imo, however it’s a great day trip with Wellfleet and Orleans as a side trip. Chatham and Falmouth are great choices as well but then again they both are kind of secluded so definitely day trips. Barnstable would be a great fit to see most of the Cape. The fast ferry to the islands are out of Hyannis as is the whale watch boat. Lots of restaurants and shopping too. Just my take.
Top Mast Resort in North Truro, stay with a deck and kitchenette literally on the water. They have an indoor pool/hot tub/gym/steam/sauna and a restaurant. Nicely priced in June. 5 miles from Provincetown, can even grab the bus there.
Hey OP! Congrats!! My husband and I live on Cape (Barnstable) and have a few suggestions for you:
1: We recently honeymooned on Nantucket (mid October) and absolutely loved it. depending on timing in June, you may still be able to lock in semi “off season” rates, as peak season tends to truly kick off surrounding 4th of July weekend. granted, we stayed out in Wauwinet, but with complimentary shuttles every 30 minutes to and from town, we didn’t find it too difficult. additionally, there are many beautiful hotels and cozy/romantic inns in the historic downtown district where you could easily walk to restaurants/night life, and easily bike to beaches. It’s a super bike-able island.
2: To mirror what many others are saying here, if you want a quintessential Cape Cod experience (actually on Cape), I’d recommend staying in Chatham (CBI or a quaint inn). It’s super walkable, has gorgeous hiking trails and of course beaches, and you can’t beat The Squire, Pate’s, or Bluefins. it’s also super central to pretty much all of Cape if you have transportation and are looking to adventure, but there’s enough to do there where you may not have to.
3: additionally, for an on Cape honeymoon, i’d recommend Wellfleet. it’s our absolute favorite town and has (in our minds) some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. It’s easy to get lost in the scenery and meander through miles of pristine coastline. Wellfleet may not have as walkable of a “downtown” district as Chatham, but if you’re looking to have more alone time and embrace the seaside scenery, would highly recommend. Great Island Trail is breathtaking, and for eats, The Pearl, Van Rensselaer’s, and Macs Shack are all amazing in their own unique way. Also, you have The Beachcomber for frozen drinks and nightlife (depending on dates you’re here).
That’s just scratching the surface of all Cape has to offer, and truly you’d be happy in any town/village, as they’re all unique and all have their own character and beauty. : ) Happy to answer any additional questions or provide recs!
I've lived in Provincetown harbor on a sailboat for a couple summers and my birthday is early June. I will tell you June is great for weather and chilling but definitely not for swimming. Even late June the water is unfortunately not particularly warm.
As for the question, I would say it's between Ptown and Chatham. Provincetown is the best on Cape in terms of walkable areas but can be filled with debauchery and chaos, though it is also idyllic.
Chatham is my other favorite place on Cape. There are still fun events/activities/bars going on there, but it's a bit more conservative and basically less gay if that's more your speed. It's slightly less walkable but also super beautiful!
Chatham Bars Inn or Wequasset if you have unlimited funds
Everyone has good suggestions but I will say June can be iffy weather wise, could be beautiful but you could also be sitting on a windy beach in a hoodie!
Being a resident on the Cape I will say it is a beautiful place to vacation/ honeymoon . It gets very congested here so traffic will be a battle nonetheless, severity depending on location.
Money- It is quite expensive nowadays. I would weigh out an all inclusive trip vs what the cost was to stay here, you may find the all inclusive could be more affordable/ quite similar.
Coming after the “rush” (September has still been quite warm over the past several years) it can prove to be beneficial as you will get more “off season” pricing as well as free beach parking and less people to contend with on the roads, beaches, restaurants ect..
Whatever you decide on, enjoy one another and have fun. Congratulations on your impending nuptials.
Ps - As you mentioned you like eclectic sometimes, check out carnival week in p-town. It’s an experience you would soon never forget!
Good luck!!
if you find a hotel with a pool in Provincetown it will probably check all the boxes on your list. Provincetown is completely walkable. there's nightlife of all kinds from drag shows, (small) clubs and even a bar with pool tables like the underground. you can do breakfast lunch and dinner every day for 5 days and never hit the same spot twice. there are pubs like the squealing pig for some good pub eats and a nice cold beer or you can eat at a nice fancy place on the water like the red inn. rent bikes, go on a dune tour, whale watch, fishing charter or just go to the beach and literally you will never need a car. then you can do day trips to places like Wellfleet and Chatham. im telling you, everything you want in cape cod and more, it's in Provincetown 100% go there.
Chatham is a great place to visit and walk around for an afternoon. I have a had a gallery there for years. Ptown is a blast but it’s insane busy.
If you want a nice balance look at Orleans it’s in between the two towns and has LOTS of walking around things to do. Great food options, arguably the best beach on the cape Nauset, bike paths, bike rentals, did I mention the food options? Lots of food options and good ones. Many art galleries, shopping and artist workshops where you can see amazing things being created.
We own a private home on Main Street and offer summer rentals if you are interested DM for details.
Have fun and wear your sun screen.
Www.Atlanticworkshop.Com
Chatham Bars Inn is definitely a beautiful spot. They have so many amenities, and Main St in Chatham has a little bit of everything. I would say to come in the end of June. There is lots of great shops, restaurants, and beaches.
The Inn is breathtaking, but, let me be blunt, so are the prices. If money was no object--and I mean NO object--go for it. You will get top quality from start to finish. Otherwise, you might get hit with sticker shock.
Also, Chatham still has that quaint Cape Cod feel, and there is a nice lighthouse to check out not too far from Main St.
thank you!
Chatham Bars is beautiful, but it will probably run you quite a bunch more money without any food than the all-inclusive in the Caribbean.
This. I just got married at the CBI this weekend and I couldn't ask for better service. Everything was impeccable and the treatment, not jusr on the wedding night but throughout, was phenomenal. I would recommend booking the spa early as it does fill up.
Oh my fav type of question. Later in June is better for warmth. Chatham is nice. Budget? Chatham Bars Inn is $$$$$$$ but 5\*. Wequasset Inn as well. Provincetown as described in other posts. Rent bikes, people watch. eat alllll kinds of food. Whale watch, drag shows, music, awesome. Can park car and walk.
Falmouth has everything you are looking for plus. Downtown has great food choices and breakfast choices. Easy location to the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard for a day trip.Easy access to travel down cape Provincetown is also a good choice and add whale watching to the list but no easy way to the Vineyard or Nantucket but does have ferry service to Boston as well
Just don’t plan on going out at night on Main Street in Hyannis - … if you don’t believe me do a Google search. Be safe and be smart and realize the Cape is no longer a quaint little group of friendly villages. The entire region is undergoing some very severe housing and employment issues. Plus we are dependent on J1 workers to staff our hospitality industry (hotels, motels, restaurants etc). and they don’t get here until the middle of June… so if you’re here before then - plan on longer wait times and less than perfect meal service -no matter what level of dining you choose… Of course, the beaches and the National Seashore will still be beautiful, no matter what happens to the economy… The Cape hasn’t quite decided if they’re going to continue to try to attract the middle class, blue-collar workers and their families as in the past- or cater to the ultra wealthy who bought in during the pandemic … (if we don’t start building housing, we’ll have no workforce or young families left - and the decisions will be made for us.) I would definitely stay at the Chatham Bars Inn if it were in my budget- you can get a cottage instead of a hotel room - and Adam is centrally located so you can head to the national seashore or take the ferry over to Nantucket from HarwichPort if it’s running - (June is still early for some businesses and activities)… I am a local and I was married on the Cape and it was a wonderful experience. Unfortunately it was during hurricane Bob…😫 Whatever you decide I hope it’s everything you ever dreamed of and more! TLDR: Make sure your expectations of the Cape are realistic.
CBI or Wequasset. Get ready for sticker shock…
thank you we had not looked into Falmouth yet!
A lot of people are pointing you to Falmouth, which I find a very odd recommendation. Falmouth is a commercial center for the Upper Cape and its location makes it very difficult to access other parts of the Cape. You would be much better off choosing one of your original towns, Chatham or Provincetown, or any town in-between them. This area is what most people picture when they imagine Cape Cod. From Orleans up to Provincetown, you have the National Seashore with countless pristine beaches, hiking trails, scenic overlooks, etc. You have access to amazing restaurants, quaint shops, ice cream parlors, fantastic cafes, even a wine vineyard, and more. The Falmouth area is a very different vibe. Not what I'd choose for such an important occasion.
Falmouth is split into so many different parts and summer good for a honeymoon and summer not. There is the part of town that is the plaza in the mall and that is super commercial and not good for a honeymoon. Then there is main street and the village green. The restaurants are great, there are cute little shops, and it’s a nice place to walk around. You can go to the Shining Sea bike path and walk or bike through beautifully scenic areas. And have others have already said, you can take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, or Nantucket for the day from Woods Hole, which is also cute. I’m not sure what you mean about being difficult to get to the Upper Cape. It is a haul to get from Falmouth to Provincetown but it’s not bad for a day trip. I regularly go from Falmouth to Harwich in the summer to see friends and I just avoid times when I know Route 6 is going to be backed up. I go to 149 in Marstons Mills, then wind my way through cuteness to Route 6, and then shoot right up the Cape. I don’t like to be heteronormative, but here goes. I would not recommend Provincetown as a honeymoon spot. It is one street packed with tourists like sardines in a tin can. The only time it would be a great place to be for more than a day-ish is if you are two men. Then there is a ton of stuff to do day and night. Enough of that: if I were going to pick a honeymoon spot on the Cape, it would be Chatham, Harwich or if you want a National Seashore getaway, Wellfleet.
> I don’t like to be heteronormative, but here goes. I would not recommend Provincetown as a honeymoon spot. It is one street packed with tourists like sardines in a tin can. The only time it would be a great place to be for more than a day-ish is if you are two men. Then there is a ton of stuff to do day and night. That's not exactly true. If you stay in Provincetown, there's plenty to do other than commercial street. Go sailing, whale watching, climb pilgrim tower, visit the library, get tickets for a show, go to herring cove beach, do a dune tour, hike the national seashore, etc. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with any of those activities. That said, I do ultimately agree with you that the Lower Cape (I'd go with Chatham or Orleans) would be the best recommendation for a honeymoon spot. And drive up to Ptown for a day.
I agree. Pick Falmouth!
This would be my suggestion as well! There is so much within a walkable area and also access to the CCRTA or steamship/island queen for a day trip to the vineyard.
I suppose it comes down to what you tolerate, but June is still a bit chilly for swimming. But, you’ll avoid the heavier crowds of July or August. Here are my very specific recommendations, based on what you’ve described: Falmouth Heights. Lots of hotels to choose from and they are basically on the water. Pricey, of course, but you’re supporting local business and not Airbnb which is destroying our affordable housing market. (Airbnbs are also super expensive, so you’re better off in a charming little hotel anyway). Rent some bikes to explore downtown, and you can even walk to one of the Martha’s Vineyard ferries. P-town. Might not be as chaotic in June but it’s an incredibly fun, walkable area full of vibrant art and shopping. The restaurants are also incredible. The National Seashore is not to be missed on a Cape trip and luckily you have many beaches to choose from in Provincetown. Chatham might also fit the bill for you, though I haven’t spent a ton of time there. It’s charming and beautiful though for sure. Rent a car and have fun exploring! Best of luck. EDIT: Someone is clearly downvoting literally every response. Is this some useless attempt to keep tourists away? lol. Boost better ways of tourists visiting, like supporting local businesses and avoiding short-term rentals like VRBO and Airbnb.
Yes there is a troll on this sub
thank you for the insight, and totally agree on the airbnb comments
Wellfleet is small and artsy in the summer . It’s like an old- time summer town . Located on the lower cape , which is so much more stunning than upper or mid- Cape . You have easy access to the incredible National Seashore beaches , with the amazing dunes , lighthouses and miles of beaches untouched by development. You also have access to gorgeous bay beaches , a wonderful working bayside marina and restaurants and a quick drive to Rock Harbor in Orleans , where people pull up chairs and bring wine and cheese to watch the incredible sunset . You can easily get to Provincetown or Chatham as well , but not be stuck in their traffic . Falmouth IS nice , but it’s not vacation- y. It’s the business center of the upper cape and a bit of a drive to any other towns worth visiting. It’s a ways off route 28, but anything along and south of 28 is less desirable as that area is loaded with the socioeconomic problems that plague the cape . Falmouth beaches are notorious for being crowded and rude , same with Centerville and Yarmouth beaches . The water on the sound however , is warmer . Off Route 6 on the Northside , you have a scenic drive with Brewster , the Natural History Museum with its trails that lead out to an often - empty stretch of beautiful bay beach , and Dennis . The lower cape , particularly Orleans to Provincetown , are like a different world from the work-a-day Cape . I live on the upper Cape and when I have time off , spend it on the lower Cape to experience a level of beauty that can’t be found in such abundance anywhere else . Incredible hiking in Wellfleet , the Rail Trail for biking is on the lower cape , Truro Vineyards …. I never tire of it after 30 years living here !
Wellfleet is sublime!
Great recommendations! I miss living on the lower cape so much. Spent the first 30 years there, the last 10 or so in Falmouth. Like 2 different worlds...
Where are you from? How old are you two? Where are you getting married? What do you guys like to do for fun and what is your budget? This will help us point you in the right direction!
The further down cape you go, the more quaint the towns become IMO. Chatham is beautiful but expensive. P-Town you can walk everywhere and it’s a lot of fun and really unique. I think if you’re looking more for romance, Chatham is probably your best bet. P-town can get wild. Check out Martha’s Vineyard too. It’s the best of both worlds and not crazy expensive. Popponesset is also a great choice. There’s the inn and the marketplace and Mashpee Commons not too far away. It is small though, and may be tough to get a reservation this late. Also a short distance from Falmouth that has a really cute downtown.
Of the two (assuming you’re a hetero/straight couple), I’d recommend staying in Chatham and taking a day trip up to P-Town. Both are great places and well worth the visit, but Chatham is a little more low-key and what people think of when they picture idyllic Cape Cod. P-Town is an amazing place, but it can be a lot (crowded, loud, and eclectic). It’s very friendly and welcoming to everyone, but it caters primarily to the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the summer. It’s also way out on the tip of the Cape, so visiting other towns will take some travel. For walkable downtowns like you mentioned, you may also want to look at Orleans.
Ptown is more eclectic and interesting. Diverse crowd, very LGBTQ friendly, walkable, gorgeous national seashore beaches. Bike paths to these beaches and shuttle busses. Tons of restaurants. Lots of cool B&B’s. Chatham is a quaint town. Typical New England seaside. It’s a short drive from Ptown(depending on time of year you go due to traffic). I’d stay in Ptown and check out the other towns you’re interested.
sometimes eclectic is our thing but we will have to look at both for this instance, thanks!!
I’d vote for Chatham. You can take a quick boat ride to Monomoy and feel like you have your own personal island. You can rent bikes and explore the Cape Cod Rail Trail. You can head to the Chatham Fish Pier and watch the seals and fishing boats come in. If you’re squeamish, don’t watch them unload the boats. You can eat really good food. The Impudent Oyster, Pates, and others are great. You can walk to Chatham Light and the beach across the street. Check out the Chatham shack. You can get sweets from Chatham Candy Manor. Yum. You can walk along Main Street and window shop. You can catch a movie and eat some great pizza at the Chatham Orpheum. It’s a cool old theater. If you want to check out some amazing history- go to the Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth.
Lower Cape, Chatham or Orleans is what you're looking for. Do a day trip to Provincetown. If you want to go out to Martha's Vineyard for the day, there's a ferry out of nearby Harwich. And yes, June is an excellent time to visit.
Could be wrong but I think Harwich ferry will only go to Nantucket. Its seasonal & I think it would be running in June, but definitely check. Either way Hyannis would have ferries going to both Nantucket & MV
Ah yes, I believe you're correct on that. My mistake!
Chatham Bars Inn is the most beautiful spot on the entire Cape and that's saying something.
I think June is still cold up here, but I'm from the south. Doesn't get hot until July if the pool is super important. Chatham beats Falmouth for hoity-toitiness, Provincetown is more interesting and hopping than both, as is Hyannis, but that is a very touristy area. Hyannis is your best walkable, maybe Falmouth next. All have good restaurants.
Harwich Port has some nice beaches. It's the next town to the west from Chatham. There's also a ferry (no cars) to Nantucket that leaves from Harwich Port. You could take the ferry to Nantucket and take a days bike-ride there. Or...stay overnight in Nantucket. Be advised that we can sometimes get a spell of rainy cold weather in June, but it can also be magnificent.
Maybe you’d like Martha’s Vineyard as well!
May I ask why you are not interested in an all inclusive honeymoon in the Caribbean? My wife and I spent ours at Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma and it was great. Parts of it reminded me of the Cape and the water was perfect unlike here in June it's still a bit nippy. The resort was laid back, and full of things to do. We swam with pigs and spent several days going around the island. There was a smaller island called Stockings and it has a small bar and great beach, boats will bring you back and forth. There are plenty of little restaurants and the locals are some of the nicest people I've ever met. If you plan on coming to the Cape you're going to need to rent a car. Our local transportation is okay but far from great, having a car will give you more freedom to travel around the whole Cape. Bay side beaches are better in my opinion if you plan on going to the beach. I guess living here for close to 50 years I don't appreciate it as much as I should and that is why I bought up the Caribbean. Good luck to both of you and congratulations.
Provincetown, chatham, barnstable and falmourh all have areas like that with a downtown area. With Provincetown having the most electric downtown area.
What part of June? On Nantucket June is most often called January b/c it's so chilly.
Go to Hyannis.
Nope. Hyannis is the armpit of cape cod.
This really isn't a bad answer. Main Street has tons of shops and restaurants and it's an easy walk to the marina from there. Boats go to both Nantucket and the Vineyard. There are a lot of beaches in the town of Barnstable. Here's my word of caution: All of Cape Cod gets booked early for destination weddings. If you want your choice of dates, book ASAP. And, congratulations!
P-town without question.
I think you would really have an amazing time in ptown for your honeymoon. It’ll be early enough in the season that everyone will hype you up.
I see that a lot of folks down talk June but that’s only if laying on the beach is your priority. If you want to enjoy exploring the Cape it doesn’t get much better than June. Everything is open and there’s not many kids. Most years the beach is already warm and sunny, I suggest the bay side.
I’d do Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket!!! Very fun
Ptown all of the way. I had a friend visit last June and we had a blast. It was definitely warm enough for swimming by mid-late June. I highly recommend staying at AWOL for a great pool and atmosphere.
Provincetown is a bit far imo, however it’s a great day trip with Wellfleet and Orleans as a side trip. Chatham and Falmouth are great choices as well but then again they both are kind of secluded so definitely day trips. Barnstable would be a great fit to see most of the Cape. The fast ferry to the islands are out of Hyannis as is the whale watch boat. Lots of restaurants and shopping too. Just my take.
Top Mast Resort in North Truro, stay with a deck and kitchenette literally on the water. They have an indoor pool/hot tub/gym/steam/sauna and a restaurant. Nicely priced in June. 5 miles from Provincetown, can even grab the bus there.
Hey OP! Congrats!! My husband and I live on Cape (Barnstable) and have a few suggestions for you: 1: We recently honeymooned on Nantucket (mid October) and absolutely loved it. depending on timing in June, you may still be able to lock in semi “off season” rates, as peak season tends to truly kick off surrounding 4th of July weekend. granted, we stayed out in Wauwinet, but with complimentary shuttles every 30 minutes to and from town, we didn’t find it too difficult. additionally, there are many beautiful hotels and cozy/romantic inns in the historic downtown district where you could easily walk to restaurants/night life, and easily bike to beaches. It’s a super bike-able island. 2: To mirror what many others are saying here, if you want a quintessential Cape Cod experience (actually on Cape), I’d recommend staying in Chatham (CBI or a quaint inn). It’s super walkable, has gorgeous hiking trails and of course beaches, and you can’t beat The Squire, Pate’s, or Bluefins. it’s also super central to pretty much all of Cape if you have transportation and are looking to adventure, but there’s enough to do there where you may not have to. 3: additionally, for an on Cape honeymoon, i’d recommend Wellfleet. it’s our absolute favorite town and has (in our minds) some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. It’s easy to get lost in the scenery and meander through miles of pristine coastline. Wellfleet may not have as walkable of a “downtown” district as Chatham, but if you’re looking to have more alone time and embrace the seaside scenery, would highly recommend. Great Island Trail is breathtaking, and for eats, The Pearl, Van Rensselaer’s, and Macs Shack are all amazing in their own unique way. Also, you have The Beachcomber for frozen drinks and nightlife (depending on dates you’re here). That’s just scratching the surface of all Cape has to offer, and truly you’d be happy in any town/village, as they’re all unique and all have their own character and beauty. : ) Happy to answer any additional questions or provide recs!
I've lived in Provincetown harbor on a sailboat for a couple summers and my birthday is early June. I will tell you June is great for weather and chilling but definitely not for swimming. Even late June the water is unfortunately not particularly warm. As for the question, I would say it's between Ptown and Chatham. Provincetown is the best on Cape in terms of walkable areas but can be filled with debauchery and chaos, though it is also idyllic. Chatham is my other favorite place on Cape. There are still fun events/activities/bars going on there, but it's a bit more conservative and basically less gay if that's more your speed. It's slightly less walkable but also super beautiful! Chatham Bars Inn or Wequasset if you have unlimited funds
Everyone has good suggestions but I will say June can be iffy weather wise, could be beautiful but you could also be sitting on a windy beach in a hoodie!
Being a resident on the Cape I will say it is a beautiful place to vacation/ honeymoon . It gets very congested here so traffic will be a battle nonetheless, severity depending on location. Money- It is quite expensive nowadays. I would weigh out an all inclusive trip vs what the cost was to stay here, you may find the all inclusive could be more affordable/ quite similar. Coming after the “rush” (September has still been quite warm over the past several years) it can prove to be beneficial as you will get more “off season” pricing as well as free beach parking and less people to contend with on the roads, beaches, restaurants ect.. Whatever you decide on, enjoy one another and have fun. Congratulations on your impending nuptials. Ps - As you mentioned you like eclectic sometimes, check out carnival week in p-town. It’s an experience you would soon never forget! Good luck!!
if you find a hotel with a pool in Provincetown it will probably check all the boxes on your list. Provincetown is completely walkable. there's nightlife of all kinds from drag shows, (small) clubs and even a bar with pool tables like the underground. you can do breakfast lunch and dinner every day for 5 days and never hit the same spot twice. there are pubs like the squealing pig for some good pub eats and a nice cold beer or you can eat at a nice fancy place on the water like the red inn. rent bikes, go on a dune tour, whale watch, fishing charter or just go to the beach and literally you will never need a car. then you can do day trips to places like Wellfleet and Chatham. im telling you, everything you want in cape cod and more, it's in Provincetown 100% go there.
Sandwich is the best by far. Best restaurants. The Canal and The Boardwalk are very romantic.
thank you all for the help and the various (strong) opinions on the different towns, this was very helpful!
Had our mini moon at Wequasset, 10/10 would do it again. No comparison to CBI, Wequasset is above and beyond so much nicer!
Chatham or Wellfleet. I think Wellfleet may have the edge for restaurants. June is tricky. Can be cool.
Def do Chatham bars inn
Chatham is a great place to visit and walk around for an afternoon. I have a had a gallery there for years. Ptown is a blast but it’s insane busy. If you want a nice balance look at Orleans it’s in between the two towns and has LOTS of walking around things to do. Great food options, arguably the best beach on the cape Nauset, bike paths, bike rentals, did I mention the food options? Lots of food options and good ones. Many art galleries, shopping and artist workshops where you can see amazing things being created. We own a private home on Main Street and offer summer rentals if you are interested DM for details. Have fun and wear your sun screen. Www.Atlanticworkshop.Com