Explore by region

Cape Cod & the Islands, by region

Cape Cod and the Islands, organized by region. Pick a region to explore its towns.

Which part of Cape Cod should I visit?

Pick by how far you want to drive and what you want from the day: the Upper and Mid Cape are closest to Boston, the Lower Cape has both bay and ocean beaches, and the Outer Cape is the wild National Seashore. Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are islands reached by ferry; Plymouth and Wareham are on the mainland, before the bridges.

Open Cape Cod in Google Maps Skip to the regions

RegionIn a lineGetting there

Upper CapeThe gateway to Cape Cod — first stop over the bridges.~1 hr 15 min from Boston Mid CapeThe Cape's hub — ferries, dining, and the Kennedy legacy.~1 hr 20 min from Boston Lower CapeThe Cape's elbow — classic charm, two coasts, endless biking.~1 hr 30 min from Boston Outer CapeWild beaches, dunes, oysters, whales, and Provincetown.2–2.5 hr from Boston Off-CapeAmerica's Hometown & the mainland gateway to the Cape.~45 min from Boston Martha's VineyardAn island escape — six distinct towns, a short ferry away.Ferry 45 min from Woods Hole NantucketThe faraway island — cobblestones, gray shingles, history.Ferry 1–2¼ hr from Hyannis

What is each region known for?

Each region below lists what it’s known for, the best time to go and its towns. Open a region for its verified guides, beaches, trails and local services.

On Cape Cod

Upper Cape

The gateway to Cape Cod — first stop over the bridges.

Known for

Cape Cod Canal — 7-mile waterway with a flat paved bike/walking path on both banks
Woods Hole — world-famous oceanographic science village + ferries to Martha's Vineyard
Shining Sea Bikeway (Falmouth) — 10.7 mi rail-trail along the coast
Heritage Museums & Gardens + Sandwich Glass Museum (Sandwich, est. 1637 — oldest town on the Cape)
Old Silver Beach, Mashpee Commons, Wampanoag heritage

When should I go?

June–early September for full beach season; late May and September–October are quieter with warm days and lower rates. Canal-side paths and Shining Sea Bikeway are excellent in shoulder season.

Fast facts

5 towns
~1 hr 15 min from Boston
Home to the Cape Cod Canal & both bridges
Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod (1637)
Woods Hole = MV ferry gateway

Towns

Explore Upper Cape

On Cape Cod

Mid Cape

The Cape's hub — ferries, dining, and the Kennedy legacy.

Known for

Hyannis — ferries to Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard, Main Street, JFK Hyannis Museum & Kennedy Legacy Trail
Warm, calm south-shore beaches on Nantucket Sound (Craigville, Kalmus, West Dennis)
Cape Playhouse (Dennis) — America's oldest professional summer theater
Scargo Tower sunset views
Cape Cod Rail Trail northern end
Village charm in Osterville, Cotuit & Barnstable Village

When should I go?

Year-round appeal — Hyannis stays lively off-season. Peak beach + ferry season is late June–August; book island ferries and parking ahead. Spring and fall are great for the Rail Trail and dining without crowds.

Fast facts

Barnstable (Cape's largest town) + Yarmouth & Dennis
~1 hr 20 min from Boston
Hyannis = island ferry + airport hub
Warm Nantucket Sound beaches

Towns

Explore Mid Cape

On Cape Cod

Lower Cape

The Cape's elbow — classic charm, two coasts, endless biking.

Known for

Chatham — lighthouse, fishing pier with resident seals, band concerts, refined shopping
Brewster — bay-side tidal flats (walk out a half-mile at low tide), Nickerson State Park, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Nauset Beach (Orleans) — big Atlantic surf
Rock Harbor sunsets
Harwich — Wychmere & Saquatucket harbors, cranberry bogs
Cape Cod Rail Trail

When should I go?

Late June–August for beaches; September is a local favorite — warm ocean, fewer crowds. Spring brings the Brewster flats and quiet Rail Trail rides. Chatham's Friday-night band concerts run in summer.

Fast facts

4 towns
~1 hr 30 min from Boston
The Cape's 'elbow'
Both bay & ocean beaches
On the Cape Cod Rail Trail

Towns

Explore Lower Cape

On Cape Cod

Outer Cape

Wild beaches, dunes, oysters, whales, and Provincetown.

Known for

Cape Cod National Seashore — Coast Guard, Marconi, Head of the Meadow & Race Point beaches
Provincetown — art galleries, whale watching, Commercial Street, Pilgrim Monument, dune tours, nightlife
Wellfleet — oysters, art galleries, the Drive-In, kettle ponds, Mac's Seafood
Truro — Highland Light, Highland Links golf, towering dunes, dark-sky quiet
Nauset Light & Eastham's Fort Hill

When should I go?

July–August for full P-town energy and warm ponds; late May–June and September–October are stunning and calmer. Whale watching runs ~April–October. Many P-town businesses are seasonal — check hours in the shoulders.

Fast facts

4 towns
2–2.5 hr from Boston (one road in)
Mostly Cape Cod National Seashore
Provincetown = whale-watch + arts capital
Fast ferry from Boston in summer

Towns

Explore Outer Cape

Mainland

Off-Cape (Plymouth/Wareham)

America's Hometown & the mainland gateway to the Cape.

Known for

Plymouth Rock & Mayflower II at the waterfront
Plimoth Patuxet Museums — living-history 1620s village & Wampanoag homesite
Historic downtown Plymouth, harbor cruises, whale watches
Onset village & beach (Wareham)
western end of the Cape Cod Canal
Cranberry-bog country

When should I go?

Year-round. Plymouth's historic sites are busiest around Thanksgiving and summer; spring and fall are pleasant and uncrowded. Onset Beach and canal activity peak in summer.

Fast facts

Mainland gateway — NOT Cape Cod
Plymouth & Wareham
~45 min from Boston
'America's Hometown'
Last stop before the bridges

Towns

Explore Off-Cape

Island

Martha's Vineyard

An island escape — six distinct towns, a short ferry away.

Known for

'Down-island' towns: Edgartown (whaling elegance, Edgartown Light), Oak Bluffs (gingerbread cottages, Flying Horses — oldest U.S. carousel, Inkwell Beach), Vineyard Haven (main ferry port)
'Up-island': West Tisbury farms & Alley's General Store, Chilmark's Menemsha fishing village & sunsets, Aquinnah's Gay Head Cliffs & Lighthouse (Wampanoag tribal land)
Great beaches, bike paths, and farm stands

When should I go?

June–September for full island life; the Vineyard quiets dramatically off-season. Mid-June and September offer warm weather without August crowds. Book early for summer ferries and lodging.

Fast facts

ISLAND — NOT Cape Cod
6 towns
~96 sq mi
Ferry 45 min from Woods Hole
Come car-free if you can

Towns

Explore Martha's Vineyard

Island

Nantucket

The faraway island — cobblestones, gray shingles, history.

Known for

Cobblestone downtown & the Whaling Museum
Gray-shingled, rose-covered architecture (a protected Historic District)
Brant Point Light
Siasconset ('Sconset) village & bluff walk
Beaches: Surfside, Jetties, Children's, Madaket (famous sunsets)
Upscale dining, shopping & biking

When should I go?

Late June–August for full season; the Daffodil Festival (late April) and Christmas Stroll (early December) are beloved bookends. September is warm and calmer. The island is quiet and many places close in winter.

Fast facts

ISLAND — NOT Cape Cod
1 town, 30 mi offshore
Ferry 1–2¼ hr from Hyannis
National Historic Landmark District
Pricey — book early

Towns

Nantucket

Explore Nantucket

Common questions about the regions

Is Martha's Vineyard part of Cape Cod?

No. Martha's Vineyard is an island off Cape Cod, about 45 minutes by ferry from Woods Hole. Nantucket is also an island, 30 miles offshore, 1 to 2¼ hours by ferry from Hyannis.

Are Plymouth and Wareham on Cape Cod?

No. Plymouth and Wareham are on the mainland, the last stop before the bridges, about 45 minutes from Boston.

What's the difference between the Upper, Mid, Lower and Outer Cape?

They run in order from the Cape Cod Canal outward. The Upper Cape is the first stop over the bridges, the Mid Cape is the hub around Hyannis, the Lower Cape is the elbow around Chatham, and the Outer Cape runs up to Provincetown, mostly inside the Cape Cod National Seashore.

When is the best time to visit Cape Cod?

Late June through August is full beach season in every region. September is warm and quieter, and late May and October are calmer with lower rates. Many Outer Cape and island businesses are seasonal, so check hours in the shoulder months.

Common questions about the regions

Is Martha's Vineyard part of Cape Cod?

No. Martha's Vineyard is an island off Cape Cod, about 45 minutes by ferry from Woods Hole. Nantucket is also an island, 30 miles offshore, 1 to 2¼ hours by ferry from Hyannis.

Are Plymouth and Wareham on Cape Cod?

No. Plymouth and Wareham are on the mainland, the last stop before the bridges, about 45 minutes from Boston.

What's the difference between the Upper, Mid, Lower and Outer Cape?

When is the best time to visit Cape Cod?