An independent local guide to Cape Cod and the Islands. Every business we list has been visited and photographed in person.
“Certified” and “Standards” refer to Cape Cod Certified's independent private curation framework and do not imply any governmental, regulatory, or third-party certification. All products, experiences, and contractors listed are selected at our own discretion and subject to our internal review process.
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The Pinehills · Plymouth · Massachusetts
The Guides · 850+ in two libraries
Explore hundreds of locally researched guides designed to help you experience the very best of Cape Cod. From hidden beaches and family adventures to local dining, seasonal events, homeownership, and insider tips, every guide is written to help you plan with confidence.
162 guides
In two libraries. Explore Cape Cod covers visiting, living, seasons and wildlife, by category or region. The contractor library covers home projects by trade, a hiring guide for each trade in each town, and business guides for contractors. Search looks across both.
Yes. Every guide is free to read, and the Explore Cape Cod guides are free to listen to as podcasts. Contractor work is arranged directly with the business. Some experiences book through partners like FareHarbor, Viator or GetYourGuide, and we may earn a commission on those.
Follow our three free shows on Apple Podcasts and : Visiting Cape Cod, Wild Cape Cod and Living on Cape Cod.
Visiting Cape Cod
Cape Cod with teenagers can be genuinely great — if you pick the right activities. Surfing, whale watching, P-town days, Rail Trail rides, shark science, and more that teens actually want to do.
Visiting Cape Cod
Cape Cod beach parking costs $25/day at National Seashore lots. Know exactly when lots fill, which town beaches charge what, and how to save money all week.
Visiting Cape Cod
From Sundae School in Orleans to Four Seas in Centerville, discover the best ice cream shops on Cape Cod — scoops, soft serve, and summer lines worth every minute of the wait.
Visiting Cape Cod
Find Cape Cod veterinarians, dog groomers, boarding, and 24/7 emergency animal care in Falmouth, Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham, and Eastham. Local expert guide.
Visiting Cape Cod
Discover the best tide pools on Cape Cod — from Brewster's vast Bay-side flats to Eastham's First Encounter Beach. Learn what creatures live there, how to read a tide chart, and how to explore safely with kids.
Visiting Cape Cod
Skip the hotel and book a cottage colony, glamping site, or converted sea captain's house on Cape Cod. Our guide covers the best unique stays in Brewster, Wellfleet, Truro, Eastham, and Falmouth.
Visiting Cape Cod
Plan the perfect Cape Cod honeymoon with our guide to the most romantic towns, sunset sails, oyster bars, charming inns, and unforgettable experiences on the Outer Cape.
Visiting Cape Cod
Discover the best bars, live music, clubs, and after-dark activities on Cape Cod — from Provincetown's legendary nightlife strip to the Wellfleet Beachcomber's cliffside sunset parties.
Visiting Cape Cod
How to visit Cape Cod without a car: buses, the Boston-Provincetown ferry, island ferries, best car-free towns, and how to get around by bike once you arrive.
Visiting Cape Cod
Discover Cape Cod's real wine industry — Truro Vineyards, Cape Cod Winery, maritime terroir, oyster pairings, and everything you need to plan the perfect Cape wine trail day.
Visiting Cape Cod · Falmouth
Woods Hole Cape Cod holds America's oldest aquarium, a free WHOI science exhibit, and Nobska Lighthouse — most visitors only see the ferry dock. Here's what they miss.
Visiting Cape Cod
The honest town-by-town guide to bars Cape Cod nightlife — from Provincetown's Commercial Street to the Chatham Squire, the Beachcomber, and local breweries.
Cape Cod Pursuits
A local's guide to the best public golf courses on Cape Cod — Captains in Brewster, Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds, Dennis Pines, Sandwich Hollows, and more — with booking tips and why September is the value season.
Visiting Cape Cod
The drive from New York City to Cape Cod takes 4.5–5.5 hours in clear conditions — and significantly longer on peak summer Fridays. Here's the route, the bridge decision, the timing strategy, and how to plan a weekend trip from NYC that actually works.
Visiting Cape Cod
The best breakfast and brunch on Cape Cod: diners, bakeries, beach cafes, what to order, and the one tip (go early) that makes or breaks your morning.
Cape Cod Home
A Cape Cod homeowner's guide to heat pumps and ductless mini-splits: types, coastal considerations, Mass Save incentives, and hiring the install.
Visiting Cape Cod
Cape Cod in spring means empty beaches, open restaurants, 20–40% lower prices, and peak whale watching. Here's exactly what's worth it in April and May.
Cape Cod Pursuits
A local's ranked guide to Cape Cod's best public golf courses, with approximate green fees, who each is for, and the smartest times to play for value.
Cape Cod Home
When you need a building permit on Cape Cod, how each town's process works, the historic-district layer on Route 6A, and why never to skip a permit.
Cape Cod Home
A plain-English guide to Title 5 septic on Cape Cod: inspections at sale, nitrogen-reducing systems, the upgrade process, and buyer/seller tips. Verify locally.
Cape Cod Home
The best roofing materials for Cape Cod's salt air, wind and storms: asphalt, cedar, metal and synthetic compared, plus why installation quality matters most.
Visiting Cape Cod
The honest guide to Cape Cod in winter — what's open, what closes, where to stay, and why the seals, light, and empty beaches make January worth the trip.
Cape Cod Home
The complete checklist to winterize a Cape Cod vacation home: preventing frozen pipes, the plumbing shutdown, storm prep, monitoring, and avoiding disaster.
Cape Cod Home
FEMA flood zones on Cape Cod explained: what VE/AE/X mean, when flood insurance is required, how zones affect renovations, and how to find your zone.
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