Our Impressions of Eastham and the Cape Cod Area

Eastham is a casual, wonderfully laid-back coastal community “half way up” on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Once you cross the Bourne or Sagamore Bridges onto the Cape, you begin to feel time shift. Maybe it is the long two lane/no passing road leading to the mid cape, maybe it is the anticipation of great seafood, the soft sandy beaches and the promise of relaxation. But the atmosphere will feel different.

There are three distinct areas of the Cape. The lower cape is just over the bridges. This is a busy, bustling area with a mix of local and chain restaurants and businesses. Mid cape is where we stay. It is more laid back and relaxed than the lower cape. There are VERY few big box stores or huge chain restaurants here! The upper cape is Provincetown or “P-Town”, an eclectic tourist fun spot with sand beaches. NO big box stores or chain restaurants here.

We have been to the Cape several times. I have attended week-long continuing education conferences at the Cape Cod Institute for several years now. It is something I look forward to. There are classes in the morning leaving the afternoons to explore the rich and diverse area. I highly recommend it!

Attractions

Arnold’s Mini Golf (Eastham) is one of the many family-oriented, fun-filled things to do on the mid cape. First eat at Arnold’s Seafood (see Food and Drink section below), play 18 holes of mini golf, and then have ice cream at Arnold’s ice cream take-out.

Cape Cod Institute (E. Orleans) is THE place to obtain your continuing education units (CEUs) if you are a mental health professional (clinical social worker, mental health provider, psychologist, etc.)

Dolphin Whale Watch Cruise (Provincetown) is amazing! The whale watch cruise leaves from “P-Town”. This was the best whale watching we have seen! The captain took us to multiple great sites to see multiple pods of whales!

Ferry Ride to Nantucket (Hyannis) is part of the adventure of getting to Nantucket, an island off the coast of the lower Cape. Except for a private boat, the ferry is the only way to get to Nantucket. The ferry ride takes about an hour and gives you a chance to get a feel of the area (birds, fishing boats, great water views, etc.).

Nantucket Island Tours (Nantucket) is the ONLY logical way to see the island. The tour is about 90 minutes and takes you to all of the different areas of the island. Our driver was wonderful! She knew the area well, and told us the history of the island and special places. Taking your car to the island to explore would be a nightmare! You could easily bike the island, but look out for the cars and VERY narrow roads. The main shopping area you may think about is right at the ferry landing. Walking around the multiple shops, restaurants and waterfront is simple. Pack good walking shoes; the cobblestone roads and brick sidewalks are NOT even!

Cape Cod National Seashore is THE reason to visit the Cape. There are miles and miles and miles of pristine beaches to explore. Parking, especially during the summer and especially as you go further north on Route 6, can be extremely tricky. It is so worth it, though!

Food and Drink

Arnold’s Seafood (Eastham) is a must go to for seafood on the mid cape. They offer lobsters and lobster rolls and HUGE portions of fried seafood. We have never left there without leftovers! The fried seafood is not greasy, but always moist and flavorful. Bring cash; no checks or credit cards are accepted. There is an onsite ATM. We have been there MANY times!

Arnold’s Ice Cream (Eastham) is part of the “Arnold’s trio”: food, mini golf and ice cream. The portions are large, the ice cream is creamy, and the toppings are delicious.

Aunt Leah’s Fudge (Nantucket) advertises itself as being known “world-wide”. I am sure it is! The fudge is creamy and flavorful. When you are in the small storefront, the clerk always asks if you would like fudge “shipped home”! It is a very short walking distance from the ferry landing.

Bagel Hound (Eastham) is a very busy, bustling bagel shop on the mid cape. In the morning there is always a line, and they do sell out of some bagel flavors fairly quickly! Be sure to grab some for home!

The Beachcomber (Wellfleet) is a definite go to restaurant. There is a public beach there, but essentially no public parking. There are no other restaurants right on the beach in the National Seashore. The Beachcomber was a restaurant there before it was a National Seashore!! Their location is grandfathered in. They have plenty of parking at the restaurant, but you pay $30 to park. When you eat at the restaurant, your $30 can be used to pay for your food (not drinks), so your parking is free!

Lobster Pot (Provincetown) is a long-time restaurant in P-Town. The food was excellent, and portions were reasonable, and the prices were fair. It is a short walk to the ferry terminal from which the whale watching leaves. While we like the Lobster Pot the best, you probably can’t go wrong with any of the downtown restaurants.

Pearl (Wellfleet) is our go-to sit down restaurant on the mid cape. We have been there many, many times. You can choose inside seating, or seating upstairs on the deck. Wellfleet Harbor is where the world known Wellfleet oysters are harvested. There is nothing like eating raw oysters overlooking the water they came from!! Oh, but unless you enjoy the smell of clam flats, DO NOT go there at a low tide! There is plenty of public parking.

Smitty’s Ice Cream (E. Orleans) is on the mid cape. A very small shop in a very small mall. The ice cream is creamy and the toppings are massive!

Home Base: The Campground

For us, a campground is not our destination. Our RV is self-contained. Except for water, electric and sewer rarely do we use campground services or amenities. We are explorers, not campground reviewers!

We stayed on site P2 at Atlantic Oaks. The park is clean and well-maintained. The staff was very accommodating. Simple check in. Our pull through site was a FHU (water-electric-sewer) on packed sand. Most sites have trees between them. Minimal grass, but lots of sand. 30 and 50 amp service was available. Good Verizon cellphone coverage. No open sky anywhere in the park for our satellite dish, but who comes to the cape for watching TV? Cable was available.

Great location, great experience. This is our 4th time at the Atlantic Oaks. There are other campgrounds in the area, and we have checked them out. This one is by far our favorite. We would definitely return.

Fun Facts

Info

	Eastham	Nantucket	Provincetown	Wellfleet
Population	5,803	14,255	3,709	3,566
Founded	1651	1659	1727	1650
Elevation	48’	30’	39’	49’
Average Income	$54,053	$62,153	$66,850	$97,413
Average Housing	$875,000	$3,195,000	$1,500,000	$954,413
Average Age	60	40	56	59
Crime rating	B+	A-	A-	B+

Websites:
Eastham: https://www.eastham-ma.gov/
Nantucket: https://www.nantucket-ma.gov/
Provincetown: https://www.provincetown-ma.gov/
Wellfleet: https://www.wellfleet-ma.gov/

Summary

If you have a chance to explore Cape Cod, it is certainly an adventure. It is a unique place that is hard to describe (similar to Key West, indescribable). As I am sitting here writing this blog, I can “smell” the salt air, “hear” the sea gulls, “taste” the great seafood and creamy ice cream, “feel” the soft sand under my feet and “see” the ocean waves rolling in and out. It is that kind of magical place.

Since beginning our full-time journey to discover the country, we have found something to appreciate in every city and town we have passed through. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we have enjoyed discovering them!

Your partners in travel,
Kathryn and Dave
RVing Nomads

It’s a lifestyle

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