Talk to me about Cape Cod

For summer vacation with 3 kids with ages of 8, 5 and 2. What is there to do? Will they get bored easily?

Re: Talk to me about Cape Cod

I didn't love it there, honestly. And my parents didn't either.

I was about the age of your oldest when I went with them. We still talk about how that was probably one of our worst vacations... the beaches were rocky and the water was cold (we went in July lol). And the places to stay were very "quaint" lol that's a nice way of saying run down.

If I were you, for a similar place with tons for the kids I would look into Cape May, New Jersey. It is the very south tip of Jersey - easy to get to and the beach was beautiful, water was beautiful. I highly recommend Congress Hall, a hotel there, and they have tons and tons of activities for kids of all ages. Your kids would have a ball there with what the hotel does for them.

They also have an adorable town - shopping, a zoo nearby, ecology center, whale watching, fishing, and tons more. Great restaurants.

As for other options - Montauk, Block Island, Newport RI, etc. are all places in the area that have beaches and stuff to do but are much nicer than Cape Cod. My family always says we will never, ever go back.

I think Cape May is the best bet though, for your kids and what you're looking for.

HTH!

Re: Talk to me about Cape Cod

Talk to me about Cape Cod

My in laws live on Cape Cod, so my DH grew up there. I personally don't really like it for a vacation. I feel like there's not much to do. And like the PP said, the beaches are very rocky and the watre is freezing year round. We usually go for a long weekend to visit my in-laws and that's long enough for me lol.

Re: Talk to me about Cape Cod

We went two years ago and aside from the copious fried seafood , we didn't care for it. It rained/drizzled the whole time (which I've heard is pretty common) so we couldn't take advantage of any of the hotel's outdoor amenities, but the kids did go in the indoor pool. We did mini-golf, we took a HUGELY lame "historic" and scenic train ride, we took a tour of Cape Cod chip factory, and we walked around Chatham--which is nice for adults, but not kid-friendly.

Talk to me about Cape Cod

Same opinion here. Found it pretty boring, and you can find the same and more on Long Island north shore.

Talk to me about Cape Cod

It's ok. Wouldn't go out of my way to go there again.

Re: Talk to me about Cape Cod

Dh and I weren't impressed, at all with 'the Cape" - our LI beaches are MUCH better IMO - also, didn't realize that driving it is pretty much the same distance/time as driving LI - it's not like everything is 'right' there .......so 'eh"

Re: Talk to me about Cape Cod

Agree that you are better off with NJ/MD beaches.

It is pretty far in and not much there once you get there.

We don't live in NY anymore and I can tell you that perception for the Hamptons is MUCH higher than Cape Cod. You are better off staying in LI.

Re: Talk to me about Cape Cod

I combo cape cod with Boston & LOVE that vacation.

In Boston, there is too much to do for a week & great historic places & food. Our kids were young & enjoyed it. We will def go back when they are a bit older so they can live the history.

Cape Cod was relaxing.

We picked a hotel with an indoor & outdoor pool.

The beach was pretty, but the water was freezing (in August). Shell collecting was pretty awesome though.

Whale watching was the BIG hit at cape cod. My kids will never forget it. There are whale feeding grounds close by & and we saw a momma & baby whale (as well as 3 or 4 other whales). Was the highlight of the whole vacation. Not sure how whale watching is from NJ (but we had amazing experiences 3 x in Cape Cod).

Personally, though I love the beach, I just can't spend a week in beaches of the Northeast (I can in Florida or Caribbean).

Re: Talk to me about Cape Cod

I love Cape Cod and we have a great time when we go there. MIL has a house in Chatham. We go to one of the larger beaches one day and I agree that the water can be really cold. However, the smaller beaches which are part of the inlet are great and perfect for kids. The water is calm and much warmer.

We always take a day trip to Provincetown and walk around the area. We also grab lunch in Wellfleet on the water, play mini golf and catch a baseball game at night.

DH spent his summers there and knows the area well. We always have fun when we go.