Exploring Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

Updated: Sep 4, 2025

We’ve got two sets of boater friends cruising around New England this summer—and interestingly, both skipped Cape Cod entirely! Honestly, we get it. Summer on the Cape means peak prices, packed marinas, and crowds just about everywhere. With so much to explore in New England, it’s nearly impossible to see it all in one season. Perhaps next time, the Cape will make the cut.

Speaking of Cape Cod, I’m reminded of an older post that always brings back fond memories of our summer exploring the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Original Post
And what a summer it's been so far! It’s only July, and the East Coast has already weathered at least two heat waves, with temperatures soaring into the 90s and even reaching the low 100s °F. As if that wasn’t enough, just last Tuesday, an EF-1 tornado with 110 mph winds touched down on Cape Cod, causing significant damage and widespread power outages. Boats certainly had a wild ride during the storm (see video). I’m sure our friend Joe is mighty glad he moved his boat out of the Cape a few years ago.

We still hold sweet memories of Cape Cod in our hearts. We've explored the peninsula from tip to end—from Provincetown to Falmouth—by car, bicycle, and boat. It's a classic summer destination, not just for Bostonians, but also for celebrities and even past U.S. presidents. In fact, President John F. Kennedy’s hometown is Hyannis, and it was his vision that led to the creation of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Thanks to his foresight, we now enjoy forty miles of protected sandy beaches, salt marshes, and coastal ponds—a perfect place to relax, reconnect with nature, and soak in the beauty of the Atlantic coast.

We visited one summer day in June a few years ago. The Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham is a wonderful starting point—it features an outstanding museum and offers magnificent views of Salt Pond, Nauset Marsh, and the Atlantic Ocean. From there, we enjoyed a short but scenic hike along the Nauset Marsh Trail, where the peaceful landscape and ocean breeze made for a perfect afternoon. 

Idyllic scenery along the Nauset Marsh Trail

Pretty view of the marshes

Nauset Light and path from parking lot to the beach

walkway from the tall dunes to the beach

Dunes and drama of the ocean surf

You can't possibly leave the Cape without savoring some local seafood. In the past few years, we have been patronizing Kreme and Kone, a laid-back, family-style spot known for its fabulous fried scallops, clams and fish.

Fried scallops

Fried clams with belly

Family-style restaurant where you line up to order at the counter

You can sit outside and watch kayakers glide by on Swan Pond River

It’s still blazing hot in many places, and sometimes the best way to cool down is with a refreshing dip in a river or pool. Whether you're by the coast or inland, staying cool is a must!

How are you dealing with the heat this summer? Share your favorite ways to beat the heat in the comments—I’d love to hear them!

Information you might find helpful
Salt Pond Visitor Center
50 Nauset Road, off Route 6, Eastham

Nauset Marsh Trail, Eastham
Length: 1.3 mile loop
Skill Level: Easy

Kreme and Kone
961 Main St West Dennis, MA 02670

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Image-in-ing.

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Van Gogh House in Mount Dora, Florida

Mount Dora has been on our radar (of small towns to visit) for a while. We finally made a visit last fall. We love the town so much we visited again this spring. Perhaps it was the Van Gogh house, or the charming shops that dot the downtown, or pizzAmore that kept calling us back. Mount Dora is a nice quick getaway from Orlando, about a 40 minutes drive away.

Here's the scoop on the Van Gogh house. In 2017, the owners painted a mural of Van Gogh's Starry Night, a painting their autistic son likes. Soon they got into a legal battle with the town but won the case last year. The fascinating story captured the attention of many media outlets. Here's the interview from CBS Sunday Morning show. When we stopped by this spring, we were lucky to run into the family. They were so sweet as to volunteer taking pictures with and for us. Thank you guys!

The historic downtown is lined with antique shops, restaurants and cute inns.

The Mount Dora Dock is a short walk from downtown. There are benches you can sit to watch the wildlife and/or the sunset. Or you can opt to take a boat ride on scenic Lake Dora.

PizzArmore is a short drive from downtown

serving fabulous pizza and pasta!

Do you have a favorite small town to share?

This post is shared on Monday Murals and Through My Lens.

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