See The Very Best Of Cape Cod In One Day On This Epic Road Trip

Planning lavish holidays is all well and good, but what do you do when vacation days are few and far between? Take this awesome one-day road trip across Cape Cod, of course! This amazing journey will guide you to some of the best attractions, restaurants, and sights on the Cape. Keep reading to find out more – this awesome day trip to Cape Cod is pretty unbeatable.

This road trip will take you from the Cape Cod Canal all the way to the tip of the Cape in just about two and a half hours. Depending on where you’re starting from, you may need to book a hotel for the night before or after the journey, but the actual trip itself can be completed in just a day (unless you want to spend lots of time at each stop, in which case, it’s perfect for a weekend trip in MA). Not sure what to pack? No worries – we got you! Check out our awesome road trip packing guide – you’ll never want to leave without it.

Check out Google Maps for the official route (link at the bottom of the article).

Google Maps

67 Grove St, Sandwich, MA 02563, USA

Facebook/Heritage Museums & Gardens

Start your trip with a dose of natural beauty at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich. Wandering around this place will treat you with perfectly maintained flower gardens, rolling lawns, and even a wooden windmill. There’s also a beautiful flowering maze to find your way out of and plenty of small paths to get lost on. While you’re there, stop by the amazing treehouse playground for kids and take a spin on their vintage carousel.

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220 MA-6A, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675, USA

Facebook/Parnassus Book Service

If you love the smell of old books, this place will send you into a trance. Parnassus Book Service is just what a local bookshop ought to be – housed in a gorgeous old building and filled with a mix of rare, old tomes and new, cheap finds. There’s even an outdoor section where you can pick up books for as little as 50 cents, and it operates on the honor system. This wonderful little local bookstore in Cape Cod is great for everyone - not just the bookworms.

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Lighthouse Beach, 30 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633, USA

Tripadvisor/Craftbeers

What day on Cape Cod would be complete without a stop at the beach? Catch some rays and breathe in the smell of the salty air at spectacular Chatham Lighthouse Beach. The currents here can be a bit strong, but the water is so shallow that you can walk for ages on the sand bars when the tide is low. Directly opposite the beach is the impressive Chatham Light, so it’s a great spot for a photo op as well. This is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in MA.

Beachcomber in Wellfleet, 1120 Cahoon Hollow Rd, Wellfleet, MA 02667, USA

Google/Beachcomber in Wellfleet

If your stomach starts to rumble after all that sun and sand, make your way to the next stop on our tour – The Beachcomber in Wellfleet. This seaside restaurant with an ocean view in Cape Cod is situated off the beaten path but offers one of the best dining views on the Cape. Even though the scenery is world-class, the menu offers classic surf and turf fare at prices that are easy on the wallet. Grab a burger or a round of oysters and enjoy the late afternoon sun on the water as you dine.

230 Briar Ln, Wellfleet, MA 02667, USA

Tripadvisor/DawnZo

Looking to pick up a souvenir but don’t want to take home a kitschy Cape Cod keychain or sweatshirt? Pop by Briar Lane Jams & Jellies on your way to our next stop and treat yourself to a jar of homemade goodness. They’ve been making jams and jellies since the 1930s, and you can’t beat the adorable clapboard cottage storefront on the side of the road. Try flavors like beach plum, cranberry, or rosehip jam. Do note that this delightful mom-and-pop shop in Massachusetts is open seasonally, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly if you want to make it to this one!

Commercial Street, Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA

Flickr/Brad K.

Close out your road trip with a stroll down Commercial Street in Provincetown. Besides being one of the most picturesque main streets on Cape Cod – think blooming hydrangeas, glimpses of the sea between white-washed sailing manors, and colorful storefronts – it’s also an amazing place for people-watching and packed with great places to stop for dinner. Try a seafood meal at The Lobster Pot or go a bit south of the border at The Mews Restaurants and Cafe. Don’t forget to head to the waterfront to catch a killer sunset! This is easily one of the most beautiful places on the east coast, and you can't miss it.

Check out Google Maps to see an interactive map of the road trip and to tailor the road trip to your needs. For more day-off inspiration, check out this incredible Massachusetts waterfall road trip.

Can’t get enough of the amazingness that is Massachusetts? Same. Check out some of the most beautiful places in Massachusetts, the most incredible natural wonders in Massachusetts, or maybe some of the best lakes in Massachusetts for nature lovers.