A quintessential New England vibe, a Cape Cod weekend getaway is the ideal way to explore the East Coast and its small towns and sandy beaches. 65 miles of idealistic villages, lighthouses, seafood shacks, and beaches, it’s a popular summertime destination for all. Post memorial weekend, New Englanders take to highways and venture to the Cape as often as possible.
While it’s always been a beautiful place to visit, with shark and whale sightings increasing, more and more tourists worldwide are taking to the sandy shores.
Cape Cod Weekend Getaway: How to Get There from Boston
Only an hour or so away, if you’re leaving from Boston to travel to Cape Cod, there are actually quite a few options to get there (even without a car).
Drive to Cape Cod
Once you’re actually on the Cape, most of the towns and villages are walkable and can easily be explored on foot. If you’re in the mood to venture along the entire peninsula, then I’d suggest bringing a car to easily get from town to town without the hassle of buses or ubers.
Depending on traffic, venturing to Cape Cod from the city will take anywhere between an hour and a half to 3 hours. It’s best to avoid busy times and weekends, so I’d suggest leaving incredibly early on a weekday to avoid the after-work and weekend rush!
Take a Bus to Cape Cod
My chosen mode of transportation, the buses to Cape Cod are surprisingly comfortable and pretty reliable for the most part. Of course, the only downside is the scheduling and sometimes hitting awful traffic- but that’s expected anyway depending on the day.
The Peter Pan bus leaves from South Station bus terminal Monday-Sunday and takes around 2ish hours depending on traffic circumstances. The earliest bus leaves at 8:00am and the latest bus leaves at 6:00pm. There’s also an option to depart from Logan Airport. A one-way ticket is around $27 and stops at a few stops along the way before ending in Hyannis!
Take the Cape Cod Flyer
A summer weekend train that runs from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, the CapeFLYER is a popular choice if you want to take the scenic route. $40 roundtrip, the train leaves from South Station to Hyannis, with a few stops in between.
For a Cape Cod weekend getaway, this could be your best bet. Taking a little over 2 hours, you won’t have the hassle of worrying about getting stuck in traffic at all!
Planning the Perfect Cape Cod Weekend Getaway
Explore the Hyannis Area
Since the buses and trains stop here, Hyannis is considered the entryway to Cape Cod! The Mariner Cafe is a delicious place to start your trip- and it’s right across from the station. Stroll along the harborfront and watch the fishing vessels and boats pass by.
In the summer, there’s usually a few artisan stands along the harborfront greenery, filled with paintings, jewelry, and other crafts made by locals. If you want to get off the mainland, there are various tours you can catch from here, including a boat to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard.
If you walk through the town, you’ll find a variety of quaint cafes and restaurants, shops, and eventually make your way to the viewing point for the JFK Memorial and Museum. The Black Cat Tavern is always a popular spot for food and drinks in the evening with locals.
Escape the Crowds in South Yarmouth
If you choose to start your Cape Cod getaway without a car, don’t worry! From the Hyannis transportation center, the ride to South Yarmouth is a short 15 minute uber ride- so you can hit both towns in one trip. Often overshadowed by Hyannis’s bustling center, South Yarmouth includes a few must-visit sites including; Whydah Pirate Museum, Judah Bay Windmill, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, and Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf.
Quiet residential streets, charming homes, local restaurants, and untouched shorelines.. South Yarmouth offers the peace and serenity most people crave when traveling to the Cape. A charming Cape Cod getaway, Red Jacket Resorts sits along a stretch of private beach. Having undergone renovations, rooms perfectly blend nautical design and hotel comforts.
While the balcony views, indoor and outdoor pools, and sandy shores are a draw, the true Cape experience can be found spending evenings with locals at the Crow’s Nest bar onsite (ask for Joe the bartender if you want some lively chats and recommendations!)
Great for the whole family, those staying at one of the properties also get access to the other resorts in the Red Jacket family along the beachfront. Enjoy fresh seafood and drinks at Skipper Restaurant and Chowder House, a short 5-10 minute walk from the Hotel.
Venture to Chatham
A 30-minute uber ride from Hyannis or by car, Chatham is a popular town for potential shark-spotting, adventure excursions, and charming beaches. It’s worth it just to visit for a few hours if you’re hopeful of seeing a shark or whale. With many sightings in this area in recent years, there’s a slew of shark-expeditions to choose from here. Stroll over to Chatham Pier Fish Market to see the seal colonies. End your day browsing the wares of Main Street.
Make the Drive to Provincetown
Feeling ambitious and really want to hit every spot on your Cape Cod getaway? Driving along Route 6 will take you directly to Provincetown and will get you there in an hour or so! Once downtown, it’s possible to walk to most attractions, but if you want to see Race Point Lighthouse and some beaches, then it’s best to bring your own car.
If you want to avoid the rest of the Cape altogether and just make your way to the vibrant streets of PTown, Bay State Cruise Company offers roundtrip ferries from May to December (with a limited schedule between October and December). The cost is $108-128 round trip which is a lot.. But if you don’t want to drive or find parking, then it’s your best bet!
