Cape Cod Summer Vacation

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This bustling restaurant, a local favorite, has a huge menu and a pretty view of the Swan River. The Cape Cod standards are served: fried seafood, steak, pasta andandmdash;most interestinglyandmdash;dishes that combine these ingredients. The popular Steak Lucifer, for example, mixes sirloin, lobster, asparagus and béarnaise sauce. A kids menu and friendly atmosphere make it a great family spot. Sunday brunch is served.

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The cheery "Pancake Man" sign says it all at this Cape Cod breakfast tradition. The omelets, French toast and waffles are good, but pancakes made the restaurant famous, with 15 varieties including apple cinnamon, honey buckwheat, spicy salsa and corn meal, and a fluffy potato and chive. Bottomless coffee and fast service in a bright, friendly space seal the deal. Get there before 8:30a on weekends to avoid huge lines. The restaurant has a full service bar.

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This beach, located on Nantucket Sound, is one of the largest and most popular on Cape Cod. The water is a very pleasant temperature from mid-July to early September, and the gentle swells are refreshing compared to more placid Cape waters. It is generally free of seaweed and rocks, as well. There are lifeguards and bathhouses in season, as well as noisy kids and parking hassles, but that's summer on the Cape, right? The long beach and foamy surf make for beautiful walks in quieter seasons.

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A round of mini golf on a warm summer night is something of a Cape Cod tradition. The courses at Pirate's Cove break with tradition but not in any manner that draws complaints. Instead of windmills and still statues, you'll golf through caves, by waterfalls and around a pirate ship. There is a Captain's Course as well as the Blackbeard's Challenge Course. For a discounted rate you can play your course again and see if you can't beat your kid the second time around.

Our Local Expert Says:

You can eat by yourself at the bar. Order the clam chowder.

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More of a local's restaurant, not a tourist trap.

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This cineplex has 6 screens for your viewing pleasure. For a more enjoyable experience, sit back and relax with popcorn and a soda from the refreshment stand. For film times, ticket prices and further information please call.

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Focused solely on local waters, this small but impressive aquarium has been delighting visitors since 1871. Kids especially love the "touch tank," where they can reach into tide pools filled with starfish and sea cucumbers. Other displays include sea turtles, lobster and wolffish. A special exhibit shows the effect of plastic trash on marine life. Two harbor seals have taken up residence in an outdoor pool and are a star attraction. The aquarium is operated by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Admission is free.

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A whale watch is a must when visiting Cape Cod. Step aboard a 100-foot boat and travel past the Cape Cod National Seashore to the open ocean. The boats concentrate on an area known as the Stellwagen Bank-a deep fissure in the ocean floor that is home to a favorite whale delicacy, the sand eel. Naturalists narrate during the cruises. There is a snack bar on board and passengers can bring their own picnic. The trip takes about four hours.

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This is an exclusive lounge dedicated to savoring and smoking cigars. This place provides the perfect avenue to puff a cigar and enjoy a relaxed drink. You will find a variety of cigars and a full liquor menu with cognacs, wines and liqueurs to enjoy. The main lounge also has a huge television set, DVDs, books, magazines and indoor games.

Our Local Expert Says:

Grab some diner-style breakfast before going to the beach, then get the famous Melt-Away on your way back from the beach for an afternoon treat.

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Bonatt's has been serving Cape Codders and locals for over 60 years. Home of the famous "Melt-A-Way" pastry. Great for breakfast or lunch.

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If you are the adventurous type, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History hosts Wednesday walks to hidden spots on Cape Cod where you'll learn much about the beauty and history of the area. You'll visit a variety of trail sites, including marshlands, woodlands and beaches. Walks last about two hours and you will cover about three miles. Pre-registration is required. Call ahead for reservations and for specific times and places.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you go to the Cape, you absolutely must see the National Seashore. It is true Cape Cod.

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First designated as protected by the United States government in 1961, the sprawling, 43,604-acre Cape Cod National Seashore offers stunning vistas and a glimpse into the natural and cultural history of the area. The park boasts six swimming beaches, but also nature trails, picnic areas, freshwater ponds, historic lighthouses and Cape Cod-style residences. The seashore makes a great day trip, but for those who would like to stay longer there are several resorts, hotels and motels nearby, but not along the shore.

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twenty-eight Atlantic is the signature forbes four star restaurant at the luxe Wequassett Resort and Golf Club. Awarded three stars by the Boston Globe after its first month of operation (2002), it has been described as "securely in the category of luxury." The restaurant offers sweeping views of the Atlantic, a combination of handsome millwork, a beautiful fireplace, beamed ceiling, custom hand-blown glass chandeliers and museum quality artwork. The furnishings are comfortable with a generous use of leather and handsome tapestry fabric, in a traditional Shaker design, keeping with New England tradition. The menu, the creation of celebrated Executive Chef Bill Brodsky, offers Progressive New England cuisine. Brodsky is known for his stunning architectural presentations, as well as his use of the finest indigenous seafood and produce Cape Cod has to offer.
The restaurant is complemented by Thoreau's, a warm and inviting tavern and a perfect spot for cocktails and casual fare.

Our Local Expert Says:

Great ice cream - you can eat at Sundae School for dessert every day.

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Great sundaes and all sorts of toppings. You won't be able to move after you finish one of their banana splits.

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Although referred to as the bike trail, this paved path also welcomes walking, running, horseback riding and rollerblading. And if there is enough snow (which is rare), you may cross-country ski, too. Built on an old railway bed, the scenic 25-mile trail takes you from Dennis to Wellfleet via cranberry bogs, lakes and towns. Nickerson State Park, off Route 6A in Brewster, maintains the trail and is at the halfway point. See the Web site for a map with other rest areas and access points.

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This is one in a series of ocean beaches that dots the shore of the Cape Cod National Seashore, on your right as you head north towards Provincetown. You climb down a high dune onto this wild and beautiful beach of clear cool water. Surfers try their luck here and, while you can take long swims if out far enough, the waves lend themselves to bodysurfing. You can get quite cold after about 30 minutes in the water here, even in summer, but lying in the bright sun will soon warm you. This is the kind of pristine ocean beach visitors come to the Cape for.

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Curled against a hill, this is a lovely spot on the bay for family or solo swimming. You can drive up and pay a reasonable parking fee and walk directly onto a clean beach. Whether floating on rafts, digging up the odd clam, or swimming in the brisk water (which is nevertheless warmer than the oceanside of Truro), this is one beach everyone enjoys. Historically, Corn Hill was the site of a stash of Native American corn borrowed by hungry Pilgrims when they came ashore in nearby Provincetown.

Our Local Expert Says:

The tour is not very long, so don't plan your whole day around it.

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Cape Cod potato chips are so greasy, you can almost see through them-but the unique kettle-cooking method is what makes these famous chips so popular. You can watch the whole process, from peeling to cooking to bagging, at the factory's free, self-guided tour. In fact, they will pay you-you get a free bag of chips at the end of the tour. The Cape Cod Chips gift shop offers a great selection of chips, pretzels, and novelties such as shirts, caps and collectibles. Cash only. Call for group tours.