Around Eastham

Explore Cape Cod

Join Coastal Naturalist Dick Hilmer through back marsh habitats in search of Great Blue Herons and Osprey. Tours runs spring through fall (email for information on tours).

"One of the best spots along the Northeastern seaboard to view birds is Cape Cod. During the migration seasons, more than 260 different species of birds may make a stop on Cape Cod to feed on marine worms, insects, crustaceans and mollusks before continuing their long journey, which may have started in the Arctic Circle, to South America, 12,000 miles away. Cape Cod lies about half way along this busy flyway, and places like Monomoy Island and Nauset Marsh are regular stop-overs for these birds, perfect areas to feed and rest before flying either north or south in spring and fall." --Dick Hilmer

At First Encounter Beach along the Cape Cod Bay side of Eastham's shore is a granite boulder with a plaque marking this location as the site of the Pilgrim's first encounter with Native Americans. Unfortunately, this first encounter was not a friendly one. The Pilgrims, on their third day of exploring this new land, awoke to a volley of arrows that they answered with a volley of musket fire. Both parties departed, uninjured. Future relations between the two peoples would be much more cordial.

Just some of the things happening this summer on Cape Cod, near HI-MidCape:

Livingston Taylor will return to Eldredge Park this July 29th 7:30 pm . Bring a chair or blanket, a picnic and enjoy Liv under the stars for a great evening of entertainment. His unique style, his story telling abilities and his unquestionable singing talents will make for a evening you will cherish for years to come. Adults $20-25 and Seniors/Children<10 - $10/15

The pops in the park concert, August 26 2006 now in its sixteenth year, brings the Cape Symphony Orchestra to Eldredge Park for a night of music under the stars. General Admission $18, Chair Seats $25, Youth 6-17 yrs $5. Tables also available.508-255-7203

Bring or Rent a Bike!

Bicycling on Cape Cod is enormously popular, especially since the development of the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The MidCape hostel sits barely one mile from the trail, and you can go south on a fairly flat, mostly under shady trees, slightly bumpy trail to South Dennis - or head the other way toward Wellfleet on a newer section, also flat and mostly in the sunshine.

Add to that the trails at the Cape Cod National Seashore in Eastham and you have an unequaled opportunity for sightseeing and getting exercise. The Cape's famous Nauset Beach is only a 5 mile pedal from the hostel.

If you come to Cape Cod and don't bike....well, most people will say you haven't seen Cape Cod!

Hiking Trails at Cape Cod National Seashore

Cape Cod has eleven Self Guided Nature Trails and numerous opportunities for Short and Long walks. Some of our suggestions:

Fort Hill Trail. Sights: Edward Penniman House, Red Maple Swamp boardwalk, views of marsh and open Atlantic. Round trip: 1.5 miles. Access off Route 6.

Button Bush Trail. Wooded trail specially designed with guide ropes and braille markers for the blind or visually impaired. Round trip: .25 miles. Access from Salt Pond Visitors Center, Route 6.

Nauset Marsh Trail. Sights: salt ponds, estuary, marsh, upland woods. Round trip: 1 mile. Access from Salt Pond Visitors Center, Rt. 6. Lower Cape.

Great Island Trail. Sights: Soft, sandy trail leading to Jeremy Point, once an island, but now connected by sandbars to the mainland. Point covered at high tide, so plan carefully. Round trip: 8 miles. Part of Cape Cod National Seashore. Access off Chequessett Neck Rd.

Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail. Sights: white cedar, high bush blueberry in August and other flora, navigable via a boardwalk. Round trip 1.25 mile. Part of Cape Cod National Seashore, Marconi Area, Rt. 6.

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Hit The Water on a Kayak!!!

Pleasant Bay, a 9,000-acre area of extraordinary natural resources and beauty, represents one of the most biological diverse and productive marine habitats on the East Coast of the United States. Known affectionately as "The Bay", her history is connected to the Atlantic Ocean, she's protected by a barrier beach, and flows with gentle tidal waters that make it a paradise for kayakers of any experience level. We offer interpretive 4-hour morning tours, sunrise and full moon guided tours to remote areas of Pleasant Bay by kayak. All trips cover the basic paddling strokes and fundamentals of kayak safety. See wildlife, learn about the geology and history of the Cape. Paddle where the native Americans used to paddle....and have fun! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Individuals $45;

The Whales are here!

A whale watch excursion is a uniquely fun and educational experience that links learning with adventure in a very special protected national marine environment known as the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, just off the coast of Provincetown’s Cape Cod Bay. Stellwagen Bank welcomes a wide variety of marine creatures, but its key mammal species include the endangered northern right whale, the humpback whale, the finback whale, and the Atlantic white-sided dolphin. We are working on having a shuttle bus to take you to Provincetown.

National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitors Center

Located a few miles up the road (easy to get to on the bike trail!) is Cape Cod's main Visitors Center. It houses a small, free museum exhibit about the nature and culture represented on Cape Cod. A small, also free, movie theater shows ten minute movies on the geological formation of Cape Cod, maritime history including whaling and sea rescues, Marconi's first wireless message transmitted from Europe to the US, and Henry David Thoreau's discovery and writings of Cape Cod. There are also two popular nature walks starting from the Visitors Center with awesome views.

The Beaches!!!

The Hostel is located about 1/4 mile from Boat Meadow beach on the Bay, and five miles from Nauset Beach on the ocean. Also on the Bay side are Skaket and First Encounter beaches, both great beaches for kids. The water is warm and very calm and has lots of shallow bits. At low tide, the water goes out for miles leaving tide pools and all sorts of critters, including seals sometimes. Sunsets on the bay side are the best on the Cape.

Nauset Beach and Coast Guard Beach are the most popular ocean beaches Mid Cape. Bring the boogie boards, suntan lotion, volleyball and get ready for some serious beach fun!

More Things To Do:

For information on lighthouses you can visit, click here. For the top 35 attractions on Cape Cod (Museums, Windmills, Pirates, Pilgrims and more) click here.

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