Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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In the summer, it’s hard to top Cape Cod, known for its picturesque lighthouses, seafood shacks, and beautiful East Coast beaches. But even outside of the peak vacation season, the peninsula’s plentiful golf courses, art galleries, and breweries welcome visitors for a cozy weekend. From Boston, the trip is about 90 minutes by car or just over 2.5 hours via the CapeFlyer, a weekend passenger train service. If you’re coming from New York City, you might want to make it a long weekend as driving to the Cape takes more than four hours. But the shift in landscape and pace is well worth the trip.
From April to October, head out to sea with Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises to spot migrating humpback whales. Stay at the nearby Inn at Cape Cod in Yarmouth, a private mansion turned boutique hotel that dates back to the 1820s, or head farther east to hang your hat at Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, an all-encompassing getaway with a beach and golf course in Harwich.
On the far east end of Cape Cod is Chatham, home to the luxe and historic Chatham Inn, an 18-room Relais & Châteaux property at the heart of downtown. From here, the Cape Cod National Seashore stretches 40 miles north along the Cape’s narrow hook with unspoiled sandy beaches, dunes, and historic lighthouses. At the top is artsy, LGBTQ+-friendly Provincetown. Be sure to have a meal at the Lobster Pot, a Cape Cod landmark that serves up seafood classics with bay views.