'''Eastham'''[http://www.easthamchamber.com] is in Massachusetts on Cape Cod. The Salt Pond Visitor Center is the starting point of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Eastham is home to some beautiful bay and ocean beaches. First Encounter Beach is where Myles Standish and his Pilgrims first met up with Nauset Indians in 1620.
Get in
By car
Eastham is 45 minutes on Route 6 from the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne and about two hours from Boston (100 miles). Travel time varies greatly from the off season to the on season, depending on traffic, weather conditions, road work, etc.
'''From Boston''' take I-93 south to Route 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge (Becomes Rt. 6).
'''From Providence or points south''' take I-95 north to I-195 to Route 25 south to the Bourne Bridge (I-495 also becomes Route 25). At the rotary (traffic circle) on the Cape side, go almost all the way around and travel along the Canal to Route 6 east.
By bus
'''Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway''', 17 Elm Av., Hyannis, ''+1'' 508-771-6191, [http://www.p-b.com/].
'''The Flex''', Hyannis Transportation Center, Hyannis, Regional Transit Authority Customer Service: ''+1'' 800-352-7155; TTY for Deaf and Hearing Impaired: ''+1'' 508-385-4163, [http://www.theflex.org/]. Service between Mid Cape and Outer Cape towns. All ''Flex'' buses have bike racks (2 bikes per bus).
By air
Most travelers would fly into Boston's '''Logan International Airport (BOS)''', [http://www.massport.com/logan/], or Warwick, Rhode Island's '''T.F. Greene Airport (PVD)''', [http://www.pvdairport.com/] near Providence.
'''Cape Air''', ''+1'' 800-352-0714, [http://www.flycapeair.com]. Regional airline serving nearby Hyannis, and also Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. They also service the off cape cities of Boston, Providence (seasonal), and New Bedford.
By sea
There are two ferry boat services from Boston to Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod. Once in Provincetown you can take the ''Plymouth & Brockton'' or the ''Flex'' bus 25 miles south to Eastham.
'''Bay State Cruises''', ''+1'' 877-783-3779, Leaves Boston from beside the Seaport World Trade Center, [http://www.provincetownfastferry.com/].
'''Boston Harbor Cruises''', ''+1'' 617-227-4321, Leaves Boston from Long Wharf by the Aquarium, [http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/ptown_main.html].
Get around
A car is the easiest way to get around, though regional bus routes provide easy, frequent and cheap access to other towns. Eastham is also good for biking as most of the traffic stays on Route 6, the single main highway through the town, the Cape Cod Rail Trail (which follows the old railway right of way) runs through the entire town, and there is a beautiful bike trail at the CCNS Visitor's Center to Coast Guard Beach.
See
Nauset Light. ttp://www.nausetlight.org/. A historic lighthouse at Nauset Light Beach. Free public tours May-October. Hear the history of the light and climb the tower. See [http://www.nausetlight.org/ NLPS web site] for times.
Three Sisters Lighthouses. able Road. The three small lighthouses that were replaced by the current red and white Nauset Light can be seen in a grassy park 1/4 mile back from Nauset Light Beach. Tours are available through the Cape Cod National Seashore.
'''The views from Fort Hill''', Fort Hill Road. Two parking lots are here. The one at the end has great views of the Eastham harbor, beautiful marshes and the barrier island. Trails are maintained down through the marsh. Caution: greenhead flies will bite in summer.
'''Captain Penniman House and Fort Hill Historic District''', Fort Hill Rd., ''+1'' 508-349-3785. Here you will also find great hiking trails, including a red maple swamp.
'''Old Eastham Windmill''', Route 6.
'''The 1869 Schoolhouse Museum''', Nauset Rd. across from the Salt Pond Visitor Center, ''+1'' 508-255-0788. Jun-Oct. Free. Unusual whale jaw gate.
'''Eastham Live Web Cams'''
''' Atlantic Ocean web cam''': [http://www.morebeach.com/cape_cod_beach_cam.html click here for live view]
''' Cape Cod Bay web cam''': [http://www.summerhome.com/baycam click here for live view]
Do
'''Visit Salt Pond Visitor Center''' of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Salt Pond Rd. (''east of Rte. 6''), ''+1'' 508-255-3421, [http://www.nps.gov/caco]. Late May - mid Oct daily 9AM-5PM; mid Oct to late May daily 9AM-4:30PM. The exhibits here are great, but even better is a 1/4 mile long walking path designed with the blind or sight impaired person in mind. The trail continues across a boardwalk over the Great Marsh to connect with the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Free.
'''Bike the Cape Cod Rail Trail''', The CCRT is a 22 mile long bike path from Dennis to Wellfleet.. The trail follows the old railroad line and runs the complete length of Eastham. A wide paved path with scenic vistas, the trail runs through woods and meadows away from the highway and car traffic. [http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/print/ccrt.pdf Cape Cod Rail Trail Map]. There is also a 1.6 mile bike path from the Salt Pond Visitor Center to Coast Guard beach. [http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/upload/Final2008bikerevise.pdf Nauset Trail Map]
'''Rent a Bike''', There are two bike shops on the Cape Cod Rail Trail providing rentals and service: (''1''.) '''Little Capistrano Bike Shop''', Salt Pond Rd., across Route 6 from the CCNS Visitor Center ''+1'' 508-255-6515. (''2''.) '''Idle Times Bike Shops''', 4550 Route 6, near Brackett Road ''+1'' 508-255-8281, [http://www.idletimesbikes.com].
'''Play Miniature Golf''': (''1''.) '''Poit's Lighthouse Mini-Golf''', 5270 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-6321, [http://www.poitslighthouseminigolf.com/]. Themed. Snack bar with ice cream. (''2''.) '''Arnold's Mini-Golf''', 3580 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-2575,[http://www.arnoldsrestaurant.com/] Themed. Seafood restaurant with ice cream window.
'''Surf the Atlantic Ocean''', Good surfing at both Nauset Light Beach and Coast Guard Beach. Lessons and board rentals at '''Little Overhead Surf Shop''', 4900 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-240-1455. [http://www.littleoverhead.com]. Lots of bodyboarding too.
Beaches
'''Cape Cod National Seashore - Atlantic Ocean beaches.
''' Coast Guard Beach''', Route 6, Right onto Nauset Road at Salt Pond Visitor Center, Right on Doane Road. Best handicapped access.
''' Nauset Light Beach''', Route 6, Right onto Brackett Road, Left on Nauset Road, Right on Cable Road, no handicapped access.
'''Town of Eastham - Cape Cod Bay beaches''' [http://easthamma.virtualtownhall.net/Public_Documents/EasthamMA_Recreation/index (permit required to park cars)].
''' First Encounter''', Route 6 to Samoset Road, follow Samoset Road to the end. Best handicapped access.
''' Kingsbury''', end of Kingsbury Beach Road, off Herring Brook Road, very small parking lot.
''' Thumpertown''', small beach at end of Thumpertown Road, off Herring Brook Road.
''' Campground''', Route 6 to Massasoit Road. Left onto Campground Road to end.
''' Cooks Brook''', off Massasoit Road in North Eastham. Left onto Steele Road to end.
''' Sunken Meadow''', small beach at end of South Sunken Meadow Road, off Massasoit Road, tiny parking lot.
'''Town of Eastham - fresh water pond beaches''' [http://easthamma.virtualtownhall.net/Public_Documents/EasthamMA_Recreation/index (permit required to park cars)].
''' Wiley Park''', off Herring Brook Road. Small beach on the west side of Great Pond. Sandy bottom, lifeguards, morning swimming lessons, playground and a conservation area with a few trails. Great for small kids.
''' Great Pond''', Great Pond Road. Small beach on the east side of Great Pond with a very small parking lot. Sandy bottom, lifeguards. Great for small kids.
'''Herring Pond''', off Herring Brook Road (left from Samoset). Beautiful clear kettle pond with sandy beach.
Nature Trails
There are several self guided nature trails in both the National Seashore [http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/upload/Self-gui1-2.pdf (info)] and Town of Eastham conservation areas [http://www.eastham-ma.gov/Public_Documents/EasthamMA_Recreation/HikingTrails (info)]. You can also hike the shoreline along Cape Cod Bay at low to mid tide.
'''Fort Hill Trail''', 1.5 miles, senic vistas of Nauset Marsh and Nauset Spit. [http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/upload/FortHillcolor.pdf trail guide]
'''Red Maple Swamp Trail''', 1/2 mile, some elevated boardwalk sections through swamp.
'''Doane Trail''', 1/2 mile, hike to Atlantic Ocean from picnic area.
'''Nauset Marsh Trail''', 1 mile, loop trail along Salt Pond and through forest. [http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/upload/NausetMarshcolor.pdf trail guide]
'''Butonbush Trail''', 1/4 mile, with guide rope and braille signage.
'''Lamont Smith Conservation Area''' [http://www.eastham-ma.gov/Public_Documents/EasthamMA_Recreation/HikingTrails info]
'''Cottontail Acres Conservation Area''' [http://www.eastham-ma.gov/Public_Documents/EasthamMA_Recreation/HikingTrails info]
Events
'''Windmill Weekend''', Windmill Green. A town wide celebration held the weekend after Labor Day. Parade, road races, sand art competition, arts & crafts, band concerts, square dancing and a tricycle race. [http://www.easthamwindmillweekend.com/]
'''Art Shows''', The ''Eastham Painters Guild'' hosts many fine art shows at the Schoolhouse Museum during the summer months. [http://www.easthampaintersguild.com/schedule.html schedule]
Buy
Shopping in Eastham is spread out along the main highway (Route 6) and just off Route 6 at Main Street Mercantile, Seatoller Shops, and the area around Brackett Road. There are many gift shops and smaller markets for groceries and general supplies. For a large supermarket there is '''Stop & Shop''' just past the rotary in Orleans (Route 28), or '''Shaws Market''' on Route 6A in Orleans.
Eat
'''Ben & Jerry's North Eastham Scoop Shop''', Route 6 at Brackett Road, ''+1'' 508-255-2817, [http://www.benjerry.com/northeastham/]. Ice Cream!
'''Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar''', 3580 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-2575, [http://www.arnoldsrestaurant.com/]. Casual, with an ice cream window on the side and a newly installed mini-golf course.
'''Fairway Restaurant & Pizzeria''', 4295 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-3893, [http://www.fairwaycapecod.com/]. Year round, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Casual.
'''Hole in One Donut Shop''', 4295 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-9446, [http://www.theholecapecod.com/]. Fresh hand-cut donuts, coffee and breakfast. Where the locals go.
'''Capone's''', 3800 U.S. 6, ''+1'' 508-240-7828. Homemade Italian.
'''Beach Break Grill and Lounge''', 32 Main St., ''+1'' 508-240-3100.
'''Eastham Landing''', 491 Campground Rd., ''+1'' 508-247-9800.
'''Eastham Lobster Pool''', 4380 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-9706. Pick your lobster. Or get fish.
'''Jimmy D's Restaurant''', 4940 State Highway, ''+1'' 508-255-9913. Casual, decorated with sports memorbilia. Is more of a sports bar than a restaurant.
'''Lobster Shanty''', 2905 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-9394.
'''Mary's At the Black Skillet Cafe''', 5960 State Hwy Rte 6, ''+1'' 508-240-3525.
'''Mitchell's Bistro''', Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-4803. Year round, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Best bet for fine dining in the evening. Your source for cheesecake.
'''Riptide Tavern''', 4100 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-1661. Family, affordable.
'''The Box Lunch''', Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-0799. [http://www.boxlunch.com/] Sandwich wraps to go or eat in.
'''Sam's Deli''', 100 Brackett Road, ''+1'' 508-255-9340. Deli counter and prepared meals to go.
Drink
'''Arturo_fs (Cestaro Brothers Restaurant and Bar).''' 32 Main St., (508) 240-1955, [http://www.cestarobrothers.com]. Open daily, year round, until 1AM. Arturo_fs has a completely separate bar / stage area upstairs with outdoor deck seating when the weather is suitable. Typically has live music on Fri and Sat nights in the summer (June ? August) and hosts _ggame nights_h and open mic _gjam nights_h throughout the year.
'''Rick's Outer Bar''', Town Center Plaza on Route 6, North Eastham, ''+1'' 508-255-4959. DJs on summer weekends.
'''Beach Break Grill and Lounge''', 32 Main St., ''+1'' 508-240-3100.
Sleep
'''Ocean Park Inn''', Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-1132, [http://www.capecodopi.com/]. Family-oriented lodging with an outdoor pool, picnic area, and guest laundry. Call and ask about the new vacation packages available.
'''HI-Mid Cape Hostel''', 75 Goody Hallet Dr., ''+1'' 508-255-2785.
'''Anchorage on the Cove''', 450 State Highway, Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-1442, [http://www.anchorageonthecove.com/]. Cottages and suites.
'''Four Points by Sheraton Eastham''' Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-5000, [http://www.capecodfourpoints.com].
'''Captains Quarters Motel and Conference Center''', 5000 State Highway (Route 6), North Eastham, Res: ''+1'' (800) 327-7769, Guest Line: ''+1'' (508) 255-5686, [http://www.captains-quarters.com/]. Outdoor pool, tennis courts, beach sand volleyball, half court basketball. 75 Spacious guest rooms spread out over 1.5 acres of quiet, relaxing grounds.
'''Viking Shores Motor Lodge''', Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-3200, [http://www.vikingshores.com/]. Right on the bike trail.
'''Blue Dolphin Inn''', Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-1159, [http://www.bluedolphincapecod.com/].
'''Atlantic Breeze Motel & Cottages''', Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-1076, [http://www.atlanticbreezecapecod.com/]. May-Oct.
'''Cottage Grove''', 1975 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-0500, [http://www.grovecape.com/]. 8 cottages.
'''Cove Bluffs Motel''', 25 Seaview Rd., ''+1'' 508-240-1616.
'''Eagle Wing Guest Motel''', 960 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-240-5656, [http://www.eaglewingmotel.com/].
'''Fort Hill Bed and Breakfast''', 75 Fort Hill Rd., ''+1'' 508-240-2870, [http://www.forthillbedandbreakfast.com/]. Overlooking Nauset Marsh and the Atlantic, the only lodging within the National Seashore park. From cottages to luxury suites.
'''Gibson Cottages''', 40 Smith Heights Way, ''+1'' 508-255-0882.
'''Inn at the Oaks''', 3085 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-1886, [http://www.innattheoaks.com]. Bed and Breakfast.
'''Midway Motel & Cottages''', Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-3117, [http://www.midwaymotel.com/].
'''Nauset Haven Lakeside Cottages''', 79 Route 6A, ''+1'' 508-255-0490.
'''Penny House Inn''', 4885 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-6632, [http://www.pennyhouseinn.com]. 12 rooms.
'''Smith Heights Cottages''', 1420 Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-5895, elainechase@comcast.net. Three 3 bedroom cottages.
'''Town Crier Motel''', Route 6, ''+1'' 508-255-4000, [http://www.towncriermotel.com/].
'''Whalewalk Inn and Spa''', 220 Bridge Rd., ''+1'' 508-255-0617,[http://www.whalewalkinn.com/].
'''Wheel In Cottages''', 5490 Route 6, North Eastham, ''+1'' 508-255-2588, [http://www.wheelincottages.com/].
Get out
Provincetown, Wellfleet, and Orleans are great nearby destinations for shopping or galleries on those days not suitable for the beaches.