Inn at a Glance: Barnaby Inn

The Barnaby Inn occupies a large, beautiful house first built in the late 1700s. Inside, guest rooms are decorated with timeless furnishings, but some modern details pop up here and there, too—each room includes a flatscreen TV, mini fridge, and free WiFi. Bike paths are close and guests of the inn are eligible for discounts on bike rentals.

• Distance from the beach: About one mile.
• Nearby dining options include pizza and a biscotti shop, all within a half-mile radius. And, of course, fresh seafood is available in droves all around the area. Continental breakfast is also included in your stay.
• Take a stroll among wild grasses and luscious landscaping at the Sea View Park Recreation Area, about a mile from the hotel.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Historic Towns and Miles of Protected Beaches

In the late 19th century, Cape Cod blossomed into a summer vacation destination as visitors swapped crowded coastal cities for the sandy shores of eastern Massachusetts. Today, the arm-shaped peninsula, located 60 miles south of Boston, encompasses 15 idyllic towns, rolling dunes, and 300 miles of sandy shoreline—and it’s still the place where many East Coasters choose to spend their leisurely summer days. Popular attractions include fresh-seafood restaurants, internationally acclaimed beaches, Pilgrim history, quaint stores, and bicycle trails, such as the 11-mile Shining Sea Bikeway that wends from North Falmouth to Woods Hole.

On the uppermost tip of the Cape, the free-spirited art colony of Provincetown attracts visitors year-round. This is one of the best places to head for a vibrant nightlife scene—there are cabarets, bars, and lounges aplenty. Pop into the Provincetown Art Association and Museum to check out local artwork, both historical and contemporary.

Along the Lower, or Outer, Cape, the 44,000-acre Cape Cod National Seashore stretches from Orleans to Provincetown and features six swimming beaches, boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, wild cranberry bogs, and miles of hiking and biking trails. The mild climate provides a perfect respite for golfers, naturalists, and birdwatchers and has long been recognized for its artistic significance as a haven for artists, fine theater, and museums. In Harwich, you can catch the town’s annual cranberry festival in September, or catch a Harwich Mariners baseball game. This coastal region is also known for whale watching; between April and November, tour boats take passengers out to sea to catch glimpses of humpback and minke whales.

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