Hotel at a Glance: Blue Water Resort

The sun rises over well-groomed sands at Blue Water Resort, which never leaves its guests wanting for things to do. The waters of Nantucket Sound welcome whale-watching tours and day trips to nearby islands, which whisk guests back to the resort in time for live music or drinks by the pool.

• Where you’ll stay: Guest rooms have flat-screen TV, WiFi, refrigerators, and private balconies, patios, or terraces.
• Swimming venues: You can swim in indoor and outdoor pools or head out to the ocean.
• Game on: There are basketball courts and a putting green right on the property.
• Lobster Roll is among the lunch specialties at the onsite pub.
• Visit the neighbors: Your stay includes access to amenities at every Red Jacket resort; be sure to check out Red Jacket Beach’s full spa.

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, 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.