Local Advice | 4 Insider Tips on Making the Most of Your Cape Cod Experience

In the July/August 2024 Yankee Magazine feature“Cape Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to Cape Cod,” Kate Whouley shared her best Cape Cod insider info. Here’s an extra batch of insider advice for your next visit to Cape Cod, courtesy of the author and some of her fellow long-timers.

1. Say Oui to Eating French

Maybe it’s the cool history around the transatlantic cable that ran from Cape Cod to France that explains the abundance of delicious French-inspired cuisine here. Here are a few options to sustain you en route to the French Cable Station Museum in Orleans.

Pain D’Avignon | Barnstable

My favorite, located within a stone’s throw of the Barnstable Municipal Airport. Besides baked goods and breakfast, they serve the Cape’s best burger on the freshest brioche bun ever. Sit at the back, and your kids can watch the bakers at work. At night, it becomes a sophisticated French bistro. (All price ranges, depending on when you go—but do go!) paindavignon.com

PB Boulangerie Bistro South Wellfleet

I have friends who can’t drive down-Cape without stopping here. It’s another combo bakery-bistro, this one in a bucolic setting just off Route 6 in South Wellfleet. pbboulangeriebistro.com

Maison Villatte | Falmouth

Started by two of the original owners of PB and jam-packed with gorgeous French pastries, boules, and baguettes.Facebook

2. Opt For International Over Seafood

Of course Cape Cod has lots of fresh-caught ocean bounty, served in clam shacks and high-end eateries alike. Some less obvious (and more international) dining choices that are conspicuously delicious:

Stir Crazy | Bourne

Crazy-tasty Cambodian cuisine, with a sushi menu, too. Opened by Cambodian refugee Bopha Samms in 1989, it’s small and busy; reservations definitely recommended. stircrazycapecod.com

Pavilion Indian | Hyannis

When Tony and Pommie Thind opened this restaurant in 1992, I felt like my life on Cape Cod was complete. Easygoing atmosphere and a full menu available to go. pavilionindian.com

Aplaya Kitchen & Tiki Bar | Chatham

Opened by the founding owners of the beloved Mom & Pops Burgers, it’s a seasonal hideaway with outdoor-only dining and authentic Filipino cuisine. aplayacapecod.com

Tumi Ceviche | Hyannis

Peruvian and Italian (!) cuisine in a contemporary yet cozy setting, with a variety of ceviche offerings, including vegetarian, plus fresh pasta and hearty mains. tumiceviche.com

3. Catch a Show

“You can catch a play most summer nights in theaters from P-town to Woods Hole,” says Cape Cod Times theater critic Shannon Goheen, who offers a trio of her favorite stages:

The Cape Playhouse | Dennis

The nation’s original summer theater, operating since 1927. You’ll see Broadway talents here in a mix of plays and musicals. “Just being in that old theater is in itself an experience,” Goheen says.capeplayhouse.com

College Light Opera Company | Falmouth

Recommended for “a big showy production with top-notch talent” from leading music schools and conservatories. Arrive early, explore the grounds of the 1876 Highfield Theatre, and have a snack on the patio.collegelightoperacompany.com

The Provincetown Theater | Provincetown

The place for edgier, often more serious plays in an intimate setting that’s routinely reconfigured. After experiencing a production at PT, “you can’t help but be altered,” Goheen says.provincetowntheater.org

4. Live Your Best Bike Life

The Cape is graced with scenic bike paths, each with a unique feel. My neighbor who follows the “No Lefts” Rule religiously in summer is also an avid bike rider—here’s his take on some popular routes:

Shining Sea Bikeway

Paved 10.7-mile bike path from North Falmouth to Woods Hole. Ride it early in the morning, then take in the views from the parking area at Nobska Light. savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/shining-sea-bikeway

Cape Cod Rail Trail

Longest bike path on the Cape, at 25.5 miles from Yarmouth to Wellfleet, with a spur that goes to Harwich and Chatham. It’s mostly shaded and flat—perfect for sunny days and/or more casual riders. mass.gov/locations/cape-cod-rail-trail

Province Lands Bike Trail

Easily the most challenging, and possibly most rewarding, Cape bike trail. Shade is minimal, and the dunes can get white-hot (stock up on water). Best for advanced riders. nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/province-lands-bike-trail.htm