Cape Cod Rail Trail

The Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) is on the west property line. The Rail Trail runs from Wellfleet (to the north) 22 miles to South Dennis (to the southwest). There is also a spur of the trail that runs to Chatham. The Rail Trail is an easy paved bike trail which follows the right-of-way of the Cape Cod Central Railroad. The Cape Cod Central Railroad started operation in 1861 providing passenger and freight service to Cape Cod.

Going north, the Rail Trail passes under Route 6 and on to Arnold’s {10 minutes by bike}. At the next intersection of the Rail Trail, is a shopping center with Local Break, Royal Thai and Friendly Fisherman (15-20 minutes by bike). South on the Rail Trail, downtown Orleans is 15 minute by bike. You can walk, run or bike on the CCRT.

Eastham Library

The original Eastham Library is on Samoset Road less than 4 minutes’ walk east of the cottage. During the demolition of all but the original (historic) building, the temporary library is in modular buildings next to the Eastham Town Hall. The new library building should be completed and occupied by Summer 2017. The Town Hall is at the traffic light where Samoset intersects Route 6.

Beaches

The cottage is on Long Pond (or Depot Pond). There is access to the pond on the first undeveloped lot walking east on Samoset. This is 100 yards from the driveway. There is a fresh water beach on Great Pond 0.3 miles from the cottage. To reach the Great Pond beach, drive, walk or bike west on Samoset Road and turn on Great Pond Road. The beach is 100 yards from the intersection. First Encounter Beach on the bay is 1.4 miles west on Samoset Road. Coast Guard Beach on the Atlantic is 3.1 miles east (Samoset east to Route 6, north to Nauset road and east to Coast Guard Beach. There is limited parking at Coast Guard Beach, thus you may need to take a shuttle from a larger parking lot. The parking is well marked. There are many other beaches on the Atlantic and the Bay.

National Sea Shore

The southern entrance to the National Sea Shore is near the intersection of Route 6 and Nauset road. The Salt Pond Visitors’ Center has rangers and movies to explain the formation of Cape Cod during the last glacial period as well as local flora and fauna. There is a bike trail that runs from the visitors’ center to Coast Guard Beach.

Hiking

There are beautiful hiking trails in the Fort Hill area. Fort Hill Road has 2 parking lots. Fort Hill Road is less than 1 mile south on Route 6 from the Samoset Road intersection. The Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary also has very nice hiking paths.

Restaurants

Our favorite restaurants in the Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet area. are:

Arnold’s, 3580 Route 6, Eastham; popular with tourists for good seafood. Cash only. Local tip to avoid the long line: call in your order then walk right past the line and pay for your order and pick it up. You can eat in the restaurant, or take your food out.

Friendly Fisherman, 4580 Route 6, North Eastham; Good local seafood! We feel that FF is better than Arnold’s. The lines are shorter, you eat on picnic tables and there is a package store next door with your choice of beverages.

Karoo, 3 Main Street #32B, Eastham; Well-crafted South African fare.

Fairway, 4295 State Highway, Eastham;

Land Ho, 6A & Main, Orleans; A local hang out for good seafood. Arrive early, particularly if the Bo Sox are playing.

Nauset Fish & Lobster Pool, 38 Route 6A, Orleans; this is where we buy seafood to bring back to cook.

Rock Harbor Grill, 18 Old Colony Way, Orleans; A relatively new place which is a favorite of locals. Good seafood and wood fired pizza.

ABBA, 89 Old Colony Way, Orleans; Very good upscale food at upscale prices.

Joe's Beach Road Bar & Grille, 5 Beach Road, Orleans; Very good seafood at a higher price point than Land Ho.

Wicked Oyster, 50 Main Street, Wellfleet; Our favorite for Sunday brunch or a creative dinner.

Things to do with Kids

Miniature golf at Arnold’s.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster; 869 Main Street (Route 6A), Brewster

Cape Cod Baseball League; Orleans Firebirds. This summer league is the best college players in the US. Many Major Leaguers played in the Cape Cod League.

Whale watching boats departing from Fishermans’ Warf in Provincetown

Many ice cream shops.

Wellfleet drive in theater.