Cape Cod has a rich history that’s celebrated in local landmarks and museums. Vacation home rentals can be found near heritage sites like the Pilgrim Monument, a tall granite monument that honors the Mayflower Pilgrims, and the Race Point Lighthouse, a historic 19th-century lighthouse offering tours of the lighthouse and historic buildings. The Nauset Lighthouse, an iconic 19th-century beacon with tours, is also great to visit.
For generations, Cape Cod has served as a retreat for the Kennedy clan. Today the John F Kennedy Hyannis Museum offers a glimpse at how the famous family spent their summers. It's the first stop on the Kennedy Legacy Trail, a historic self-guided route that winds through downtown Hyannis. From breezy beach cottages to oceanfront estates, Cape Cod vacation rentals showcase properties worthy of John and Jackie themselves. Love art? Championing homegrown Lower Cape talent, the Provincetown Art Association & Museum displays works from the likes of Charles Hawthorne and Edward Hopper.
Most vacationers arrive in search of sand and sunshine. Cape Cod delivers, with a string of stunning beaches to choose from. The Massachusetts coast boasts some of North America's best whale-watching opportunities, with the chance to spot humpbacks, finbacks and minkes, as well as pods of dolphins. Seafood is a staple in Cape Cod, and eating your way through lobster rolls, crab cakes and clam chowder is all part of the fun. For a change of scene, why not stock up on fresh seafood, then head back to your Cape Cod vacation rentals for a sunset BBQ on the deck?
Cape Cod shines in the summer, when the peninsula enjoys clear skies, warm weather and long days. This has made it a favorite with sunseekers like Henry David Thoreau, Barack Obama and JFK. Expect big crowds from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the classic time to enjoy a Cape Cod vacation. Thanks to lower costs and thinner crowds, fall has emerged as a sweet spot. Even in winter the cape attracts its fair share of vacationers. Enjoy windswept walks on the beach and cozy nights by the fireplace of your Cape Cod vacation rentals cottage.
Shaped like a hook, Cape Cod juts off the US state of Massachusetts. The landscape is formed by ocean currents and Atlantic winds that give it a rugged natural beauty. While beaches and sand dunes are its biggest drawcard, Cape Cod is also strewn with birch forests, freshwater lagoons, salt marshes and scarlet cranberry bogs. Much of the peninsula is protected by the Cape Cod National Seashore, which hides a treasure trove of pristine beaches and scenic nature trails.
The nearest airport is in Hyannis, MA (HYA-Barnstable Municipal), located 7.9 mi (12.8 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you might consider flying into Provincetown, MA (PVC-Provincetown Municipal), which is 21.1 mi (33.9 km) away.
If you'd prefer to travel by train, the main station is Hyannis Transportation Center.
Cape Cod is filled with kid-friendly attractions for fun and education. Vacation homes are available near family-focused places like the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, a museum with local nature and wildlife exhibits, and the Whydah Pirate Museum, a museum with artifacts from an 18th-century pirate ship. Kids will also enjoy the Sandwich Glass Museum, a local glassblowing museum with historic exhibits and demonstrations.
Our 2021 property listings offer a large selection of 5,852 vacation rentals around Cape Cod. From 5,024 house rentals to 662 cottage rentals, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends.