I’ve lived in Massachusetts most of my life, but never spent more than two days on world-famous Cape Cod. Foolish me! At last, this month I spent a heavenly week in Wellfleet (near the tip of the Cape) in a rented house with family. So was a classic Cape Cod summer vacation worth it? YES! Here are six reasons why.

1. The food.

Lobster rolls! Fresh seafood! Even some hippie, healthy food! We enjoyed cooking in our rental house with fresh local produce, as well as dining out at a range of yummy restaurants. My baby bump got noticeably bigger in just seven days due to delicious nutrition… and lots of ice cream. :)

2. Relaxation in the air.

The moment we got onto the “arm” of the Cape, I felt ease and happiness permeate. The roads are small, protected forests and natural seashores abound, and the slow pace is like honey. Even a workaholic like me is able to lean back and soak it in!

3. Nice, varied housing options.

If you book far enough in advance, you can rent from a vast price range of houses or hotels on the Cape… and even a hostel! Renting a large house and stuffing it with family and friends is particularly affordable and fun.

4. Manageable traffic.

We were terrified of the notorious Cape Cod traffic (July 4 weekend there was a 8-hour traffic jam for a drive that should take 1 hour), but the summer week we were there, we hit hardly a snarl on the road. Moreover, the fast ferry from Boston to Provincetown is never delayed, and that takes just 1.5 hours. Finally, there is a useful public bus, meaning you shouldn’t have to be tied to your car.

5. Numerous luscious swimming options.

I knew about the famous Cape Cod ocean beaches, but didn’t anticipate the caliber of the Cape’s natural swimming ponds. The house we rented was minutes away from six different warm, clear swimming lakes, and we took full advantage. Even the ocean was warm enough to linger in, which is a shocking fact in New England!

6. Abounding arts.

As an artist, myself, it’s delightful to be in a land with as many crafts shops as Cape Cod. Artists are celebrated there, and many call the Cape their home. Performing arts also flourish on Cape Cod, and in a slightly more lowbrow version, there is also a drive-in theater in Wellfleet! (When we attended, I felt like I should leap up, grease my hair, and do some 50s dance numbers…)

There you have a few reasons we loved Cape Cod. It more than lived up to the hype!

Have YOU been to the Cape? If so, what was your experience? If you haven’t been, why not, and do you hope to? Do share!