Your Cape Cod Summer Bucket List
So much to do, and just 14 weeks to do it!
The summer is stretched out before us, but it feels like a fleeting moment while we’re in it. Reserve your Red Jacket getaway and plan ahead to be sure you fit in all the wonderful things that make a Cape Cod summer so special. Here’s a list of our top 10 “must-do” activities while vacationing on the Cape.
Explore the Jetty
Walk out into the sea on the beautiful jetties at West Dennis Beach as well as at our very own Green Harbor and Red Jacket Beach Resorts. Get a different perspective from the huge boulders that jet out into the ocean. This is also a perfect spot for a family vacation photoshoot. Denise at Fleeting Moments Photography will capture the moment and help preserve this special time.
Settle in for Sunset
There’s something magical about watching the sun slowly sink into the horizon – the brilliant colors of the sky, the cool evening breeze, the vibrant burst of light as it drops out of sight – and it’s even more special when seen from the sandy shores of the private beaches at our oceanfront resorts.
Mini-Golf Tour
Create your own little tournament and challenge one another at the many nearby courses! Start off by the water at our Green Harbor Resort for a small warm-up course. Then, make your way across the town from Putter’s Paradise and Wild Animal Lagoon in West Yarmouth to Pirate’s Cove and Skull Island in South Yarmouth. Which will be your favorite?
Take a Walk or Kick Back on the Beach
Four of our Red Jacket Resorts are located right on the shores of Nantucket Sound with private beach access for our guests. Lounge and relax while listening to the sound of the soft waves or take a leisurely stroll or power walk along the shore. For a scenic workout, a round-trip beach jog from our Red Jacket Beach to Smuggler’s Beach is approximately 2 miles.
Catch a Ballgame
When you go to a Cape Cod Baseball League game, chances are you’re watching a future major-leaguer. Of the 160 MLB draft picks in 2020, 72 of them had played for the Cape League! Our hometown Y-D Red Sox play just minutes away at Red Wilson Field.
Kayak Parker’s River
Rent kayaks or paddleboards from Bass River Rentals (they’ll deliver to you) or Cape Cod Waterways or take a guided tour with Great Marsh Kayak Tours. Parker’s River is adjacent to our Red Jacket Beach Resort – you can begin your excursion right from our beach. With its gentle tidal flow and abundant wildlife, Parker’s River is perfect for families and all levels of skill.
Cape Cod National Seashore
An area described by Henry David Thoreau in the 1800s - “A man may stand there and put all America behind him.” Spanning 5 towns and 40 miles, discover pristine beaches, marshes, ponds, and uplands. The seashore has something for everyone - kayaking, hiking, biking, surfing, guided tours, observing wildlife, picking wild cranberries, and much more. The park also offers plenty of events throughout the summer.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Following along an old 19th-century rail line, the path is paved and flat making it perfect for walkers, runners, roller-bladers, and bikers of all ages. Ride past cranberry bogs, golf courses, woodlands, kettle ponds, and state parks and stop along the way for a picnic lunch or an ice cream.
Go Fishing
With water all around, there are endless opportunities to reel one in. Cast a line right from our jetty where you're sure to find a small fry. Or, set sail on a charter boat to reel in the real deal! There are several boats close by like EmmaJack Charters and Pythias Sportfishing, or bring the whole family on a kid-friendly excursion aboard Cap'n Kids Fishing Adventures. Our friends at Shark Shark Tuna Fishing Charters even pick up right at our Red Jacket Beach dock or at Smugglers Beach, just down from Blue Water and Riviera. Captain Shane and Captain Zaq (father-son dream team) tailor their charters for all anglers of all levels.
Savor a Fresh Lobster Roll
Summer on Cape Cod wouldn’t be complete without feasting on a succulent lobster roll. These tasty crustaceans are caught right off our coast making a local lobster roll one of the best you’ll ever have. Enjoy one with a refreshing beverage overlooking the water at our Red Jacket Beach and Blue Water Resorts. Or, if you’re out and about, stop for lunch at Sesuit Harbor Café in Dennis or The Black Cat Restaurant in Hyannis for their delicious versions.
