One Day in Wellfleet
Wellfleet is on the "Outer Cape", halfway between the "tip" and "elbow" of Cape Cod. This seaside community is an oyster mecca, every October they host the very crowded Wellfleet Oyster Festival. Popular summer activities include miles of coastline to surf or sunbath, the National Seashore for walking trails and recreation, even a flea market open Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you only have one day to spend in Wellfleet here are some ideas......
8:45AM: Croissants & Coffee at PB Boulangerie Bistro
This very popular French bistro is located about 50 feet from Route 6 and about a two minute drive to the beach. If you are ambitious enough to get here early, the line shouldn't be too long. The reward waiting for you at the end of the line is quite possibly the best pastry on Cape Cod, The Strawberry Croissant (featured above).
9:30AM: Spend the morning on the beach
To ensure their will actually be a parking space for you, I suggest planning on arriving to the beach before 10:00am. Park at the Beachcomber or, "The Combah" as locals call it, is located at: 1120 Cahoon Hollow Road about three minutes from Route 6 (the main road in Wellfleet).
Why here? Cahoon Hollow Beach, is perfect for swimming or relaxing due to a much calmer current compared to their neighboring beaches. Some might find it slightly difficult to get to, due to a 75 foot hike down the large sand dune. In fact, the dune and parking lot caved in at the end of the 2018 season and quickly rebuilt by the owners of the Beachcomber for the 2019 season. The reward? Once you finally make it to the bottom, there is plenty of sand to spread out and relax. Another great reason to park at this location is the $20 parking fee can be used as credit in the Beachcomber restaurant or gift shop!
12:30pm: Lunch at the Beachcomber
With such few waterfront dining options on the Cape, spots at the bar are meticulously sought after, and have been for years. Expect the menu to be casual and straight forward but very consistent which is exactly what you want from a beachfront seafood shack.
They have many local Summer beers on tap and I usually can't leave without bellying up to the raw bar and ordering a little devil's plate and an oyster shooter (a Bloody Mary shot with a shucked oyster).
(down the cape idea: send someone from your group to scout out a spot at the bar while the rest of your party packs up from the the beach, saves precious time)
2:30pm: Explore the National Seashore walking trails
The National Seashore Website describes this area best:
"If you ask ten people to share their favorite thing to do at Cape Cod National Seashore, you might hear ten different activities".
You could go surfing at an Oceanside beach or go shellfishing on the Bayside. Sunbathing or swimming at White Crest beach, or`exploring the estuaries and marshlands. There is something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Featured here is the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp which is a short walk through the swamp on wooden walkways and also through some of the Sand Dunes by the ocean. There is plenty of shade on the walking trails which might be a relief to those who might have too much sun at Cahoon Hollow. This area is also home to the Marconi wireless station, where the first wireless radio waves to England were sent from.
5:30pm: Dinner in Downtown Wellfleet
"Wellfleet Center" is a thriving arts district with a very strong fishing backbone. Thousands of people travel here for the Wellfleet Oyster Festival every fall. Shellfish is featured prominently on every menu, the wealth of knowledge the servers, bartenders, and managers have to share about seafood will amaze you. This town boasts great pride towards their biggest export, the Wellfleet Oyster.
Mac's Shack, located just a short walk from the Kendrick Avenue is a great option in the area because they offer a rather diverse seafood menu. Mac's has arguably the best sushi on the outer Cape and their patio is a great amenity for large parties or if you are coming off the boat looking for a few drinks. You can also check out their 2 other outposts locally, Mac's on the Pier, and Mac's Provincetown. If you wanted fresh seafood to take back to your cottage they also have Mac's Market and Kitchen in Eastham.
8:00pm: Double Feature at the Wellfleet Drive-In
