Introducing Cape Cod

Think saltwater taffy, seaside cottages, children building sandcastles and sailboats at sunset. When New Englanders want a day at the beach they head to ‘the Cape.’ This sandy peninsula is fringed with 400 miles of sparkling shoreline. But there’s a lot more than just beaches here. The Cape boasts quaint fishing villages, excellent biking and hiking trails, and some of the freshest seafood imaginable. Provincetown began as a summer retreat for writers and artists. These days it has a thriving gay and lesbian community and a carnival feel all year round.

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce (508-362-3225, 888-332-2732; www.capecodchamber.org; MA 6 at MA 132, Hyannis; 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat year-round, 10am-2pm Sun in summer) provides Capewide information. Buses run between Boston and the Cape’s main towns.