Race Point Light Lighthouse in sand dunes on the beach at Cape Cod, New England,  Massachusetts, USA.

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On the wild tip of the Cape, this Cape Cod National Seashore beach is a breathtaking stretch of sand, crashing surf and undulating dunes as far as the eye can see. Kick off your sandals, kids – the soft, grainy sand makes for a fun run. This is the kind of beach where you could walk for miles and see no one but the occasional angler casting for bluefish. Parking costs $20 in summer (the National Seashore fee).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Province Lands Visitor Center

0.87 MILES

Overlooking Race Point Beach, this Cape Cod National Seashore visitor center has displays on dune ecology and a rooftop observation deck with an eye…

2. Herring Cove Beach

2.47 MILES

Swimmers favor the relatively calm (though certainly brisk) waters of Herring Cove Beach, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. The long, sandy beach is…

4. Fine Arts Work Center

2.53 MILES

The Fine Arts Work Center is one reason this far-flung corner of Massachusetts continues to attract daring and creative minds. The progressive foundation…

5. Provincetown Public Library

2.62 MILES

Erected in 1860 as a church, this building was turned into a museum a century later, complete with a half-size replica of Provincetown's famed race…

6. Albert Merola Gallery

2.64 MILES

The high-quality Albert Merola Gallery showcases works by both contemporary and notable past Provincetown artists. It's reliably open during the summer…

7. Provincetown Art Association & Museum

2.67 MILES

Founded in 1914 to celebrate the town’s thriving art community, this vibrant museum showcases the works of hundreds of artists who have found their…

8. MacMillan Pier

2.78 MILES

The central town wharf is the hub of water-going traffic, like passenger ferries to and from Boston, whale-watching cruises, fishing charters and…