There's a lot more to Cape Cod than the beautiful waterfront surroundings. There are so many activities available in Cape Cod from the myriad of outdoor recreation to the beautiful golf courses. If sport is not for you, perhaps you would rather visit a lighthouse still used by the Coast Guard to guide ships, see an internationally known collection at the glass museum, or tour an award winning winery. Whatever your pleasure it is all available in Cape Cod. The location of Cape Cod offers up over a 40 mile stretch of sandy beach, reserves and nature centers. There is plenty for the kids to do too with hands on activities, a children's museum, biking trails and much more. Many Cape Cod attractions are geared to all ages, so every member of the family can enjoy them. Let OnlineHotels.com show you some of our favorite places to stay and to play.

Upper Cape Cod Attractions

Cape Cod Winery
The Cape Cod Winery is located at 681 Sandwich Road in East Falmouth. It is open for wine tasting and sales from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving. Six different wine grapes are planted and thrive at the Cape Cod Winery, which produces 2,000 cases of the fermented juice annually. It won a bronze medal for its Nobska red in the International Eastern Wine Competition. Call (508) 457-5592 for information about the winery's differing fall and summer hours.

Dexter Grist Mill
The Dexter Grist Mill dates back to 1640. While it has done many different duties over the years, it now serves its original function of grinding corn. Guests can tour the working mill from mid-June to mid-September between 10 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. It is closed to tourists the rest of the year. The mill is located on Water Street in Sandwich. Call (508) 888-1173 for admission rates.

Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen
The Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen is located at 6 Discovery Hill Road in East Sandwich. The nature center features interpreted trails and a spectacular wildflower garden. It also offers classes, field trips, guided walks, and workshops. The Jam Kitchen lets visitors see how jam is made the old-fashioned way. Jams are on sale in the gift shop or by mail order. Admission is by donation.

Hoxie House
Hoxie House is arguably the oldest house on Cape Cod. It was built circa 1680 for Rev. John Smith. The home was occupied until 1950, but then went through a restoration process. It opened to the public in 1960. Hoxie House is located at 18 Water St. Contact the house at (508) 888-1173 for hours and rates.

Nobska Light
Nobska Light is located on Nobska Point in Falmouth. The lighthouse stands approximately 90 feet above sea level between Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. The first lighthouse on this site was built in 1828. The current lighthouse, built of cast iron with a brick lining, was erected in 1876. Nobska Light, which is still used by the Coast Guard as a navigational aid, flashes a white light 16 miles out to sea every 6 seconds.

Sandwich Glass Museum
The Sandwich Glass Museum, located on 129 Main St. in Sandwich, houses glass made in the town from 1825 to 1888. The museum is internationally known for this collection, and visitors can buy replicas of the glass in the museum's shop. Museum hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 1 through October 31. The shop is open year-round. Call the Sandwich Glass Museum at (508) 888-0251 to get admission rates and winter hours.

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located in the towns of Falmouth and Mashpee. It consists of more than 3,000 acres of open water, barrier beaches, marshlands, and uplands. The reserve offers many educational programs for adults and school-age children. Washburn Island, located within the reserve, allows camping. Campers must acquire a permit to camp on Washburn Island. They can do so by calling (877) 422-6267. Washburn Island is accessible by boat only.

Mid Cape Cod Attractions

Cape Cod Rail Trail
The 25-mile-long Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet. Automobile crossings are clearly marked throughout the trail, which is a great place to bike, walk, run, or horseback ride. It is especially great for cycling because it has even paving and hardly any hills. There are a variety of free parking areas near the trail.

Cape Cod Melody Tent
The Cape Cod Melody Tent features concerts from world-renowned musicians. The stage within the Melody Tent revolves, so all patrons can get a good view of the performers. No seat is farther than 50 feet from the stage - an amazing feat for a tent with 2,300 available seats. Visitors may purchase tickets for shows in advance by calling Ticketmaster at (617) 931-2787.

Cape Museum of Fine Arts
The Cape Museum of Fine Arts, which focuses on the peninsula's role in American art, is located on Route 6A in Dennis. It is on the grounds of the Cape Playhouse Center for the Arts. The museum offers lectures, tours, films on art, interpretive programs, and art discovery trips. Admission is $7 for adults; it is free for children under 18. Contact the museum at (508) 385-4477 for information about its hours.

John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
The John F. Kennedy Museum celebrates the famous Kennedy family's quality time on Cape Cod. It exhibits over 80 photographs, taken throughout Kennedy's lifetime, which are organized thematically. Guests are also able to view a video, narrated by Walter Cronkite, that details John F. Kennedy's Cape Cod experiences. The museum is located at 397 Main St. in Hyannis. Admission costs $5 for adults and $2.50 for children 10 to 16 and seniors. Call the museum at (508) 790-3077 for information about its variable hours.

Toad Hall Sports Car Museum
A private collection of about 60 red sports cars from the 50's to the 90's. Mostly English, Lotus. MG, Triumph, Austin Healey, Morgan, Jaguar, Sunbeam and a Bentley for class. Open daily from 11-5. Adults $10, older kids and bored housewives $5, youngsters under 10 are free. Bring a camera and enjoy. Call 508-778-4934 for info and directions.

Lower Cape Cod Attractions

Atwood House (home of the Chatham Historical Society)
The Atwood House was built in 1752. The Atwood family occupied it until 1926. The historical dwelling, which is currently the home of the Chatham Historical Society, is open to the public from June through September. Visitors may peruse five wings of maritime-trade objects from China, furniture, paintings, glassware, china, tools, and manuscripts at the historical society. The Atwood House is located at 347 Stage Harbor Road in Chatham. Contact the historical society at (508) 945-2493 for additional information.

Band Concerts
Band concerts occur every Friday at 8 p.m., July 3 through Sept. 4, at Kate Gould Park in Chatham. A 40-piece band, compromised of Chatham natives and locals from surrounding areas, performs at the park. These concerts seem to fit every musical taste, as indicated by the 6,000 people who attend the performances. Early birds get the best parking - one block away, near Town Office. It is recommended that concert-goers bring blankets and folding chairs to the park, which is located on Main Street in Chatham.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History has two floors of exhibits exploring the plant and animal life of Cape Cod. Children will delight in the museum's many interactive exhibits. The museum also offers guided tours through the nature trails surrounding the museum, lectures, and workshops. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays. Admission rates are $7 for adults, $3.50 for youths 3 through 12, and free for children under age 2. The museum is located off of Route 6A in Brewster and can be reached at (800) 479-3867.

Chatham Glass Company
The artists at Chatham Glass Company use traditional glass-blowing methods. Sometimes the glass reaches 2,000-plus degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors can buy glass works at Chatham Glass Company. It is located at 758 Main St. in Chatham. Call (508) 945-5547 for more information.

Chatham Light
Chatham Light was the second lighthouse built on Cape Cod. Originally, the station had twin lights, but only one tower currently stands on the site. The lighthouse is located on Shore Road. The Coast Guard uses Chatham Light as a navigational aid today. The Chatham Historical Society, located at 347 Stage Harbor Road, display's Chatham Light's old lantern room.

Nickerson State Park
Nickerson State Park is located off of Route 6A in Brewster. Its terrain, unlike most of Cape Cod, has 1,900 acres of woodland that includes eight freshwater ponds. Glacier movement formed the ponds, and their water levels are dependent on groundwater and rainfall. Swimming, canoeing, bird-watching, and catch-and-release fishing are popular activities at Nickerson State Park. The park has eight miles of road and connects to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Nickerson is open seasonally for camping, and it houses 420 sites. Call the park at (608) 896-3491 for more information.

Outer Cape Cod Attractions

Cove Burying Ground
Those interested in history and genealogy should visit Cove Burying Ground. This cemetery is the oldest in Eastham. Three Mayflower passengers rest in this cemetery. Cove Burying Ground is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery is located at the junction of MA 6 and Pine Woods Road.

Highland Lighthouse
Highland Lighthouse, located on Highland Light Road in Truro, is operated by the Truro Historical Society. It is located near the Highland House Museum. Seasonal tours are available May through October. Admission to the lighthouse costs $3 for adults and nothing for children under 12. Children must be at least 51 inches to climb the tower. Call (508) 487-1121 for more information.

Nauset Inlet
This four-mile stretch of water, located in Orleans off of Route 6A, includes tidal pools, salt ponds, and marshy rivers. It is ideal for kayaking. Most kayaks can be rented for about $12 to $15 for the first hour and $6 every additional hour. It costs approximately $40 to rent a kayak for the whole day. The inlet is a straightforward route, but beginning kayakers should return to land if they run into rough waters.

Nauset Light
Nauset Light, located off of Nauset Road in Eastham, stands 48 feet high. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse is currently painted red and white. Tours of the lighthouse are available July through October. Contact the Nauset Lighthouse Preservation Society at (508) 240-2612 for more information.

Penniman House Museum
The Penniman House Museum, located on Fort Hill Road in Eastham, is currently owned by the Cape Cod National Seashore. It houses furnishings from the 19th century. Guests can tour the home, which was built in 1867 by Capt. Edward Penniman – a deepwater whaling captain. Whale jawbones frame the rear gateway to the Penniman House. This sight alone is worth the trip.

Race Point Lighthouse
Race Point Lighthouse is currently managed by the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. The structure stands 45 feet tall and is made of cast iron and brick. Its optic is solar-powered. Race Point Lighthouse is available for overnight stays. Contact the American Lighthouse Foundation at (508) 487-9930 for more information.

Swift-Daley House
The Swift-Daley House, located on Route 6 in Eastham, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house, built in 1741, was purchased in 1939 and restored to its original condition by the Daley family. In 1974, a member of the Daley family donated the house to the Eastham Historical Society. Its collection includes examples of period clothing, china, and furniture. Admission is free, but donations are graciously accepted. Contact the historical society for more information at (508) 255-8725.

Truro Vineyards
Kathy Gregow and Judy Wimer started Truro Vineyards in the early 1990s. Since its inception, this 4.5-acre vineyard has gained the attention of wine connoisseurs. In 1995, the winery won a silver medal in the Eastern International Wine competition for its cabernet franc. The vineyard is open for tastings and tours, but its operation hours change by season. It is located at 11 Shore Road off of Route 6A in Truro. Contact the winery at (508) 487-6200 for more information.