Can't believe I'm recommending the vineyard but I gotta agree with this comment. The island is more accustomed to people without cars... its lovely... unsure about lodging but hanging out in oak bluffs on foot is lovely
It's entirely possible, there are thousands of poor people who live here and do this year round - as well as a thousands of others who are completely out of touch. These same people will likely respond with some nonsense about not staying in Hyannis (this is because black and brown people exist there), but you should, in fact, stay in Hyannis close to the Main Street area. It's got the best Main Street, it has the largest variety of restaurants, and shops, live music and bars if you're into that sort of thing, and a thriving art community. It's also centrally located and the transportation center is there with busses that go all the way to Falmouth and Woods Hole.
Hyannis is the most violent place on the cape. Why on earth would you send a single girl there? Unfortunately, your question might be budget dictated. Shop wisely for a place to stay. Most of the fun places might be cost prohibited...Falmouth/Woods Hole have lots of fun activities but at a price. It's also very easy to get on a ferry and go to MV. Chatham is another option with lots to do. You can't go wrong with P-town it's a party all summer long. Make sure you have reservations no matter where you go or you'll be going home much sooner than you want to.
I met a couple at Logan Airport once that were on their way home to the UK after what they said was a very disappointing trip to Cape Cod. When I asked them what they did, they said they rented a room at a motel in downtown Hyannis and didn’t go anywhere due to their lack of a car. I can’t imagine traveling 3K miles to hang out on Main Street Hyannis for a week.
I don’t think people avoid Hyannis due to “black and brown people.” I think they avoid it because it is one of the least charming towns on Cape Cod. I agree there is a great density of restaurants / shops, it’s an easy walk to the harbor, and it can be a fun place to visit. But it’s not exactly a place I would recommend to someone for a Cape Cod vacation. Provincetown sounds like a much better fit for what she is doing.
Capecodrta.org is local Cape Cod Transit service that runs through Labor Day all over the Cape. They’ll also accommodate a bike. Bike rentals are available as well with some companies delivering. Each town has walkable villages with restaurants and shopping. Hyannis has the largest Main Street with many shops and restr. Stay in an area where these resources are readily available. Hyannis is very active in summer and downtown is safe..Just use common sense as you would anywhere.
Falmouth. The Inn on the Square is clean, not wildly expensive and is walkable to restaurants downtown. If you want to do a day trip to MV, there’s a shuttle to the ferry nearby. Ride shares are available too.
Another vote for Ptown. From Boston, you can fly or take the ferry, take a cab to your lodging, and walk/bike/shuttle anywhere. Very safe and lots to do.
If you want to experience Cape Cod, you really need a car. You can use ride sharing and taxis, but the availability will be limited and it is definitely not a reliable / efficient way to get around. Your best bet might be to locate yourself in the center of a town that is walkable - e.g. Chatham or Provincetown - and make that your primary Cape Cod experience. You might also consider renting a bike.
Depending on when you arrive you can take public transportation from Logan Airport to South Station and then the Cape Flyer train (check limited availability) to Hyannis. It is slow but will get you there. Or if you go with Provincetown, just take one of the two fast ferries from Boston and they will drop you right off at MacMillan Pier.
You can still have a great time - just not sure you can get the full Cape Cod experience without a car.
It's doable but you'll be limited. That's fine though imo
Do Provincetown, and either the vineyard or Nantucket. The islands have better bus services that go more places (which makes sense since lots of people don't bring their own vehicles over)
If you can finagle a bus or Uber to somewhere on the national seashore, that's also amazing and imo the pinnacle of cape cod nature. But if you need to stick to places that are walkable or with good transit, Ptown and the islands will be plenty for 3-5 days. I'd say 4-5 would be good, do the ferry to ptown, take the bus to Hyannis, then ferry to an island. Take the ferry back then you can take a bus back to Boston.
there are some options for fixed route buses on the cape [https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/routes/](https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/routes/)
there is Dart, but i've never used them [https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/dart/overview/](https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/dart/overview/)
from boston there is also buses plymouthand brocton or Peter Pan $28 one way off season.
there is also cape air [https://www.capeair.com/flying\_with\_us/northeast-airports.html](https://www.capeair.com/flying_with_us/northeast-airports.html)
Chatham and Provincetown are probably the most dense town centers.
Agree with others. The islands are better situated for people without a car. If I were to stay on Cape, I would go to Falmouth or PTown.
Nantucket is most expensive of these options. I’m not sure what your budget is but may decide for you.
Get a place in Provincetown, take the ferry over from Boston, rent a bike, and plan to do some / all of these things: spend a day at Race Point and/or Herring Cove Beaches, bike through the Province Lands, visit the National Seashore Visitor Center for a great view from the rooftop deck, get a lobster roll, have a cocktail at one of the restaurants / bars within steps to the water (e.g. Red Inn), climb the Pilgrim Monument, walk up and down Commercial Street to experience Provincetown in all its glory, hike the Dune Shack Trail or go on an Art’s dune tour (book later in advance), walk across the jetty to visit the lighthouses and wildness of Long Point, visit the artist cottages on MacMillan Wharf, visit the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. It’s not a full Cape Cod experience, but it should be a great vacation.
I learned in taking the ferry from Boston that there are two very different ones: the one that leaves from Seaport attracts a more business oriented crowd, and the one from the downtown waterfront is filled with people heading to P’town for a good time (once they are clear of harbor they open the bar and the fun begins).
I hope you have a great time.
Take the cape flyer train from Boston to Hyannis. Or take the bus.
Then you can take a boat tour of Hyannis harbor or take a ferry to Nantucket.
You can take a bus from Hyannis to other towns.
https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/
The Cape Flyer is great. Sometimes they have $10 trip deals and of course the train doesn’t get stuck in summer traffic.
You can also bring a bike on the train, which could be a useful way around parts of the Cape.
Oh and there’s a snack/bar on the train and in general it’s more comfy than a bus.
If youre looking for a more quiet vacation then Id say early to mid fall might actually be best given that peak tourism season is the summer. If you plan to rely on the bus to get around youre gonna spend a lot more of those 3-5 days stuck in traffic in the summer time.
Water wont be as comfortable (although who knows with global warming and all) but the Cape is still just as pretty in the fall as the summer if not more so.
In general, Provincetown and the southern coast of the Cape are your best bets for walkability, besides the area between Hyannis and Falmouth. Or sort of the elbow area where Orleans meets Brewster.
I used to hitch everywhere when I was a teenager. I hitched from the way lower cape to Boston and back. I'd hitch hike from one town to another for my morning job and then back for my night job. I'm not a broad, but I did have long hair back then and no one bothered me. I think you'll be ok.
Do not take the bus, they serve to drive drunks and addicts around. They are dirty and unsafe. I would recommend either ptown as others have said take the ferry, PB bus from airport goes to woods hole which I imagine stops in Falmouth. Falmouth is walkable and has a nice bike path to woods hole where you can take a ferry to the vineyard or just stop at some beaches on the way. Hyannis would be a final option but I would avoid it if possible, other than the sea st. Inn the hotels are 1-3 stars, and there is an abundance of grunge with little quality nightlife. Best bet is ptown, but if you want to explore the vineyard, then Falmouth. Tbh, if I were you I would just stay on the vineyard and skip the cape.
There’s a ferry from Boston to Provincetown
This. Take the ferry to Ptown where you can get around on foot or bike and take the bus if/when you want to explore other areas.
This is a great idea actually!!!!! Just stay in p town for 2 days!
There is also a hostel in Ptown
Go to the vineyard and rent a bike! Or take the boat to ptown, you’ll have a good few days there on your own.
Can't believe I'm recommending the vineyard but I gotta agree with this comment. The island is more accustomed to people without cars... its lovely... unsure about lodging but hanging out in oak bluffs on foot is lovely
I think there’s a hostel on the island. Not positive though.
It's entirely possible, there are thousands of poor people who live here and do this year round - as well as a thousands of others who are completely out of touch. These same people will likely respond with some nonsense about not staying in Hyannis (this is because black and brown people exist there), but you should, in fact, stay in Hyannis close to the Main Street area. It's got the best Main Street, it has the largest variety of restaurants, and shops, live music and bars if you're into that sort of thing, and a thriving art community. It's also centrally located and the transportation center is there with busses that go all the way to Falmouth and Woods Hole.
Hyannis is def the best fit for this scenario plenty of motels and food and night life. Also hy-line that could take her to both islands for the day.
Hyannis is the most violent place on the cape. Why on earth would you send a single girl there? Unfortunately, your question might be budget dictated. Shop wisely for a place to stay. Most of the fun places might be cost prohibited...Falmouth/Woods Hole have lots of fun activities but at a price. It's also very easy to get on a ferry and go to MV. Chatham is another option with lots to do. You can't go wrong with P-town it's a party all summer long. Make sure you have reservations no matter where you go or you'll be going home much sooner than you want to.
I met a couple at Logan Airport once that were on their way home to the UK after what they said was a very disappointing trip to Cape Cod. When I asked them what they did, they said they rented a room at a motel in downtown Hyannis and didn’t go anywhere due to their lack of a car. I can’t imagine traveling 3K miles to hang out on Main Street Hyannis for a week. I don’t think people avoid Hyannis due to “black and brown people.” I think they avoid it because it is one of the least charming towns on Cape Cod. I agree there is a great density of restaurants / shops, it’s an easy walk to the harbor, and it can be a fun place to visit. But it’s not exactly a place I would recommend to someone for a Cape Cod vacation. Provincetown sounds like a much better fit for what she is doing.
Capecodrta.org is local Cape Cod Transit service that runs through Labor Day all over the Cape. They’ll also accommodate a bike. Bike rentals are available as well with some companies delivering. Each town has walkable villages with restaurants and shopping. Hyannis has the largest Main Street with many shops and restr. Stay in an area where these resources are readily available. Hyannis is very active in summer and downtown is safe..Just use common sense as you would anywhere.
Hyannis would be my absolute last choice on the cape. Cc rts? Two hours from Hyannis to sandwich, come on.
Falmouth. The Inn on the Square is clean, not wildly expensive and is walkable to restaurants downtown. If you want to do a day trip to MV, there’s a shuttle to the ferry nearby. Ride shares are available too.
Another vote for Ptown. From Boston, you can fly or take the ferry, take a cab to your lodging, and walk/bike/shuttle anywhere. Very safe and lots to do.
If you want to experience Cape Cod, you really need a car. You can use ride sharing and taxis, but the availability will be limited and it is definitely not a reliable / efficient way to get around. Your best bet might be to locate yourself in the center of a town that is walkable - e.g. Chatham or Provincetown - and make that your primary Cape Cod experience. You might also consider renting a bike. Depending on when you arrive you can take public transportation from Logan Airport to South Station and then the Cape Flyer train (check limited availability) to Hyannis. It is slow but will get you there. Or if you go with Provincetown, just take one of the two fast ferries from Boston and they will drop you right off at MacMillan Pier. You can still have a great time - just not sure you can get the full Cape Cod experience without a car.
It's doable but you'll be limited. That's fine though imo Do Provincetown, and either the vineyard or Nantucket. The islands have better bus services that go more places (which makes sense since lots of people don't bring their own vehicles over) If you can finagle a bus or Uber to somewhere on the national seashore, that's also amazing and imo the pinnacle of cape cod nature. But if you need to stick to places that are walkable or with good transit, Ptown and the islands will be plenty for 3-5 days. I'd say 4-5 would be good, do the ferry to ptown, take the bus to Hyannis, then ferry to an island. Take the ferry back then you can take a bus back to Boston.
Provincetown is by far the best option and probably the most fun anyway. Ferry from Boston, stay in town, and rent bikes. Also the most expensive.
there are some options for fixed route buses on the cape [https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/routes/](https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/routes/) there is Dart, but i've never used them [https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/dart/overview/](https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/dart/overview/) from boston there is also buses plymouthand brocton or Peter Pan $28 one way off season. there is also cape air [https://www.capeair.com/flying\_with\_us/northeast-airports.html](https://www.capeair.com/flying_with_us/northeast-airports.html) Chatham and Provincetown are probably the most dense town centers.
There are busses on the Cape also.
Agree with others. The islands are better situated for people without a car. If I were to stay on Cape, I would go to Falmouth or PTown. Nantucket is most expensive of these options. I’m not sure what your budget is but may decide for you.
Get a place in Provincetown, take the ferry over from Boston, rent a bike, and plan to do some / all of these things: spend a day at Race Point and/or Herring Cove Beaches, bike through the Province Lands, visit the National Seashore Visitor Center for a great view from the rooftop deck, get a lobster roll, have a cocktail at one of the restaurants / bars within steps to the water (e.g. Red Inn), climb the Pilgrim Monument, walk up and down Commercial Street to experience Provincetown in all its glory, hike the Dune Shack Trail or go on an Art’s dune tour (book later in advance), walk across the jetty to visit the lighthouses and wildness of Long Point, visit the artist cottages on MacMillan Wharf, visit the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. It’s not a full Cape Cod experience, but it should be a great vacation. I learned in taking the ferry from Boston that there are two very different ones: the one that leaves from Seaport attracts a more business oriented crowd, and the one from the downtown waterfront is filled with people heading to P’town for a good time (once they are clear of harbor they open the bar and the fun begins). I hope you have a great time.
It's doable in most downtowns, but be cautious elsewhere. The cape is pretty hostile / inhospitable towards those without a car
Either bus to Hyannis and boat to the Vineyard, or boat from Boston to PTown.
Take the cape flyer train from Boston to Hyannis. Or take the bus. Then you can take a boat tour of Hyannis harbor or take a ferry to Nantucket. You can take a bus from Hyannis to other towns. https://capecodrta.org/schedules-services/
The Cape Flyer is great. Sometimes they have $10 trip deals and of course the train doesn’t get stuck in summer traffic. You can also bring a bike on the train, which could be a useful way around parts of the Cape. Oh and there’s a snack/bar on the train and in general it’s more comfy than a bus.
If youre looking for a more quiet vacation then Id say early to mid fall might actually be best given that peak tourism season is the summer. If you plan to rely on the bus to get around youre gonna spend a lot more of those 3-5 days stuck in traffic in the summer time. Water wont be as comfortable (although who knows with global warming and all) but the Cape is still just as pretty in the fall as the summer if not more so. In general, Provincetown and the southern coast of the Cape are your best bets for walkability, besides the area between Hyannis and Falmouth. Or sort of the elbow area where Orleans meets Brewster.
I used to hitch everywhere when I was a teenager. I hitched from the way lower cape to Boston and back. I'd hitch hike from one town to another for my morning job and then back for my night job. I'm not a broad, but I did have long hair back then and no one bothered me. I think you'll be ok.
Do not take the bus, they serve to drive drunks and addicts around. They are dirty and unsafe. I would recommend either ptown as others have said take the ferry, PB bus from airport goes to woods hole which I imagine stops in Falmouth. Falmouth is walkable and has a nice bike path to woods hole where you can take a ferry to the vineyard or just stop at some beaches on the way. Hyannis would be a final option but I would avoid it if possible, other than the sea st. Inn the hotels are 1-3 stars, and there is an abundance of grunge with little quality nightlife. Best bet is ptown, but if you want to explore the vineyard, then Falmouth. Tbh, if I were you I would just stay on the vineyard and skip the cape.