This Cape Cod attractions map includes beaches, national parks, wineries, and restaurants. It’s your ultimate Cape Cod travel guide. We’ll help you find all the top-rated places to visit in Cape Cod, so you can plan your perfect New England vacation.
Cape Cod Attractions Map
Table of Contents
What is Cape Cod known for? Cape Cod is a popular seaside destination known for whale watching, lighthouses, and fresh seafood — especially Lobster.
Cape Cod tourist attractions offer something for families, couples, and solo travelers. There’s plenty of nature and recreation. Some popular sites include the Cape Cod National Seashore, the Provinceland Dunes, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail. There are also interesting historic sites like the Pilgrim Monument, Godfrey Windmill, and Edward Gorey House.
Cape Cod has no shortage of museums. Some of the most popular museums are the Sandwich Glass Museum, John F Kennedy Museum, and Heritage Museum.
Some of Cape Cod’s top attractions include wineries, breweries, and distilleries. You should visit the Cape Cod Winery, Cisco Brewers, or Truro Vineyards.
No matter your age or interests, there’s so much fun stuff to do in Cape Cod! Some unique attractions on Cape Cod include the Cape Cod lavender farm and the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory.
If you’re wondering what’s the best town to stay in Cape Cod, or you’re looking for Cape Cod Hotels – click here to visit our accommodations guide.
Cape Cod Attractions Map.
Within the state of Massachusetts, Cape Cod extends northeast towards the Atlantic Ocean. Below Cape Cod are two islands, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. If you’re not from Massachusetts, you’ll likely fly into Boston’s Logan International Airport.
How to Use This Map: If you click the tab at the top left corner, you’ll be able to select specific layers. Click the checkmark to select or hide specific categories.
Save This Map: Click the brackets in the top right corner to expand the map in full view. It will open in a new tab. Under the map title, right of the map description, there is a star. Click this star and the map will be saved to your Google account in Google Maps. You can access it later from your computer or device. On desktop, go to Google Maps and click ‘Your Places,’ and ‘Maps.’ On app view, select ‘Saved, scroll down and click ‘Maps.’
From the Boston airport, Cape Cod can be reached in 1-2 hours depending on traffic and exact destination on the cape. Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket both have airports, and these are significantly more expensive to fly to.
We recommend flying into Boston and renting a car. If you decide to visit either of the islands, you can get to them by ferry.
Cape Cod Attractions
Cape Cod is a summer destination because it’s best known for outdoor recreation. On this map of Cape Cod Ma, you’ll notice that many of the tourist attractions include parks, beaches, gardens, and biking trails.
We’ll also discuss Cape Cod attractions for rainy days like museums. You can also expect to find details about some of the best wineries on the Cape, and more information about the surrounding islands.
Parks, Beaches & Recreation
Many of the national parks in Cape Cod are vast and have water access. The most notable parks include the Cape Cod National Seashore and Nickerson State Park.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the parks, beaches, and recreation spots. We’re only discussing the top Cape Cod vacation spots. For much more, open the map above and view the blue pins. You can also find the best Cape Cod beaches mapped out with yellow pins.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is like a Cape Cod road map. It spans 22 miles and runs through 6 towns in Cape Cod Massachusetts. The trail is paved, and it’s perfect for biking, rollerblading, and walking.
You can park at several locations along the trail. The Nickerson State Park parking spot does have a fee at certain times during the year. There’s also free parking at the Orleans Center, Salt Pond Visitors Center, or Marconi Area of the National Seashore.
If you need to rent bikes, the Dennis Cycle Center is located right on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Another option is the Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike Shop.
Biking the Cape Cod Rail Trail is one of the most popular things to do in Cape Cod. It’s included in every Cape Cod vacation guide!
Cape Cod National Seashore
The Cape Cod National Seashore stretches almost up the entire cape, and spans over 40,000 acres! Visiting these places is one of the recommended things to do near Cape Cod.
Some of the iconic places to go in Cape Cod’s National Seashore include the Provincelands Dunes and the Beach Forest Trail (in Provincetown). The best headaches in Cape Cod’s National Seashore are Nauset Light Beach and Coast Guard Beach in the lower Cape.
Near the Cape Cod National Seashore, you’ll find the Mass Audubon’s Wildlife Sanctuary. The Mass Audubon’s Wildlife Sanctuary is a great family spot with beach access, gentle walking trails, and a petting zoo.
Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge
Visiting the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best free things to do in Cape Cod. It includes over 5,000 acres of protected freshwater marshes, cranberry bogs, and cedar swamps. There are miles of walking trails and environmental education programs for children.
Wildlife in the region includes white-tailed deer, coyote, turkey, and red fox. It’s one of the top Cape Cod places to visit for birdwatchers. Keen observers may find osprey, bluebirds, hawks, owls, and tree swallows!
Visiting the Mashpee Wildlife Refuge is one of the top things to do in Cape Cod. Besides hiking and birdwatching, it is possible to hunt, fish, and kayak. It’s one of the common Cape Cod attractions in summer.
Nickerson State Park
Nickerson State Park is another one of the best vacation spots in Cape Cod. It’s also one of the best Cape Cod attractions for families.
Nickerson State Park is located midway along the Cape. It’s near Cape Cod destinations like Chatham and Harwich. You can get to Nickerson State Park in about 20 minutes when driving from Chatham or Harwich.
The activities to do in Cape Cod’s Nickerson State Park include hiking, camping, and swimming. There are over 400 campsites and numerous woodland trails in the park. You may also enjoy fishing, biking, and kayaking.
Wineries & Breweries
You’ll notice some wineries, breweries, and distilleries on this Cape Cod map. A Cape Cod vacation isn’t complete without a stop at one of them!
You may not have initially thought of Massachusetts as a wine-producing region. You may not have thought of wine tasting as one of the typical Cape Cod activities. Massachusetts is indeed home to a scattered, small-scale wine industry.
However, Massachusetts vineyards produce high-quality wines. The proximity to the Atlantic ocean allows the coast to experience more moderate temperatures. It’s excellent for growing Riesling or Chardonnay grapes.
You can find wineries in several of the towns in Cape Cod Ma. Read on to discover why these are some of the top Cape Cod tourist spots.
First Crush
First Crush Winery is located in Harwich. You must stop here when you visit Cape Cod Massachusetts! One of the other Cape Cod highlights in Harwich is the Cape Cod Lavender Farm. Be sure to visit the Cape Cod Lavender Farm while you’re in the neighborhood.
First Crush is a small winery and tasting room, they have no vineyards on site. Enjoying a wine tasting at First Crush is one of the best things to do around Cape Cod. You’ll be drinking award-winning wines in an award-winning tasting room. Their wines have won gold and silver Artisan awards.
First Crush is one of the unique Cape Cod Massachusetts tourist attractions because their winemaking process includes working with a COOPerative. Grapes that go into First Crush wines come from Napa and Sonoma Counties in California, so these aren’t locally grown grapes.
Cape Cod Winery
Some of the top things to see in Cape Cod are in Falmouth… including The Cape Cod Winery! Other Cape Cod points of interest in Falmouth include Highfield Hall & Gardens, the Nobska Lighthouse, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. 
The Cape Cod Winery is larger than First Crush. There is a charming outdoor tasting space surrounded by rows of vineyards. It’s one of the most beautiful tasting venues in Cape Cod. It was the most instagrammable winery we visited.
The Cape Cod Winery also has a cool agricultural history. The land that now grows vineyards was once one of the first strawberry farms in the early 1900s. In the 20th Century, the Falmouth region was an important part of America’s strawberry and cranberry industries.
The Cape Cod Winery is a small family-owned operation. The property often hosts fun events like concerts, yoga, and more! One of their most popular items is Rosé Mermaid Water. Be sure to bring a bottle home!
Truro Vineyards and South Hollow Spirits
Truro Vineyards and South Hollow Spirits should be on any Cape Cod vacation planner! It’s located in Truro, not far off from the Highland Lighthouse – another one of the best attractions in Cape Cod.
Truro Vineyards sits on a huge estate. They offer scheduled tours, tastings, and games. Food trucks often hang out on the property. Visiting Truro Vineyards is one of the best family activities because there’s fun for kids and adults!
Truro Vineyards has a charming shop inside of an 1830s farmhouse. Shopping here is one of the cool things to do in Cape Cod with kids. On the property, you can find Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grapes growing. They have several different wines, so there’s something for everyone!
South Hollow Spirits also offers tours and tastings. Their specialty is handcrafted, premium, rum, and gin. Cocktails are also available for purchase.
Cisco Brewers and Triple Eight Distillery
Cisco Brewers is another one of the adult attractions near Cape Cod. Cisco Brewers is located on the island of Nantucket. Although, they also have a branch in Boston and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
If you get a chance to visit, Nantucket is one of the best places to go in Cape Cod (more on this later). It’s only an hour ferry ride away!
Cisco Brewers brews many different types of beer. They also partner with the Triple Eight Distillery and Nantucket Vineyard to bring you wines, and cocktails. It’s the best of Cape Cod for boozy days!
The Triple Eight Distillery makes vodka, rum, bourbon, and gin. Cisco Brewers is one of the best places on Cape Cod to hang out and enjoy the company of good friends. You won’t be hungry because there are plenty of food trucks around.
Lighthouses
You may notice that this detailed map of Cape Cod has several lighthouses. Lighthouses are some of the most iconic tourist attractions in Cape Cod Massachusetts.
Lighthouses are historic. The winding staircases and panoramic views they offer are romantic. In the past, they were the most important navigational aids for weary marine travelers.
When you visit Cape Cod, make sure to stop at a lighthouse! If you love photography, checking out these epic photo spots is one of the best things to do in Cape Cod.
East Chop Light
The East Chop Lighthouse is located on Martha’s Vineyard Island. A vacation in Cape Cod Massachusetts should include a visit here! This particular lighthouse sits on a bluff and overlooks the Vinyard Sound. It’s one of the most beautiful Cape Cod sights.
The East Chop Light is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It was built in the 1870s. Before it was built, a privately owned lighthouse stood on the property. This lighthouse is one of the best of Cape Cod.
Highland Light
The Highland Lighthouse is located in Truro. The Highland Lighthouse is also referred to as the ‘Cape Cod Lighthouse.’ It remains an active lighthouse along the Cape Cod National Seashore, and it’s one of the best Cape Cod attractions for kids. Find out more about the Junior Keeper program.
The Highland Lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington in the 1790s. The first rendition was a 45-foot-tall wooden structure. This was replaced by a brick building in the 1830s and finally updated again in the 1850s to its present-day appearance.
Due to erosion of the sea cliffs, the lighthouse became dangerously close to the water’s edge over time. It had to be moved 450ft backward! Imagine that.
Guests can enjoy a guided tour of the lighthouse during which you’ll be able to climb to the top. It’s the quintessential activity for a Cape Cod summer.
Nobska Light
The Nobska Point Lighthouse is located at Woods Hole Harbor at the Southwestern tip of Cape Cod. It sits at the division between Nantucket Sound and Martha’s Vineyard Sound. On a clear day, you can see Martha’s Vineyard and Nonamesset Island.
Visiting the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the Nobska Lighthouse is one of the best Cape Cod summer activities. You’ll find them near Falmouth which is one of the best towns to visit in Cape Cod. Exploring a lighthouse can be one of the fun things for kids to do in Cape Cod.
The original Nobska Lighthouse was built in the traditional Cape Cod style – an octagonal tower adjacent to a house. The lighthouse is somewhat famous for its quality and the exceptional lens that it uses.
Museums
There are also several interesting museums on this Cape Cod Tourist Map. They are some of the cool Cape Cod sightseeing places worth visiting on a rainy day.
Many of the places in Cape Cod for tourists are outdoorsy. Cape Cod travel and adventure includes hiking, biking, swimming, etc. These museums are an excellent low-key activity for your itinerary.
Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum
Pilgrim Monument and the Provincetown Museum are some of the most popular Cape Cod sightseeing attractions.
Pilgrim Monument was founded in 1892 to commemorate the Pilgrims first landing in the New World before they sailed off to Plymouth. This is where the pilgrims signed the infamous Mayflower Compact — a set of rules for their new lands. This is one of the especially interesting Cape Cod tourist places for grade school children since they have recently learned this great American history.
You can climb up to the top of Pilgrim Monument. There are 116 steps to the top! It’s one of the best places to visit in Cape Cod, not only because of the history, but the views from the top are incredible!
The Provincetown Museum is another one of the important Cape Cod tourist sites. It’s right by the Monument. This museum is dedicated to the role of Provincetown in early American history, especially related to the Pilgrims.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
One of the best spots in Cape Cod is the Museum of Natural History. It’s located in the town of Brewster, midway along the Cape. It’s a small museum, but it sits on over 400 acres of museum-owned land.
Visiting the museum’s nature education center may be one of the fun activities in Cape Cod for children. They offer classes, lectures, workshops, walks, and more (for children and adults).
Museum collections include whale and bird skeletons and live marine science exhibits. On the museum grounds, there are three walking trails and a wildflower garden. Visiting here is one of the can’t-miss Cape Cod vacation activities.
John F Kennedy Hyannis Museum
The John F Kennedy Museum is one of the best Hyannis Cape Cod attractions. Hyannis is one of the best towns in Cape Cod because it’s where you can catch the ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
This museum brings to life JFK’s story and legacy. There are interactive exhibits, and content is meant to inspire informed civic engagement. There are 80 plus photographs, text panels, and videos that capture a different stage of JFK’s life.
There are also many intimate photos of his wife Jackie and their children. Jackie Kennedy was a global icon as well. You can find out more about her story on CNN’s series First Ladies. She had noteworthy influences on fashion, culture, and politics.
Visiting the JFK Museum is one of the top things to do in Hyannis Cape Cod. It’s one of the most important places to see in Cape Cod!
Heritage Museums and Gardens
The Heritage Museums and Gardens are located in Sandwich. Visiting here is one of the best family things to do in Cape Cod. There are 100 acres of landscaped gardens – trees and shrubs, flowers, and manicured lawns. It’s one of the most beautiful Cape Cod area attractions.
At the Heritage Museums, you can view an incredible collection of antique automobiles. There are 40 American-made cars from 1899 – 1962. There’s also a carousel gallery featuring a 1908 Charles Looff carousel. Visiting here is one of the fun Cape Cod kids activities.
Surrounding Islands
No detailed map of Cape Cod Massachusetts is complete without mentioning the surrounding islands. Some of the best places to visit in Cape Cod are Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island.
You can reach Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard by plane or ferry. Taking the ferry is the easiest and most affordable. The best places in Cape Cod to catch a ferry are in Hyannis and Falmouth. The ferry ride is only an hour. It’s best to leave your car behind. Most likely, you won’t need it, and trying to bring it along will be very costly.
Nantucket
There are so many fun things to do in Cape Cod’s Nantucket. Click here to check out our Nantucket Island Map of Attractions. Nantucket is a hot spot for boutique shopping, fine dining, and luxury yachts.
Nantucket homes are quaint and charming. They’re known for their weathered grey shingle, signature naming plates, and rose gardens. Nantucket is most beautiful in June when roses are in full bloom.
Nantucket is one of the most exclusive Cape Cod vacation destinations because there is recreation, history, and entertainment. Some of the top attractions include Steps Beach, the Whaling Museum, and Brant Point Lighthouse. The downtown is bustling and walkable. You may even consider staying in Nantucket.
Martha’s Vineyard
Many of the top Cape Cod sightseeing tours include a visit to Martha’s Vineyard. It’s one of the best Cape Cod islands to visit! The most popular attractions on Martha’s Vineyard include beaches, lighthouses, parks & museums.
Some of the most romantic things to do in Cape Cod’s Martha’s Vineyard include renting mopeds, walking along the ‘Jaws’ Bridge, or visiting the Gingerbread Houses.
