Cape Cod Vacation?

[WhiskeyPapa]

I REALLY want to go to Cape Cod with my wife this spring. In the 20 years we've been married, we've never been on anything more than an overnight trip without the kids (EVER - not even a honeymoon!) So I want to farm the kids out to friends and family and go for four or five days. I don't even know why I originally picked Cape Cod... I just looked at a map of the USA and for some reason, that part looked interesting.

So what is there to do? Where is the best place to stay? When is the best time to go?

[zenbooty]

I REALLY want to go to Cape Cod with my wife this spring. In the 20 years we've been married, we've never been on anything more than an overnight trip without the kids (EVER - not even a honeymoon!) So I want to farm the kids out to friends and family and go for four or five days. I don't even know why I originally picked Cape Cod... I just looked at a map of the USA and for some reason, that part looked interesting.

So what is there to do? Where is the best place to stay? When is the best time to go?Cape Cod is a lot like Long Island, expensive, insular, and in general full of itself. I spent a week vacationing there once with the family when I was little. Granted, I was a bit young to appreciate sitting around relaxing, but it really didn't seem like all that much to me. For more bang for your buck. I'd recommend checking out the southern Maine coastline. Its still kinda pricey, but definitely better than the Cape. You get the same beaches, are close to Arcadia national park (the only national park on the east coat), get the same New England lobsters cheaper, and the crowds aren't as bad (though it can get crowded). If you don't mind cooler weather, I'd recommend hitting the edges of the season/off-season, which would be like before late May, or after Labor Day. Not nearly as much crowd, and if you're camping it you can get a good fire going and sit by it on the seashore.

[Lolita]

Cape Cod has good whale-watching expeditions.

[ialsohaveadream]

Hey WP, what kind of stuff are you and the lovely bride looking for? Maybe that would help us make suggestions. For instance, do you want a beach? Nature? Mountains? Desert? A craphole? (New Jersey is always looking for tourists)

Also, what are you guys into? Fine dining? Boating? Target shooting at liberal protestors?

[WhiskeyPapa]

This is what we want:

1. A location that is *nothing* like Minnesota.

Um, that's about it. We probably wouldn't hang out on a beach, that's not our style. Nor would we want to do anything close to "work". For example, I like to fish, but it can be a lot of work, so I don't want to go on a fishing vacation.

More than anything we want to relax and enjoy not taking care of anyone. Every vacation we have ever gone on with the kids ends up being more work than simply staying home. I just want to sleep late, eat some good food and enjoy some new scenery. I guess I like seeing history, so if we went to Cape Cod, we'd visit some museums, check out Plymouth Rock and take a Boston Harbor cruise. We could take a ferry to Nantucket and walk around for the day. Stuff like that. Pretty much a slow paced, relaxing vacation. Not an action-packed type.

[ialsohaveadream]

I'm still thinking of a decent location (unfortunately, I'm not as well-traveled as I'd like to be), but it sounds like you and the wife would really dig a bed and breakfast. I've got the perfect suggestion for one if you're vacationing to Florida. ;)

[ray]

What about a spa & resort somewhere?

You could take a cruise and everything's pretty much done for you.

You mentioned you wanted to take in some history and scener. What about France or Italy or somewhere overseas?

[ialsohaveadream]

Ray, take a peek at WP's avatar again...do you really think he's considering France? :)

[riskykougra]

Well I'd tell you to come to Canada but Minnesota isnt that far away so it probably wouldnt seem like much of a change..:shrug:

[oblongmelon]

This is what we want:

1. A location that is *nothing* like Minnesota.

Um, that's about it. We probably wouldn't hang out on a beach, that's not our style. Nor would we want to do anything close to "work". For example, I like to fish, but it can be a lot of work, so I don't want to go on a fishing vacation.

More than anything we want to relax and enjoy not taking care of anyone. Every vacation we have ever gone on with the kids ends up being more work than simply staying home. I just want to sleep late, eat some good food and enjoy some new scenery. I guess I like seeing history, so if we went to Cape Cod, we'd visit some museums, check out Plymouth Rock and take a Boston Harbor cruise. We could take a ferry to Nantucket and walk around for the day. Stuff like that. Pretty much a slow paced, relaxing vacation. Not an action-packed type.
Cape Cod is beautiful! But remember, the water is colder, the trip will cost you more, and there really isn't "that" much to do there..unless you can find a fairly cheap fishing boat to go out on..It's pretty artsy fartsy there-plymouth rock is about as boring as you can possibly get-seriously..unless you happen to go there when there actually EVENTS planned around the town you might be bored, or even short of cash..A ferry over to Martha's Vineyard for the day might be nice, there is an "indian gravesight" there that alot of tourists go see-it's basically little mounds of mossy dirt that you walk over and don't even realize it's a gravesight till you ask someone and they tell you that you just walked over them...and how many times can you see Gay Head Cliffs without it becoming boring?..

if you want to have a really GREAT TIME, I suggest Wildwood NJ! or Cape May!..Wildwood is completely fun-you've got the boardwalk, and the steel pier with the rides and games, and all the cool little places to eat and shop right there.There is a place which is right at the beginning of the stores in Wildwood on the boardwalk that has the THE BEST CALZONES EVER!..they've been there since I was a kid and they sure prove why..mmmmmm..and fudge? Don't get me started..what's a trip to the boardwalk without picking up some hard boardwalk fudge..

there are alot of smaller motels and hotels that aren't even close in price to Cape Cod Prices..and as a matter of fact, Wildwood (and the Crest) have the largest collection of 50's and 60's themed motels-apparently in the world..it certainly is a sight-Pink and blue neon lights..reflecting off the water..all very art deco and cool..There is a pretty decent place, right across from the Boardwalk called THE OCEANIC -also THE RIO which isn't too bad..these are classic Wildwood hotels..we used to stay at a little place called J AND P Motel which only had about 8 rooms and was smack dab in the middle of a few big hotels right there across from the boardwalk-but I think the Gentile family sold out a few years ago...You can literally walk to Wildwood Crest on the Boardwalk-that's where some of the bigger nicer hotels are...the "crest" is more for old folks and people with little kids that parent don't want exposed to the night sounds of the boardwalk..
you can rent bikes in the morning for a ride on the boardwalk, and you will get absolutely sick of hearing "watch the tram car please" which is the automated announcement that you may get run down by the boardwalk golf cart thingies-unless you move your butt outta the way..if you're lucky you can catch a great storm over the ocean and then comb the beach and find some relics from one of the many sunken china wrecks that line the coast (and don't forget the dubloons which on occasion have come ashore-by the "big waves" churning up the silt in a storm..They offer Whale Watches, and boat tours (cheap ones!) and fishing trips, and so much fun you can never do anything in four days! And don't forget Urie's..the place to be for a fabulous seafood dinner-and one of the best and most well known restaurants in all of the Wildwoods
..and for another classic Wildwood adventure-make a stop in the Shamrock Bar and Grill..if your'e a drinker-the nightly specials which used to be 3 20oz beers for 2 bucks has changed, but if youre lucky, you'll get there on a night when the house band plays all your favorite old time commercials for a rather rousty sing-along (and who can beat a bunch of drunks singing the oscar meyer bologna song for a good time!)..it's a fun place to just go and watch people if you're not going to drink. And naturally, there is the beach, and the beautiful Atlantic...very awe inspiring just to sit and listen to the water and watch the waves roll in....there are loads of French Canadians there, and Italians..so if you know any of those languages you might make yourself some new friends..I love to go during the summer, as the beaches are more for "people watching"...and no matter how awful you might think you look in a bathing suit-there is always 10 or 12 people in your immediate vicinity that look much MUCH worse..hehehe..
In the off season-it's just too quiet for me..and alot of the "summer" shops close up when it starts getting too chilly...

If you go in July, you can be there in time for Christmas in July-and see all the boats in the channels decorated and all lit up at night for the Holidays..it's a beautiful sight thats for sure...and Cape May is just 10 miles away-and if you have never heard anything about Cape May, it's a nice old Victorian, HAUNTED town where you can take haunted pirate tours, collect Cape May Diamonds on Sunset Beach (where the Cement Ship from WWII is sunk in the bay between the Cape and Delaware).. you can even take a day trip over to Delaware if you like..do some shopping, walk the streets..Cape May Christmas (in December)is a sight all it's own..with horse drawn sleighrides on the beach, and through the town which is all lit up..the victorian homes are exquisite and there are MANY MANY B AND B'S there..(kind of pricey when IN season)..any time of year, the Cape is beautiful..where you see the cabana's on the beaches that you actually see in movies (the striped ones)..and the sand is spotless, and the hotels and homes are..WOW..your wife would love an adventure back in time going there I'm sure..there is a ton of history in the entire Jersey Coast that's for sure..
Between Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, Cape May (and Altantic City casino's which are only a short drive away) you would have a blast, be tired, yet rested, and long for another trip back-even with your kids!..(on another time)..you'll feel like a kid again..trust me on this one..Oh, and if you get really bored while you're there which is hard to even imagine, you can take a day drive to Hershey Pennsylvania which is only a few hours away..go to the chocolate factory, the park, shop the shops, eat and smell chocolate till you want to puke, and then take a side trip off that to Lancaster Pa...home of the friendly Amish-land of good N plenty..and outlets..Don't let Ialsohaveadream dissuade you from seeing the Jersey Shore..it's not a crap hole-it's beautiful..and inexpensive...and well worth the visit..(I wonder if he's even been there himself!)
Ps..Can I go with you guys?
:)

[WhiskeyPapa]

Hey, thanks for the great info, Obby. I'll look into that. I guess I never considered a vacation in New Jersey...

As far as Indian burial mounds... Here in Western Minnesota, you can't hardly spit without hitting one. Everywhere you drive you see little historical markers at the side of the road talking about some Indian camp, or battle, or burial mound.