Your vacation to the Cape can take multiple forms because the area has so much to do. Fortunately, many of the activities, like the beaches and hiking trails, are outdoors, so they won’t cost you a whole lot of money once you arrive.

There are free activities beyond the sands and trails, too, as Cape Cod has some fun and educational facilities that don’t charge for admission. These venues allow you to learn about the region, its history, and its wildlife without breaking the bank, making them the perfect places to visit on a rainy day or when you don’t feel like being out in the sun.

You’ll be shocked by how much these facilities have to offer without charging you a dime. Here’s a look at three fun, free, and educational places you can visit during your Cape Cod vacation.

Check Out the Woods Hole Science Aquarium

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a government entity responsible for managing marine life and their habitats. The organization also operates the Woods Hole Science Aquarium, a free-to-visit facility that’s home to over 80 species of marine animals that typically live in the waters off the country’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coasts.

The venue first opened in 1875, making it the nation’s oldest public aquarium, and features self-guided tours and the opportunity to see how aquariums operate behind the scenes. There are indoor and outdoor areas at the aquarium, and visitors might have the chance to get up close to seals, turtles, fish, and other residents.

The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is located at the end of Water Street in downtown Woods Hole and is open Tuesday through Saturday year-round. The facility is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and federal holidays, but that still gives you plenty of time to give it a visit during your vacation.

Visit the Salt Pond Visitor Center

Another free spot to check out with your family is the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. This facility is the Cape Cod National Seashore’s official visitor orientation center, and it’s open year-round without any admission charge.

Once inside, you can access the center’s movie theater and museum, which features information on the glacial history of Cape Cod and how the Ice Age helped form the region’s topography. There are also exhibits examining the Wampanoag tribe, the first European settlers to reach the Cape, and the area’s history as a fishing and tourism mecca.

You can head to the outdoor section of the Salt Pond Visitor Center in the summer, which has some trails to explore and an outdoor amphitheater that hosts programming for the entire family. It’s possible to spend an entire day exploring this facility, and you’re only a short drive from Coast Guard Beach on the Cape Cod National Seashore if the ocean is calling your name after your visit.

Take Tour of the Captains’ Mile

Cape Cod has a tremendous whaling, fishing, and sea-trade history, as it was a hub for those industries at various times in the past. As a result, many sea captains made their homes on the Cape, building large houses that remain to this day.

The Captains’ Mile is a section of the Old King’s Highway in Yarmouth Port and its surrounding area full of historic homes that well-known and successful sea captains once owned. Wandering this area is like stepping into a time machine, as you can see what life would have been like on the Cape in the 1800s and earlier.

All homes that captains once owned are equipped with a black and gold Schooner Plaque, making them easy to spot. You’ll find over 50 of them on your travels, and you can enter many of the buildings, as they’re now owned and operated by local businesses. This unique access gives you a close look at Cape Cod’s rich history without spending any money whatsoever.

A Good Time Doesn’t Have to Cost You

You don’t have to spend a whole lot of money to get out and enjoy your Cape Cod vacation because there are plenty of free things to do. These fun and educational facilities won’t cost you anything to enter, so all you’ll have to worry about is getting through the gift shop without spending a fortune.

The Cape has options for all budgets, so have a look at the available vacation rentals and book one that fits yours. From there, you can begin planning some activities to ensure you make the most of your time in the region.