Cape Cod is full of hidden gems, as plenty of off-the-beaten-path communities provide ideal vacation destinations. South Chatham, a village on the southwest end of Chatham bordering downtown Harwichport, is one of those gems worth a look when booking a vacation rental in the region.
South Chatham enjoys a fantastic location on the shores of Nantucket Sound, ensuring vacationers can access some of the Cape’s most scenic beaches. The area is also close to the Old Colony Rail Trail and features plenty of outstanding dining opportunities.
Here’s a look at some of the main attractions you’ll find when spending a vacation in South Chatham, Massachusetts.
Beautiful Beaches
South Chatham is home to three popular beaches you might want to check out during your vacation: Forest Beach, Cockle Cove Beach, and Red River Beach.
Forest Beach is part of the Forest Beach Conservation Area, which is a great spot to view osprey and other rare birds. The beach itself is long, as it extends between Forest Beach Road and Mill Creek, giving you plenty of room to spread out. Parking is free, but there isn’t much available. As a result, you’ll need to arrive early in the day or walk from your vacation rental. This oceanfront area has an intimate feel because it rarely gets crowded, and it might become your go-to beach if you’re close enough to walk there.
Cockle Cove Beach is on the other side of Mill Creek from Forest Beach. It enjoys similar views over Nantucket Sound and calm, shallow water. There’s more parking at Cockle Cove than at Forest Beach, but it costs $20 per day, and the beach doesn’t have any facilities. Still, this beach is a nice place to spend a day and is more accessible than Forest Beach because of the additional parking.
Red River Beach is technically in Harwich but is minutes from many South Chatham vacation rentals. This beach is large and has plenty of parking, in addition to washrooms and lifeguards on duty. Perhaps the best thing about Red River Beach is that it feels incredibly secluded because there isn’t much in the area, making it a great place to relax for the day.
All three of these options are worth a look when planning a Cape Cod beach day during your vacation.
The Old Colony Rail Trail
If exploring the Cape on your bike is on your to-do list this vacation, the Old Colony Rail Trail is a great place to start. This trail extends for eight miles between Harwich and Chatham and connects to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which you can take to South Dennis, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet.
The Old Colony Rail Trail is an excellent option if you want to visit downtown Chatham but don’t want to drive because it makes the trip quick and easy. There’s a parking lot with trail access just off Main Street on Meetinghouse Road in South Chatham.
Visiting Harwich
We mentioned that South Chatham is closer to Harwichport than downtown Chatham, which is great if you want to explore the community.
Harwichport has some great beaches, a first-class dining scene, and multiple harbors that make it possible to get on the water. Saquatucket Harbor is particularly popular because it has some fishing charter companies, a ferry to Nantucket, and Monomoy Island Excursions, a tour operator providing the rare opportunity to visit Monomoy Island off the south coast of Chatham.
There are some great restaurants in downtown Harwichport, too, including Brax Landing and the Dockside Cafe.
Main Street Restaurants
South Chatham isn’t necessarily known for its dining scene, but there are a few spots you can check out when searching for a great meal.
Pisces Restaurant and Bar is a seafood restaurant with local favorites like lobster ravioli and Mediterranean fisherman’s stew, in addition to a great wine list and some local beers.
Drifters is across the street from Pisces and features a raw bar, share plates, and one of the Cape’s best lobster rolls. You can also grab a burger, try some local beers, or enjoy their signature frozen cocktail: Loud Mouth Soup.
Short ‘n’ Sweet Ice Cream is always an option for dessert. This quirky local shop sits in an old schoolhouse and has make-your-own-sundae nights throughout the summer, allowing you to add whatever you wish to your cone. Short ‘n’ Sweet is one of those places you’ll only find on Cape Cod, so make some time for dessert during your vacation.
South Chatham Vacation Rentals
Getting to know South Chatham before booking a vacation rental in the village is a good idea because it lets you know what to expect. This community is small but has everything you could ever want from a vacation destination, including direct access to some of Cape Cod’s most beautiful and secluded beaches.
Booking a vacation rental in South Chatham puts you close to these beaches while keeping you within a quick drive of Harwichport and all its amenities. These features combine to make South Chatham one of the region’s most desirable places to vacation.
