There’s a lot of uncertainty around the globe, as the COVID-19 pandemic forces closures to numerous businesses and makes air travel far more challenging and risky.
This issue has led to many people putting off their travel plans for the near future, choosing to stay close to home.
If you live somewhere in the Northeast, you’re likely within driving distance of Cape Cod, and the good news is that many outdoor venues are open to visitors.
Here’s a look at some of the top activities you can participate in while following social distancing protocols and staying safe on Cape Cod.
The Beaches
If you’re going to be around people during a COVID-19 outbreak, you should stay outdoors, and the beaches of Cape Cod provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy the weather. All six beaches on the Cape Cod National Seashore are open for visitors, as are other popular destinations like West Dennis Beach, Kalmus Beach, Bank Street Beach, and Breakwater Beach.
Depending on the beach you visit, you can also rent a stand-up paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or jet ski, giving you even more activities during your time on the Cape.
Cape Cod has enough beach space that you can spread out without feeling overcrowded, allowing you to enjoy your vacation without the risks of higher density locations.
Hiking Trails
There are hiking and walking trails everywhere on Cape Cod, and you can walk all day in some of these areas without encountering another human being. These trails are maintained by groups like Mass Audubon, MassWildlife, the Barnstable Land Trust, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and various local groups, giving you all kinds of variety.
Some of the paths, such as Great Island Trail, go through coastal marshes while others, like the Lowell Holly Reservation, take you through the woods around the area’s kettle ponds. Other hiking areas that you’ll want to explore include Beebe Woods, Sandy Neck Beach Park, and the Knob, depending on how far you want to walk and your preferred destination.
Bike Paths
The trails on Cape Cod aren’t all reserved for hiking, as there are over 114 miles of bike paths to explore that will take you through some of the region’s most secluded environments.
The biggest name of this list is the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which runs 25.7 miles between South Yarmouth and South Wellfleet, passing ponds and forests along the way. The trail makes it easy to socially distance while seeing some of the Cape’s most beautiful locations.
For a more urban bike ride, you can cycle on the Cape Cod Canal’s 7 miles of trails. These paths are on both sides of the canal, as are easily accessible for beginners because they’re mostly paved.
In the Falmouth area, the Shining Sea Bikeway takes you from North Falmouth to Woods Hole while providing Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound views. The trail is less than 11 miles long, with numerous access points throughout Falmouth.
Smaller bike trails like Head of Meadow Trail in Truro, Nauset Marsh Trail near Coast Guard Beach, the Chatham Loop, and the Province Lands Trail in Provincetown also provide excellent opportunities to explore Cape Cod’s natural environment and avoid the crowds.
Pop-Up Drive-Ins
You might think that going to the movies is out of the question when socially distancing, but Cape Cod has a solution for you: the drive-in.
For years, the Wellfleet Drive-In was the only venue of this nature on the Cape, and it’s still the only permanent one. However, there are pop-up drive-ins in West Yarmouth, Hyannis, and Falmouth that provide another way to spend your time in the evening on the Cape.
The cost of these venues varies, but they’re generally an affordable way to see a movie without the risk of sitting beside a stranger in a crowded theater.
Fishing and Whale Watching Charters
If you’re driving to Cape Cod, you’ll have the opportunity to bring a boat with you, if you have one at home. Otherwise, there’s still the opportunity to get on the water because numerous fishing and whale watching charters are open for business.
Cape Cod Whale Watch in Provincetown and Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises are operating with enhanced safety protocols, giving you the chance to see rare sea mammals in their natural environment.
As for fishing charters, most of the boats are currently operating, including Affordable Cape Cod Charter Fishing in Chatham, Reel Deal Fishing Charters in Truro, and Helen H Deep Sea Fishing in Hyannis.
Check around because many other charter companies are operating with enhanced sanitizing and safety procedures in effect.
Staying Close to Home
Cape Cod isn’t closed for tourism, as many businesses have taken it upon themselves to keep their customers safe during this challenging time.
The Cape’s beaches and parks are also open and offer a low-risk destination on your vacation.
Remember that there could be quarantining protocol in effect if you’re from outside of Massachusetts, but many other northeastern states are considered “safe” by state officials.
COVID-19 has made travel more difficult, but several of the Cape’s top attractions are up and running, giving you the rare opportunity to experience some of the country’s most beautiful locations without the crowds.
