Drive-in movie theaters are places to watch movies on the big screen while sitting in your car. They started in the 1930s and reached peak popularity in the 50s and 60s. Today, they are rare. There’s a drive-in theater in the town of Wellfleet, which is near the tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It was built in 1957 and still operates today.

Theater layout

The Wellfleet Drive-in is essentially a very large parking lot with a gigantic projection screen at the far end. Cars park between the yellow lines with their windshields facing the screen. Movie-goers purchase tickets at the entrance to the parking lot. A concession stand is located in a small building on the right-hand side of the lot.

Movies shown

The Wellfleet Drive-in shows recently released films. However, based on experience, if a film has just been released, there’s a good chance it won’t be playing here yet. (A better bet for newly released flicks is the indoor movie theater, located nearby.) The Drive-in shows a double feature: two films back to back, with a short intermission in between. The first movie is geared more towards children.

Getting there

The drive-in is right off Route 6 in Wellfleet, in between Eastham and South Wellfleet. If you’re coming from the south it will be on your left. Bring cash, because they don’t accept credit or debit cards. The box office opens at 6:30 pm. It’s closed from mid-September to late April.

Rules

A ticket must be purchased at the entrance for each person, like at a regular movie theater. Using car horns is prohibited, as is barbecuing on the lot. Oversize vehicles such as minivans and SUVs must park in a designated area during the summer– ask the box office for specifics.

Hearing the movie

After parking, turn your key to the accessory position. Keep your headlights off when your car is stationary to avoid disturbing other movie-goers. To hear the sound of the movie, you have two options: For the best quality sound, tune your car radio to the local broadcast station, FM 89.3. (You may want to adjust the bass and treble knobs for best results.) There are also portable speakers hanging on posts next to every parking spot that you can pull into your car through an open car window. These mono speakers are very old and have a tinny sound.

Alternative seating option

On a warm night, it can be nice to get out of your car and watch the movie under the starry sky. Kids especially tend to enjoy the novelty of this experience. If you’re planning to do this, bring along beach chairs in your trunk. Bug spray might also be a good idea.

Wellfleet isn’t a big, crowded city. Even in summer, when vacationers pour into all the towns of Cape Cod, you won’t have much trouble if you’re seeking solitude in a quiet place. But where should you go if you’re looking for a busier kind of atmosphere, the kind of place where people tend to gather?

Mayo Beach

During the day you can head to Mayo Beach, which is popular due to its natural beauty and convenient location next to the Pier. It’s frequented by families and retirees. In fact, all the Wellfleet beaches attract a fair share of people during the summer.

Flea Market

The Wellfleet Flea Market brings together a diverse group of people looking to shop for unusual items and good bargains.

Beachcomber

The Beachcomber is a bar and restaurant located right on Cahoon Hollow Beach. You might see a few young professionals at the bar, plus there are always people eating in the restaurant at dinner time.

Bombshelter

The Bombshelter Pub is unique because it’s open year-round. For this reason, it attracts a mix that includes Wellfleet locals as well as vacationers. People convene to play table games or throw back a glass of brew.

Check out more restaurants and beaches in Wellfleet, MA.

This summer I took a kayaking trip to Jeremy Point in Wellfleet, MA from a beach in Wellfleet Harbor, which is part of Cape Cod Bay. My starting point was near Powers Landing, which is a good place to launch a boat into the water. I used a kayak from the vacation rental I was staying in, but kayaks can be rented from Jack’s.

My friend and I carried the 2-person kayak from the house to the beach. Since it was low tide, we had to carry it a little further than we would have had to at high tide. We climbed into the boat and set off, wearing life jackets of course.

As we approached Jeremy Point, I could see that part of the sand mass was above water and part of it was below, so the water depth got much shallower as we neared. We stopped paddling and drifted peacefully up to the shore of Great Island, leaving our kayaks there for a short rest. The sandy area near Jeremy Point that we stopped at was pleasurably quiet and seemed like the perfect place to escape to. There was roughly a football field of sand exposed while we were there, but the size is always changing depending on the tides. We stopped for long enough to watch the creatures that live around Jeremy Point (birds and crabs) and to enjoy the sun and tranquility. Resting at this spot was a satisfying reward for our paddling.

Standing on the beach of Great Island near Jeremy Point, we could see high sand dunes in the distance. When we were done with our break, we started kayaking towards them, but the tides and wind seemed to keep us away, so we decided to give up and head home. Since the wind was at our backs on this leg of the journey, the return trip took less time.

We were both beginning kayakers, but quickly got the hang of it. It probably took us at least an hour to get out near Jeremy Point, but it was hard to tell– the time flew by. Paddling the open water is very relaxing. The trip is suitable for a wide range of ages, so a family could have fun doing it. Kayaking is a great workout. I could tell that I’d exerted muscles that I normally don’t use. The next day my upper back was sore, which actually felt good.

Kayaking: Places to kayak in Wellfleet

There are activities for all ages in Wellfleet. One of the great things about this small Cape Cod town is that it has a little of everything. Although Wellfleet is small (and many parts of it are quiet), there are plenty of fun things to do.

Wellfleet, MA

Swimming

If you like to swim or just relax by the water, there are many places for you to choose from in Wellfleet. The Atlantic Ocean can be accessed by multiple beaches on the coast of Wellfleet. Marconi Beach has dunes and a nice view. Surfers often choose White Crest Beach because the waves are a little fiercer than some of the other beaches. For a calmer experience, try the bay. Mayo Beach is a popular bay beach. Because Wellfleet is near the tip of the Cape, you can boogey-board at the ocean and take a dip in the bay without ever leaving Wellfleet! For fresh water swimming, Wellfleet has an assortment of ponds, such as Gull Pond.

Boating

If want to navigate the sea by boat, there are a variety options. You can rent a boat at Jack’s and hit the water. Kayaking and sailing are both great activities for good weather.

Walking

Wellfleet has a bunch of walking trails to connect you with nature. You can also walk along one of Wellfleet’s many ponds or ocean beaches. If it’s windy, fly a kite!

Biking

The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through Wellfleet. It’s an excellent path to bike on. Another good one is the Head of the Meadow bike trail.

Shopping

You can buy art at one of Wellfleet’s many art galleries. For those in your group with a sweet tooth, there’s fudge and candy in the center of town. Wellfleet has its very own flea market that operates three days a week in the summer. Although it’s not the best place to find tons of new and mainstream goods, it is a good place for unusual items, such as old advertisements and memorabilia. For a more traditional shopping experience, you can drive one town over to Provincetown.

Dining

Positioned right beside the ocean, Wellfleet is a fantastic place for fresh seafood. Mac’s Shack is near the town center and the Sweet Seasons Restaurant is at the Inn at Duck Creeke. Winslow’s Tavern is nice and somewhat upscale. PJ’s, which is more of a family restaurant, is right on Route 6.