If you’re looking for places to take kids in Wellfleet, you’re in luck. In fact, Cape Cod is overall a very accessible place for children. It’s a very popular summer vacation destination, where families rent vacation houses in week-long increments and play at the beach together.

Beaches and Ponds

You should definitely spend a day at one of Wellfleet’s ocean beaches. The water will be cold, but kids will have fun braving it. Bringing a boogey board is a definitely good idea, but not absolutely necessary. Sand castle anyone? Don’t forget the beach chairs, towels, and sunscreen. (Check out all the Wellfleet beaches.) Wellfleet’s ponds don’t have waves but are better places to go for a traditional swim. Long Pond has a raft that kids can swim out to, climb onto, and jump off of. In recent years the raft has drifted a little. Gull Pond is large and has docks and a roped-in area.

Trails and Sports

There are a bunch of walking trails and bike trails in this part of Cape Cod. One of the best places for children is Great Island. On Great Island you’ll find interesting surroundings, including tiny Fiddler crabs that scamper in and out of holes in the sand.

If you have a basketball, there are public courts by the Wellfleet Pier. Tennis courts are nearby.

Ice Cream

Also situated at the pier is a small building that sells food and ice cream, including banana splits and brownie sundaes. You can walk along the beach to get there. Kids love to walk when it’s to get ice cream!

Dancing at Wellfleet Pier

Square Dancing

The town puts on square dancing at Wellfleet Harbor one night a week in the summer. (In 2009 it was Wednesdays during July and August from 7 – 9:30pm.) The square dancing takes place in the Mayo Beach parking lot, right next to the Wellfleet Pier.

Mini Golf

The mini golf in Wellfleet is right off Route 6 (map). There are 18 holes.

Drive-in Movie

Right next to the mini golf course is a parking lot for the flea market and drive-in movie theater. The drive-in plays back-to-back feature films at night. It’s usually a thrill for kids. The first film of the night is always geared toward a younger audience. Read more about the Wellfleet drive-in.

Rainy Day

If it rains, there are still a handful of indoor activities in Wellfleet. Additionally, you can take the kids to the Wellfleet Library.

Cape Cod Canal Bike Trail

This fall I had the opportunity to take a day trip down to Cape Cod to bike the canal trail.  Being an avid cyclist, I couldn’t pass up the chance.

The Cape Cod Canal Bike Path is very short, about 7 miles each way, so a there-and-back trip is only 14 miles.  While on my ride I did notice some other bikers, but a majority of the people on the trail were walkers and sightseers.  With not too many moving vehicles, the bike path is well-suited for beginners.  I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this path to an experienced cyclist, but I would definitely recommend the bike way to beginners and families.

The Cape Cod Canal Bike Path is probably the most well kept bike trail I’ve ever been on.  I didn’t once see a divot or hole in the trail.  Not only is it well-maintained, but as far as bike paths go it’s easily one of the better ones for riding.  The lanes are wide the whole way– they never get narrow.  There’s plenty of room, which is one of the reasons I think this trail is perfect for families.  There are some small inclines here and there, but it’s certainly not hilly.  It’s also extremely easy to access, with large parking lots at both ends.  Although there are paths along both sides of the canal, it’s difficult (nearly impossible) to cross to the other side.

The trail was fairly empty when I went in September.  Crowded paths are one of the few things that can ruin any biking experience.  I’d expect the pathway to fill up during the summer and on the weekends, but the wide lanes should make any crowd easy to deal with.

Bridge Along the Trail

One of my favorite things about this path is that it’s completely removed from all traffic.  Not only that, but the scenery is great.  At all times you are right alongside the canal, so you can stop at any point and watch a number of ships (everything from large oil tankers to small yachts) pass through the canal.  If you complete the entire trail you’ll ride under two bridges, which are both very impressive.  At one end of the trail there’s a big jetty, and you get a great view of the ocean.  As far as visual scenery goes, this trail has it all.

I recommend this trail to anyone looking for a relaxed, family-oriented Cape Cod biking experience.

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.