So you’ve already booked a vacation rental and checked out the nearby attractions, and now it’s time to pack for your trip. (For those of you who still need to find a house or read about the area, First Vacation Rental has lots of information.) Although everyone has different needs and wants, here’s a packing list of essential (or highly recommended) items to get the most out of your Cape Cod vacation.

• Sunscreen. Sunscreen is good for avoiding painful sunburns and also for long-term skin health. Beware of some conventional sunscreens– recent studies have suggested that certain active ingredients could be harmful. For this reason, you might want to look into buying a “natural” sunblock that uses Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide to block the sun. Sunscreens that use Zinc or Titanium are called “physical barrier” sunscreens or sunblocks. Natural sunscreens are more expensive and don’t spread as thinly (they sometimes leave a white layer), but may be worth using in the long run. You can evaluate the toxicity of sunscreen ingredients at Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.
• Sunglasses and hat or beach umbrella. In Cape Cod the summer sun is blazing! The sun’s rays are even harder to withstand when they’re coming at you from all angles by bouncing off the water and sand.
• Bathing suits. You might want to bring two. That way you can change into a dry one in between a morning outing to the pond and an afternoon trip to the beach.
• Book, e-reader, or other reading material.
• Comfortable walking shoes. Sneakers, shoes, or hiking boots that are comfortable to walk in will make hiking or walking a trail a more enjoyable experience.
• Deck of cards. Good way to pack a lot of fun and games into a tiny space.
• Beach toys. Great for kids, and grown-ups too! How about a ball to throw around on the beach or in the pond, or some paddles to play paddleball.
• Breakfast. A little planning pays off. Here’s the scenario: You wake up, you’re hungry, and you don’t feel like driving anywhere right away (after all, it’s vacation!). It’s nice to have something like cereal or yogurt to tide you over till lunchtime. If the house where you’re staying isn’t close to a supermarket it might make sense to buy food on your way to your vacation rental on your first day.

Optional:

• Board games. Does your group like to get together around the dining room table and play a board game after dinner? Do you enjoy just staying home on a rainy day to play Monopoly? Some vacation rental homes on the Cape have a few board games on the shelves, but you might want to bring your own to be safe.
• Beach shoes. Special beach shoes with rubber bottoms and mesh tops are designed to protect your feet from sharp shells and stones. They’re especially useful for walking in water that’s a few inches deep in the bay. You can often get them at convenience stores.

If you’re looking for ideas for games to play with kids while passing the time on your summer vacation, here are 8 games that children of all ages will enjoy at the pond or beach.

1. Monkey in the middle. For this classic game, all you need is a ball and 3 or more people. With 3 people, one player (the “monkey”) is in the middle and tries to intercept the ball while the other two play catch with it. If the monkey gets the ball, he becomes one of the throwers, and the last person who touched the ball becomes the new monkey. With 4 people, it works best to have two monkeys. You can play with the same rules as just described, OR you can play “Team” Monkey in the Middle: if either monkey gets the ball, both monkeys become the new throwers. This game can be played on the sand but works especially well in the water. You can play in shallow water if you only want to get your ankles wet, or you can play in deeper water so the game becomes a mix of swimming and running.

2. Diving for rings. You can buy rings or other water toys at a store that sells pool toys. If you don’t have any real diving rings, get creative. Instead of neon rings or rods, use bright-colored rocks, seashells, or other natural items that sink in water. There are different ways to play with your new diving toys:

• With slow-sinking objects, throw them all in the water at once and then try to catch them all before they touch the bottom. Or throw one far away and race to get it before it touches the sandy pond floor.
• With quick-sinking objects, throw them in and then try to find them on the bottom. The game can be played in whatever depth of water you feel comfortable with, based on the swimming skill level of the players.

3. Paddleball. At minimum, you’ll need a paddle and a ball. Different kinds of paddles, balls, and paddle/ball combinations create different levels of difficulty.  With 2 players you can cooperate in seeing how long you can keep the ball in the air. This game works great on the beach. If you get tired and your kid wants to keep playing, tell him to see how many times he can keep hitting the ball without letting it touch the ground.

4. Touch football. All you need is a football and a group of people. In two-hand touch, both hands on the player carrying the ball means he’s down. If you’re the quarterback, make sure you call a huddle before the snap to go over the play with your teammates. To keep it simple, play with four downs (no additional first downs) and no blitzes.

5. Tag. When you play this timeless game in the pond or ocean it adds a whole new element: You can hide underwater. Hold your breath and hope whoever’s “it” isn’t looking your way when you come up for air.

6. Cards or board games. Bring a deck of cards or your favorite board game to the beach and play on a towel or blanket. This is especially satisfying on a sunny day when you’re drying off from playing in the water. Play tic-tac-toe in the sand as a last resort.

7. Bodyboarding (or “boogieboarding”) works better in the ocean than the pond because there are real waves at the ocean beaches. If you’re new to boogieboarding, watch others to learn the technique. If you don’t see anyone else with a board, you may have to walk down the beach a bit. Sometimes one section of a beach is better for catching waves than the rest of the beach.

8. Building in the sand. You can make a traditional sand castle or build something more unusual. If one person will volunteer, bury him up to his neck. This will result in great photo opportunities.

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.

With all the outdoor beauty of Cape Cod, some may wonder why they should look for indoor activities. Keep in mind that even if it’s sunny today, rain in New England can always be around the corner. It’s good to have a few ideas for things to do on a rainy day. If you’re renting a home during the off-season (for example, in October or November), it may be too chilly to spend the day outside. Or maybe it’s summer and you just need a break from the blazing sun. Whatever the case may be, you have plenty of stuff to choose from.

Visit an art gallery

David Arsenault's "Just Passing By" is a painting from the Blue Heron Gallery.

Wellfleet is famous for its art galleries, such as the Blue Heron Gallery. (The Blue Heron Gallery is open from early May to October and closes in the off-season, like many other Cape Cod galleries.) Some artists display their work with a group of other artists, and some show it solo. Most of the art consists of paintings, encompassing a range of styles. A common theme is the natural surroundings of Cape Cod and the islands. Artists are inspired by the beauty of the sea.

Watch a movie

Feel like catching a flick? Wellfleet Cinemas shows recently released films just like any other movie theater. The parking lot next door hosts an old-fashioned drive-in movie experience during the summer. You might feel like picking up a video rental and taking it back to your house. Most Cape Cod vacation rental homes have DVD players, but be sure to check first.

See live music

A few venues in Wellfleet have live music, but you should check in advance because they don’t have performances every night. A few you can check out are the Beachcomber, The Juice, and Duck Creeke Tavern.

Play a board game

A rainy day could be the perfect time to challenge your friends or family to a game of Monopoly or Pictionary. If there are no games in your house, the widest selection can be found at Puzzle Me This in Provincetown, but there’s also a game store in Wellfleet center.

Plan your next outing

Now might be the time to check out pics and videos of all Wellfleet has to offer, and start planning your next adventure. There’s always tomorrow!

If you’re vacationing in Wellfleet or passing through the town, you might want to find some good nighttime activities. Like the rest of Cape Cod, Wellfleet experiences a huge influx of vacationers in the summer. When people think of Wellfleet (and all the other towns on the Cape), they think mostly of outdoor activities because the area has so much natural beauty. But what activities are there for after the sun has set? As it turns out, plenty.

1. Visit an art exhibit

Wellfleet is known for its art galleries. On some Saturday nights, new exhibits open. Check around the art galleries.

2. Listen to live music

The Beachcomber is a restaurant and bar right on Cahoon Hollow Beach that periodically has live music performances. Duck Creeke Tavern has jazz on some nights. The Juice sometimes brings in live music acts as well.

3. See a play

The Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (W.H.A.T.) puts on shows regularly, even in the off-season.

This photograph of W.H.A.T. just after sunset was taken by Jaime Martorano.

4. Get a drink

Winslow’s Tavern is a classy joint that serves food and has a bar. The Bombshelter is a dimly lit “sports bar” with a pool table, foosball table, and dartboard. It’s located below the Bookstore Restaurant and open until 1 am.

5. Watch a drive-in movie

The Wellfleet Drive-in is an old-fashioned drive-in movie theater that plays a double feature. (Read more about the drive-in.) There’s also a regular movie theater nearby with frequent showtimes.

6. Go stargazing

On a clear night, the sky over Cape Cod is a breathtaking sight to behold. Far from the city lights, you should be able to see constellations, planets, and stars like never before.

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.

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.