The beaches in Wellfleet have parking lots, but to park in them you’ll need a beach sticker. There are two kinds of stickers: a Resident Beach Sticker and a Visitor’s Beach Sticker.

Visitor’s Beach Sticker

If you’re on a summer vacation in Wellfleet, you’ll need to get a Visitor’s Beach Sticker.

Proof of Stay

To get a Visitor’s Beach Sticker, the first thing you’ll need is a proof of stay. This is a document that proves you’ll be residing in Wellfleet. You’ll have to ask the owner of the house where you’re staying– he or she can give it to you.

Other Requirements

Besides the proof of stay, you’ll also need to provide the following:

1. Vehicle registration for each vehicle
2. Payment of about $75 for one week (you can also get 3-day, 2-week, or seasonal permits)

If your car is leased, is a company car, or has dealer plates, you’ll need to provide documentation to prove you are the owner. See the complete eligibility rules and requirements.

Bring these documents to the Wellfleet Town Pier, located at 255 Commercial Street. Your beach sticker will enable you to park at all the public beaches in Wellfleet.

Resident Beach Sticker

Residents of the town of Wellfleet can apply for a Resident Beach Sticker. You’ll need to bring vehicle registration for each vehicle plus means of payment. For more information, see the town document on rules.

More information

Town of Wellfleet Beach Administration

Town of Wellfleet Website

There was a LOT of erosion on the ocean side beaches of Wellfleet this winter. Some, like LeCount Hollow, now have a HUGE vertical drop. Also, there’s damage to the parking lot, and a house now precariously hangs off the edge. What’s it going to be like this summer? Will some ocean beaches be closed off? If so, that might make the remaining ones more crowded. Over on the bay beaches – Mayo and Duck Harbor – I did not notice any change from last year. They still look great.

As a vacation rental property owner, you already know about the benefit of being listed on a vacation rental website.  And chances are good you’ve already joined one.  If you have, I have a recommendation for you. I’m going to suggest you join another. If you’re an owner of a vacation rental property, it’s worth the money to be listed in at least two directories.

Online vaction rental directories

But first, if you’re not already listed on one of the national or international vacation rental directories, here are the top 3 reasons why you should be:

1.  Number of inquiries. The big directories, which charge between $200 and $500 per year to list your property, spend big bucks on advertising.  The advertising gets the attention of Mrs. Prospective Vacationer, at just the right time– when she is formulating the summer vacation plans. Personally, as an owner, it’s worth the money for me to have my property listed on five different vacation rental sites.  From some I get 5 inquiries in a good week, and from some I might get one inquiry a week – it’s still worth the cost.

2. Quality of inquiries.  Theoretically, the ‘list your property for free’ sites should give you the same quality of inquiry as the pay-sites, but they don’t– not in my experience on Cape Cod. From the free sites, scam inquiries actually used to be rare.  Now, scam inquiries are a regular occurence.  Is “free” really free when you have to spend your valuable time screening prospects because something about their inquiry sounds ‘fishy,’ but you’re not really sure?

3.  Pics and videos.  At some point in the future (and maybe by the time you’ve finished reading this!),  you will need to have at least 20 good quality photos and a couple of videos of your property to compete with other owners that do, and to ‘close the sale’ with a vacationer online.  Make sure to list your property on a website that allows for this.

Benefits of listing in multiple directories

Now I’ll talk about how to choose a second vacation rental directory.

The big national and international directories promise to deliver lots of inquiries, and they do.  But no single directory gets EVERY vacationer inquiry, or even a majority of them. If you’re only listed in 1 directory, you’re missing out on LOTS of prospective vacationers.

Do you get a rental from every prospect?  Neither do I.  Not by a long shot. For my Wellfleet Cape Cod rental,  I need to get between 5 and 15 inquiries before I  get a deposit.  It depends on the week.  Shoulder season weeks – that’s the spring and fall in Cape Cod – are harder and need more internet exposure.  Summer weeks are easier to rent and need less exposure, so fewer inquiries are needed.  But the summer weeks are so valuable.  I’m more confident about raising prices when I’m getting more inquiries.  More inquiries can get you more income.

In evaluating whether it’s worth it to list your property on more than one rental directory, consider the possibility that an additional directory listing could result in one additional week or weekend rental. What’s your lowest priced week?  If it’s $600 or more, then you can see how it’s worth it.

Another reason to join an additional vacation rental directory even if you’re already listed in one is specialty.  Some directories specialize in a certain geographic area. For example, First Vacation Rental specializes in Wellfleet and Cape Cod and has a “Things to Do” section on their site.  Directories like this can enhance and emphasize the desirability of a specific location. This may add value to your individual vacation rental.

Lastly, another reason to join a second (or third or fourth) vacation rental directory: Customer Support.  Was it a hassle to list your property in your current directory?  I know what that’s like.  I’ve listed my vacation rental in about 12 different sites over the years.  What a pain.  But some of the new sites make it extremely easy.  Some will walk you through the process over the phone, use the pictures you already have, even come to your house and take high quality shots.  (High quality pics are VERY important, but that’s another topic.)  Look for a vacation rental directory that has a “Whatever it takes to earn your business” attitude.

Online vacation rental directories are a great tool to rent available weeks and to increase the inquiries you get for your popular weeks, giving you the confidence to raise prices. Because each directory has different strengths, you can often benefit by listing in two or more directories. Vacationers use one directory at a time, and if you’re not listed there then they won’t find your property. And a vacationer who becomes interested in your property could be a life-long customer.

Wellfleet OysterFest is this weekend: Oct. 15-17th, 2010. If you’re any kind of oyster aficionado, this is a must-do event. Wellfleet oysters are world famous. This year at OysterFest there will be a shucking contest, arts & crafts, demonstrations of how to shuck oysters and other cooking lessons, historical exhibits, a boat tour, an auction, bluegrass music, tasting oysters from different parts of Wellfleet, children’s entertainment, a spelling bee with prizes, a nature walk over Uncle Tim’s bridge, and more. Enter the oyster shuck-off  and you can win the $1,000 cash prize.

About Wellfleet OysterFest

A Band Playing on Stage at OysterFest in Wellfleet

The Wellfleet Oyster Festival, usually called OysterFest, is a celebration of the oysters that help make Wellfleet famous. Entry is free. It always takes place in October, the weekend after Columbus Day. It lasts for two days: Saturday and Sunday. The tradition started in 2001 and goes on even if it rains.

Visitors head to the town center. The streets are alive with activities, food, live music, and merchants. There are plenty of things for kids to do, such as pumpkin decorating, jewelry making, and arts and crafts. Be warned– it can get pretty crowded!

In addition to the oyster-shucking race, there are other competitions, such as a running race. OysterFest often features educational speakers at the Town Library. Each year is a little different. The OysterFest schedule of events is online.

Wellfleet is a great place to enjoy not only oysters, but also clams and other shellfish.

Read about how to eat oysters.

Accomodations

Visitors can rent a vacation home for just OysterFest weekend. Wellfleet has a large number of homes available for rent. These homes are usually rented for weeks at a time in the summer, but the owners will usually offer them for weekends in the off-season. However, keep in mind when searching and inquiring about homes that OysterFest is a high-demand weekend in Wellfleet.

About Wellfleet

Wellfleet is situated near the tip of Cape Cod, next to Provincetown. It’s 100 miles from Boston. Wellfleet is an old fishing and whaling village with authentic charm. It has a cute town center with small shops and at least a dozen art galleries.  It also has live theater.

There’s nothing worse than showing up to the vacation rental home you rented for the week, throwing your suitcase on the bed, and realizing that something about the house is not as you expected. Maybe the house has no TV or no washing machine, or isn’t near the beach. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention to information in the listing description. Here are 5 important things to look for:

Vacation Home in Chatham, MA on Cape Cod

1. Proximity to water. This is especially important to beach junkies. Is the home literally on the water or is it a short walk? Do you have to drive? It can sometimes help to become familiar with the area you’re looking to stay in. In towns such as Wellfleet (on Cape Cod), every vacation rental is reasonably close to a beach. This is a function of Wellfleet being a small town on the Outer Cape.    

2. Internet access. A good vacation rental directory will tell you whether the house in question has internet access. The owner may even specify the nature of the internet access, be it broadband, dial-up, or wireless. If the home doesn’t have internet access, it might be a good idea to look for nearby spots that have internet access, such as libraries or cafes, if not another house.
3. Pets. Many vacation home owners don’t allow pets. There’s usually a section on the listing that says whether or not pets such as dogs are allowed. If not, you can ask.
4. Appliances. Were you planning on grinding your own coffee beans in the morning? You’ll be disappointed if you find out that the home you chose doesn’t have a coffee grinder. Vacation rental directories give homeowners checkboxes to communicate which appliances are sitting in their kitchen.
5. Accessibility. If you need handicap access, you should confirm that the house has it right off the bat. Do you have an elderly member of the group who might have a hard time getting up and down long flights of stairs? If the information isn’t posted on the listing, you can inquire with the owner.

These are some of things to look for as you search for your perfect summer vacation rental. The internet has made things much easier, and finding a cottage to stay in is now just a few clicks away. If you find that the home you were interested in has no more available weeks this summer, try asking about off-season weeks or weekends. You may find that the homeowner will rent off-season weeks or days at a reduced rate.

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.

1. It’s the Outer Cape. There are 15 towns on Cape Cod.  Driving over the Sagamore bridge, the Cape is a 75- mile long sand bar extending east and then north into the ocean. It gets narrower as you approach the tip.  The last 4 towns, where it’s the narrowest – Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown – are known collectively as the ‘Outer Cape.’  If you’re on the Outer Cape, you’re standing on a continually shifting strip of sand that separates Cape Cod Bay from the Atlantic Ocean.

Marconi Beach, Wellfleet

2. Cape Cod National Seashore. 40 miles of beach.  40,000 acres of land.  Most of it in Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown.  About half of all of Wellfleet is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It’s a beautiful piece of protected land.

3. The Ponds. Wellfleet has a collection of rather unique ‘kettle’ ponds.  These are small round ponds with pristine water.  None allow motorboats, so they are quiet and great for swimming. They’re also good for beginning kayakers. Gull Pond has boat rentals; the others do not. Our family favorites are Long Pond and Duck Pond.  It’s a 10 minute walk down a dirt path to get to secluded Duck Pond.

4. The Ocean Beaches. Marconi,  White Crest, LeCount Hollow, Cahoon Hollow, and Newcomb Hollow.  All exquisite.  Go to Marconi and you can walk the adjacent Atlantic Cedar Swamp Trail. Also check out Marconi Station where Gugliermo Marconi  sent a wireless message to the King of England in 1903.  (“Can you hear me now?”) White Crest is the designated surfing beach.

5. The Bay Beaches. Slightly warmer water than the ocean beaches, less wind, and calmer waves make Wellfleet’s bay beaches a toddler’s paradise. Remember that it’s very tidal and every day there are 2 High Tides and 2 Low Tides.  You’ll benefit from a tide chart.  Around high tide is great for swimming.  Explore and collect seashells at low tide.  Wellfleet’s bay beaches are MADE for kayaking.  If you don’t own one, rent at Jack’s Boat Rental.  My favorite bay beach is Mayo, because right next to Mayo Beach are 3 restaurants, an ice cream/burger/fried clam counter,  fishing excursions, and Mac’s, a fresh seafood market.  Indian Neck is nice too for the sunsets and to walk out on the jetty.

6. Art Galleries. There are SO many art galleries in Wellfleet that it’s sometimes called the ‘Art gallery town.’  Most of the galleries are located on Main Street and E. Commercial Street.

7. The Town Center. Next door Truro doesn’t really have a town center and neither does Eastham.  Wellfleet’s town center still has the feel of an old fishing village.  It has some small  shops and restaurants but hasn’t been commercialized the way, say, Chatham has.

8. World famous oysters. You didn’t know that Wellfleet oysters are world famous?  Eat them fresh from Mac’s, dine at the Wicked Oyster restaurant, or eat on the front porch of the Bookstore and watch how they’re shucked.  You’ll be steps away from where the oysters were raised and harvested.

9. The Wellfleet Drive-in. A drive-in movie theatre may not be the best place for serious movie-watching, but if you or your family members have never experienced a drive-in, it’s a unique experience.

10. The W.H.A.T. Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre.  Last year a 2^nd theatre was completed, which I haven’t been to. The original WHAT is at the Pier.  I’ve been to several shows there over the years. It’s such a small theatre that all the seats are close to the stage.  It can be intense.

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.