First Visit

I am from Ireland and planning a first trip to States and Cape. Family of four - mum dad and two kids aged 14 and 11. Like to swim, walk, eat seafood, explore and not too crowded but want a bit of a buzz. Was told Hyannis was nice but read on this forum that it gets very crowded and touristy. Plan to go for two weeks in late June 2006 and rent a house. Best place to stay??? all comments welcome.

First Visit

If you stay in Dennisport check out the seafood and casual dining atmosphere outdoors, inside the screened porch or inside the dining room at Clancy%26#39;s Fish %26#39;n Chips Beach Bar not on the Beach but on Lower County Rd. It has a fun bar area adjacent to the dining areas and I mention this place because it does have a fun %26#39;buzz%26#39; to it that you are looking for. Later or another evening, sample the famous homemade ice cream at Sundae School just a bit down the road from Clancy%26#39;s. By the way, don%26#39;t get confused by the fact that there are other Clancy%26#39;s Restaurants. The Beach Bar is the only one of it%26#39;s type and is in Dennisport.

First Visit

I would pass on Hyannis. Dennisport is fun. CCC has that covered.

Some of the lower Cape towns are also great. We love Harwich Port and bought a house there. In our area you can walk to the beach, the center of Harwich Port to some shops and good restaurants. There is also an area known as the ';campgronds area'; with cottages closer together, within 1/4 mile to the beach, beautiful gardens, children on bikes,... It%26#39;s a little quieter than Dennisport. The beaches in Harwich Port or West Harwich are also on Nantucket Sound, warmer and calmer, but you can still boogie board. go-carts, trampolines, batting cages, bumper boats are just a few minute drive away, but the area isn%26#39;t very touristy.

www.waystack.com (sister rented from them) , www.harwichrealty.com www.commonwealthrealestate.com (we bought from them)

are just three realtors that come to mind when thinking of Harwich.

Chatham is know for its quaint downtown with upscale shops and nice restaurants. Rentals here would be more expensive. At a minimum, you should visit it. See the light house too.

We also love Orleans. It has Skaket Beach on the Bay side (low tidal pools) and Nauset on the Ocean Side (big waves).

One realtor that covers most of the Cape is www.kinlingrover.com. We rented from them before buying. They are very professional. I would recommend renting within 1/2 mile to the beach. Rental prices might be a little cheaper the last two weeks in June and it%26#39;s not too crowded that time of year. It really picks up the first week of July.

I hope this helps!

Wide open. Most anywhere on the Cape will be interesting and relatively near all else. But, beware, near as everything seems from a far, the distances from the outer Cape or elsehwre to, for example Boston, if you%26#39;re interestedcan be sustantial. (Outer Cape toward Proveincetown is maybe 3 1/2 hour drive to Boston), the nearer towns an easy day-trip round-trip.

Hyannis is defintiely the ';center'; of the Cape and the nearest thing to a city of large town. The semi-local (New Englander) favorites tend to be either the Falmouth area (the elbow nearer Boston and other day-trips, like Newport, Rhode Island) or near Chatham (more easterly, nearer Provincetown, which is the Crown Jewel art colony must-see of the outer tip of the Cape). Most of the Cape, even the towns, are quite quiet, except the above. At 11 %26amp; 14, the kids might like some (early) night life. Hyannis and surroundings (Yarmouth, Dennis) has a few clubs, as does Falmouth -- but none of it is ';boardwalk style,'; like, say, Brighton, in England. The most colorful (in many ways) nightlife -- just walking down the street -- is certainly Provincetown, though maybe a litle eccentric for the youngsters -- nothing too crass, just ...uh, different. Think Soho, London, but safe(r). Seafood is everywhere -- either ';clam shack'; style at every corner, or sit-down lob-STAH at the coastal resorts or marinas (marinas are the best bet).

A bit chaotic answer but scope online, think hard how much time the whole family wants either on the beach (active or pristine) vs. videos and snacks, and do report back. Many more ideas to follow.....

All good.

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