Chatham Cape Cod can be a wonderful place to escape to when a break from the everyday grind is in order. Found on the "elbow" of Cape Cod, this town in Barnstable County is both quaint and inviting. Lining the very walkable Main Street are family-owned shops and restaurants, and there is also a gazebo that hosts summer concerts. This is just the start when it comes to everything that charming Chatham Massachusetts has to offer, however, and it only gets better when you consider all the great things to do on Cape Cod Island in general.

Chatham Cape Cod calls the southeastern edge of the island home, which puts it about equidistant from Falmouth and Provincetown. Some 6,700 year-round residents call the town home, and there are various villages that are part of its general makeup. These villages include Chatham itself, West Chatham, North Chatham, South Chatham, and Chatham Port. Visitors come mostly to enjoy the great Cape Cod beaches that can be found in the Chatham area. At these pristine white-sand beaches, swimming, building sandcastles, and surf fishing are among the most popular activities. Chatham Lighthouse Beach, which is named after one of the most renowned Cape Cod lighthouses, is arguably the most scenic beach in the area, and it's just a half-mile from the downtown core.

There are numerous ways to stay busy in Chatham Cape Cod when you're not spending time at one of the great area beaches. Fishing off the Chatham Fish Pier or arranging an angling adventure through one of the local charter companies is just one possibility. Bluefish and tuna are among the most common catches in the Chatham area, and angling enthusiasts will be happy to know that the striped bass fishing is about as good as it gets. If you're not up for fishing during a Chatham escape, then maybe a boat tour/pleasure cruise will be in order. They can be arranged with relative ease in Chatham as well. Many of the boat tours include seal watching, and you can often see seals following the fishing boats into port from an overlook on the Chatham Fish Pier.

Cape Cod Map

Beautiful scenery abounds in and around Chatham Massachusetts, and those who wish to take it in might hop on the area nature trails. Many of the hiking trails found in Chatham are also biking trails, and the village is one of the stops that can be found along the Cape Cod Bike Trail. This trail starts in the village of Dennis, which is a neighbor of Chatham. Before reaching Chatham itself, it winds through pine groves and other charming towns. The overall length is around twenty miles. At least two bicycle rental shops are found in Chatham for those who wish to take advantage.

Other options for things to do in Chatham Cape Cod include visiting the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and taking in a Chatham Anglers baseball game. The wildlife refuge mostly occupies the barrier islands of North and South Monomy and is especially known for its wonderful birding opportunities. The Chatham Anglers play in the renowned Cape Cod Baseball League. This league is a collegiate summer baseball league, and it is largely considered to be the best of its kind in the entire country.

Two public golf courses, one of which offers 36 holes and another that features nine holes, call the Chatham area home, so teeing it up for a round or more can also figure on the agenda. Some local museums, the Railroad Museum included, also provide options for things to do while in town, and since Chatham is known for its fresh seafood, dining out can be very rewarding.

As if all of this wasn't enough, Chatham Massachusetts boasts some great lodging options. Visitors can choose from resorts, inns, hotels, B&Bs, and motels. Among the very best Chatham Cape Cod hotels are the Bradford Inn, the Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, and the Hawthorne Motel. Visitors to the Chatham area can also consider booking a vacation rental property. There are certainly some tantalizing home rentals to choose from in the area, though they don't generally come cheap.