The end of summer and the beginning of fall is apple picking season in Massachusetts. Each weekend the orchards are filled with people picking sweet apples, savoring the taste of apple cider donuts, and filling their baskets with baked goods, fresh produce, and more. Apple picking has become quite the affair here and all around New England. Many orchards are offering entertainment, petting zoos, wineries, and more. Here are seven of Massachusett’s best places to go apple picking this fall.
Honey Pot Hill Orchards
Honey Pot Hill Orchards is a family favorite. We have been picking apples here since the boys were small. Honey Pot is open seven days a week from 9-6 and is located in Stowe, MA. This family-owned farm is 186 acres of apples, peaches, blueberries, and more.
In addition to picking apples, the orchard offers hayrides, farm animals, a pumpkin patch, and a maze. Speaking of the maze, the Green Monster (named after Fenway’s Green Monster) is the largest hedge maze in North America. Honey Pot is known for its warm cider donuts. We always make sure to purchase at least a 1/2 dozen donuts. While the boys are munching on the donuts, I hit up the farm store. The store has a wide variety of jams, jellies, butter, baked goods, cold apple cider, and produce. Are you looking for a bit of lunch? Head over to the farm grill and grab a hot dog, hamburger, or a nice bowl of chowder. Honey Pot has added a hard cider tent for those patrons 21 years and older in the last couple of years.
The farm is open seven days a week, 9:00 am-6:00 pm. The cost of admission is $22.00 for a peck of apples, and that admits three people into the orchard. It is $33.00 for 1/2 a bushel, which admits up to 5 people into the orchard.
For more information, head over to their website.
Connor’s Farm
A few years ago, we headed to Connors Farm in Danvers, MA. Connors Farm is much more than an apple orchard. Open seven days a week; admission includes entrance to the orchard, a corn maze, farm animals, and a play area.
In addition to the above activities, Connor’s Farm hosts a few different themed nights. Hysteria Night is one of the top scream parks in America. It is a 30-minute walking trail through a haunted forest along the banks of a swamp to a real 17th-century burial ground.
For the little ones, the farm hosts a nonscary event called Flashlight Night. Kids and their families walk through the farm, using their flashlights to lead the way.
The farm boasts ten restaurants and food stands, including a BBQ pit, country kitchen, smokehouse, Farmdog grill, and more.
Connor’s Farm is open seven days a week from 8:00 am-5:30 pm. Admission to the 7-acre farm and play areas is $13.00 a person during the week and $18.99 a person on the weekends. The cost of the apples is separate.
For the latest conditions at the farm, hop on over to their website.
Belkin Family Lookout Farm
This family-owned farm is located in Natick, MA. It was one of the first in our local area to offer hard cider and beer. They pride themselves on their outdoor farm dining experience sited on 180 scenic acres. Guests can enjoy Lookout Farm beers, hard ciders, and New England cuisine while taking in the surrounding farm views.
The farm has a play area, farm animals, a farmer’s market and farm stand, fresh apple cider donuts, and of course, an apple orchard! Reservations are strongly encouraged as it is quite the happening place to be around here.
Picking is currently only on the weekends, but make sure to check their site for up-to-date information. The picking hours are 10:00 am-4:30 pm. A half peck bag is $20.00.
To make reservations, see a menu or the latest picking conditions, click here.
Tougas Family Farm
Tougas Family Farm is another favorite of our family. A bit smaller than the others, but certainly not lacking in things to do. The farm is located in Northboro, MA, and has a lovely orchard for picking apples. The admission price includes the apples and barnyard animals, a playground, picnic area, wagon rides, and a pumpkin patch. The farm store smells amazing with apples, fresh pies, cider donuts, and Tougas Farm’s famous kettle corn. If looking for something with a bit more sustenance, Tougas has a farm grill serving lunch.
The farm is open for picking from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. A 10lb bag is $33.00 and admits three people into the orchard. The 20lb bag is $46.00 and permits five people. Be sure to check here for hours for the farm stand and other activities.
Red Apple Farm
I discovered Red Apple Farm while researching this article. This is a family-owned farm located in North Central Massachusetts. It has sprawling views of Wachusett Mountain and the surrounding forests. The farmhouse was built in the 1700s and their fruit is grown using Integrated Pest Management and is a University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Mentor Farm.
In addition to picking apples, the farm has a country store with seasonal fruit, baked goods, apple dumplings, donuts, ice cream, gifts, and more. It is known for its homemade fudge and local products. Every weekend summer through fall, the Country Barn is transformed into an outdoor brewery tap “room,” serving up local brews, freshly roasted nuts, barbecue, and popped-on-the-spot popcorn along with other yummy treats.
For the kids, there are wagon rides and farm animals. The farm boasts beautiful walking trails and various festivals and farm outings. I believe this is where we will head this fall to pick apples.
Hours vary, so please check the website for more information.
Bartlett Apple Orchard & Farm Market
The next apple orchard takes us out to the Berkshires in western Massachusets. Bartlett Apple Orchard. In addition to picking apples, the farm has a market with fresh apple cider, donuts, baked goods, and more.
What makes this orchard special is its views. As I mentioned, it is in the heart of the Berkshires, home to many of Massachusett’s beautiful state parks, hiking trails, and more. More information on Barlett Apple Orchard can be found here and make sure to check out my post on the Berkshires. Why not make a weekend of it?
Bolton Spring Farm
Looking for a smaller, quaint place to pick your apples? Look no further than Bolton Spring Farm. Located in Bolton, MA a friend of mine told me about this farm. It is one of the oldest and scenic apple orchards in New England.
The farm is 150 acres of land that transports its guests back to simpler times in New England. There is a farm stand with fresh fruit and veggies, a bakery with delicious baked goods, a kitchen with local honey, jams, jellies, meats, sauces, and more, and a country store with gifts.
The pick your own hours are 9:00 am-4:40 pm daily, Click here to see the latest picking conditions.
As you can see, Massachusetts has some great apple orchards for adults and kids alike. There are many more I could have highlighted, but this gives you a lot of options for now.
Are you looking for other fall activities? Check out my article on five things to do this fall and Ten Fall Activities to do in New England. Make sure to check websites to see current dates and times.
Happy Fall!
Before I go, a shout out to my friend Nicole Jones for sharing her photos from Bolton Spring Farm with me today. She and her family enjoyed a day picking apples and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. I would love it if you would head over to her Facebook page and give her a follow. She is such an inspiration and helps thousands of people on their fitness journeys.
Winter in New England can seem never-ending. March can be a long month, leaving most New Englanders itching for spring. As the buds on the trees come to life and the flowers start to bloom, many people are coming out of hibernation and looking for things to do. I have pulled together a list of 20 things to do this spring in New England.
This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Boston’s Public Garden and the Swan Boats.
The Boston Public Garden was the first botanical garden in America. It contains 80 species of plants and is home to beautiful swan boats. Since the 1800s, the swan boats have sailed around the park’s lagoon and become a symbol of the city of Boston. Robert Paget invented this style of boat, and four generations later, the Paget family still owns and operates the Swan boats.
The boats open for the season on May 8th and will remain open through Labor Day. The cost is $4.50, an adult, $3.00 for children 2-15, and under two are free. It is one of my favorite things to do in the city.
Attend a Baseball Game or Tour Fenway Park
If you are a baseball fan, one can not come to Boston without visiting the oldest and most beloved ballpark in America. Pick up tickets to a game and experience firsthand why Red Sox Nation loves this ballpark and their Sox. Sox not in town while you are here? No fear, take an hour-long tour of the park. Feel the presence of Ted Williams, Yaz, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice, Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, and Big Papi. Sit on top of the famous Green Monster. Tours are available year-round and depart every hour.
Boston Duck Tours
One of the best sighting seeing tours in Boston is the Duck Tours. It is a fully narrated historic tour of Boston that is seen by both land and sea! Well, the Charles River, but you get the point. These boats are a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle that travels on land and water. A conDUCKtor will be narrating your tour as you drive through the streets of the city, hitting many of its famous marks. Kids even get to drive the boat!
Attend one of New England’s Many Flower Festivals
Many festivals have been canceled, postponed, or are being held virtually for 2021. Please check with the event organizers before planning your trip.
A couple of years ago, we spent Mother’s Day at the Wicked Tulips Farm in Rhode Island. We explored the beautiful gardens and picked our own tulips. In doing my research, I have discovered New England has several flower festivals through the spring. According to Trip Savvy, these are the best Springtime Flower festivals in New England.
Daffodil Days at Blithewold
Blithewold Mansion is located in Bristol, Rhode Island, and its Gateway Event to Spring takes place every April. Fifty thousand daffodils are growing on 33 acres of gardens and woodland paths. In addition to the daffodils, in early May, flowering cherry trees, primroses, and star magnolias show their stuff, and by late May, the grounds come alive with columbine, forget-me-nots, and lupine.
Nantucket Daffodil Festival
Hop on board a ferry and head over to Nantucket, Massachusetts, for the annual Daffodil Festival.
Due to the pandemic, this year’s festival will be held virtually. It is quite the show with more than three million daffodils, complete with a seaside view and an iconic lighthouse.
Meriden Daffodil Festival
The Meriden Daffodil Festival is held in Meriden, Connecticut, each year at the end of April. It is called Connecticut’s most colorful April event. Usually, there are carnival rides, a food tent, games, and more.
However, due to the pandemic, this year’s festival is canceled. However,
Hubbard Park is still open to the public to drive through and enjoy the beautiful flowers.
Lilac Sunday
At Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts, the grounds are home to 408 lilac plants representing 179 different varieties. For this reason, Lilac Sunday is one of North America’s most significant lilac-focused events. Embark on a self-guided tour after printing a tour brochure, and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy. The lilacs are in bloom for approximately four weeks, starting in late April to mid-May.
Maple Sugar Festival
On the last week of March, head on up to Maine and visit one of the 100 sugar shack participants in this annual event. See how maple syrup is made, sample some tasty treats, and bring home some of the country’s best maple syrup. You can find more information here.
Covered Bridge Tour
Jump in the car and head on up to either New Hampshire or Vermont and hunt for covered bridges. You can easily find a map online that lists all of the cover bridges. Why not make a weekend of it and spend the time exploring some of the most beautiful covered bridges on this side of the Mississippi.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the top 10 national parks in the United States to visit. There are twenty-seven miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads to drive and hike throughout the park. It has earned its title Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. The park houses the highest mountains along the Atlantic seacoast.
Coastal Highway U.S. 1 in Maine
Take a drive up the Maine coastline and experience some breathtaking views. Along the way, stop for a lobster roll and steamers. Make sure to visit some of Maine’s iconic lighthouses. The route will take you from the New Hampshire and Maine border all along the coast of Maine, the St. Croix River, and then along the border of the U.S. and Canada. I suggest you take a few days to enjoy this adventure.
Race Point Beach, Provincetown, MA
At the tip of the National Seashore is Race Point Beach. This gorgeous beach is a great beach to watch wildlife (seals, dolphins, whales, and perhaps a great white) and see one of the most amazing sunsets.
If you are so inclined, you can walk the three-mile trail to see the Race Point lighthouse or bike the eight-mile Cape Cod Province Lands Bike Trail, which winds through towering dunes.
Baby Animal Day at Billings Farm
Head to Woodstock, Vermont, and attend Baby Animal Day at Billings Farm, an annual tradition to meet the baby animals. Surrounded by the Green Mountains, Woodstock is a great place to visit, from sampling Vermont’s famous cheeses to hiking to strolling the historic downtown.
Boston Food Tour
Boston has some fantastic food tours. One year my best friend and I, along with our husbands, took a Historic Pizza and Taverns Tour. It started in the North End, went to Charlestown, and back to the Faneuil Hall area. It was a lot of fun and yummy. There are so many to choose from. You can find a list of Boston’s best food tours here.
Whale Watching off the Maine coast.
Mid-April is when the humpbacks make their way to Kennebunkport’s waters and other coastal areas of Maine.
Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Dinosaur State Palk has one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. On display in the museum are early Jurassic fossil tracks that were made 200 million years ago. In addition to the exhibit center are two miles of nature trails and the Dinosaur Arboretum. The arboretum contains over 250 species and other living representatives of plant families around during the dinosaur’s age.
Mark Twain House
Designated National Historic Landmark, the Mark Twain House is located in Hartford, Connecticut, and showcases Mark Twain’s life and career. The museum chronicles his life and works, including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, which he wrote while living there.
Mystic Seaport, Connecticut
Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea is the most significant maritime museum in the United States. The museum is known for its collection of sailing ships and boats and the re-creation of the crafts and fabric of an entire 19th-century seafaring village. The maritime town consists of more than 60 historic buildings. There is also a fantastic aquarium, and make sure to grab some pizza from Mystic Pizza.
Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, NH
The Strawbery Banke Museum is an outdoor history museum that brings more than 300 years of American history to life. The museum spans 10 acres in downtown Portsmouth’s waterfront neighborhood and features 32 historic buildings and eight heritage gardens.
The Sandwich Boardwalk, Sandwich, MA
Named one of the top 10 boardwalks by National Geographic, the Sandwich boardwalk spans 1,350 ft over a marsh before it connects to Boardwalk beach. It an excellent place for birdwatching and watching ships enter the Cape Cod Canal.
Cape Cod Canal
The Cape Cod Canal is a man-made canal connecting Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south and is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The canal is used extensively by recreational and commercial vessels. You will access fishing and trails for in-line skaters, bicyclists, and walkers on both sides of the canal. Several parking areas are maintained at access points. The Corps of Engineers lease bourne Scenic Park to the Town of Bourne Recreation Authority for use as a tent and R.V. campground adjacent to the canal.
Castle Island, South Boston, MA
Castle Island is a peninsula on the shores of the Boston Harbor. It a recreation site and home to Fort Independence. Attractions include a playground, beach and swimming access, and Sullivan’s restaurant. You can also take a tour of Fort Independence.
Explore a Massachusetts State Park
With 151 state parks to choose from, you could spend the entire season exploring the state parks. Some of our favorites include Halibut Point, Natural Bridge, and Bash Bish Falls.
So there you have it, 20 things to do this spring in New England. Which one would you do first?
This summer, we started on a quest to visit as many Massachusetts state parks as we could before the winter hit. I found that quite a few of the parks we wanted to see were a couple of hours away, in the Berkshires. With Columbus Day weekend only a few weeks away, we booked a trip “out west” and mapped out which parks we would try and squeeze in over three days. The Natural Bridge State Park made our list.
Before we get to the park, what is the Berkshires? Despite living in Massachusetts all of my life, I am ashamed to admit I had never been to the Berkshires. Now, I am looking forward to going back, mostly to hike and Christmas next year.
The Berkshires is a county in Massachusetts and refers to a portion of the Green Mountain Range that comes down from Vermont into Western Massachusetts. The region extends to Northwest Connecticut and includes the Taconic Mountains bordering the state of New York. It is approximately 120 miles west of Boston and 140 miles north of New York City.
The Berkshires is known for its picture-perfect mountain tops, lakes, rivers, and outdoor recreational activities. The county consists of quaint towns with eclectic festivals, museums, antique shops, farm to table restaurants, and quirky coffee shops.
Fun Fact: The Berkshires was named among the 12 last great places by the Nature Conservancy.
As I mentioned, the Berkshires is known for its outdoor recreational activities. The region is home to 15 state forests and six state parks. One of those state parks is the Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, Massachusetts.
The Natural Bridge State Park is home to the only natural white marble arch in North America. The bridge is made up of 550 million-year-old bedrock marble. It was carved into its famous arch by forces of glacial meltwater 13,000 years ago.
The bridge spans over the Hudson Brook and tumbles into a steep 60-foot gorge. The hike around the chasm is approximately a quarter of a mile.
Also at the park is the only white marble dam in North America. The dam was built in the early 1800s to power the Hoosac Marble Mill. Unfortunately, the mill was destroyed in a fire in 1947.
After hiking the chasm and taking photos of the bridge, we set off on a 1/2 mile wooded hike on the property.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, the romantic novelist, visited in 1838 and wrote, “The cave makes a fresh impression on me every time I visit…so deep, so irregular, so gloomy, so stern.”
Next on our to-do list, Bash Bish Falls in Mt. Washington, MA. Bash Bish Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in the state (60 feet). The park is adjacent to Mt. Washington State Forest and New York’s Taconic State Park. All of the streams that drain off the Taconic Mountains and the town of Mt. Washington flow into the Bash Bish Brook and cascade down the falls. The Bash Bish Brook joins Roeliff Jansen Kill, which empties into the Hudson River.
The park has two entrances, one is in Massachusetts, and the other is in New York. They are approximately one mile from each other. The hike to the falls from the New York parking lot is longer but a bit flatter. The one from the Massachusett parking lot is shorter but a bit steeper. When we went, the Massachusetts parking lot was closed for construction, so off to New York, we went. The drive was about 30 mins from our condo, and it was beautiful. I wanted to get there early, as I heard it can get quite crowded.
Fall in New York 
Small New York Town 
Colors exploding 
Gorgeous fall day
The parking lot is not that big and was already starting to fill up. The weather was in the 60s, so perfect for a hike. The hike is about 1.50 miles round trip and relatively flat. As we approached the falls, you could hear them before seeing them. Along the way, you can see the brook as it passes you by.
The falls have a bit of legend behind them. The tale is that a beautiful Indian maiden was accused of committing adultery. Her punishment was to be strapped to a canoe and sent over the falls. Before they could carry out her punishment, a mist surrounded the area with a ring of butterflies. This so transfixed her captors; they did not notice she took this opportunity to escape. Before they could recapture her, she threw herself over the falls. Her body was never recovered. This led to the belief that she was a witch. The legend further says that her daughter, White Swan, was adopted by this tribe. Once married, she realized she had infertility. Her husband was allowed to take on another wife. She was devastated and would often go up to the top of the falls to seek comfort from her mother’s spirit. One night she had a dream that her mother was calling for her to jump from the falls and thought maybe this was a prophecy. One night her husband joined her at the falls and gave her a butterfly. White Swan saw this as a sign and leaped to her death. Her husband, devastated, went after her. The tribe recovered his body, but her body was never found. Some believe that the Indian Maiden had been tossed over in a canoe from the beginning, which is how she died. No matter which story one believes, hikers have claimed to hear soft voices telling them to jump in the falls or falling water taking the shape of a woman. True or not, it is all very fascinating.
After our hike to the falls, we left to find a nice coffee and walk through the town of Stockbridge, MA.
Stockbridge was home to Norman Rockwell. His studio is still there today. Stockbridge’s picturesque Main Street is in his famous painting, Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. It is the quintessential New England town. We visited a local coffee shop and had Pumpkin Chai Latte tea. We browsed through the general store, where I picked up a gift for my nephew. Then we stopped at a local chocolate shop for some treats. Afterward, we headed to the Norman Rockwell Museum. It had sold out for the day, but you could take a walk on the grounds. We saw his studio and took in the fantastic views.
Country store 
Old fashioned candles 
Love the theming 
Country store 
An old church
Later in the day, after a nap at the condo, we headed back out to the town of Lenox, MA. Lenox is known for the arts and the home of Tanglewood, the summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. We had dinner reservations at an Italian restaurant and had some time to kill before the reservations. We walked through the town square, saw some sculptures in a local park, and had ourselves an ice cream.
The restaurant, Prime Italian Steakhouse and Bar was delicious. My husband had chicken parm, our son had pizza, and I had pasta and meatballs. The chocolate martini was not bad, either!
Another great place we ate at was 51 Park Restaurant and Tavern, located in Lee, MA. It was only Bill and me, Nicholas wasn’t feeling well. Honestly, there was either basketball or football on tv, and he wanted to watch it! The weather was pretty mild, so we asked to be seated outside. They had a lovely patio area with patio heaters and lights. The food was excellent, and the Dirty Pumpkin Lattes were AMAZING!
Outdoor decor 
Heaters & lights 
Dirty Pumpkin Lattes 
Truffle Fries 
Pork Chops 
Ice cubes made of espresso 
Maple Creme Brulee
The town of Lee is also where we stayed for the weekend. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Vacation Club at the Berkshires. We had a two-bedroom, two-bath condo. It had a balcony with a table and chairs. The amenities included an indoor and outdoor pool, mini-golf, basketball, hiking trails, and more. It was clean and had excellent safety procedures in place. Though this part of the state had seen very few cases of the virus, they were still very cautious, and we appreciated that. Here are some photos of the condo.
Kitchen 
Living Space 
Nicholas’s room 
Nicholas’s bathroom 
Master Bed with bath 
Coffee Table 
Balcony
We enjoyed our time at the condo and were looking forward to hiking the trails at the resort, but it was raining pretty hard that Monday, so we grabbed some breakfast and drove home.
Our time in the Berkshires was great. There is still so much more to see and do. I started making a list, so we will know where to go next time. Until then, here are a few more shots from our weekend.
Our tour of Massachusetts state parks continues with a visit to Ellisville Harbor. Located in Plymouth, Ma (more specifically the village of Ellisville), Ellisville Harbor State Park is a nature preserve and recreational area. It is approximately 100 acres and is on the western shore of Cape Cod Bay. Ellisville State Park consists of red pine forests, rolling meadows, a salt marsh, and a barrier beach.
Ellisville Harbor has a rich history. It has been reported approximately 2,500-5,000 years prehistoric Native Americans fished and hunted on these grounds. Back in the 1500s, it was a farm owned by the Ellis and Harlow families. The inlet is said to have been formed in the 1700s, presumably broken open by a storm. Henry David Thoreau wrote all about the salt marsh in his journal on June 15, 1857. The harbor was once a busy loading spot for ships taking timber to Boston and for local fishing. At 600 acres, the area had two Native American sites, and in 1980 the area was declared an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. (ACEC) In 1991 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts purchased 100 acres of the ACEC and created the Ellisville Harbor State Park.
The park is open sunrise to sunset, and parking is free. There is a mile-long trail that leads down to the beach. Along the route, we were surrounded by the red pine forest. As we got closer to the ocean, we could see the salt marsh.
Once to the shore, we saw a beautiful view of Cape Cod Bay. The beach was rocky, but perfect for finding sea animals and other interesting things.
We had fun walking the beach, finding crabs, driftwood, lobster traps with rope, and more. We even saw a seal!
If ever in the area make sure to stop by Ellis Harbor State Park. You will not be disappointed.
Chatham is a seaside town located on Cape Cod, MA. Once you cross over the Cape Cod Canal, it is about a 45-minute drive.
Chatham is one of the more upscale towns on the Cape. It has historically been known as a fishing community. In the summertime, the population soars to 30,000, but in the winter, most homes are empty. Are you looking to buy a second home in Chatham? The average price of a home is 1.3 million dollars.
As I mentioned, Chatham is located on the elbow part of the Cape. The town includes two narrow strips of land, which serve as a barrier between the Atlantic and the mainland. There are several islands, including Monomoy, a 7.25-mile-long island south of the corner of the town, home to the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.
With six major saltwater beaches, Chatham is a great place to come for the day or take a week-long vacation. There are many cottages or houses to rent in the summer. If you want to pamper yourself, the Chatham Bars Inn is a beautiful place to stay. It is known as the Cape’s Premier Resort and Spa. Rooms start at over $1,000 a night in the summer, so be prepared to pay for such luxury. You have your choice of staying in the main inn, a cottage, or a spa suite. There is a beach, pool, cabanas, and plenty of dining. It offers activities such as boating and tennis. Oh, and don’t forget the spa. For more information, click over to their website.
We did not stay at the inn or even in Chatham. My family and I rented a couple of houses in nearby Dennis Port. However, we took a few day trips to explore.
Seal Watching
Our vacation started with a boat ride to see Chatham’s most famous residents, seals! I recommend Monomoy Island Excursions out of Harwich Port, MA. The tour lasts about 1.5 hours, and it takes you through Wychmere Harbor in Harwich Port, down to Stage Harbor in Chatham and through narrow channels. The final destination is Monomoy Island, a barrier island off the coast of Chatham. Here we found the seals swimming and sunning themselves. A naturalist narrates each tour. This was our second time going on a seal watch, and we were not disappointed.
As we approached Chatham, we learned the history of the area.
Stage Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1880 and one of the youngest lighthouses on the Cape. It was built at the entrance of Stage Harbor to assist the Chatham Lighthouse light the way for sailors as this area is known for being one of the foggiest on the east coast. Fifty-three years later, the lighthouse was decommissioned and is now a private home. Though I don’t think I would want to stay in it any time soon. To this day, it has no running water or electricity. One must use an outhouse if nature calls.
As can see, if you are lucky enough to have a boat, you can head out to the sandbars and spend your beach day there. However, please do not swim with the seals. They may look cute and cuddly, but they are not. Plus, you never know what is lurking behind them. The Cape has seen an increase in shark activity in recent years due to our large seal population. If you happen to be swimming with the seals, the seals will use you as a human shield and push you toward the sharks!
Chatham’s Fishing Pier
Not in the mood for a boat ride? Head down to the fishing pier and see what the catch of the day was (literally) and check out all the seals there.
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
My youngest son has taken up birdwatching. We have a couple of bird feeders in our yard that attract all sorts of birds. He was excited to see what we may find down the Cape.
The Monomoy Wildlife Refuge was established in 1944 to provide habitat for migratory birds. The Refuge Headquarters is located on a 40-acre unit on Morris Island and consists of a visitor center, beach, and trail system. It was sweltering and humid on the day we went, but we managed to walk one of the trails. The visitor’s center was closed due to the virus, but we downloaded a map from the website and set off. Next time we plan on staying longer and walking out to the Monomoy Lighthouse.
It is a beautiful and peaceful place to spend an afternoon.
Chatham Lighthouse
The Chatham Lighthouse is an American icon. Pre-COVID the lighthouse was open a few hours each week in the summer for visitors. Unfortunately, I was only able to grab a photo. It is one of 16 lighthouses remaining on the Cape. Cape Cod shore is rugged and has not made it easy for ships to come in. It is has been said that over 3500 vessels have been wrecked along the Cape’s coast. The lighthouse has a fascinating history, and I encourage you to read more here. Oh, and a fun fact, it is now home to the US Coast Guard.
In addition to what we did, there are plenty of restaurants and shops to visit in Chatham. Whether you are here for a day or a week, you will find something for everyone.
