Eastham, MA

Eastham marks the beginning of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Its beautiful beaches have drawn in visitors for generations.

Walk, drive or bike along Eastham's winding country roads, dotted with quaint wooden cottages, and embrace the feeling of a bygone era. The Pilgrims settled Eastham in 1644. Today, it has a permanent population of fewer than 5,000 residents.

Cape Cod National Seashore is the town's crown jewel. This national park stretches for 40 miles (65 kilometers) along Cape Cod's shoreline. Take your pick of beaches to go for a swim or enjoy a day of sunbathing.

Begin your explorations of the seashore at Salt Pond Visitor Center. Tour the complex's exhibits or catch a short film in its theater to learn more about the area and its history.

Travel back in time at First Encounter Beach. In 1620, British officer Myles Standish disembarked the Mayflower and led an exploration of Cape Cod to find a good place for the Pilgrims to settle. It was at this beach that Standish and his party first encountered the Nauset Native Indians.

Test the waters at Eastham’s many beaches. Coast Guard Beach, with its large sandy shore and calm waters, is very popular among swimmers and sunbathers. See the iconic lighthouse at Nauset Light Beach. Take a tour inside Nauset Lighthouse and enjoy the spectacular views from the top.

For a freshwater experience, go to Great Pond. This large pond located near the town center has two public beaches.

Cape Cod Rail Trail is one of the best ways to explore the area. Bring a bike or rent one in town and ride along this 22-mile (35.4-kilometer) former railroad path, which runs from Dennis to Wellfleet.

Take a walk to the Three Sisters Lighthouses. Visit the replacement lighthouses, which now stand in a line in a field offshore. The original trio were let fall into the Atlantic.

During the summer, Eastam is a hotbed for tourists seeking sun and surf. However, it is a gorgeous place to visit any time of year.