I often get asked if Cape Cod or Cape Ann, both of which are in Massachusetts, is better for a vacation. And today’s post is all about the differences in both locations! Believe it or not, these two regions are close to one another, but pretty different.
I’ve been to both quite a few times, and I personally love them equally for different reasons. To help you decide which is best for your travel plans, I’ll be breaking down everything you need to know about these two destinations. Let’s get started!
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Where Is Cape Cod?
Cape Cod is a peninsula along the coast of Massachusetts in the southeast part of the state. It’s about 1.5 hours south of Boston, depending on where on the Cape you’re going, as well as traffic.
Where Is Cape Ann?
Cape Ann sits north of Boston, also along the Massachusetts coast, and stretches almost to the New Hampshire border. Depending in where you’re going on Cape Ann, you can get there from Boston in as little as 45 minutes to an hour (also depending on traffic).
What Is The Difference Between Cape Cod And Cape Ann?
The biggest difference between these two regions is size. Cape Cod is much larger than Cape Ann, and in fact, it’s almost 6 times larger. Cape Cod is also made up of 15 towns, while Cape Ann is home to 4 towns (well, technically 3 towns and a city).
Here are the towns in Cape Cod (keep in mind that each town also has its own villages, too):
- Bourne
- Falmouth
- Sandwich
- Mashpee
- Barnstable
- Yarmouth
- Brewster
- Dennis
- Harwich
- Chatham
- Orleans
- Eastham
- Wellfleet
- Truro
- Provincetown
Here are the towns that make up Cape Ann:
- Gloucester (technically a city!)
- Essex
- Rockport
- Manchester By The Sea
Cape Cod, therefore, has a lot more coastline to explore, most of which is made up of gorgeous, soft-sand beaches and stunning sand dunes. Cape Ann also has beautiful beaches, but not as many will have the pristine, soft sand. Many of them, in fact, are pretty rocky, but you’ll still find some lovely, sandy beaches on Cape Ann.
The overall feel of Cape Cod is very beachy, whereas Cape Ann has a more general coastal/fishing village atmosphere. Beachy and fishing village vibes exist in both regions, but this breakdown is where they’re. the most prevalent.
Is Cape Ann Part Of Cape Cod?
No, Cape Cod and Cape Ann are two different regions in Massachusetts. While they’re very close to one another, one is not part of the other.
Is Cape Cod Or Cape Ann Easier To Visit From Boston?
Both are equally easy to visit from Boston, however, Cape Cod typically has more traffic congestion than Cape Ann. If you’ve ever talked to someone who has visited Cape Cod in the summer, it’s likely they’ve griped about the traffic getting over the bridges to arrive on the Cape.
But generally speaking, I wouldn’t base your decision to visit either one based on proximity to Boston because they’re essentially the same. Many people who visit Cape Ann in the summer do enjoy the fact that there’s less traffic than Cape Cod, though. But I personally find the traffic is worth dealing with to get to Cape Cod.
Is Cape Cod Or Cape Ann Better To Visit?
Here’s what I think it boils down to:
Go to Cape Cod if you’re looking for the most beautiful beaches in New England, and want a bigger region to explore (for example, if you’re taking a longer trip).
Go to Cape Ann if you’re looking for gorgeous and dramatic rocky coastline (with a few beaches that are perfect for swimming), and prefer a smaller region to explore.
Since both have small, charming towns that feel quintessentially New England, these are the biggest differences that will have the most impact on your decision.
Pros And Cons Between Cape Cod and Cape Ann
Let’s get into a more detailed comparison of both regions with a breakdown of pros and cons for each.
Cape Cod Pros:
- Stunning beaches with dramatic sand dunes (some have been named as the best in the U.S.), including the beautiful beaches and landscapes of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
- Large enough to explore for a long trip, but also manageable for shorter trips.
- 15 unique towns to visit, including Provincetown, which is one of my all-time favorites in New England.
- Lots of options for boat tours and whale watching.
- Wonderful independent boutiques and shops to browse.
- Tons of restaurants featuring local seafood.
- Options for easy day trips to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard islands.
Cape Cod Cons:
- Traffic getting there in the summer can be tough.
- It’s an expensive destination during peak season (July and August).
- The summer season can be crowded.
Cape Ann Pros:
- Generally less expensive than Cape Cod (especially in the summer).
- Typically has less traffic getting there and around.
- Accessible via MBTA train (Rockport only) if you don’t have a car.
- Gorgeous, dramatic coastline views.
- A few beautiful, sandy beaches for swimming.
- 4 unique towns with lots of character.
- Options for boat tours and whale watching.
- Great antiquing/shopping.
- Accessible to a lot of other towns along the North Shore.
- Lots of restaurants featuring local seafood.
Cape Ann Cons:
- Fewer things to do than Cape Cod.
- Not as many sandy beaches for swimming.
- Can be a little crowded in the summer (but not as much as Cape Cod).
- Less coastline to explore.
Similarities Between These Two Regions
Both Cape Cod and Cape Ann have gorgeous landscapes, charming towns, lots of history, amazingly fresh seafood, lots of character, lighthouses and great shopping.
Both will also have ocean beaches, beautiful salt marshes and state parks to explore.
Can You See Cape Cod and Cape Ann In The Same Trip?
Absolutely! Since these regions are so close to each other, you could easily plan a trip that includes both if you can’t decide between the two. If you’re not from New England, this is actually a really amazing coastal trip to plan.
In this case, I would allow at least 2 days to see Cape Ann, and at least 3 days to see Cape Cod (if your plans allow for that). If you have more time, I would also stay in Boston for a day or two, and take a day trip to either Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard.
Is Cape Cod Or Cape Ann Better For A Day Trip?
Both can be done as a day trip, but since Cape Ann is smaller, it’s easier to do as a day trip. In fact, you can easily see all 4 towns on Cape Ann in a day if you plan just a few hours in each place.
Cape Cod can also be done in a day, and I always say that it’s better to go somewhere even for a day than not go at all. However, for a Cape Cod day trip, it’s good to know that you won’t be able to see everything, and you definitely won’t be able to visit all the towns. I recommend picking a few things to keep your day manageable and to allow yourself time to enjoy it all, too.
Click here to read about options for a Cape Cod day trip!
How Many Days Do You Need On Cape Cod?
For Cape Cod, many people choose to visit for a long weekend or a week-long stay (especially in the summer), but as mentioned above, it can also be done in a day. I personally like to recommend you stay on Cape Cod for at least 3 nights to really get a feel for what it has to offer. But a week-long stay will allow you lots of time see as much as possible, and even take a day trip to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard (or both!).
How Many Days Do You Need On Cape Ann?
The sweet spot for visiting Cape Ann is 2-3 days if you have the time. But as mentioned above, it’s actually pretty easy to see in a day, so 2-3 days will allow you a lot of time to relax, too. However, to really get a feel for each town and explore everything it has to offer at a relaxed pace, 3 days is perfect. It also makes for a nice weekend getaway destination.
If you wanted to plan a week on Cape Ann, I would recommend adding some excursions to other nearby towns like Newburyport/Plum Island, Salem and Marblehead. These towns are a short drive from the Cape Ann region and are all beautiful and so much fun to explore. You could also add a day or two in Boston to extend your trip, or consider adding on a day in Portsmouth, NH.
Is Cape Cod Or Cape Ann Better To Visit In The Summer?
I personally prefer Cape Cod in the summer. Because the summer season offers the warmest days and best weather, I like to spend more time at the ocean on the sandy beaches this time of year. And since Cape Cod has so many beaches to choose from, this is the perfect place for a beachy vacation.
But that doesn’t mean that I don’t recommend Cape Ann in the summer, either. Cape Ann also has some wonderful sandy beaches for a summer day at the beach, including:
- Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester
- Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester
- Singing Beach in Manchester By The Sea
- Long Beach in Rockport
In addition to the beaches, both Cape Cod and Cape Ann will have beautiful displays of hydrangeas, which are especially amazing in New England. While I do think Cape Cod has some more impressive displays, you’ll find them in both regions. Peak hydrangea season starts around the end of June and goes through July.
Is Cape Cod Or Cape Ann Better To Visit In The Fall?
I sound like a broken record, but I love both in the fall season! I especially love Cape Cod in September when the water is still warm enough for swimming, but the crowds have thinned out quite a bit. That said, I do tend to visit Cape Ann more in the fall season (especially late September through November) since I personally prefer the Cape Cod beaches in the summer. I also love to combine it with an October trip to nearby Salem.
As mentioned above, Cape Cod sees far fewer crowds after Labor Day, so this is something to consider. Fall on the Cape is actually beautiful, but keep in mind that it doesn’t see a lot of bold fall foliage color.
Cape Ann in the fall season is equally as lovely, and I think more people tend to visit Cape Ann in the fall than Cape Cod. There are more opportunities to see gorgeous fall color in this region, and some great places for that are Manchester By The Sea and Gloucester.
Where To Stay On Cape Cod
I have an entire, detailed guide on where to stay on Cape Cod, with a breakdown of the towns. Be sure to click the link below to check that out!
Click here to read about the best towns to stay in on Cape Cod!
For a quick breakdown, though, here are some awesome towns and places to stay on Cape Cod:
For first time visitors, I always recommend you stay in the mid-lower Cape region, and my favorite towns to suggest in those areas are Chatham, Harwich and Dennis. Chatham tends to be the most expensive, but is the most charming and one of the cutest towns on the Cape. Harwich has a great little downtown in Harwich Port, and Dennis has a lot of affordable options in a great location.
Luxury Option: The Chatham Bars Inn is the best luxury resort on Cape Cod, and is directly across the street from the beach, has beautiful beach cabanas, waterfront dining, a spa and gorgeous rooms.
Click here to book your stay at the Chatham Bars Inn!
Moderate Option: The Pelham House in Dennis is gorgeous and also right on the beach, but prices tend to be a bit less than Chatham Bars Inn. You’ll find a pool and restaurants here, too.
Click here to book your stay at the Pelham House!
Budget Option: Cape Cod Wishing Well Motel in Harwich has very clean and comfortable rooms in a great location for budget travelers!
Click here to book your stay at the Cape Cod Wishing Well Motel!
Where To Stay On Cape Ann
In Cape Ann, you’ll find the most hotel options in Gloucester, since it’s a bigger city than the other three smaller towns. Gloucester will provide the most restaurant options and things to do as well.
However, my personal favorite place to stay on Cape Ann is Rockport. Rockport is one of the most charming and unique little coastal towns, and while it’s small, I think it’s a really fun place to stay with some great restaurants and things to do.
Manchester by The Sea is also a gorgeous place to stay, but you won’t find a lot of hotel and B&B options. In fact, there are only a few small B&Bs in Manchester By The Sea.
Essex is also a nice place to base yourself while traveling through Cape Ann. It’s home to a lot of options for restaurants and shops, but you’ll also find fewer hotel options here.
Here are some awesome hotel options for every budget on Cape Ann:
Luxury: The Beauport Hotel in Gloucester is regarded as one of the nicest places to stay on Cape Ann. It sits right on the beach, and also features an awesome rooftop bar, pool and gorgeous rooms.
Click here to book your stay at The Beauport Hotel in Gloucester!
Moderate: The Addison Choate in Rockport is a great little boutique hotel option. It’s walkable to downtown Rockport, and features individually decorated rooms that are cozy and charming.
Click here to book your stay at the Addison Choate in Rockport!
Budget: Shea’s Riverside Inn & Motel in Essex is an adorable little motel/inn combo with views of the river, and cozy, spacious rooms.
Click here to book your stay at Shea’s Riverside Inn & Motel in Essex!
Here are some additional posts that will help you plan your trip:
- Best Things To Do On Cape Cod For First-Timers
- What To Pack For Cape Cod
- Best Times To Visit Cape Cod
- Best Things To Do On Cape Cod In The Fall
- Best Things To Do In Provincetown On Cape Cod
- Best Things To See & Do On Cape Ann
- Best Things To Do In Rockport, MA
- Best Things To Do In Marblehead
- Best Things To Do On A Salem, MA Day Trip
- Best Things To Do In Newburyport, MA
- Best Beach Towns In New England
- Cape Cod vs. Nantucket: Which Is Best For You?
How To Get Around Cape Cod And Cape Ann
To explore both regions, you really need a car, as public transit isn’t convenient, especially for sites, attractions and exploring the coastline.
You can get to Rockport on Cape Ann via the MBTA train from Boston, but then once you arrive, you’ll really need car if you want to leave Rockport to see the rest of the region. But for those who don’t have a car and don’t want to rent one for the trip, Rockport is an awesome destination that’s very walkable/easy to bike around, so that’s a great option of you’re okay with not leaving Rockport.
For Cape Cod, there is a bus system throughout the region, but you really need a car to see all the best attractions and to explore different towns. The bus system is pretty limited for tourist sites and beaches.
If you don’t have a car and want to get to Cape Cod without a car, I recommend taking the ferry from Boston to Provincetown (which runs spring through mid-November, usually). Provincetown is an awesome place to explore without a car, and you can easily get around without one for your whole trip, as there are shuttles to sites and beaches outside of downtown.
Click here to book your Boston to Provincetown ferry tickets!
That’s A Wrap On Deciding Between Cape Cod Or Cape Ann
Now that you’re a pro on the differences between Cape Cod and Cape Ann, you should feel ready to decide which is best for your next trip. Whether the endless sandy beaches of Cape Cod sound perfect for you, or the dramatic, rocky coastline of towns like Gloucester and Rockport sound dreamy, regardless of which you choose, you definitely can’t go wrong either destination. Happy planning!
