Eastham is the southern-most town along the Cape Cod National Seashore, and it’s filled with tons of natural coastal beauty to enjoy, as well as some of the best places to see in the area. While it’s not one of the flashier Cape Cod towns to explore, I always recommend visitors make their way to Eastham to see the stunning beaches and gorgeous scenery.
Wondering what the best things to do in Eastham, MA are? Well, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve been traveling to Cape Cod for over 15 years now, and it’s one of my favorite destinations in the entire world. Having been to Eastham countless times during my travels, I’m excited to share all the best things to see, my favorite beaches in town, and also answer some of your questions.
And with that, let’s get started!
New England Wanderlust contains affiliate links, and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from any purchases you choose to make from our links, at no additional cost to you. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Best Things To Do In Eastham, MA
1. Discover The Largest Tidal Flats In North America
One of the coolest things to do in Eastham, MA is experience the Brewster Flats, which are the largest tidal flats in North America. The name is a bit deceiving because you can actually see the flats in a lot of towns outside of Brewster. In fact, all of the Cape Cod Bay beaches from Dennis to Eastham experience this tidal shift!
So, why exactly is this such a cool thing to see? Well, at low tide each day, the tide goes out for over a mile, which means you can walk that far out onto the ocean floor. Take off your shoes, roll up your pants, and head out to discover what lives on the bottom of the ocean in this region!
If you can time your visit with sunset, it’s even more amazing because the sun will set right over Cape Cod Bay at most times throughout the year.
Some of the beaches in Eastham that experience the tidal flats are Thumpertown, First Encounter, Campground, and Cook’s Brook.
Pro Tip: Parking at Eastham beaches is usually pretty limited, and can be a challenge for this reason in peak summer months. Mid-June through Labor Day, you’ll need a daily beach pass, or a beach sticker to park in these lots. Click here for more information.
2. Explore The Cape Cod National Seashore
As one of my top suggested things to do in the region, the Cape Cod National Seashore is one thing you don’t want to miss while in Eastham. In fact, you’ll find my favorite of the six National Seashore Beaches in Eastham, but more on the in sec 😉
So, what exactly is the National Seashore? It’s an area of protected land along the Atlantic coast, and it’s home to 40 miles of coastline, some of the best beaches in New England, salt marshes, nature trails, and wildlife. When you see stock photos of Cape Cod beaches, chances are, they’re one of the beaches in this area. Usually backdropped by tall sand dunes, they’re just beautiful examples of quintessential East Coast coastline.
And as mentioned, there are six gorgeous beaches to choose from, and two of them are located in Eastham. Coast Guard is my personal favorite, and it’s often recognized at one of the top beaches in the U.S. However, Nauset Lighthouse Beach (not to be confused with Nauset Beach in Orleans), is also gorgeous.
There’s a $25 per day fee to park at the CCNS in-season, but you can buy a yearly pass for $60 if you plan to visit multiple times during your visit, which will save you money. Parking is free in the off-season, and after 4:30pm year-round.
Pro Tip: To visit Coast Guard Beach in the summer, you’ll need to park in the Little Creek lot about a mile away, and take the free shuttle to the beach. It sounds confusing, but the signage is very clear, and the open-air shuttle is actually kind of fun! The rest of the year, you can park right at the beach, but parking is limited.
Psst! I have an entire post all about the 6 Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, if you need more information.
3. Visit Nauset Lighthouse
So, while you’re at Nauset Lighthouse Beach, you’ll want to head over to its namesake, which is steps from the beach parking lot: Nauset Lighthouse. This famous lighthouse is featured on the Cape Cod potato chips bags, and is definitely one of the best things to do in Eastham.
The grounds to the lighthouse are open year-round, and on select dates throughout the summer season, the lighthouse tower is open for tours. Click here for information on tours, as well as a calendar of availability.
If you want to visit the lighthouse in the summer season, but not the beach, you’ll want to park at the Three Sisters lot to avoid the $25 parking fee, which is a short walk to Nauset Light. If you visit outside of peak summer season, you can park right at the beach lot for free, and walk over to the lighthouse.
Psst! I have an entire guide all about the best lighthouses on Cape Cod to visit, and the best ways to see them 😉
4. Discover The Three Sisters Lighthouses
Speaking of the Three Sisters, these historic lighthouses once stood guard together where Nauset Light stands today, but were retired in 1911-1923 and moved to this location. All three of them are clustered together just down the road from Nauset Light, and while they’re not quite as tall and impressive as Nauset Light, they’re still really fun to visit, especially if you’re already in the area.
Parking at the Three Sisters is small and limited, but because it doesn’t take long to see the lighthouses, spots tends to open up regularly. And as mentioned, you can park here, and walk over to Nauset Light if needed (but just be respectful of time and don’t stay here longer than the 30-minute limit).
5. Walk The Nauset Marsh Trail
Another one of my favorite things to do in Eastham is the beautiful Nauset Marsh Trail, which connects the Salt Pond Visitor Center with Coast Guard Beach. However, there is a shorter version of the trail too, so you can enjoy the scenery regardless of how much time you have.
This trail starts off by Salt Pond, and takes you to a pretty bridge that overlooks the scenic marshes, and then continues through the woods. The connecting trail extension is what you’ll want to take to walk all the way to Coast Guard Beach. Once you approach the beach, you’ll cross a long wooden bridge over more salt marshes that makes for a great photo opportunity.
If you just stick to the Nauset Marsh Trail, the total length is a 1.3 loop, and if you add on Coast Guard, the trail turns into a 2.8 miles walk. Both parts of the trail are pretty flat and easy.
Pro Tip: The Salt Pond Visitor’s Center is all free parking, and there are bathrooms and water bottle refill stations here that you can use before and after you head out on the trail.
6. Enjoy The The Fort Hill Area
Another awesome scenic trail to enjoy is the Fort Hill area, which is home to a beautiful and easy 1-mile loop trail that offers really nice views of the salt marshes and surrounding fields. It’s also known for being a great destination for bird-watching, so you’ll want to bring your telephoto lenses and binoculars if you enjoy birding!
In this same area, you can also take a quick drive over to visit the historic Captain Penniman House, which was built in 1868, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s easy to see the house from the road, the grounds are open year-round. If you’d like to see in the inside, tours are offered on select days throughout the year. Click here for more information on tours.
Pro Tip: This area is also known for being a great spot to see lupines blooming in June!
7. Pop Into The Chocolate Café
Along Route 6 in Eastham, the Chocolate Café will probably catch your eye as you drive by, and it’s worth popping into! The retro interior makes it a fun stop to make while exploring the town, but the awesome chocolate selection and drinks at the café are the best reasons to visit.
There’s a big selection of homemade chocolates to choose from, but you’ll also find lots of candies, truffles, and fudge. At the café, you can grab breakfast, lunch and pastries, and they have a full coffee and smoothie bar, too!
8. Kayak Through The Salt Marshes
Since Eastham is home to beautiful salt marshes, one of the best things to do in the area is kayak or paddle board through them. And you have a couple of different options, including guided tours, or self-guided adventures.
If you prefer a guided tour, Great Marsh Kayak Tours is an awesome choice. They offer tours through Nauset Marsh, with options at low and high tide for different kinds of experiences (so you can choose based on your preference!).
If you want to head out on your own, reach out to Paddle Cape Cod to rent equipment. They offer free delivery with rentals, and have both kayaks and paddle boards to choose from. They even offer tours, so you can compare your options with Great Marsh Tours to see which is a better fit for you.
9. See Eastham Windmill
Just off Route 6, you can easily see Eastham Windmill from the road, but you can also pull over and walk around the town green to get an up-close look.
Built in 1680, it’s believed to be the oldest grist mill on Cape Cod, and while the grounds are open year-round to enjoy the exterior, the inside is open at select times in the summer season, thanks to the folks at the Eastham Historical Society.
Pro Tip: On Monday nights in the summer season, you can enjoy the free concert series at the town green and windmill!
10. Experience A Gorgeous Sunset Or Sunrise
I know I mentioned earlier in the post that some of the beaches in Eastham offer beautiful sunsets along Cape Cod Bay, but since Eastham offers coastline on both and eastern and western sides of town, it’s also a great location to catch a beautiful sunrise.
Depending on which you’re looking to see, you can enjoy a gorgeous sunrise on the Atlantic side, which includes Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Lighthouse Beach. If you’re looking for an awesome sunset, head over to the Cape Cod Bay beaches, which includes First Encounter and Thumpertown, among others.
Psst! I have an entire guide on the best sunset spots on Cape Cod, if you’d like more info 😉
11. Get One Of The Best Lobster Rolls On Cape Cod
It’s hard to go anywhere on Cape Cod and not find an amazing lobster roll. After all, fresh seafood in this area is one of the best things to experience! However, two of my favorite lobster rolls can be found right in Eastham at Arnold’s and the Friendly Fisherman.
Both of these places are right along Route 6, and offer a very casual dining experience. Not only do they make a pretty epic lobster roll, they have a huge menu with lots of other great seafood options like clam chowder, lobster dinners, and seafood platters.
Pro Tip: Arnold’s is cash only, so you’ll want to come prepared with cash, or be ready to withdrawal some from their on-site ATM.
Psst! I have an entire guide on the best lobster rolls on Cape Cod, if you’d like more ideas 😉
12. Get Some Awesome Donuts At Hole In One Bakery
Sticking with the food theme, I also love to suggest you stop at Hole In One Bakery on Route 6. This popular bakery gets pretty long lines on the weekends for a very good reason: their awesome donuts, making this one of the best things to do in Eastham!
They usually have at least 15 homemade donut flavors available each morning, ranging from classics like Chocolate Frosted, Boston Creme, and Cinnamon, but they also have some more unique ones like their Whoopie Creme.
They also have a variety of homemade baked goods to choose from, including muffins, croissants, and apple fritters, as well as bagels and a coffee bar.
Things To Do Near Eastham
While Eastham itself is worth a visit, there are some wonderful things to do nearby, so I wanted to make sure I gave you the inside scoop on what to do in the area, too!
13. Visit Nauset Beach
You’ve heard me talk about Nauset Lighthouse Beach along the National Seashore, but there’s a separate beach just south in Orleans called Nauset Beach that’s absolutely worth visiting, too.
Only about a 10-15 minute drive from Eastham, Nauset Beach is one of my favorite town beaches outside of the National Seashore to visit because it stretches for about 10 miles, and offers incredible coastal scenery to enjoy.
Since this beach is along the Atlantic, it does tend to get bigger waves, making it a great spot for boogie boarding. And if you love long walks on the shoreline, this is one of the best beaches for that because of it’s size.
Pro Tip: Nauset Beach is a town beach open to the public, and a daily parking fee applies in-season, which can only be paid in cash – be sure to come prepared!
14. Hike The Great Island Trail
Located in Wellfleet, the Great Island Trail is about 20 minutes north of Eastham, and one of the most amazing nature hikes on Cape Cod, making it absolutely worth your time.
Taking you through wooded areas, salt marshes, and also along the coastline of Cape Cod Bay, this trail can be done in two ways – either a 4-mile loop, or a longer 9-mile loop out to Jeremy Point. Jeremy Point is a sandy peninsula that’s exposed at low tide, and party submerged at high tide, so timing your hike out to this area at low tide will offer the most memorable experience.
Both options are wonderful, so it really just depends on how much time you have!
15. Stroll Through Downtown Chatham
Just 20 minutes south of Eastham is the charming town of Chatham, which is often regarded as Cape Cod’s most idyllic towns – and I happen to agree 😊 Here, you’ll find picturesque cottages with blooming hydrangea gardens in July, and an awesome Main Street that has really nice shops and restaurants.
Walkable from town is the Chatham Pier Fish Market, which is one of the best places to spot seals on Cape Cod. I also recommend heading over to Chatham Lighthouse, and Chatham Lighthouse beach for awesome coastal scenery, and grabbing lunch at the Chatham Bars Inn waterfront restaurant options.
Psst! I have an entire guide on the best things to do in Chatham, MA if you’d like some more ideas 😉
16. Go Wine & Spirits Tasting At Truro Vineyards
About 25 minutes north of Eastham, on your way to Provincetown, Truro Vineyards is a really fun stop to make while exploring the area. Home to both a vineyard and a distillery, they have a wonderful dog-friendly outdoor area for sipping on drinks and enjoying the vineyard atmosphere.
If you enjoy wine, they also have wine tastings available to learn more about their offerings (it’s good to know that their wines run on the sweet side), and I especially like their cocktails made with their own spirits.
They also usually have a food truck on-site, so it’s a great place to stop in the afternoon for a fun lunch experience.
17. Take A Sailing Tour From Wellfleet Harbor
If you’re looking to head out onto the water, one of the best things to do near Eastham, MA is drive up to Wellfleet and take a boat tour from the harbor. There are a few different options that depart right from the harbor, including Captain Curly’s Sailing Charters, Postcard Harbor Tours, and Wellfleet Harbor Boat Tours.
I’ve personally done a tour with Captain Curly, and had an amazing sunset cruise with him. Sailing around the harbor as the sun went down was a memorable experience, and Eric is a wonderful captain. He offers a few different options, including sails to Jeremy Point (from the Great Island Trail!), sunset cruises, and even private sailing lessons. Click here for more info and to book online.
18. Spend The Day At Cahoon Hollow Beach
Another fantastic beach option near Eastham is Cahoon Hollow Beach, which is home to the famous Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar. This beach is located in Wellfleet, and is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. With tall sand dunes that are 75 feet high, and gorgeous shoreline to explore, it’s definitely worth visiting.
Cahoon Hollow has a bit of a reputation as a party beach, but I’ve personally not found that to be true on weekdays (even in the summer). On weekends, it can get a bit lively, but it’s such a big beach that it’s easy to set-up your beach umbrella away from the crowds to enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere. The Beachcomber is also a really fun restaurant with great drinks and food.
Psst! There’s quite a bit to know about visiting this beach to make your day stress-free, which is why I wrote an entire guide on the top things to know when visiting Cahoon Hollow Beach. I highly recommend giving it a read if you plan to visit this beach to get the inside scoop 😉
19. Visit Highland Lighthouse
Nearby in Truro, Highland Lighthouse is a really fun stop to make when in the area. As the oldest and tallest lighthouse on Cape Cod, it was built in 1857, and stands guard over the National Seashore. It’s actually an active lighthouse to this day!
Parking at the lighthouse is free, and there’s a short walk on a paved path to the lighthouse. In season, tours are given to explore the inside of the lighthouse, and to climb the tower. Click here for more information on tours.
20. Spend The Day In Provincetown
One of the most exciting and best towns to experience on Cape Cod, Provincetown is a must when in he area! With a unique atmosphere that’s both lively, beachy, and peaceful (if that makes any sense 😂), it’s known for having an incredible night life, beautiful beaches, and an awesome downtown area for shopping and dining.
Provincetown is located at the very end of the Cape Cod peninsula, so it’s the furthest town to drive to, but it’s definitely worth it, and you can easily spend an entire day here. It’s also the best place on the Cape to head out on a Whale Watch with Dolphin Fleet Cruises.
If you’re looking to visit more National Seashore beaches, Ptown (as the locals call it) is also home to two beaches within this area: Race Point and Herring Cove, both of which are awesome sunset spots.
Psst! I have an entire guide on the best things to do in Provincetown if you want more ideas on what to do during your visit 😉
21. Walk To Race Point Lighthouse
Lastly, while up in Ptown, I love to suggest a hike out to Race Point Lighthouse. There are two different ways to do this: The first is to walk along the shore from Race Point Beach in the sand, but it’s quite a hike, and can be tiring since walking in the sand requires more effort.
The other option is to take the Hatches Harbor trail, which is accessed by a separate area from the beach. This option is also a bit of a hike at almost 3.5 miles total (in a loop), but much of it is on a flat, gravel pathway, with only the last leg in soft sand.
Either way, the end of your walk rewards you with Race Point Lighthouse, which is at the very end of the beach. The beach often has seals swimming by close to the shoreline, and the lighthouse itself is surrounded by sand dunes. It’s really a cool experience, and one of my favorite hikes on the Cape!
Psst! I have more info about the hike out to Race Point Light in my guide all about the most scenic walks and hikes on Cape Cod 😉
Where To Stay In Eastham, MA
The Seagrove: A wonderful, cozy place to stay that has a great mix of standard guest rooms, and suites with efficiency kitchens. There’s also a heated pool, smart TVs in the rooms, and lawn games. It’s less than a 10-minute drive to both Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Lighthouse Beach.
→ Click here to check rates & availability at The Seagrove
Endless Dunes Modern Motel: A more budget-friendly option in the area that’s been recently renovated, and a great location. All rooms have a mini-fridge, and are less than a 10-minute drive to both Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Lighthouse Beach.
→ Click here to check rates & availability at Endless Dunes Modern Motel
Eastham is a great town for a longer stay in a vacation rental –
Click here to check out the best vacation rentals in the area!
Visiting Eastham FAQ
What Is Eastham, MA Known For?
Eastham is known for being the gateway to the Cape Cod National Seashore, as it’s the first town you’ll drive through to access this protected coastline. It’s also known for being home to Nauset Lighthouse, which is the lighthouse featured on the Cape Cod potato chips bags.
Is Eastham A Good Town To Stay In When Visiting Cape Cod?
This depends entirely on what you’re looking for during your Cape Cod getaway. If your main priority is to be close to some of the best beaches in the area, and also have easier access to Provincetown, then Eastham is a great place to stay. It tends to be a quieter area, and there aren’t a ton of hotels to choose from, but you’ll also find some great rental properties if you’re planning a longer stay.
Does Eastham, MA Have A Downtown?
No, Eastham doesn’t have a designated downtown, and most of it runs along Route 6, which is a major highway in the region. While you’ll find both sides of Route 6 in Eastham dotted with shops and restaurants, I wouldn’t consider it a true downtown.
Is Eastham Walkable?
No, Eastham is not one of the walkable towns on Cape Cod because everything is pretty spread out. While it’s small, you’ll still need a car to explore the area. And as mentioned, the road that runs through town, Route 6, is a very busy highway, so it’s not conducive to walking.
How Do You Pronounce Eastham?
Not exactly sure how to pronounce it? Don’t worry! Lots of towns in Massachusetts are really hard to pronounce, and are said differently than how they’re spelled – I’m here to help 😉 Eastham is pronounced as EEST-um.
Say it like that, and you’ll fit right in with the locals!
Here are more of my Cape Cod town guides that you may find helpful:
- Things To Do In Sandwich, MA
- Best Things To Do In Wellfleet, MA
- Best Things To Do In Harwich, MA
- Best Things To Do In Dennis, MA
- Best Things To Do In Falmouth, MA
- Best Things To Do In Brewster, MA
- Best Things To Do In Orleans, MA
You may also enjoy these posts:
- Best Time To Visit Cape Cod
- Best Things To Do On Cape Cod For First-Timers
- Best Towns To Stay In On Cape Cod
- Ultimate List Of The Best Things To Do On Cape Cod
- What To Pack For Cape Cod
- Best Things To Do On Cape Cod For Adults
- Unique Things To Do On Cape Cod
- Things To Do On Cape Cod In The Fall
That’s A Wrap On Things To Do In Eastham, MA
And there you have it! All my insider tips and suggestions on the best things to do in Eastham, MA when you visit Cape Cod. Whether you’re planning to use Eastham as your home base during your trip, or you’re excited to explore for just a day, I’m sure you’ll be impressed with all the amazing beaches, coastal beauty, and gorgeous sunsets. Happy planning!
