The Old Yarmouth Inn, which is just a very short stroll from the inn, and is a real favorite with Cape Cod locals and all our guests too. We NEVER need an excuse to go “next door” for dinner!; The Ocean House, in Dennisport , just an easy 20 minute drive from the inn. The location is stunning, ie, RIGHT on the ocean and the food certainly lives up to the surroundings it is served in; Gerardi”s, an authentic Italian eatery in South Yarmouth, just 15 minutes from us. We dined there last restaurant week and just loved it! And we cannot write about restaurant week without including The Naked Oyster which is on Main Street Hyannis, about 10 minutes away. We’ve had guests staying here that say the oysters they were served at the Naked Oyster were the best ever in their whole lives! How’s that for an accolade? So, we do hope to see you soon for a gourmet, NO DIET, week!

Most moms love flowers, so that’s always a great gift idea, but how about a trip to Cape Cod where she can really be treated like royalty and have a fun time too. Here are a few ideas for your mother’s day treat:

Over that weekend there is a fantastic exhibition, Blooming Arts, at the Cape Cod Cultural Centre where there will be some incredible floral creations from celebrated designers, each one paired with a painting by a Cape Cod artist. Lovely gifts, and all this is FREE! The exhibition runs May 12-13.

How about a brunch ride on the Cape Cod Railroad? She’ll enjoy a 3-course lunch while peeking at parts of Cape Cod that can only be seen from this scenic train ride.

Or what about a massage, facial or pedicure? How’s that for being spoiled. Our favorite local spa is Solstice Day Spa, in Main Street, Hyannis, just click the link to see their Mother’s Day contest plus lots more ideas for a great original gift. Follow her relaxing and envigorating time at the spa with a tasty and original meal just next door at the Naked Oyster restaurant.

So if any of this tempts you to treat your mom to a Cape Cod getaway for Mother’s Day, you could think about combining any of these ideas with a stay at the inn – we promise to treat her like a princess!

One of the interesting aberrations resulting from a visit to the Gorey House is that you come away feeling like you stepped sideways into another world, one which is hard to forget, and one which you yearn to return to time and again. So make sure you plan your visit to Yarmouth Port and Cape Cod to include this fascinating and haunting home.

 In truth, we are thoroughly spoilt living here year round, and even more so are our guests, who descend upon us every year from all points of the globe. You will probably not need reminding that they can choose to leave the car in our private parking and stroll to three of The Cape’s finest restaurants : The Old Yarmouth Inn ( 1697 ) famous for it’s “spirits” both in the glass and out of it, great seafood and of course it’s wine cellar; The Lyric with its mouth-watering contemporary cuisine, accompanied if you’re lucky by the lovely Anne’s singing; Inaho offering Japanese dishes and a sushi bar.

Maybe you just want a more casual evening. The Black Sheep is our local pub and is once again in Yarmouth Port. The grub is incredibly good, the service friendly and you can always play Trivia if you feel so inclined.

Looking for something special by the water on a warm summer evening. The Sesuit Harbor Cafe, 12 minutes from the Inn, is our summer favorite. It has an irresistible formula all of it’s own. The seafood and fish is hard to beat, the lobster roll may be the best on The Cape. The cafe has a raw bar and you can bring your own wine. All the outdoor tables share breath-taking views across Sesuit Harbor and the yacht marina. Welcome to Cape Cod!

Since we are talking about waterside dining, we have two further favorites that we love and want to share with you. A ten minute taxi ride and you’re at The Mattakeese Wharf family seafood restaurant at Barnstable Harbor. The seafood and service is excellent, and there are stunning views, so try to time your table to take in the sunset. This is a true Cape experience not to be missed, nor is the very special way in which Paul and Dana consistently treat our guests.

The Ocean House is a whole 18 minute drive away and worth that extra effort, and then some! It’s almost being unfair to the other great restaurants, if we were to call this beachside gem our favorite, so we won’t. This is a restaurant NOT to be missed. It’s classy split level layout gives diners stunning views of white sands and the ocean. The cuisine is a very innovative fusion of east meets west, which is always beautifully presented. The ambience has a bustling vibrant edge to it, but at the same time there are tables for that special intimate evening – we have been there for anniversaries. Oh, and we must not forget to thank Janet and Carie, who look after our guests so beautifully every time ( that’s not easy when it’s always so busy ). Book well ahead for this one to avoid disapointment.

So there you have it, seven of the best, each one superb in it’s own right and waiting for you to try it. There are several more worth a special mention – the likes of The Naked Oyster and Fin for example – we shall talk about these another time.

 Technically,The Cape is one of the world’s largest barrier islands. There are more than 165 miles of some of the best beaches in the world, and it is possible even in July to find quiet stretches of beautiful white sands. It’s micro climate, maritime culture and historic villages make Cape Cod an all year round tourist destination. Visitors are also drawn by the bird and other wild life, and of course ”whale watching“. The National Seashore, which comprises a conservation belt along most of the eastern  coastline, has an awesome beauty all of it’s own, and there are several Mass Audubon Reserves across The Cape that are a must for any nature lover.

One of the nicest areas to stay is in the historic district, the villages of Barnstable, Yarmouth Port and Dennis. They are all seaside communities, centrally located for easy access to the islands, whale watching, and many of the finest beaches and restaurants. There are also great opportunities for antiquing, gift shopping and visiting art galleries. This is the tranquil, leafy side of The Cape, especially in the summer when compared to the traffic jams which routinely plague Route 28 between Harwich and Falmouth.

Many travel companies and seasoned travellers alike, rate Cape Cod and The Islands as the number one attraction of New England, and indeed there may be no better introduction to the US for first time international visitors. Good travel itineries will always allow a minimum of 3 to 4 days in this breathtaking region, and if you are yet to get aquainted and need more convincing, just check out a sample of what you’ve been missing!

It is around an hour’s drive to the northern most tip of Cape Cod from our Inn in Yarmouth Port, and we chose tuesday this week for our second trip. It was a warm sunny day (70 degrees) with only a slight breeze. So this time the water was like a millpond at Herring Cove.We walked a mile or more towards Race Point Lighthouse, all the time mesmerised by multiple sightings of whales about 200 to 300 yards from the shore. We heard the unmistakeable noise that whales make when they surface. There was so much activity it made us breathless with excitement……… tails, breaches, multiple whales. What a magnificent sight! We didn’t know where to look next - they were everywhere!

Although without question, these early spring days are perfect for whale watching from the shore, there is an element of luck involved in just how much you are going to see from one day to the next. However, there is a rich reward awaiting you, if you get that timing right.

All of our weekend guests were focused on seeing the whales, as we helped each couple to plan their day after this morning’s breakfast. We cannot wait to hear how they all got on at breakfast tomorrow.  

To Cape Cod residents and visitors alike, there is the opportunity to see a large number of these magnificent creatures without so much as getting your big toe wet! Although catching a glimpse of the odd whale or two from the shore is always a possibility from April through October, early spring is probably one of the best times – there are currently around 40 to 50 Right Whales just off Provincetown. The Right Whale is an endangered species, and there are thought to be only three to four hundred remaining in the world. The best vantage points are likely to be Herring Cove and Race Point, where the views could be spectacular ( if you’re lucky).We are heading up there this week with some friends, and will try to pick a suitable day weather-wise and as calm conditions as we can to ensure the best possible visibility. Watch this space to see how we get on!

As well as the Right Whale, the other species of whales most commonly seen in Cape Cod waters include the Humpback and Minke. There are Sperm Whales in much deeper water further out in the ocean, and very occasionally indeed, a Blue Whale is sighted.

Finally, we should spare a thought for the dedicated people of IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and their volunteers, who work tirelessly around the world on our behalf to preserve and save animals, often from extinction. Their International HQ is here in our street in Yarmouth Port, and it is fitting that they are on Cape Cod, as they work daily to rescue stranded and injured whales, dolphins, seals and indeed any other animal you can think of. IFAW leads the world in the science of marine mammal stranding, but their efforts are multifaceted. For example, IFAW has worked successfully with the New England fishing industry to redesign the fishing nets in an effort to significantly reduce the number of fatal whale entanglements. Work such as this and IFAW’s many other campaigns need support from the public. If this is all new to you, and you care about animals and the environment on Cape Cod and beyond, please take a look at what this wonderful organisation is doing – we can all help a little so their efforts achieve an even greater impact.

We are once again offering a great whale adventure package this year and for every package sold, we shall donate $25 to IFAW. However, if this does not appeal to you, just come and see the whales for yourself from the National Seashore. Thank you.

Tranquility, natural beauty and rich history can all be savored during any time spent here. Our guests can spend time away from their cars enjoying  Cape Cod Bay beaches, Grays Boardwalk, the old Wharf and the nature trails that abut our inn’s two acres of landscaped grounds.

The Inn At Cape Cod made an impact in local history as The Sears Hotel in the early 19th century, providing accomodation for weary stagecoach travellers. The village has more than fifty former sea captains houses as well as The Capt. Bangs Hallett’s museum to look at, and the Edward Gorey House Museum lies on the opposite side of the village green.

From the inn you can easily walk to interesting antique and gift shops, art galleries and three of the finest restaurants on the Cape.

No trip to Cape Cod is complete without a day trip to Nantucket and/or Martha’s Vineyard – the ferry terminals and airport are ten minutes away – and of course a  Whale Watching excursion, which is only three miles from the inn. Because the Cape is at it’s narrowest in between Yarmouth Port on the Bay side and Hyannis on the southern shore, there are also many additional beaches just a short ride from us.

So come and join us this season and let us take the effort out of your first Cape Cod adventure. Our informative website will give you an idea of how to best spend your vacation time, and our complimentary full concierge service is at your disposal once you arrive.

Our inn is perfectly located (no more than 10 minutes drive to any of the course) for all these events, and for early starts we offer “breakfast to go” so that you don’t miss out on that day’s goodies! So why not tie in a perfect golfing break with a stay at the Inn? Hope to see you soon.