1. Colony Beach Motel
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 398-2217
Address: 413 Old Wharf Rd.
Description: Choose from 44 rooms in this sound-side motel, including oceanfront and ocean-view efficiency units with fully equipped kitchen and dining areas, motel units, or nonefficiency suites with living rooms. There is a private beach, a game room, and a heated outdoor swimming pool. Children aged 2 to 12 may stay for an additional $5 plus tax per night. The Colony Beach Motel is open mid-May to mid-Oct.
2. The Corsair And Cross Rip Oceanfront Resort
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 398–6600, (800) 345-5140
Address: 41 Chase Ave.
Description: This three-acre family-owned and -operated Dennisport resort rests on Nantucket Sound. The resort includes two outdoor pools, two outdoor Jacuzzis, and two large sundecks overlooking the ocean. Recreation buildings across the street feature an indoor pool, a game room, a toddler area with plenty of toys, a barbecue area, and an outdoor play area for the kids. A recent update incorporated Wi-Fi access and an in-season coffee bar (in the lobby), offering caffeine to go with the resort’s complimentary baked goods. There are many types of rooms from which to choose. All rooms at the Cross Rip have kitchenettes. There are a variety of suites with more space—among them the two-floor Townhouse suite, which features ocean views, a galley kitchenette, and a semiprivate loft bedroom accessed by a spiral staircase. Open from mid-Apr to late Oct, the complex also rents out three fully furnished homes with access to the amenities.
3. ‘By The Sea’ Guestsbed & Breakfast
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 398-8685, (800) 447-9202
Address: 57 Chase Ave. (also Inman Rd. Ext.)
Description: ‘By the Sea’ Guests is one of the few Cape Cod bed-and-breakfasts with its own private beach. Family operated, this lovely 12-room, five-suite inn offers a quiet and comfortable beachfront lodging experience. Helen and Dino Kossifos continue the tradition of family hospitality and friendly service that began in 1964. You can still awaken to a hearty continental breakfast served on the wraparound veranda overlooking Nantucket Sound. In addition to morning fare from pastries to apple crepes, homemade carrot cake, cookies, fresh fruits, and other snacks are available to guests throughout the day and evening. Of the 12 rooms, four are oceanfront and four have ocean views. Three units are wheelchair accessible, and one is ADA compliant. All rooms are equipped with wireless Internet access and contain private ceramic-tiled baths, cable television with DVD/CD players, refrigerators, ceiling fans, and individual temperature control. Deluxe suites are housed in a separate building and feature fully equipped kitchens, living rooms with gas fireplaces, and private balconies. ‘By the Sea’ Guests is open from late Apr to Oct for the guest rooms, and the suites are available through Dec. They welcome well-behaved children and allow outside smoking only.
4. Campers Haven Ltd. Rv Resort
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 398-2811
Address: 184 Old Wharf Rd.
Description: This place emphasizes family fun, including ice-cream socials, sing-alongs, story hours, candy bingo, beach barbecues, minigolf, bocce, shuffleboard, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, potluck suppers, and two playgrounds, one for little tykes and another for older children. Some of the warmest waters on the Cape are just seconds away at their private beach on Nantucket Sound. Choose from among 248 shaded sites. All include water, electricity, cable TV, and gray water disposal (many sites have full sewage disposal). Rates are $42 to $62 per day. The park is open from May 1 to Columbus Day and is limited to RVs and campers only. Dogs are not allowed between late June and Labor Day weekend.
5. Rum Runner’S Bar And Grill
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (508) 398-5673
Address: 243 Lower County Rd.
Description: If you’re looking for a hot nightspot with a young and sometimes wild crowd, Rum Runner’s—formerly the Captain’s Club—offers Boston-based and local blues and classic rock bands year-round. It’s open nightly from Memorial Day to Labor Day and Fri and Sat off-season.
6. Cape Cod Waterways Boat Rentals
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (508) 398-0080
Address: 16 Rte. 28
Description: You can rent manually powered and electric paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks here and, because it is located right on Swan River, between Swan Pond and Nantucket Sound, renters can enjoy a variety of nearby Cape waters. The shop is open from May through Oct, and rentals are flexible in terms of hours, days, or weeks.
7. Cape Cod Waterways Boat Rentals
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 16 Rte. 28
Description: This company rents canoes and kayaks for use on Swan River, Swan Pond, and Nantucket Sound. A solo kayak rents for $18 per 90 minutes; a tandem is $29. Canoes rent for $29 for 90 minutes. Daily rentals are $40 for a solo kayak and $50 for a tandem kayak or canoe. Safety equipment is included with the rental price. The shop is open from the beginning of May through Sept.
8. Clancy’S
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 394-6661
Address: 8 Upper County Rd.
Description: Clancy’s sits on the banks of Swan River, and the views are almost as good as the food. (The view of the water is spectacular off the sundeck—no extra charge!) Here you’ll be able to get your fill without breaking the bank, even if you order the popular Steak Lucifer, a meld of sirloin, lobster, and asparagus topped with béarnaise sauce. Lunch and dinner are served daily, and there is a Sunday brunch as well as a children’s menu.
9. Ebb Tide Restaurant
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 398-8733
Address: 94 Chase Ave.
Description: Within walking distance to the hotels and motels that line beach-fronted Chase Avenue, the Ebb Tide is a great place to enjoy traditional New England cuisine in a lovely setting. All-white linen with rich, royal blue accents, the restaurant’s interior is elegant without being stuffy, and it’s family friendly. The menu features lots of fresh seafood and steak. It’s open for dinner May through Columbus Day.
10. Ocean House
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 394-0700
Address: 421 Old Wharf Rd. (end of Depot St.)
Description: The Ocean House lives up to its name with windows flanking the shore of Nantucket Sound. Highlights of a meal here might include cornmeal-crisped local oysters, warm goat cheese and roasted beet salad, cedar plank–roasted teriyaki salmon, and warm Valrhona chocolate lava cake (with Chai ice cream and huckleberry plum sauce). Open every evening but Mon in season, the Ocean House closes for Jan and Feb.
11. Sundae School
City: Dennisport, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 394-9122
Address: 381 Lower County Rd.
Description: Sundae School, with 3 locations on the Cape, has been dishing out its ice cream to summer vacationers since 1976. The store has an old-fashioned marble soda fountain and a dedicated following for its sundaes, frappes, and ice cream cones. They typically offer 30 flavors, including an espresso crunch, rum raisin, and fresh blueberry. Or order the 4-flavor sampler if you can’t decide. Open seasonally, mid-April through October. For information on additional area locations, check out the website.