1. Hostelling International
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 255-2785, (888) 901-2085
Address: 75 Goody Hallet Dr.
Description: This hostel offers 46 beds in seven cabins ($32 Sun through Thurs and $35 Fri and Sat, plus $3 for nonmembers). Two family cabins, which offer two double beds and two bunk beds and sleep six, are also available. Guests can use the screened-in porch common room, picnic tables, grills, communal kitchen and volleyball. The hostel is normally open late Memorial Day through the second week in Sept.
2. Eagle Wing Guest Hotel
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 240-5656, (800) 278-5656
Address: 960 U.S. Rte. 6
Description: All 19 rooms in this little gem, located near the Cape Cod National Seashore, have private baths, air-conditioning and heat, refrigerators, cable TV, and phones. Most have king-size beds. A back deck stretches the length of the building so guests can enjoy the quiet backyard, which borders a wetland sweet with birdsong in spring and summer. There’s a large outdoor pool, and morning coffee is available, along with freshly baked muffins, tea, and orange juice. Ideal for couples and adults looking for quiet, clean, and comfortable surroundings, the Eagle Wing provides all the amenities of a large facility while maintaining the feel of a guesthouse or inn. The motel, which is completely nonsmoking, is open May through mid-Oct.
3. Four Points Hotel By Sheraton Eastham Cape Cod
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 255-5000, (800) 325-3535
Address: 3800 U.S. Rte. 6
Description: The Four Points Hotel, part of the Sheraton chain, has 107 recently renovated guest rooms, including suites, all beautifully appointed. The indoor atrium and pool are a refreshing oasis at the end of a long day (there are also men’s and women’s saunas and an outdoor pool). The fitness room is stocked with up-to-date equipment. The on-site restaurant, Bellamy’s Grille and Bar, serves breakfast and dinner, and room service allows you to dine on your private balcony or on Sheraton’s trademark comfort bed. Four Points is open year-round and is great for families or business travelers.
4. Viking Shores Motor Lodge
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 255-3200, (800) 242-2131
Address: 5200 U.S. Rte. 6
Description: Centrally located in the Cape Cod National Seashore, Viking Shores not only offers a relaxing atmosphere in a wooded natural setting, but also direct access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path. Each of the modern rooms features cable TV, private baths, refrigerators, telephones, wireless Internet access, and individual temperature control. Outside, barbecue grills and picnic tables accommodate al fresco diners. Nauset Beach and Coast Guard Beach on the Atlantic Ocean are just minutes away. If you enjoy tennis, don’t forget your racquet to play on their courts. And the heated pool offers you the opportunity to just sit back and relax. If that’s not enough, your hosts, Deb and Scott Sverid, will make sure you enjoy yourselves. They are happy to suggest a nature trail, guided walk, or a local seafood restaurant. The Audubon Sanctuary at Wellfleet Bay is less than a mile from the Viking Shores, and Ben & Jerry’s is just down the street—always a plus when on vacation. A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning during the season. The Viking Shores Motor Lodge is open mid-May through early Oct.
5. Inn At The Oaks
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 255-1886, (877) 255-1886
Address: 3085 U.S. Rte. 6
Description: Nestled in the woods across from the Cape Cod National Seashore, this 1869 inn is beautifully decorated with imaginative colors blending nicely with antique furnishings. The inn has 10 rooms and suites, each with a private bath, individual temperature control, cable TV, DVD player, ceiling fan, telephone, and wireless Internet access. A renovated carriage house offers two “First Mates Suites” suitable for families of four or more; both accept pets for an additional fee of $30 per stay. With its wraparound porch, playground, hot tub, and toy-filled playroom, the Inn at the Oaks is that elusive Cape Cod commodity: a B&B that not only allows children, but caters to them.Innkeepers Pam and Don Anderson stayed here on their honeymoon, arranged to buy the inn, and molded it to fit their growing family. Don’s Danish heritage shines through in the country breakfast, which features a signature dish of Abelskivers (Danish pancakes) along with continental specialties like pancakes, parmesan baked eggs, and banana walnut French toast. The inn is next to the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike trail and a short pedal away from beaches and area attractions such as the Eastham Windmill. Check out the inn’s “Family Fun Blog” online for up-to-date events and information, one of the better Web sites as of 2009. The inn is open year-round.
6. Whalewalk Inn
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 255-0617, (800) 440-1281
Address: 220 Bridge Rd.
Description: Elegant and accommodating, the Whalewalk Inn offers 16 guest rooms and suites in six buildings, all beautifully decorated and furnished with antiques and reproductions, original art, baskets, throw pillows, and fresh flowers. Innkeepers Elaine and Kevin Conlin and their staff go out of their way to please you. Browse through the inn’s library of books, menus from area restaurants, and other resources. In the morning, help yourself to coffee, then sit down to a full breakfast in the dining room. Some rooms have sitting rooms and private entrances, some have fireplaces, wet bars, kitchenettes, or whirlpools; all have air-conditioning and private baths.Sharing the acreage of the main 1830s inn are a variety of other buildings ranging from suites for families to a converted barn and a spa penthouse. The three-and-a-half-acre grounds feature impeccable lawns with comfortable Adirondack chairs. Less sedentary guests can visit the spa and wellness center, where a heated indoor resistance pool, sauna, and hot tub accompany an impressive array of cardiovascular and weight-training equipment, including a 32 inch TV with the Wii video game system. Services from spa facials to Reiki massage are available by appointment.The Whalewalk is open from Apr through early Dec (and select winter weekends) and welcomes children 12 and older. The Whalewalk’s blog is another good Web site, focusing on specials and local events.
7. Atlantic Oaks
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (508) 255-1437
Address: 3700 U.S. Rte. 6
Description: Just a half-mile from the Cape Cod National Seashore’s visitor center, this modern campground meets the needs of RVers and tent campers alike (though the emphasis here is on the former). The 100 large wooded sites include drive-throughs with full electric and water hookups and cable TV. Other amenities include wireless Internet access, LP gas sales, free hot showers, laundry facilities, nightly movies during the summer, and, to keep the kids entertained, a playground. A 5,000-square-foot multipurpose building was added in 2006. Dogs are allowed for a nightly fee of $4 here, provided that they are taken with you when you’re away from the camp. You might want to bring your bicycles, as Atlantic Oaks abuts the Cape Cod Rail Trail.The grounds are protected (not that they need to be, in sleepy Eastham) by a 24-hour security gate. Rates are $38 to $63 per night at this campground, which is open May through Oct.
8. First Encounter Coffeehouse
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (508) 255-5438
Address: 220 Samoset Rd.
Description: Many big names, including Wellfleet’s own Patty Larkin and Livingston Taylor (James’ brother), got their start and still perform at this well-known coffeehouse located in a church. The building itself is an 1899 yellow clapboard and stained glass church. Concerts are twice each month during the off-season. The coffeehouse is closed during Dec and May. During the summer concerts are once a month. If you’re late, you won’t stand a chance of getting in—the seating is limited to 100 people.
9. Little Capistrano Bike Shop
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (508) 255-6515
Address: 341 Salt Pond Rd.
Description: This friendly shop is just across US 6 from the Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor Center, right near the Cape Cod Rail Trail and the Seashore bike trails. It offers rentals, sales, accessories, and repairs. It’s open early Apr through Oct, and by appointment only from Halloween through Mar.
10. Willy’S Gym
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (508) 255-6370
Address: 4730 U.S. Rte. 6
Description: This well-established fitness facility offers a full slate of cardiovascular and toning equipment and an ever-expanding free-weight area. Willy’s also offers an encyclopedic menu of classes such as spinning, step aerobics, dance, martial arts, kickboxing, and yoga. There are complete spa facilities, and child care is available. Guests can pay for a daily or weekly membership.Willy’s second location offers Nautilus and Cybex equipment, a 25-yard indoor swimming pool, racquetball and squash courts, six indoor asphalt tennis courts, a basketball court, and spa. Martial arts, aerobics, and yoga are among their class offerings. It also has a 30-foot climbing wall. Clinics offered for both members and nonmembers.
11. Eastham Council On Aging
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (508) 240-0164
Address: 1405 Nauset Rd.
12. Collector’S World
City: Eastham, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 255-3616
Address: 4100 U.S. Rte. 6
Description: This shop carries both antique and new collectibles, including dolls, Bosson wall heads, model cars, lighthouses, and cottage figurines. It also sells quality jewelry and unusual wooden toys for children. The shop is open Mon through Sat (and “Sunday by chance”) year-round, but during the winter it is best to call ahead.