City: Orleans, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 3 River Rd.
2. Cape Escape Ultimate Adventure Golf
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 240-1791
Address: 14 Canal Rd.
Description: Right near the Orleans Rotary, this minigolf center features 18 holes set in nautical surroundings, complete with waterfalls, boats, a koi pond, and a water wheel. Cape Escape Mini-Golf is open daily from 9 a.m. to “late” in July and Aug and 10 a.m. to ”late” from Apr through June. The cost is $8.50 for ages 13 and older and $8.00 for seniors and children 12 and under.
3. Academy Of Performing Arts
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 255-5510
Address: 5 Giddiah Hill Rd.
Description: More than 35 instructors teach classes ranging from dance (ballet, jazz, world, modern, ballroom, and tap) to drama and music for children and adults. How about hip-hop classes? There’s even a slate of “early childhood” offerings, among them primers on “creatures movement” and “story dance.” Courses run two weeks in July and Aug with a graduation ceremony—a public performance to show off newfound talent.
4. Nauset Beach
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (508) 240-3780
Address: 299 Beach Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: Not to be confused with Nauset Light Beach, which is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Nauset is a public beach in the town of Orleans. A long boardwalk leads from the parking lot across the dunes to this 10-mile stretch of sand, giving beachgoers plenty of room to spread out. Nauset is an Atlantic Ocean–facing beach, with great waves for Boogie Boarding, and is refreshingly brisk even on the hottest day. Liam’s is directly on the beach near the entrance and is famous for its fried clams and onion rings.
5. Skaket Beach
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Insider Pick:
Description: Skaket is small compared to other Cape beaches, with just 1⁄2-mile or so of sandy shoreline, but it’s a favorite of area families. It’s a Cape Cod Bay beach, so the waves are minimal and there is a slight drop-off, so kids can play without getting in over their heads. Splashers enjoy the tidal pools and looking for hermit crabs, the hard-packed sand is great for building castles, and the grassy sand dunes are perfect for kite-flying (they even sell kites at the beach concession stand). Other nice amenities include picnic tables and a bathhouse with changing rooms. There’s plenty of parking adjacent to the beach, which is especially convenient for parents hauling sand toys and tots.