Give the one you call Mom all the rest, relaxation, and fun she deserves this Mother’s Day. Spoil her with a trip to Cape Cod, full of quaint New England charm, and a wide and varied array of activities she’ll love. There are a variety of activities on Cape Cod to make mom’s special day one to remember for a lifetime!
First Encounter Beach
The Eastham beach is reported to be the site of the Pilgrims’ first encounter with the Nauset Native Americans upon arriving in the New World. The Pilgrims arrived in the spot after leaving Provincetown and before arriving in Plymouth. The mostly calm waters in the area make it the perfect beach for families, especially those with young children. Make use of the bathhouse and other facilities, then prepare for a day on the sand or in the water with mom’s favorite beach activities. There is handicap parking, boardwalk access to the sand, and more. Daily parking fee is $15 on weekdays and $18 on weekends.
Sightseeing Tours
There are a variety of historic and other significant sights scattered across Cape Cod that mom may want to see. Pack up the rental car and plot your own course or book a sightseeing tour so mom and all her loved ones can relax. There are a variety of companies in the towns of Cape Cod that offer guided tours of the area, hitting all the hot spots. The knowledgeable guides will take you to all the places you want to go and fill you in on local history and events. Select a specialty tour that includes food or wine tastings, sunset tours, or even night tours that offer a different perspective than any daytime tour can offer.
John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
The museum is devoted to the life and legacy of America’s 35th It includes exhibits like a remembrance of the fateful day in 1963 when President Kennedy was shot, the presidential summer home, and personal belongings like his rocking chair – known as a Kennedy Rocker – on loan due to the renovation of The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria.
Current hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets and admission prices are available on the museum website.
Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Established in 1875, the aquarium is the oldest public aquarium in the entire U.S. It hosts approximately 80 species of marine animals native to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. waters. The museum is designed for self-guided tours of the main exhibits, and visitors can also get a behind-the-scenes look at aquarium operations. There is also a seal enclosure hosting several residents.
Current operating hours for the seal enclosure as well as the indoor aquarium are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The aquarium and seal enclosure are closed weekends and all federal holidays.
Spa Day
Pamper mom with a well-deserved spa day this Cape Cod Mother’s Day. Choose one of the many day spas and relax and unwind. Create the perfect relaxation package for mom and include services like a mani/pedi, facial, body wrap or scrub, massages, and more. Select spas even offer packages just for men that cater to their specific needs, so everyone can enjoy a day of relaxation.
Cape Cod National Seashore
Much of the seashore is accessed by the town of Wellfleet. In fact, over half of the designated land is there! The CCNS was created in August of 1961 by 35th President John F. Kennedy, and includes ponds, woods, and beachfront along the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion. The CCNS is nearly 40 miles of seashore along the Atlantic-facing eastern shore of Cape Cod, and includes the towns of Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans, and Chatham.
Truro Vineyards
Set aside some adults-only time, as well as some good wine! Wine tastings are offered by the glass daily. There is also a pavilion with walk-up bar. Grapes are grown right on the five-acre vineyard and include Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Choose from a variety of reds and whites or try something from the “Lighthouse Wine Series” or “Limited Release Wines.” The vineyard also offers a selection of spirits, including whiskey, gin, rum, and Amaro. The vineyards are open year-round, and hours vary throughout the year. Currently they are open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday 12-5 p.m. There is often a special Mother’s Day brunch offered as well.
Mom-Approved Mother’s Day Accommodations
When planning your Cape Cod Mother’s Day trip, make sure your choose a home base provided by Pretty Picky Properties. For Mom’s retreat, we offer two-bedroom units for a smaller family all the way up to a ten-bedroom mansion to house all of Mom’s loved ones. Prepare a delicious home-cooked meal, or the traditional Mother’s Day brunch, in the fully equipped kitchen. Lounge inside in beautiful living spaces or enjoy the view from the private balcony or patio or spend some time near the pool at select rentals.
Browse a variety of vacation rentals in Cape Cod, including charming Chatham vacation rentals, delightful Harwich Port vacation rentals, scenic Orleans vacation rentals, and cozy Barnstable vacation rentals.