The towns and villages that make up the landscape of Cape Cod all offer their own distinctive personalities and when you get to know the ones you choose to stay in, we at Pretty Picky Properties believe it will increase your enjoyment of your vacation. Today, we want to introduce you to the town of Harwich, located in the heart of Barnstable County, comprised of seven villages, and offering a small-town charm that will truly make you fall in love. This ultimate guide to things to do in Harwich and all its villages will make you realize that vacation dreams can come true, especially when you choose Cape Cod for your destination and our Harwich retreats for your vacation accommodations!
Browse our Harwich Vacation Rentals Here!
A Step Back in Time
We feel that to truly understand where a town is today you must visit its past, learning about all that made it strong and vital, and with Harwich, we really need to step way back in time. Originally settled in 1670, it was incorporated in 1694, originally including Brewster in its boundaries, a place that is now its own town and in which you can also find a selection of Pretty Picky Properties Cape Cod escapes.
The seven villages of Harwich are Harwich Center, East Harwich, Harwich Port, North Harwich, Pleasant Lake, South Harwich, and West Harwich, and just like the towns that make up Cape Cod, the vibe and personality of each village is varied. Harwich Port was known for its trade, while South Harwich and Pleasant Lake thrived due to the railroad, and North Harwich became known for its cranberry bogs, known as the birthplace of the cranberry industry with some bogs still in use today, offering tours for any who are interested. South and East Harwich, however, were far more isolated and even as they are thriving villages today, they retain much of their early charm, with very little being changed over the centuries of its existence.
Find Your Happy in Harwich
Originally named after an English seaport that Queen Elizabeth nicknamed Happy-Go-Lucky Harwich, you might think it would be impossible to be anything but happy when living, or visiting, this beautiful town, and you would be right. Once acclaimed as the “2nd happiest seaside town” (Thank you, Coastal Living magazine!), today, visitors and residents alike glow with joy as they go about their daily lives.
Providing nearly 11 miles of shoreline and five harbors, visitors can’t help but want to spend as much time as possible at the beach, with Red River Beach being one of the most popular, especially for families. Offering warm waters that are clear and calm, its soft sands might be where the best sandcastle you have ever built will be constructed, but even if sandcastle architecture is above your skill level, this is a beautiful beach for frolicking in the surf, kayaking and canoeing, and looking for shells, sea glass, or other beachcomber treasures!
Book our Last-Minute Rentals in Harwich Here!
Top Harwich Activities and Attractions
There is always something exciting and fun going on in Harwich. Whether you are a history buff anxious to explore old buildings, are curious about the cranberry bogs you have seen in those Ocean Spray commercials, or are just going with the flow, meandering through the town and its villages stopping when you see something that interests you, the attractions listed below should definitely be added to your itinerary.
Cranberry Bog Tours, 1601 Factory Road in Harwich, Open Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
We are the birthplace of the cranberry industry, and it is quite fascinating to see the process, so of course the first site you want to visit would be an authentic cranberry bog with Cranberry Bog Tours. Tour season begins in April, so if you are a winter visitor you may want to consider a return trip during the warmer seasons. Also, the public tours (costing $20 per person) are adults only, but if you are traveling with kids, you don’t have to skip this activity; you can purchase a private tour which you may enjoy more anyway. Be sure to leave time in your schedule to explore the farm stand, offering everything cranberry for sale, including honeys, soaps, and a cookbook that will be a delicious and colorful addition to your cookbook shelves at home.
South Harwich Meeting House, 270 Chatham Road in Harwich
Built in 1836, the South Harwich Meeting House is a simple structure that has stood the test of time. The meeting house was once the social and religious center of Harwich. Built in the Greek and Gothic design style, its two entrances were originally designed to separate the sexes, men used one, women used the other. Surrounded by the tombstones of former Harwich residents now engaged in resting peacefully, the meeting house is tranquil, serene, and currently used as a cultural arts center offering chamber music concerts, live theater performances, and so much more.
Cape Cod Lavender Farm, Off Weston Woods Road in Harwich, Open Daily 10AM-4PM
There must be something in the soil of Harwich that makes it especially fertile, seeing as two of our major attractions are both plant related. The Cape Cod Lavender Farm is one of our favorite places to visit, offering the divine aroma and many health benefits of this most colorful flower. This is a newer business, only having opened the gates to its blooms in 1995, but it has still become one of the most popular attractions on Cape Cod, offering an Enchanted Garden that both adults and children adore. Meandering through the fairytale that is the Enchanted Garden will capture the imagination of your children as they explore a magical castle built from stones and many faerie house portals throughout its expanse.
An onsite shop sells everything lavender related, including soaps, calming teas, sachets, candles, even lavender hibiscus lemonade, lavender spices, and herbs. Even better, their online store allows you to continue purchasing your favorite merch, even as you live thousands of miles away from the farm.
Celebrating Harwich
Attending the special events that take place throughout the year can add an extra sparkle to your already glowing getaway, so if you are in town during any of the below dates, we encourage you to drop by and see what else makes Harwich shine bright!
Cape Cod Baseball League, Opening Day in June, BFC Whitehouse Field
The Cape Cod Baseball League is a summer league offering roots that go back to 1885, even as it wasn’t officially formed until 1923. For over 100 years, our nation’s best players have played for teams such as the Brewster White Caps, the Chatham Anglers, and our personal favorite, the Harwich Mariners. (Whitehouse Field is the Mariners home stadium) Regarded as a premier collegiate summer baseball league, tomorrow’s superstars make an appearance every summer, allowing sports fans to truthfully say “I saw them when!” With over 370 active alumni playing in the major leagues currently, and over 1600 all-time, you might think that the CCBL is mighty important to a player’s success, and we think you are right! If you are visiting over 4th of July, there are usually games playing, ones that end with a spectacular fireworks display that will truly make you glad to be an American.
Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival, September, Harwich Community Center
For two days in mid-September, the not so humble cranberry takes a starring role in one of the premier festivals on Cape Cod, the Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival. Offering a minimum of 150 juried crafters, vendor tables, a kids’ area with crafts and games, food trucks, dining spaces, wine and beer sales, and of course, two afternoons of nonstop music, guests must bring their own chairs and/or blankets, but a dance floor IS provided for your enjoyment! It doesn’t cost anything to attend or to park, but you will need your money to shop, dine, and drink.
Time to Dine
Vacation meals are truly going to be worthy of dreaming about when you explore these fantastic Harwich area restaurants, and we apologize in advance over how much you will love each and every one. You are going to be obsessed and you will start considering a move to the Cape, just so that you can enjoy each meal whenever you want!
Cape Sea Grille, 31 Sea Street in Harwich Port, Open Wednesday-Sunday for Dinner
Combining history with deliciousness, the Cape Sea Grille is located inside a 19th century ship captain’s home featuring high ceilings, windows that stretch from floor to ceiling, and a genteel vibe that makes it the perfect special occasion restaurant. The menu of this charming restaurant is considered New American, and if you are looking for some ordering ideas, we suggest starting with their East Dennis Oysters for starters, their lobster, shrimp, and scallops for the main entrée, (seafood is locally sourced) and we heartily recommend saving room for their warm pecan tart, served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Their wine, beer, and cocktail menu is sheer perfection, so you may want to consider a designated driver!
Ruggie’s Breakfast & Lunch, 707 Main Street in Harwich, Open Daily at 6AM
Our mothers taught us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and even though your Pretty Picky Properties Harwich retreat does offer a fully equipped kitchen, we do hope you manage to make it to Ruggie’s at least once during your stay. The charming red painted house on Main Street has been the place to enjoy a hearty breakfast for about 15 years now, offering made from scratch dishes that taste like they did come from our mom’s kitchens. The Ruggie, a fried egg with cheddar cheese, sausage, and Ruggie’s cheese sauce served on a grilled bulky roll holds a special place in our heart, especially when we throw caution to the wind and upgrade to their cheese & gravy home fries!
Brax Landing, 705 MA-28 in Harwich Port, Open Daily, 11:30AM to 10PM
You must enjoy waterfront dining at least once during your Harwich adventures, and Brax Landing is surprisingly inexpensive for a waterfront eatery. Offering a menu filled with runners and swimmers (surf and turf), this is THE spot to get an authentic lobster roll, and their “chowdah” is pretty special as well. Harbor views make every bite taste even more delicious and summer visitors cannot sip enough of their frozen cocktails, with the Godzilla, a strawberry pina colada, being our absolute fave!
Have We Covered It All?
The town of Harwich and its seven villages are exciting places to visit, and as you explore all the things to do in Harwich, in the back of your mind, the thought of your Pretty Picky Properties Harwich retreat may be lingering. The comfort, luxury, and style that each offer, plus the water views that many offer as well, just beg to be explored, and if you can tear yourself away from cranberry bogs and baseball games for one day at home, we think you will be even more pleased with your vacation experiences. Our Harwich escapes are plentiful, ranging in size from cozy 2-bedroom cottages to spacious 7-bedroom retreats. All offer a large selection of amenities—swimming pools in some, firepits in many, and all the comforts in every space we offer. Your time spent at home will be the most relaxing moments of your escape to the Cape!
The Experience Matters
A vacation home is just as important to the success of your getaway as the sites you see and the foods you eat, and we do have not forgotten that very important fact. Maybe you will do nothing more than sit in front of a roaring fire on a chilly summer night, sipping wine, and sharing quiet conversations with your favorite traveling partner or maybe your entire family will gather round the dining table on a rainy night, fighting over who gets to the be the dog in Monopoly and laughing late into the night. The experience of feeling welcomed, cherished, and at home in your Pretty Picky Properties Harwich sanctuary will be one you will never forget. Reserve your favorite escape today!
