The red glare of rockets, a sea of red, white and blue, the intoxicating scent of cookouts coming from every yard – and sitting in traffic for 3 hours to reach a destination that normally takes 30 minutes.
Then, when you finally get there, finding a parking spot is just a fantasy.
If you thought weekend summer traffic on the Cape was bad, you’ve never seen it during 4th of July weekend.
Everybody – and this is almost not a hyperbole – in Massachusetts and tourists from other states wants to be on Cape Cod to celebrate our nation’s birthday. But for those looking for a more low-key getaway; those who show their patriotism through exhibiting a little R&R, there is another way.
You just have to think like a laid-back local… even if you’re a twitchy tourist. Here are a few tips and activities to keep some distance between you and the crowds this holiday.
Tip 1 – DO NOT GO TO PROVINCETOWN
Okay, this a bit of a misnomer: Provincetown on the 4th is definitely something you NEED to experience at least once in your life, even if you normally aren’t one for crowds.
The theatrics of typical, summertime P-town are amplified for the 4th, where literally tons of people come together to throw what may be the largest party on the East Coast.
It’s fun, festive and probably one of the most interesting experiences you’ll ever have – but it is also a claustrophobe’s worst nightmare. There are multiple thousands of people in a rather small space. The traffic heading out of the ONE road to and from Provincetown stretches for miles and miles. It’s a bit of a mess. A beautiful mess, mind you, but one just the same.
So if you’ve been there and done that, avoid P-Town, and the Outer Cape in general, if you don’t want to be around any crowds. Go for Bourne. Or the delightfully isolated Cuttyhunk Island.
Tip 2 – Avoid Main Streets in General
We shouldn’t have to tell you this if your plan is to stay away from people. But it bears repeating: any Main Street on Cape Cod is going to be so chock-full of people that you’ll be feeling trapped as soon as you turn onto it.
Thinking you can get away with a little holiday brunch at that awesome restaurant? How about a quick jaunt into your favorite liquor or hardware store to pick up some last minute supplies? Think again. If it’s on Main Street Cape Cod on July 4th weekend, you’re better off trying a different establishment.
On the same token, buy ahead! If you need supplies for the holiday weekend which won’t spoil a week in advance, by all means, get it seven days before the first line of traffic forms the Thursday before the big weekend.
Tip 3 – Go for a Bike Ride
Really, what could be better during the beautiful early July weather the Cape experiences than to take a relaxing bike ride? The Cape has so many great bike paths which vary in skill level and popularity. Bicycling the Cape with friends and family is an ideal way to celebrate, relax and get exercise all in one.
If you take the Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth, you’ll skip out on the town’s usually traffic-choked roads and instead be treated to vistas of cranberry bogs and beaches. Also, what’s more patriotic than a bike path named after one of America’s most patriotic songs, America the Beautiful? And, okay, if you must make it to Main Street, this bike path has easier access to it than by car.
Tip 4 – Check Out a Museum
Many local museums offer specials on holiday weekends. There’s even a new “Cape Cod Museum Trail” which allows participants certain discounts and an easy means of navigation through some of the area’s best attractions. While everybody else is at the beach or throwing impromptu cookouts for the holiday weekend, consider learning about American political, environmental and artistic history at the Cape’s wide variety of museums.
Tip 5 – Try to Find a Residential-Only Beach
This may seem a tad exclusionary, but the fact is, many Cape visitors may actually be able to gain access to res-only beaches. Do you have a friend or relative who lives on Cape? Do you own property that you visit part-time? Then you may be able to “get on the list,” so to speak, for some of the Cape’s private or res-only stretches of sand.
Also, resorts and strings of cottages often come with private beach privileges – and many Cape Cod towns have fireworks displays. So it is highly likely that a display will be in view if you’re renting from one of these resorts or properties.
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