Orleans Named a Top 10 Happiest Seaside Town

NausetBeachOrleansSunriseThe Lower Cape town of Orleans was recently listed as one of the 2017 Top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns by Time, Inc.’s Coastal Living magazine, which should come as no surprise to anyone who lives here.

With its many freshwater and saltwater beaches, walking and biking trails, parks and playgrounds and some of the best food and shopping, there is much happiness to be had in this neck of the world.

Orleans lies on the southern end the Cape Cod National Seashore, the famous summer tourist destination that attracts millions of people yearly.

Coastal Living describes Orleans as “a historic gem with tawny beaches that grace both the Bay and Atlantic sides of Cape Cod, this charming New England town of 5,890 is both summer escape and year-round enclave.” We’d say that’s pretty darned accurate. Wouldn’t you?

With the calm seas of Skaket Beach on the Cape Cod Bay side, the pounding surf of Nauset beach on the Atlantic Ocean side, Orleans can provide any type of beach experience.

In choosing its 2017 finalists, the editors at Coastal Living reviewed destinations that had been covered by the magazine in the past, and nominated via social media. From there, they looked at each destination’s rank on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, took into consideration the percentage of clear and sunny days, the healthiness of the beaches, commute times, walkability, crime ratings, standard of living and financial well-being of the local population.

They also considered geographic diversity and their editors’ assessment of each town’s “coastal vibe.” And where has more “coastal vibe” than Cape Cod?

The 2017 list of the Top 10 is not yet ranked in any particular order. Coastal Living invites readers to go to its website to vote for their favorite town (Orleans) at coastalliving.com/travel/happiest-seaside-towns. Voting is open through Oct. 17, and the number-one winning town will be named Jan. 11, 2017, and featured in the May, 2017 20th anniversary issue of Coastal Living.

By Ann Luongo



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy