You Have 24 Hours in Dennis – Here’s What to Do

Dennis is one of the more popular towns when it comes to summer rentals, with hundreds of cottages and small homes still dotting the shoreline.

It also features one of the most popular ice creams shops, bountiful boating and nature opportunities, a diversity of restaurants and cultural activities and the overall Cape Cod atmosphere people look forward to each summer.

The town is also well-known for its 16 bayside and sound-side beaches. You could disregard the following guide and just spend a few hours at Corporation, Cold Storage, Chapin or Scargo. But if you really want to sample all that Dennis has to offer – and you’re limited on time – try out some of the following attractions.

8 to 9 a.m. – Breakfast
Any adventurer knows the value of starting off the day with something delectable to eat, and the Underground Bakery (780 Main Street Rt. 6A) has no shortage of such sustenance. Expect extremely fresh ingredients, married together to make farmhouse wraps, homefries and even a separate section for vegetarian and vegan customers. If you need some sugar to help kick you into gear, try their cupcakes or pies, each baked daily.

There’s also a more traditional sit-down breakfast joint called Grumpy’s (1408 MA-6A). Highlights of their extensive menu include 9 unique varieties of eggs benedict, 18 different omelets, 5 flavors of pancakes (not including plain!), 9 breakfast specialties (like their egg-stuffed potato) and amazing homemade hash.

9 a.m. to noon – Boating the Bass River
As mentioned above, Dennis has lots to offer the nature explorer, especially those who enjoy boating. One of the most popular kayak rental services, Bass River Kayaks, (109 Main Street) is conveniently near the river. If you have a waterproof camera, you’ll want to bring it: the river is rife with wildlife like blue herons, osprey and – if you have a fishing pole – striped bass.
If you’re in the mood for a drier excursion, try the Indian Lands Conservation Area (485 Main Street). The trail itself is only less than a mile long but features excellent views of Bass River and hundreds of the endangered Lady Slipper flowers in the spring.

Noon to 1 p.m. – Lunchtime
Worked up an appetite yet? If so, be sure to head over to Buckie’s Biscotti (681 Main Street Route 28). A longstanding community favorite, Buckies’ lofty interior is home to wafting scents of freshly baked Italian pastry, sultry French scones and seasonal loaf breads. On the latter, they serve up pressed panini sandwiches and plenty of Mediterranean-inspired offerings. Another great spot to bring a large group of people: the vegetarians will have plenty of options, the sweet and coffee addicts will be running rampant with glee, and the old man who just wants a plain old sandwich will have his fill.

Kape Kabab (613 Main Street) is the only restaurant on Cape Cod which focuses on Middle Eastern specialties. These folks are pros at their namesake, kabob sandwiches, but also offer the specialty shaved meat sandwich called shawarma and the fried chickpea balls known as falafel.

For a healthy option with some funky flavors, try Organic Market (640 Main Street). The grocery store-deli counter hybrid has sandwiches, soups, a smoothie and juice bar, and kombucha on tap. Never heard of kombucha? It’s a bit of an acquired taste, but essentially the beverage consists of slightly fermented tea and has a tangy, refreshing flavor. This is an especially great stop for vegetarians, vegans and those who love to “eat clean.”

After stocking up on health food, why not treat yourself to some of the frozen delights at GoodFellas Gellateria (766 Main Street Dennis)? This relative newcomer takes its Italian roots seriously, serving up sweet specialties like affogato (think root beer float, but with gelato and espresso coffee instead), 24 seasonally-shifting flavors of the dense stuff and waffle cones.

1 to 5:30 p.m. – Afternoon Touring
The Cape Cod Museum of Art’s (60 Hope Lane) mission is to collect, study, interpret and exhibit works by outstanding artists with a regional association. The museum’s collections and exhibitions also include works drawn from a broader context, providing a more comprehensive understanding of our regional artistic heritage. See pastoral scenes of life on the Cape pre-industrial revolution, or some quirkier interpretations of Cape life.

If it’s time to pick up the pace with an exciting race, look no further than Cartwheels (11 S Gages Way), a go-cart track. It may seem childish to the uninitiated, but nothing quite matches the simple thrill of rounding a tight corner, passing your friends and giggling all the way to the finish line.

In late afternoon, a trip to Scargo Tower at the top of Scargo Hill will be dutifully rewarded. The 30 foot tall cobblestone structure was built in 1901. Incredibly, you can see Cape Cod’s entire bayside coast from the top of it: from the Sagamore Bridge to Provincetown.

5:30 to 7 p.m. – Dinner
Paradise Pizza (74 School Street) is more than just a pizza parlor. The owner, Joey, takes just as much pride in his extensive list of Italian entrees as he does in the pie. On the “Subs” section of the menu alone, there are 25 options. Seventeen different wraps are ranked by tropically-themed names, from the Mediterranean-veggie called “City of Palms” to the Luau BBQ pork and red onion. The specialty pizzas are just as tempting: The Kokomo (Pesto sauce, garlic, ricotta) and Key Largo (Herbs, spices, fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, broccoli and parmesan cheese) are particularly popular.

Billygoat’s BBQ (581 Main Street) makes exactly what you suspect it does: rich, hardy and incredibly flavorful fare. While the main event, the meat, is indeed smoked to perfection, part of the thrill of a dinner here lies in the sides. Roasted red potatoes, “dirty rice,” creamy cucumber salad and mac n’ cheese round out an already sumptuous meal.

For something a little lighter, try Bass River Burrito and Fish Company (231 MA-28). Mission style burritos are served exactly how you order them, with customization the focus. Choose from lightly spiced beans, white or brown rice, meat or fish, vegetables, fresh salsas and guacamole. A great place for gluten free folks, vegetarians or seafood lovers.

7 p.m. to ??? – Nightlife
They day doesn’t have to be over yet! The Cape Playhouse (820 MA-6A) has attracted the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Gertrude Lawrence and Henry Fonda the 90 plus years it has operated, and continues to offer quality productions each summer. It’s also widely regarded as the oldest summer theater in the nation.

The magnificent Cape Cinema (35 Hope Lane), built in 1930, features a majestic atmosphere coupled with the contemporary luxuries of cushy seating and a clubby snack bar. It is best to get to the theater early to see the star of the show: on the ceiling is a mural painted in 1930 by famed American painter and illustrator Rockwell Kent. The 6,400 square-foot mural is said to be Kent’s colorful vision of heaven with comets, galaxies, and constellations.

If you’re looking to dance or catch one of the hot local bands, check out Sundancer’s on Route 28 along the Bass River. They have a tropical theme inside and deck overlooking the Bass River. Down on Lower County Road, the Sand Dollar Bar and Grill is another great place for live music and fun crowd. They also feature a fully-stocked bar with unique drink specials and a tasty bar menu.

By Adam Forziati