Yarmouth is a town with two personalities — the North side facing Cape Cod Bay with an old Yankee/Colonial charm. On the South side, along Nantucket Sound, one of the busiest stretches for tourism on Cape Cod.
Yarmouth is also home to some of the most prized beaches, and many of them are within walking distance of each other. It is because of this convenient geographical phenomenon that we purposefully put a beach visit on this list. It’s just a quintessential part of visiting Yarmouth.
But if you’re not in the mood to get wet and sandy, never fear.
Below you’ll find a thorough guide to spending the day in Yarmouth.
8 to 9 a.m. – Breakfast
Diners are a passing breed, but when you find one, be sure to support it! The food at the Route 28 Diner (928 MA-28) follows diner-style eating to a tee: reasonable prices, warm & hearty meals, and a laid back atmosphere (the chrome is a nice throwback, too!).
Piccadilly Café & Deli (1105 MA-28) is equally eclectic. With 11 eggs benedicts, 9 specialty dishes and 11 omelette options crowding the menu, you’re sure to find a combination which suits your fancy.
One of the most successful small businesses in town (yes, even when pitted against the minigolf courses), is the Keltic Kitchen (415 MA-28). Folks line up out the door to dine on one of the traditional Irish breakfasts here. Menu items like strawberry scones, sweet potato cranberry nut pancakes, crème brulee French toast and the legendary Irish Farmhouse plate just can’t be found anywhere nearby.
9 a.m. to Noon – The Sandy Shore and a Candy Store
Every town on Cape Cod has a beach worth visiting, but Yarmouth’s are quintessential. We recommend you start with two: Bass River Beach, aka Smuggler’s, is accessible via South Street and is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, or simply watching the boats go by, to and from the Bass River. If it gets too crowded, simply walk on over to Middle Beach, less than a quarter mile to the west.
The other option is slightly more scenic than swim-worthy, but a dip in the cooler waters of Gray’s Beach (400 Center Street) never hurt anyone. About 800 feet of boardwalk curves through marsh and tidal lands makes for one of the most relaxing morning walks on Cape Cod.
Follow up some time in the sand with a stop at the Saltwater Taffy stand, 984 MA-28. You may feel the need to brush your teeth after plundering the depths of each of the baskets here: flavors like Beach Plum, Molasses, Cranberry, Lime, and Root Beer are fan favorites, but there are 31 flavors to choose from at any given time.
If you’re seeking a specialty candy, try Candy Co. (975 MA-28). Hundreds upon hundreds of candies and chocolates line the shelves here. They specialize in hard-to-find selections, as well as some imports.
Noon to 1 p.m. – Lunch
The Optimist Café (134 MA-6A) offers the excellent diversity of options that Route 6A is known for. Their lunch menu contains such offerings as mild and hot curries, quesadillas and fish tacos.
Another specialty shop may surprise you: Idgy’s (23 Whites Path) is a completely gluten-free establishment. But don’t let that stop you if you consider bread a food group: six delectable flavors of GF bread make for excellent sandwiches, while the gluten free desserts like peanut butter bars, cupcakes and bread pudding prove that healthy food can be incredibly tasty. They also offer plenty of selections for vegans.
Bass River Pizza (1311 MA-28) has become a favorite for locals. The New York-style pie is fired in a brick oven, and the result is a crisp bottom, gooey top and caramelized sauce.
1 to 6 p.m. – Gone a’Plunderin’
Children and adults alike will love the Whydah Pirate Museum (674 MA-28). The Cape’s newest science museum features the only authenticated pirate treasure ever discovered. The Whydah tells the story of the pirate ship which sank off the coast of Wellfleet in 1717. The museum features artifacts removed from the wreck site, tells stories of the crew and highlights what life was like on the ship.
Another museum, this one more literary in nature, is the Edward Gorey House (8 Strawberry Lane). Many do not realize that this quirky writer and illustrator lived on Cape Cod. His former home is packed with mementos, various scribblings and some of his first childhood drawings.
For collectors, or even anyone who enjoys American history, a stop at Bass River Coins (1345 MA-28) will yield intriguing results. Coin collecting is an under-the-radar hobby, but the fact that a coin shop exists in Yarmouth is a testament to how many needs and desires the town can serve.
A popular stop is the Cape Cod Inflatable Park (518 Main Street), a waterslide lover’s heaven. This kitschy park includes rides such as the Aqua Chute, the Tidal Wave, and Jaws. Adventurous visitors who wish to try their hand at the Challenge Park can work their way through the inflatables. Successfully progressing through each ride allows advancement onto the next. There’s even a section specifically geared towards toddlers, so those little legs can keep up with all the fun.
And of course, a stop in Yarmouth would not be complete without taking a little putt-putt tour. The legendary Pirate’s Cove (728 Main Street) is an all-time favorite, but don’t let that be your only course. Skull Island Adventure Golf (934 MA-28) brings putters through a haunted treasure cave, waterfalls and much more. Wild Animal Lagoon (62 MA-28) is extra suitable for the young ones.
6 to 7:30 p.m. – Dinnertime
Serving the Cape for over 30 years, Captain Parker’s (62 MA-28) is Yarmouth’s food institution. It overlooks Parker’s river and features what some consider the best clam chowder in the region.
Those craving Italian in town should head over to Gerardi’s (902 MA-28) for colorful plates, homemade pastas and Sicilian specialties.
Or, you could do what many residents do on some nights: have ice cream for dinner. The frozen treats at Cape Cod Creamery (5 Theater Colony Road) are always made with fresh ingredients, pitched right into their mixers. That counts as real food, right?
By Adam Forziati
