Harwich Port is the Cape’s Complete Village

Packed with unique shops, galleries, restaurants, and more, Harwich Port is notably the Cape’s complete village. The seaside village sits on Nantucket Sound and is relatively tiny in size and in full-time population.

It’s popularity, however, is much greater. First settled by fishermen and seamen, the village soon attracted those capable of building boats and grand homes for sea captains.

When rail service was established and automobiles became more prevalent, the small village turned into a popular spot for tourists and remains so today. Restaurants soon went up, shops opened, and local inns began welcoming the summer crowd. 

While only about 1,800 people live in Harwich Port today, it’s not uncommon for there to be almost twice that many people in the village during the summer months. It’s really no wonder that Harwich Port was once declared one of the happiest seaside towns by Coastal Living Magazine. 

After you’ve strolled through some of the locally owned shops and dined at the local restaurants, area beaches are also just a short stroll away. Harwich Port is home to a full-service marina with slips for boats, sail boats, and charter fishing.

You can catch a boat for a day trip to Nantucket or take a seal-watching cruise to Monomoy Island from Saquatucket Municipal Harbor Marina. If you don’t necessarily want to get out on the water, you can still take in some waterfront views while dining on the harbor.

The village is also home to the Allen Harbor Yacht Club, which traces its roots back to the early 1950s. The private club offers social activities, and of course, encourages yachting.

There’s also the Wychmere Beach Club, with its own private beach, three swimming pools, and fitness. It’s an easy walk from village center to find the nine-hole, Harwich Port Golf Course, too. Over the summer months, you can even catch live music and fun on Main Street with Port Summer Nights.