Coast Guard Beach is once again ranked as one of the best. The beach recently took the number six spot when it comes to the annual list of the best beaches in the country, compliments of Dr. Beach. Last year Coast Guard Beach sat in the number five spot.

Not only is the beach special for its unique attributes, but it’s also the only New England beach to grab a spot on the list this year. Beaches are ranked in terms of everything from water temperature and cleanliness to safety and the softness of the sand.

In fact, 50 different criteria are taken into consideration. The professor behind the ranking system has been coming out with the list for decades, with his selections based on personal visits and federal data collected by the EPA.

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Photo: slack12

It may be small, but Woods Hole is larger than life when it comes to family-friendly fun. This tiny seaside village is extremely popular in the summer months, when visitors flock to Cape Cod to explore the unique sites and the natural beauty of the area.

Found in Falmouth, Woods Hole sits on the southwest corner of the Cape, once a prime area for fishing, shipping and whaling. These days, though, it still offers visitors and residents plenty of fun.

Younger visitors are no doubt drawn to its aquarium, noted as the oldest such aquarium in the nation. Other options include boat watching from the docks or learning about oceanic exploration at the Ocean Science Discovery Center.

It’s also a reasonable walk from the center of town to Nobska

With postcard worthy appeal, Shore Road in Chatham provides a tempting way to gain a true appreciation of the cozy fishing village in just one short stretch of roadway. From the rolling hills and sweeping views of North Beach Island to exploring the elegant history of the region, Shore Road leads to an array of options in beautiful Chatham.

Chatham Bars Inn

One of those destinations is Chatham Bars Inn, located right along Shore Road. Once known as a hunting lodge for wealthy vacationers the inn still exudes period charm and modern elegance. While featuring luxurious accommodations, the site also includes a relaxing spa, ocean views, and remarkable choices in dining, including locally grown selections.

Chatham Fish Pier

To get a true taste of the old

The inspiration for countless artists and writers, Cape Cod National Seashore is a public paradise, supplemented by tens of thousands of acres of beaches, dunes, forests and freshwater ponds. Stretching along the coastline from Provincetown to Chatham, the seashore offers up an undeveloped natural area for residents and visitors alike.

With unending sand and water, the seashore invites guests to stretch out on the sand or jump in the waves, a place where families are welcome, with a pristine beach that isn’t reserved solely for those who own waterfront or beachfront property of their own. Now more than a half century after its creation, the Cape Cod National Seashore means many things to many people.

A stretch of sand, an oceanside forest, a bike path, it

The Cape is a fantastic location to view wildlife, at home in their natural environment.  From the numerous sanctuaries to clubs working to preserve native species, here are some of the prime ways to experience bird watching in the Cape Cod region:

Cape Cod Bird Club

The Cape Cod Bird Club was formed by a group of people dedicated to protecting and conserving native birds in the area.  Members take part in a variety of events throughout the year, including lectures, bird walks and bird counts.

The organization also hosts an annual bird festival.  Yearly membership fees in the Cape Cod Bird Club go to fund community college scholarships, nest box monitoring of the Eastern Bluebird and field trips.

Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries

The Mass Audubon’s

As homeowners, most of us probably want it all when it comes to the home of our dreams: a home matched to our taste and lifestyle, a location that fits where we want to live and explore, and obviously a home that fits into our budget.  What if you could find all of those things wrapped up into one ideal area.  Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it?

That’s where the location of Red River Beach comes into play.  It’s no secret that living in Chatham requires a certain home budget that not every homeowner can afford.  After all, this resort town offers up upscale real estate with incredible ocean and harbor views.  From the renovated captains’ homes to the modern new construction to the six saltwater beaches, the area is a virtual paradise for those

To really experience a taste of life in New England, there is nothing like exploring the harbors of Harwich Port.  Located on the lower Cape, or rather the elbow of Cape Cod, this quaint Massachusetts community is one of seven villages in the town of Harwich. Harwich Port offers some of the best opportunities for outdoor recreation in the area.  Lounge along some of the warmest beaches of Cape Cod, cast a line or take to the water from one of the area’s three harbors.  All three offer their own unique and distinctive opportunities for residents to explore time and time again.

Saquatucket Harbor

By size alone, Saquatucket offers the most diverse opportunities.  This is the location of the Cape’s largest municipal marina.  It’s also the place