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Vacation isn't cheap.
But when you've been going to the same place for a long time, you start to find the freebies, the bargains, and the things worth spending money on.
My family has been going to Cape Cod, a popular East Coast vacation spot, since 1952, when my great-great-grandmother Lyla Flagler retired on Thomas Lane in Falmouth. She was the town's oldest citizen when she died at 101, and it was her hope that my family would continue coming out to the Cape.
We've been doing just that, spending summertime in Cotuit, Massachusetts, since before I can remember.
I rounded up 13 affordable places on the Cape that I think are must-see's. This is not a comprehensive list, just a starting point based on the 22 summers I've spent there.
Spend a summer evening eating Crackerjacks and hot dogs at the ballpark. Cape Cod has a highly competitive collegiate summer league, and games are played nearly every night from June to August. We root for the Cotuit Kettleers, but there are nine other teams scattered across the Cape. The best part about summer baseball on the Cape: Admission is free!
Here's the full schedule.
Stop by the legendary Four Seas Ice Cream in Centerville for a pint of ice cream (by far the best deal — they're only $5!) and side of their rich hot fudge. They're a cash-only joint, but there's an ATM in the parking lot. If that doesn't satisfy your sweet tooth, head over to the penny candy store right around the corner — the 1856 Country Store — for cheap and delicious sweets.
Check out the full list of Four Seas flavors here (I recommend Peppermint Stick).
Take a day trip to Provincetown, a town at the very tip of Cape Cod. The water is gorgeous, the narrow, cobble-stoned streets are lively, and restaurant options are endless. Check out our favorite — The Canteen on Commercial Street — for decently priced lobster rolls and a side of their top-selling brussels sprouts.
Check out The Canteen's full menu.
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