Where To Stay In Cape Cod With Kids

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A young boy drags a sand bucket across the sand at Cape Cod.

Families love visiting Cape Cod for its stunning scenery, fun beach atmosphere, and abundance of places to stay with kids! Whether you’re looking for a lively beach town or somewhere quiet to spend your family vacation, there’s sure to be a perfect town on the Cape for you and your kids. Hyannis is a great place for activities beyond the beach, like the various museums and places like Yarmouth offer fun family activities like a pirate-themed golf course! If you’re wondering where you should stay with your kids in Cape Cod, we’ve divided this list by numerous towns and have added a few suggestions for places families will love to stay. From outdoor pools to spacious suites, check out these best places to stay in Cape Cod with kids!

Best Places To Stay In The Upper Cape With Kids

Upper Cape is closest to the mainland, making it accessible if you’re driving from other parts of Massachusetts. Here are some of the best places to stay in Cape Cod with kids!

Falmouth

Falmouth, on the southwestern tip of Cape Cod, is a beloved destination for families due to its variety of activities and attractions! It’s the closest to the mainland and also features a walkable Main Street with cute shops and restaurants. And if you want to visit Martha’s Vineyard, you can take the ferry from Woods Hole.

Families love exploring the Shining Sea Bikeway, a scenic 10.7-mile paved trail that winds along the coast, offering breathtaking ocean views and marshes. History buffs can also check out historic Falmouth Village and the surrounding area, home to the Falmouth Museums on the Green. At the Woods Hole Science Aquarium, kids can learn about marine life and even touch some of the creatures in the touch tanks. For a day at the beach, families can head to Old Silver Beach or Surf Drive Beach, both of which offer calm waters and soft sand. Don’t forget to take a tour of the Nobska Point Lighthouse.

Read these Best Tips For A Magical Family Vacation On Martha’s Vineyard!

Where To Stay In Falmouth With Kids

Many families who want to stay in Falmouth choose an Airbnb or Vrbo or from one of the many cute B&Bs in the area.

Best Places To Stay In The Mid-Cape With Kids

Families who want to visit the part of Cape Cod with the most activities and resorts will likely prefer the Mid-Cape, home to famous towns like Hyannis. Here are some of the best places to stay in the Mid-Cape with kids!

Hyannis

Hyannis, located in Barnstable, has earned a reputation as a popular destination in Cape Cod for families. As the island’s main transportation hub, it’s home to a small airport, a bus terminal, and a ferry terminal. In fact, if you want to take a day trip to Nantucket from Cape Cod, Hyannis is where you’ll be departing from.

A small pod of whales comes to surface surrounded by birds near Cape Cod. — Photo Courtesy: Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises

It’s known for its busy harbor, historic attractions, and vibrant downtown area. Families can enjoy a day at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, which offers interactive exhibits and displays about the Kennedy family’s time on Cape Cod. The Cape Cod Maritime Museum is another great option, offering hands-on activities and exhibits about the region’s maritime history. Families can visit Kalmus Beach, which is popular for windsurfing and kiteboarding, or take a scenic boat tour of Hyannis Harbor for outdoor fun. Whale-watching cruises are top-rated here.

Where To Stay In Hyannis With Kids

The indoor pool and water park at Cape Codder Resort and Spa. — Photo Courtesy: Cape Codder Resort and Spa

Looking for somewhere to stay in Hyannis with kids? Check out this option!

Cape Codder Resort & Spa is less than 4 miles from Kalmus Beach, featuring bigger multi-room suites and kitchens for large families. There’s also an on-site pool with a waterpark, plus a schedule of kids’ activities and a spa for parents.

Yarmouth

An aerial view of Cape Cod Inflatable Park, featuring a lazy river and huge inflatables. — Photo Courtesy: Cape Cod Inflatable Park

Yarmouth offers a distinct vibe depending on whether you’re staying along Cape Cod Bay or further south, which is a bit more active. Either way, it’s one of the best places to stay in Cape Cod with kids!

In West Yarmouth, you can spend a day at the Cape Cod Inflatable Park, which features a variety of inflatable attractions, including slides, obstacle courses, and bounce houses. The Whydah Pirate Museum is another popular attraction, offering interactive exhibits and displays about the famous pirate ship that sank off the coast of Cape Cod. Plus, Pirate’s Cove has an 18-hole mini-course featuring waterfalls, a full-size pirate schooner, and more! Skull Island Adventure Golf & Sports World also offers mini-golf, go-karts, batting cages, and more. Crab Creek, one of the best places to go blue crabbing on Cape Cod, is also located in Yarmouth.

Planning a beach trip? Check out these 19+ Best East Coast Beach Towns To Visit With Kids This Summer!

Where To Stay In Yarmouth With Kids

If you’re searching for somewhere to stay in Yarmouth with kids, here’s a favorite option for where to stay in Cape Cod with kids!

Red Jacket Beach Resort & Spa offers families an idyllic stay on a private beach. The hotel also has an indoor and outdoor pool, watersports, and more activities for kids, alongside large guest suites – some of which have bunk beds!
Additionally, Yarmouth is home to several other family-friendly resorts, such as the Blue Water Resort Cape Cod (which has a private beach and an outdoor pool), Riviera Beach Resort (which has a kids’ club), Bayside Resort Hotel Cap, and Cape Cod Family Resort. Each offers unique experiences for a memorable family vacation.

Dennis

A family of four stands together at sunset on the Mayflower Beach in Cape Cod. — Photo Courtesy: Shannon Broadbent

If your family loves the beach, Dennis is a great place to make your home base in Cape Cod! It has a location on Cape Cod Bay and the Nantucket Sound. Some parts are also a bit quieter than others in Cape Cod (Dennis Village and East Dennis), while West Dennis and Dennisport tend to be more lively.

A paved bike path extends into the Cape Cod Rail Trail, with lush foliage on both sides of the trail. — Photo Courtesy: Kenneth C. Zirkel via Wikimedia

One of the most popular beaches for families in Dennis is Mayflower Beach, which features soft sand and calm waters for kids. In West Dennis, there are more beaches along the Nantucket Sound. The Cape Cod Museum of Art features a variety of exhibits and displays by local artists. Meanwhile, The Cape Cod Children’s Museum has hands-on exhibits and activities for children of all ages. Families can also enjoy a day at the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which offers scenic views of the Cape Cod landscape and is perfect for biking, walking, and jogging. Don’t forget to catch a movie at Cape Cinema, which has been open since 1930!

Where To Stay In Dennis With Kids

Need somewhere to stay in Dennis with kids? Here’s an option!

An aerial view of Pelham House Resort, one of the best places to stay in Cape Cod with kids. — Photo Courtesy: Pelham House Resort

A view of the beach and ocean at Pelham House Resort in Cape Cod. — Photo Courtesy: Pelham House Resort

Pelham House Resort is located on a private beach overlooking the Nantucket Sound. It also features an outdoor pool, fire pits to gather around, and a roller skating rink!

Best Places To Stay In The Lower Cape With Kids

Need somewhere to stay in the Lower Cape? From Brewster to Harwich, here are the best places to stay in the Lower Cape with kids, including the best places to stay in Cape Cod on the beach!

Brewster

Brewster is a quaint Cape Cod town offering a quiet, laidback vibe that most closely resembles the “Old Cape Cod.” Its mix of modern amenities and historic houses makes it very picturesque, and you can expect to find quiet beaches here.

Inside the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, featuring a large exhibit on local fish. — Photo Courtesy: Jllm06 via Wikimedia

Families can enjoy a day at the Brewster Flats, which offers tidal pools to explore. It’s accessible via any one of Brewster’s public beaches. Some of the best beaches for kids here include Breakwater Beach, Crosby Landing, and Ellis Landing. Or, spend a day at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, which offers interactive exhibits and displays about the region’s natural history. From here, families can also hike the 2.1-mile John Wing Trail, which passes through a salt marsh and eventually to Wing Island. Or, go hiking through Nickerson State Park. The Brewster Historical Society Museum is another great option, showcasing exhibits and displays about the town’s history.

Plus, nearby you’ll also find the cute town of Sandwich, which features an iconic boardwalk with spectacular views. Plus, the Sandwich Glass Museum, where kids can learn more about this unique craft.

Here are the 15 Best Things To Do In Cape Cod With Kids!

Where To Stay In Brewster With Kids

An aerial view of Ocean Edge Resort in Cape Cod.

The outdoor pool at the Ocean Edge Resort in Cape Cod.

Photo Courtesy: Ocean Edge Resort

Looking for places to stay in Brewster with kids? Check out these options!

Ocean Edge Resort & Spa is an upscale golf resort with accommodations for large families, ranging from suites with kitchens to multi-bedroom villas. It also has a private beach, multiple pools, and more amenities for families, making it one of the best places to stay in Cape Cod on the beach.
Wychmere Resort has deluxe guest rooms, ocean-view suites, and even cottages. Plus, there are three heated pools, a private beach, and on-site dining.

Many families who want to stay in Brewster choose an Airbnb or Vrbo or from one of the many cute B&Bs in the area.

Chatham

Chatham epitomizes the coastal charm Cape Cod is so famous for. With a history dating back 300 years, this pretty historic town is one of the best places to stay in Cape Cod with kids. Since it’s one of the most central towns on the island, it’s a great home base for exploring the rest of Cape Cod. Plus, most of the popular resorts and hotels in Cape Cod are located in Chatham.

Kids will love spotting the seals by the Chatham Pier or visiting the Chatham Pier Fish Market for fresh cuisine. Explore Chatham by bike on the Old Colony Rail Trail or the Scenic Bike Route to Old Oyster Beach. If you want to relax, Chatham Lighthouse Beach offers stunning views of the iconic lighthouse, plus it’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. The Chatham Shark Center is another popular attraction, offering interactive exhibits and displays about sharks and their role in the ocean ecosystem. Families can also enjoy a day at the Chatham Railroad Museum, which offers exhibits and displays about the town’s railroad history.

Where To Stay In Chatham With Kids

Chatcham Bars Inn main building, beautiful landscaping with purple flowers and lamp posts. — Photo Courtesy: Chatham Bars Inn

Families who need somewhere to stay in Chatham with kids will love these options for where to stay in Cape Cod with kids!

Chatham Bars Inn is an iconic luxury hotel adjacent to the Chatham Pier Fish Market. It has a private beach, a heated pool, a Kids’ Club, lawn games, and more amenities that families will love. It is considered a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star hotel. No wonder it’s one of the best places to stay in Cape Cod on the beach!

Harwich

Two sisters wearing lovely dresses hug one another while enjoying a sunny day on the beach in Cape Cod. — Photo Courtesy: Pannah San Chung

Harwich is a charming town on Cape Cod’s southeastern shore, offering families an elegant yet unpretentious vacation spot. It also has a convenient location on Cape Cod, making it easy to take day trips to visit other towns.

Beaches such as Red River Beach and Pleasant Road Beach offer families a peaceful place to swim, build sand castles, and enjoy the view. Or, visit the Harwich Cultural Center, which offers a variety of arts and cultural programs for children and adults. The Harwich Historical Society Museum showcases exhibits and displays about the town’s history. Families can also enjoy a day at the Harwich Conservation Trust, which offers miles of hiking trails and scenic views of the Cape Cod landscape. In July and August, families can also wander through the Cape Cod Lavender Farm. Plus, in the fall, Harwich is home to countless cranberry bogs, which families can take a tour of.

Where To Stay In Harwich With Kids

The exterior of the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club on a sunny day, featuring a seaside location. It's surely one of the best luxury hotels in the U.S for families. — Photo Courtesy: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

If you need somewhere to stay in Harwich with kids during your Cape Cod family vacation, consider this option for where to stay in Cape Cod with kids!

Wequassett Resort and Golf Club boasts cottages that can accommodate bigger families and even connecting rooms. Kids will love the pool with a splash pad, the children’s center, and the two beaches. It’s certainly one of the best places to stay in Cape Cod on the beach!

Best Places To Stay In The Outer Cape With Kids

A child playing in the sand in Eastham, Cape Cod. — Photo Courtesy: Jennifer Kutka Colandrea

Looking for more places to stay in Cape Cod with kids? Check out these options for where to stay in Cape Cod with kids!

Orleans ranks as one of the most beautiful towns on Cape Cod. Beach lovers will appreciate Nauset Beach, and there are also lots of places to go fishing and hiking. Plus, a cute and walkable Main Street! Kids can also burn off some energy at the Orleans Community Playground. Many families stay at a Vrbo or a B&B.

Eastham is the ideal Cape Cod town for families who want a quiet beach vacation away from the crowds of tourists. Coast Guard Beach is especially popular with families, and Eastham is also home to the Nauset Lighthouse. It has historical significance as well, which you can tell kids about. (It’s where the Mayflower Pilgrims first met Native Americans.) Stay at a Vrbo or a B&B.

Happy Travels!

Two boys playing in the water in Cape Cod with small minnow nets. — Photo Courtesy: Angie Chau

We hope you liked this list of Where To Stay In Cape Cod With Kids! From Hyannis to Eastham, this family-friendly island is packed with things to do with kids. Enjoy your next family vacation to Cape Cod!

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