Hotel at a Glance: The Admiralty Inn & Suites

After a day of exploring historic seaside towns, The Admiralty Inn provides plenty of space to kick back and relax. Ideal for vacationing families, the hotel’s newly renovated guest rooms can accommodate groups of varying sizes, from suites with sprawling king beds to split-level rooms that can sleep up to six people. Parties of any size can also swim year-round, thanks to the hotel’s indoor heated pool with an attached hot tub.

• Guest rooms feature free WiFi, mini-fridges, and microwaves.
• Start each morning with free continental breakfast.
• Check out the local scene: A number of restaurants and the scenic coastline are nearby.
• Admire views of the Cape from Nobska Lighthouse, about 6 miles away.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Quaint Villages, Protected Beaches, and Miles of Shoreline

In the late 19th century, Cape Cod began to blossom into a summer vacation destination as visitors swapped crowded coastal cities for the sandy shores of eastern Massachusetts. Today, the arm-shaped peninsula encompasses a string of idyllic fishing villages, rolling dunes, and 300 miles of sandy shoreline—and it’s still the place where many East Coasters choose to spend their leisurely summer days. Popular attractions include fresh-seafood restaurants, quaint stores, and bicycle trails, such as the 11-mile Shining Sea Bikeway that wends from North Falmouth to Woods Hole.

But there’s also plenty to do in winter, when the crowds are a lot smaller. On the uppermost tip of the Cape, the free-spirited art colony of Provincetown attracts visitors year-round. This is one of the best places to head for a vibrant nightlife scene—there are cabarets, bars, and lounges aplenty. Pop into the Provincetown Art Association and Museum to check out local artwork, both historical and contemporary. Farther south, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium houses 140 marine animals native to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region. You might even see marine biologists feeding the seals in the aquarium’s outdoor enclosure.

In the Lower, or Outer, Cape, you’ll find Eastham, nicknamed the Gateway to the Cape Cod National Seashore. About 11% of the town lies within the protected area, which spreads across miles of swimming beaches, marshes, and ponds, accented by lighthouses and wild cranberry bogs. The seashore maintains several walking trails, including the Fort Hill Rural Historic District. While strolling, you’ll enjoy scenic ocean vistas, as Eastham is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Cape Cod Bay on the other. Be sure to check out the Nauset Lighthouse, which has overlooked the Atlantic and helped guide vacationing British fish to shore since 1838.