Nestled in the elbow of Cape Cod, Chatham has long been a beloved summer escape for New Englanders — and it’s easy to see why.
The Massachusetts seaside gem has it all: pristine beaches, postcard-worthy charm, accommodations straight out of a Nancy Meyers movie (check out Greyfinch Chatham Inn), and deep nautical roots, from the Chatham Pier Fish Market (go late morning to see fishing boats return with their catch) to the Atwood Museum (an 18th-century sea captain’s home). Add in breezy bike rides along the nearby Cape Cod Rail Trail, whale-watching tours that wow, and seafood so fresh that it practically high-fived the fisherman — and, yeah, it’s no mystery why people return year after year.
⛱️ Let’s start with the reason you’re here: Chatham’s wide, sandy beaches, each with its own vibe. Hardings Beach is considered the best for families (think: calm surf, warmer waters, ample room), while Lighthouse Beach — home to, as the name suggests, a historic lighthouse — is popular for picnics and long strolls along the shoreline. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also hop aboard a boat tour to Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, a protected stretch of coast with seals, horseshoe crabs, and countless land and sea birds.
👟 Need a reprieve from the sun and sand? Spend an afternoon wandering around Chatham’s storybook downtown — an idyllic mix of wildflower gardens, quaint Cape Cod cottages, and the lively Main Street. There, you’ll find cozy cafés (fuel up at Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters), the beautifully restored Chatham Orpheum Theater, unique art galleries (don’t miss Gallery Antonia), Kate Gould Park (where, for almost a century, the Chatham Band has performed every summer Friday night), and one-of-a-kind stores. Those include: Ducks in the Window (the self-proclaimed world’s largest rubber-duck shop), Maps of Antiquity (browse over 18,000 antique maps, prints, and charts), and 71-year-old Chatham Candy Manor (you’re welcome).
🍴 In what should be a surprise to no one, Chatham crushes the seafood game. Start at The Chatham Squire, a Cape institution that boasts live entertainment, hearty pub grub, and some of the best lobster rolls in town (order the hot one). Or, swing by local fave Del Mar Bar & Bistro for excellent cocktails, Mediterranean-inspired small plates, and wood-fired thin-crust pizzas (the fig-and-prosciutto pie is a must). Want something more upscale? You can’t go wrong at The Impudent Oyster, where inventive dishes — like panko-crusted Atlantic swordfish over goat-cheese polenta — steal the show.