1. Watch the sunset from Duck Harbor

With nothing but Cape Cod Bay to the horizon, Duck Harbor offers spectacular sunset experiences. Parking is free after 5 p.m. at this town beach – perfect for a late afternoon swim in the warm summer waters of the bay, a beach picnic and a little beachcombing before a beautiful sunset. (directions from Wellfleet Cape Coddage)

2. Watch the sun set, then the full moon rise

The platform at the Marconi Site is perfect for watching the sun set over the bay, then turning around and seeing the full moon rise from the Atlantic. (directions)
You can use this link to find the rise & set times for the sun and moon in South Wellfleet.

3. Walk among the Wellfleet oyster beds at Mayo beach

The oyster beds are exposed to varying degrees depending on how low the tide goes that day. Shellfishing is the second biggest contributor to the Wellfleet economy – after tourism. The famous Wellfleet oysters are cultivated by individual oystermen & women in “grants” that line Wellfleet harbor along Mayo beach (across from Wellfleet Cape Coddage), and throughout Wellfleet harbor. At low tide the oyster farms are exposed, and shellfishers make their way out to tend their grants.

4. Learn to tell time by ship’s bells

Hear the time tolled in ship’s bells every half hour. Those bells you hear – two at a time on the top of the hour, and ending with a single on the half hour – come from the belfry of the 1st Congregational Church on Main Street. This is the Wellfleet “Town Clock” and is reportedly the only town clock in the country that sounds “ship’s time”.  For a simple table to help you tell time by the bells, and more information on ship’s time, click here.

5. Watch oyster shucking competition at the Wellfleet Oysterfest!

Some of the world’s best shuckers compete for fame (if not fortune) by opening 2 dozen oysters in less than 2 minutes! In addition to the shucking competition, OysterFest features scores of craft vendors, a beer & food tent, and of course oysters! Visit Wellfleet SPAT for all the info on this year’s Wellfleet OysterFest.

6. Watch a family movie at the Wellfleet drive-in

The Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre is the last one remaining on the Cape. Built in 1957 it offers double features every night from late-May through mid-September. Located at the town line where Route 6 changes from 4-lanes to 2 (and the speed limit increases), the Drive-In has signaled to generations that you have reached Wellfleet.

7. Dine at the Cape’s only restaurant on the Atlantic Ocean

Sitting in the dunes above Cahoon Hollow beach, the Beachcomber has a front row seat to the vast and beautiful Atlantic Ocean. No other restaurant on the Cape has such unobstructed access to the ocean. As this view from the cupola shows, there is nothing between this iconic seasonal dining and drinking mecca and the ocean. In fact, there’s nothing but ocean for over 3,000 miles until you hit the shore of Spain.

8. Start (or end) your 22-mile end-to-end trip along the Cape Cod Rail Trail

Depending on your point of view, the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail begins or ends in South Wellfleet at Lecount Hollow Road. (Although the trail has recently been extended about a mile north to the Wellfleet Hollow State Campground, this remains the practical trail head.) Either way, you can’t travel the full 22 miles without a visit to Wellfleet, and possibly a treat from the popular PB Boulangerie Bistro.
Park at the free lot in South Wellfleet and explore all, or part, of the trail by bike, foot, blades and/or stroller. The paved path is relatively flat and easy to travel.

All photos (c)2017 A. Grandin / Wellfleet Cape Coddage