Although the beaches might be your primary reason for visiting Cape Cod, there’s so much more to the region than the waterfront. The Cape is full of wonderful activities for the entire family, so you could find yourself spending more time away from the sand than you envisioned when booking your vacation rental.

You won’t have to travel far to uncover these activities, either, because you can find them up and down the Cape. Some of these activities involve staying in the outdoors while others are educational, but they all help you make the most of your time in this beautiful part of the world.

Here are five things to do on Cape Cod that don’t involve spending the day at the beach.

1) Biking and Hiking Trails

Some of the Cape’s most popular non-beach activities are hiking and biking. There are plenty of places to go for a ride or stroll, depending on your preferences, and many of them feature beautiful scenery that makes the experience even more memorable.

The Cape Cod Rail Trail is the region’s best-known bike path. It extends 25 miles between South Yarmouth and South Wellfleet, passing through multiple towns and providing access to top attractions like Nickerson State Park and the Cape Cod National Seashore. There are numerous trailheads where you can enter the trail, and bike rentals are also available.

Speaking of Nickerson State Park, this 1,900-acre space in Brewster features numerous ponds and abundant hiking trails through the woods, making it a must-see location if you’re into that sort of thing. The paths are well-marked and close enough to civilization that you shouldn’t get lost while providing a secluded environment that takes you away from the Cape’s bustle.

The Province Lands trails in Provincetown are another place to do some hiking, albeit in a different environment. This area’s biking and hiking paths take you over the dunes north of the town’s center, offering scenic views of the Atlantic when you complete your trek.

2) The Museum Scene

Since the community has so much history, it should be no surprise that Cape Cod is full of museums. The only problem is that you’re bound to run out of time before you visit them all, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking some of them out.

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History sits on Main Street in Brewster, allowing visitors to learn about the Cape’s wildlife in many ways. The facility hosts guest speakers, holds nature walks throughout the summer, and has a small aquarium, so you can get to know Cape Cod and everything it contains.

The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum share a location in downtown Provincetown and are a must-visit while on the Cape. For starters, you can ascend to the top of the 252-foot monument for views of the town and Provincetown Harbor, allowing you to see Cape Cod from a different perspective. You can then head to the museum, offering information on Provincetown’s history and the local Wampanoag tribe.

There are tons of other museums to visit, too, so have a look around to see what you can find near your vacation rental.

3) Wineries and Breweries

It wouldn’t be a trip to the Cape without enjoying a drink or two, and fortunately, there are some local producers you can sample during your stay.

If you’re a wine lover, Cape Cod Winery, First Crush Winery, and Truro Vineyards are worth your time. Truro Vineyards grows grapes on the property, too, so you can explore the vineyard after your tasting.

Cape Cod has more than wine, as Tree House Brewing Company, Aquatic Brewing, Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery, Cape Cod Beer, Barnstable Brewing, Devil’s Purse Brewing Company, and Provincetown Brewing Company make their home in the area. Each brewery has a different theme and some unique offerings, so you might want to check out a few of them during your vacation.

4) Cape Cod Baseball League

The Cape Cod Baseball League is perhaps the country’s best summer league, attracting future Major Leaguers to the Cape annually. The gist is that college players need somewhere to improve their skills in the summer, so many of the nation’s best players head to Cape Cod and join a local team for a couple of months.

There are teams in Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, Bourne, Yarmouth-Dennis, Hyannis, Cotuit, Harwich, Wareham, and Falmouth, and all tickets are free for every game. All you have to do is show up, and you can enjoy some high-quality baseball nearly every evening between the middle of June and early August.

5) Plays and Concerts

Performances are abundant on the Cape, as you can check out a play at the Cape Cod Theatre Company, Falmouth Theatre Guild, The Cape Playhouse, or Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, to name a few. All of these venues have a rotating schedule of productions, so check their websites before you arrive on Cape Cod to see what’s playing during your visit.

For music, you can’t go wrong with the Cape Cod Melody Tent. This tent theater venue attracts some high-end musicians in the summer, but you’ll have to buy tickets early because most performances sell out. Most towns on the Cape also have a summer concert series, bringing free live music to parks and other facilities all summer.

You Don’t Need the Beach Every Day

While the Cape’s beaches are breathtaking, you might not want to spend every day in the sun while vacationing in the region. Fortunately, these other venues make it easy to take a break from the water and sand without feeling like you’re missing anything.

You’ll never run out of fun and exciting things to do on the Cape, as even those who don’t love the beach want to return to the area year after year.