The Beach Times
One Day in Orleans: Where to Visit
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Monday, August 5, 2019
With so much to see and do on Cape Cod, coming up with an itinerary is almost impossible.
In addition, you might not want to spend more than one day exploring each town, since there are so many activities on other parts of the Cape.
So, let's say, for example, you plan to spend one day in Orleans, Massachussets.
Where do you go?
What do you see?
Where do you eat?
You'll have plenty of options, but here are some great recommendations to start your search in this Outer Cape town.
Have Breakfast at Homeport Restaurant
Homeport Restaurant enjoys a central location on Main Street in Orleans and has been a local institution for over 45 years, making it an ideal place to start your day. The restaurant opens at 5:30 every morning, as well, and since you're only spending one day in Orleans, you'll want to get going early.
On the menu, you'll find standard breakfast fare like eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast, in addition to omelets, French toast, benedicts, and pancakes.
Visit the Jonathan Young Windmill
Depending on how early you go for breakfast, there might not be much open. Luckily, you can check out the Jonathan Young Windmill 24 hours a day because it's part of Town Cove Park, although you can only go inside during limited hours between June and September.
The windmill dates back to the early 1700s and is unique because all of its original parts and machinery still work.
Go for a Swim in Meeting House Pond
In East Orleans, but just a few minutes from the windmill, Meeting House Pond is well worth a visit. If you drive down Barely Neck Road to the area between Bayberry Way and Harveys Lane, you'll come to a small clearing with a public dock and boat launch. This area is great for swimming on a hot day.
You can also take boat tours from the north end of the pond if you'd rather spend a few hours seeing the area on the water.
Enjoy Some Lunch at the Nauset Grill
Now that you've worked up an appetite again, it's time to grab some lunch. The Nauset Grill will be easy to find because it's across the street from Homeport Restaurant. Convenient, right?
The restaurant is also a must-visit because it has some of Cape Cod's best lobster rolls, and it wouldn't be a trip to the Cape without trying at least one of these local favorites. Of course, if you're not into seafood, you can also find burgers, salads, chicken dishes, and a wide variety of other options here.
Learn Some History at the French Cable Station Museum
Just around the corner from the Nauset Grill sits the French Cable Station Museum. This venue is historically significant because, in World War I, telegraph cables were run underneath the Atlantic Ocean between the station and France. These cables allowed American generals to communicate with government officials while overseas.
Today, you can tour the station, and see some of the original equipment used during the war. Keep in mind that the museum is only open from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between June and September, so it might not work for every Orleans excursion.
Grab a Beer at the Hog Island Beer Company
You've experienced some history and gone for a swim, so let's enjoy a beer, shall we? The Hog Island Beer Company has local beer, a fantastic patio, and live music, making it a great place to relax for a while before dinner. You can also pick up a growler to-go if you want to enjoy a drink when you're back at your vacation rental.
Head to Mahoney's Atlantic Bar & Grill For Dinner
Driving less than a mile north from the brewery takes you to Mahoney's Atlantic Bar & Grill, where you'll enjoy your dinner. Mahoney's is known for its classic New England fare, and although it's slightly upscale, you won't feel out of place if you aren't dressed to the nines. The focus here is on seafood, but you'll find a little bit of everything if you've had your fill after the lobster rolls at lunch.
One thing to remember is that Mahoney's doesn't offer reservations and they open at 5:00 for dinner. If you're set on eating here and having something else to do after, it's best to be here early, so you're not left waiting.
Cheer on the Orleans Firebirds
Depending on the season and the night of the week, you might have the chance to check out an Orleans Firebirds baseball game. The Cape Cod Baseball League is a local institution, bringing some of the country's some collegiate players to the Cape to hone their skills in the summer.
Firebirds' games are free, and there is on-site parking. Since there aren't any bleachers, however, you'll have to plan ahead and bring some chairs or a blanket with you.
Wander to The Local Scoop for Dessert
You're probably exhausted at this point, but you haven't had dessert yet. Luckily, The Local Scoop is a three-minute drive from the ballpark and offers some of Cape Cod's best frozen treats. Everything here is made on-site, and you can even design a sundae with whatever ingredients you wish.
Some of the best-selling items at the ice cream shop include their homemade frozen yogurt, organic ice cream, dipped cones, and Cape Cod pops. The Local Scoop is open until 10:00 PM every night in the summer, so you should have time to get there after the game.
Making the Most of Your Time in Orleans
You might not have time to do all of these activities in a single day in Orleans unless you really hustle, but with most venues being within a few minutes of each other, it's certainly possible. Of course, you could always spend more than one day in this lively town, or come back next year and do it all again.
Day Trip Orleans
- 4th Of July (2)
- 6a Brewing Company (1)
- Abba (1)
- Academy Of Performing Arts In Orleans (1)
- Activities (11)
- Animals On Cape Cod (1)
- Antique Shopping On Cape Cod (2)
- Antiques (2)
- Aqua Bar (1)
- Aquarium (1)
- Arnolds Lobster Clam Bar (1)
- Art Galleries (3)
- Arts On Cape Cod (2)
- Ashumet Holly And Wildlife Sanctuary (1)
- Atlantic Spice Company (1)
- Aw (1)
- Bad Martha (1)
- Badlands (1)
- Bakeries (2)
- Bakers Pond (1)
- Bananas (1)
- Barnstable (6)
- Barnstable Bats (2)
- Barnstable Brewing (1)
- Barnstable Villlage (1)
- Bass River (2)
- Bbc (1)
- Beach (1)
- Beach Yoga (1)
- Beaches (4)
- Beanstock (1)
- Beer (2)
- Bells Neck Conservation Area (1)
- Ben Bills Chocolate Emporium (1)
- Berta Walker Gallery (1)
- Bicycle Rentals (1)
- Bicycles (1)
- Bike Paths (8)
- Biking (5)
- Birding (2)
- Birds On Cape Cod (2)
- Birdwatching (1)
- Blue Heron Gallery (1)
- Blue Rock Golf Course (1)
- Boats (1)
- Bocce Italian Grill (1)
- Book Direct (1)
- Bourne (1)
- Breakfast (1)
- Breakwater Beach Brewster (2)
- Brew Run (1)
- Brewster (9)
- Brewster Beaches (2)
- Brick Block Ice Cream Shop (1)
- British Beer Company (1)
- Buffys Ice Cream (1)
- Burdick Art Gallery (1)
- Butterflies (1)
- Buzzards Bay (1)
- Cape Cod (18)
- Cape Cod Architecture (1)
- Cape Cod Baseball (1)
- Cape Cod Beach Chair Company (1)
- Cape Cod Beaches (3)
- Cape Cod Beer (3)
- Cape Cod Bike Races (1)
- Cape Cod Brew Bus (1)
- Cape Cod Breweries (1)
- Cape Cod Central Railroad (1)
- Cape Cod Chocolatier (1)
- Cape Cod Coffee (1)
- Cape Cod Country Club (1)
- Cape Cod Festivals (3)
- Cape Cod Fishing (2)
- Cape Cod Gifts (1)
- Cape Cod Golfing (2)
- Cape Cod Hiking (5)
- Cape Cod Hotels (1)
- Cape Cod National Seashore (2)
- Cape Cod Nightlife (1)
- Cape Cod Pathways (1)
- Cape Cod Ponds (3)
- Cape Cod Potato Chips (2)
- Cape Cod Rail Trail (3)
- Cape Cod Restaurants (2)
- Cape Cod Sandwich Shops (1)
- Cape Cod Shopping (1)
- Cape Cod Spas (1)
- Cape Cod Theatre Company (1)
- Cape Cod Vacation (2)
- Cape Cod Weddings (1)
- Cape Playhouse (1)
- Cape Symphony (1)
- Capeside Kitchen (1)
- Captain Bangs Hallet House (1)
- Captain Parkers Pub (1)
- Captain Penniman House (2)
- Captains Mile (1)
- Celeste Fine Arts Gallery (1)
- Celtic Christmas (1)
- Centerville (1)
- Centerville Pie (1)
- Chapin Beach (1)
- Charter Boats (1)
- Chatham (16)
- Chatham Anglers (1)
- Chatham Beaches (2)
- Chatham Dining (2)
- Chatham Lighthouse Beach (1)
- Chatham Orpheum Theater (1)
- Chatham Penny Candy (1)
- Chatham Squire (1)
- Chatham Wine Bar (1)
- Chequesset Inn (1)
- Chequessett Chocolate (2)
- Cherry Stone Galelry (1)
- Childrens Activities (1)
- Chocolatasm (1)
- Christmas (3)
- Christmas Concerts (1)
- Christmas On Cape Cod (2)
- Christmas Performances (1)
- Christmas Stroll (2)
- Cinema Pub (1)
- Clam Shacks (2)
- Cleat Anchor (1)
- Coast Guard Beach (1)
- Cobies (1)
- Coffee (6)
- Coffee Shops (4)
- Columbus Weekend (1)
- Concerts (1)
- Conservation Area (1)
- Cotuit (1)
- Country Store (1)
- Cove Gallery (1)
- Craft Beer (1)
- Craigville Beach (1)
- Cranberry Valley Golf Course (1)
- Crosby Boatworks (1)
- Crosby Mansion (1)
- Crowes Pasture (1)
- Crown Anchor (1)
- Crystal Lake (1)
- Dairy Queen (2)
- Day Trip (1)
- Dennis (9)
- Dennis Port Lobster Company (1)
- Dennis Public Market (1)
- Dennis Village (1)
- Dennisport (1)
- Devils Purse (1)
- Dining (1)
- Dinner Train (1)
- Dog Friendly Cape Cod (2)
- Dogs (1)
- Drivein Movie (2)
- Duck Pond (1)
- Eastham (3)
- Eastham Hiking Club (1)
- Edward Gorey (1)
- Eel Pond (1)
- Emack And Bolios (1)
- Embargo (1)
- Fall (2)
- Fall Festivals (2)
- Falmouth (11)
- Falmouth Harbor (1)
- Family Fun (1)
- Farmers Market (1)
- Festivals (3)
- Film Festivals (1)
- Fireworks (1)
- Fishing (1)
- Fishing Charters (1)
- Flea Markets (1)
- Flynns Irish Pub (1)
- Food Trucks (1)
- Fort Hill (1)
- Fort Wing House (1)
- Four Seas Ice Cream (1)
- Fried Clams (1)
- Front Porch Gallery (1)
- Frying Pan Gallery (1)
- Getting To Ptown (1)
- Golf (2)
- Goose Pond (1)
- Great Island Trail (1)
- Halloween On Cape Cod (1)
- Halloween Parades (1)
- Harbor Lounge (1)
- Hardings Beach Chatham (1)
- Harmon Gallery (1)
- Harvest Gallery Wine Bar (1)
- Harwich (9)
- Harwich Beaches (1)
- Haunted Cape Cod (2)
- Hawksnest Pond (1)
- Head Of The Meadow (1)
- Heritage Halloween Family Festival (1)
- Hidden Restaurants (3)
- Highfield Hall (2)
- Highland Golf Links (2)
- Highland Light (1)
- Hiking (5)
- Hog Island (1)
- Holiday Strolls (1)
- Hortense Kelly (1)
- Hoxie House (1)
- Hyannis (5)
- Hyanns (1)
- Ice Cream (4)
- Ice Skating (1)
- Improper Bostonian (1)
- Independent Fermentations Brewing (1)
- Jackknife Cove (1)
- Jake Rooneys (1)
- Jasons Tavern (1)
- Jazz (1)
- Jerrys Seafood (1)
- Jfk (1)
- Jfk Memorial (1)
- Joon Bar (1)
- Jts Seafood Restaurant (1)
- July 4th (2)
- Karoo (1)
- Kayaking On Cape Cod (1)
- Kettle Ponds (1)
- Kids (5)
- Kinlin Grover Vacation Rentals (7)
- Kreme N Kone (1)
- Lazy Sundaes (1)
- Left Bank Gallery (1)
- Lighthouse Cafe (1)
- Lobster (2)
- Lobster Chocolate (1)
- Lobster Rolls (2)
- Local Break (1)
- Local Eats (3)
- Local Flavor (2)
- Long Nook Beach (1)
- Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary (1)
- Longnook Beach (1)
- Lower Cape (1)
- Lukes Love Playground (1)
- Lunch (1)
- Maddocks Gallery (1)
- Mahoneys Atlantic Bar And Grill (1)
- Main Street Galleries (1)
- Marconi Beach (2)
- Marconi Beach Restaurant (1)
- Marion (2)
- Marthas Vineyard (1)
- Marylous (1)
- Mashpee Commons (1)
- Mattapoisett (1)
- Mayflower Beach (1)
- Micah Pond (1)
- Mini Golf (4)
- Monomoy (1)
- Morrells Restaurant (1)
- Mountain Biking (1)
- Movie Theaters (1)
- Museums (3)
- Nantucket (1)
- National Plan For Vacation Day (1)
- Naukabout (1)
- Nauset Beach (2)
- Nauset Marsh (2)
- New Years Resolution (1)
- Nickerson State Park (3)
- Nirvana (1)
- Noreast Beer Garden (1)
- Off Main Gallery (1)
- Offcape (1)
- Offroading (1)
- Old Colony Rail Trail (1)
- Old Colony Tap (1)
- Old Kings Highway (3)
- Old Silver Beach (1)
- Onset (2)
- Opera (1)
- Orleans (8)
- Osterville (4)
- Otis Trails (1)
- Outdoor Adventures (1)
- Outdoor Music (1)
- Outer Cape (3)
- Outer Cape Chorale (1)
- Paddleboarding (1)
- Pain Davignon (1)
- Pamet Area Trails (1)
- Pan Mass Challenge (1)
- Parades (1)
- Payomet (1)
- Pb Boulangerie Bistro (2)
- Peddlers Restaurant (1)
- Perks Coffee (1)
- Pet Friendly (1)
- Pets (1)
- Pilgrim Lake (1)
- Pilgrims (1)
- Piping Plovers (1)
- Pleasant Road Beach Harwich (1)
- Pmc (1)
- Pondfront Rentals (1)
- Provincetown (11)
- Provincetown Brewing Company (2)
- Provincetown Fudge Factory (1)
- Provincetown Ghost Tours (1)
- Race Point (2)
- Races (1)
- Rail (1)
- Red Barn Pizza (1)
- Red Cottage Restaurant (1)
- Red Maple Swamp Trail (1)
- Red River Beach Harwich (1)
- Rentals (1)
- Restaurants (6)
- Rideaway (1)
- Ridge Club (1)
- Ridgevale Beach Chatham (1)
- Rochester (1)
- Route 6a (1)
- Ruggies Breakfast And Lunch (1)
- Running (1)
- Sagamore (1)
- Sailing (1)
- Sand Dollar Bar (1)
- Sandwich (6)
- Sandwich Boardwalk (1)
- Sandwiches (1)
- Sandy Neck (2)
- Sandy Pond (1)
- Sapori Ditalia (1)
- Scargo Pottery (1)
- Schoolhouse Ice Cream (1)
- Sea Dog Brew Pub (1)
- Seafood (1)
- Seafood Restaurant (1)
- Seafood Sams (1)
- Shankpainter Pond Wildlife Sanctuary (1)
- Shining Sea Bikeway (1)
- Sir Crickets Fish Chips (1)
- Skaket Beach (1)
- Skipper Restaurant (1)
- Smith Tavern (1)
- Smittys Ice Cream (1)
- Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters (2)
- Somerset Creamery (1)
- South Beach (1)
- South Beach Shrine (1)
- South Coast (1)
- South Dartmouth (1)
- South Dennis (1)
- South Hollow Spirits (1)
- Southcoast Ma (1)
- Spas (1)
- Spring Festivals (1)
- Spruce Hill Conservation Area (1)
- Starbucks (1)
- Steve Sues (1)
- Struna Gallery (1)
- Subs Sandwiches (1)
- Summer (2)
- Summer Concerts (1)
- Summer Festivals (2)
- Sundae School (1)
- Sundancers (1)
- Sup (1)
- Swan River Market (1)
- Swimming (1)
- Taylor Bray Farm (1)
- Ten Pin Eatery (1)
- The Cape Club (1)
- The Daily Paper (1)
- The Kennedys (2)
- The Knack (1)
- The Liberte (1)
- The Merc (1)
- The Red Nun (1)
- The Underground (1)
- Theater (1)
- Things To Do On Cape Cod (6)
- Three Fins Coffee Roasters (1)
- Tilden Arts Center (1)
- Torino (1)
- Trail Of Tears (1)
- Trains (1)
- Traveling To Provincetown (1)
- Truro (7)
- Truro Vineyards (1)
- Tugboats (1)
- Underground Art Gallery (1)
- Vacation (9)
- Vacation Home (1)
- Van Rensselaers Restaurant (1)
- Veterans Field (1)
- Vineyards (1)
- Wareham (1)
- Water Parks (2)
- Waterfront Rentals (1)
- Weatherdeck Restaurant (1)
- Wedding Venues On Cape Cod (1)
- Weddings On Cape Cod (1)
- Wellfleet (11)
- Wellfleet Bay Wildlife (1)
- Wellfleet Town Clock (1)
- Wellflleet Drivein (1)
- Wequaquet Lake (1)
- West Barnstable (1)
- Westport (1)
- Whale Watch (1)
- Where To Eat In Chatham (2)
- Where To Eat In Falmouth (4)
- Where To Eat In Osterville (1)
- Where To Eat In Truro (1)
- Whoi (1)
- Wildlife (1)
- Wineries (1)
- Winslow Crocker House (1)
- Winter Festivals (1)
- Woods Hole (1)
- Woods Hole Aquarium (2)
- Yarmouth (6)
- Yarmouth Port (3)
- Yarmouth Seaside Festival (1)
- Year Round (2)
- Yoga (1)
- Zoo (1)
Browse the Archive
-
2019 (52)
- December (4)
- November (3)
- October (4)
- September (5)
- August (5)
- July (9)
- The Top 5 Coffee Shops in Yarmouth
- All Aboard the Cape Cod Central Railroad
- Places to Take Your Dog on Cape Cod
- Getting to Know Eastham's Fort Hill Trail
- Wellfleet: The Art Gallery Town
- Here Are Some Places to See Animals on Cape Cod
- The Top 5 Local Markets in Dennis
- Cape Cod's Unique Architecture
- Exploring the Cape's Secret Swimming Holes
- June (6)
- May (5)
- April (2)
- March (2)
- February (3)
- January (4)