Vacationing with children can be a challenge because you’ll need activities to keep them active and entertained. Fortunately, Cape Cod is full of child-friendly facilities that are sure to provide a new and unique experience each and every day.
You’ll find these activities all over town, so there’s a venue nearby, no matter where you book a Cape Cod vacation rental.
Here’s a look at the top five fun activities for kids you’ll find in Orleans, Massachusetts.
1) Skaket Beach
Although Nauset Beach on the Cape Cod National Seashore is in Orleans, the rough waters and strong winds might not make it the best spot for a family outing. Skaket Beach, on the other hand, sits on the protected waters of Cape Cod Bay, keeping young children safer while enjoying a day by the ocean.
Skaket Beach is also part of the tidal flats, so when the tide is out during the day, your kids can walk a fair distance into the bay while exploring the tidal pools and marine life.
You should know there’s a small parking lot at Skaket Beach, and it costs $20 per vehicle per day. There’s also a snack bar, washrooms, picnic tables, and a lifeguard on duty.
2) Cape Escape Orleans Mini Golf
It goes without saying that kids love mini-golf, and Cape Escape Orleans Mini Golf is the largest such venue on the Outer Cape. This facility sits on Canal Street, just off Route 6A on the north end of town, and there’s an ice cream shop across the street, as well.
As for the course, Cape Escape Orleans Mini Golf features 18 nautically-themed holes, a koi pond, authentic fishing boats, and waterfalls that you’ll putt right through as you play.
Your kids are sure to love their time at this course, and the ice cream shop adds another layer to your visit.
3) The Alley Bowling & BBQ
You might not envision taking your kids bowling during your Cape Cod vacation, but it’s an excellent option if the weather doesn’t cooperate or you’re looking for a low-key way to spend an evening.
The Alley Bowling & BBQ provides more than a bowling alley, though, as it’s also a restaurant with a full bar. As a result, you can make an entire evening of your visit and stay until bedtime.
The bowling alley has child-friendly features like smaller balls, bowling ramps, and bumpers, ensuring your kids have a good time. You can rent a lane by the hour for $25, allowing you to play as many times as you wish during that timeframe.
You’ll find a variety of pub-style items on the restaurant’s menu, and they also have smoked meats and a kid’s menu. The smoked meat offerings are a huge attraction and one reason why this venue is such a hit with visitors.
4) Blue Claw Boat Tours
Getting on the water is essential during any Cape Cod vacation, and Blue Claw Boat Tours makes it easy with their tours departing from Meeting House Pond in East Orleans.
The most popular offering from Blue Claw Boat Tours is the seal-watching excursion, which starts in Orleans and travels through Pleasant Bay to Chatham Harbor. The tour takes about an hour and 45 minutes to complete and is narrated with stories about Pilgrims, pirates, sharks, shipwrecks, buried treasure, and, of course, seals.
There’s enough going on throughout this cruise to ensure your children stay interested, and at less than two hours in length, it’ll end before they begin getting restless.
If the Seal Watch Adventure Cruise doesn’t do it for you, Blue Claw has other offerings and will take you on a custom excursion if you book a charter.
5) Bike Rental Shops
The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through the heart of Orleans, and it’s possible to get out there and enjoy it, even if you don’t bring a bike.
The reason is that Mike’s Bike and Trail Rentals sets up a trailer in the summer directly across from Cape Escape Adventure Golf, where you can rent bikes. This location provides direct access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail via Canal Road, so you can take your kids north towards Eastham and Wellfleet or explore in the other direction towards Brewster.
There’s another bike rental shop on the south end of Orleans, too, called Idle Times Bike Shop. All full-day bike rentals from Idle Times come with free pickup and delivery, and the shop sits directly across the street from access to the Rail Trail.
These bike rental shops make it easy to get outdoors and explore even more of the Cape during your vacation.
A Kid-Friendly Vacation
Cape Cod is incredibly family-friendly, as there’s something for everyone in every town and village. When traveling with kids, though, it’s always a good idea to have some plans in place, so you aren’t left scrambling to find viable activities.
Orleans is loaded with great ways to spend time as a family, so you’ll never find yourself searching for something to do. These features combine to make Orleans a great location to book a Cape Cod vacation rental.
