If You’re looking to escape the city and explore family-friendly destinations on Cape Cod, here are a couple stops that are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face! Growing up in this area, some of my happiest memories were made during summer on the Cape.

Just an hour and a half south of The Lenox Hotel is Mashpee, MA, a fantastic place to enjoy the sun and sea with plenty of activities for everyone. The Club at New Seabury is a great lodging option, offering tennis, golf, beach access, and a ‘Kids Korner’ to keep your little ones entertained.

Nearby, Mashpee Commons boasts a variety of shops, ice cream parlors, grocery stores, and restaurants. As a child, some of my fondest memories were made here, with ice cream dripping down my wrist as I walked through the commons with my family on sunny afternoons. Having spent numerous summers in Mashpee since then, I’ve become a fan of several other places that don’t include a dripping ice cream cone. Here are some of my favorite spots for a bite to eat.

Raw Bar & Popponesset Marketplace

The Raw Bar has the best lobster rolls & mudslides if you’re looking for an afternoon bite and just next door is The Popponesset Marketplace with ice cream, shopping, live music and mini golf for an action packed afternoon. Learn More

Estia

Greek inspired cuisine with indoor and outdoor seating as well as live music, great for a light bite after walking the Commons. Learn More

Trevi Cafe & Wine Bar

Known for its lively atmosphere, great service, and shareable dishes, this makes for a perfect place to stop in after a busy day. Learn More

Siena

An Italian restaurant with large portions and an extensive kids menu! Siena offers outdoor seating on their cobblestone patio which is a great way to wind down the day. Learn More

Looking for some more casual options?

Wicked Restaurant

Easy to stop in for pizza to go, or sit and stay a while with their dine in option! Learn More

The Lanes Bowl & Bistro

Fun and lively bowling alley for some indoor fun if the weather does not permit during your stay. LEARN MORE

Naukabout Brewery

Good beers coupled with casual food and games for kids, great for meeting friends and family, with Ice Cream at Smitty’s to end the day! Learn More

Another stop I recommend if you’re traveling with family is Sandwich, MA. A popular summer destination, Sandwich is brimming with summer activities and eateries. Looking for something a bit more active? The Cape Cod Canal Museum and Visitor Center marks the beginning of a 7-mile walking and biking route, offering a scenic way to explore the artificial canal connecting the Cape to the mainland. the area also features a playground for kids, and the Pilot House restaurant is a great spot to grab a  bite after a long walk along the canal.  For fresh local seafood, try the Fisherman’s View, located directly across from The Pilot House, which offers catches from the fishermen in the marina and canal…It doesn’t get more local than that!

Sandwich also boats several fascinating museums to explore during your stay. Here area  couple of my favorites from growing up in the area.

Heritage Museum & Gardens

Their walkable gardens with floral walls offers a very scenic way to learn about some of the history and importance of the Cape. Inside they have added an old car museum giving you a look into the past – even some that you can sit in making this fun for both adults and kids! Learn More

Sandwich Glass Museum

Tour the glass museum while learning and participating in making glass figurines which you can take home with you to remember your visit to MA. Learn More

Hoxie House

This is the oldest house left on the Cape (or so they say…) you can tour for $3 and practice hauling up water from the well! A fun and affordable activity to learn about our Cape’s history! Learn More

If you’re in town for the 4th of July weekend, then you’re in for a treat! Boston is one of America’s most historic cities, which means the weekend is packed with fun activities for everyone.
The celebration kicks off on July 1st with the commencement of the country’s largest 4th of July festival, Boston Harborfest.

Harborfest includes live music performances, historical reenactments, and parades from the 1st to July 4th! Some special events of Harborfest include the fireworks display show on July 1st and the Chowderfest on July 2nd, where attendees can try a wide selection of chowders from iconic Boston restaurants and vote for their favorite. On the 3rd the USS Constition & USS Constitution Museum will host a salute to service block party beginning with a 21 gun salute! The festivities conclude on July 4th with a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State House balcony, followed by a reading of Frederick Douglass’ speech at the Franklin Steps in Downtown Crossing.

Later in the evening, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will take place at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade from 8pm to 11pm. Special guests Darlene Love, Kelli O’Hara, and The Mavericks will be headlining this year’s show, along with the Boston Pops Orchestra.  The night will end with an amazing fireworks display at 10:30pm.

It’s a scene 20-minute walk from The Lenox to the Hatch Memorial Shell. After exiting the hotel, simply take a left to reach Boylston Street and then make a right, walking along Boylston until you reach Dartmouth Street. Turn left on Dartmouth Street until the road ends and you’ll see the Dartmouth Street Footbridge, which will lead you over Storrow Drive directly to the Esplanade, where the Fireworks Spectacular show is!

Looking for a small & intimate wedding? We’ve got you covered! Our Micro Wedding package allows you to say “I do” in our stunning Dome Room with up to 60 of your friends and family, without all of the fuss. Does this all sound perfect & stress free? We agree! Simply reach out to one of our Wedding Specialists today and let us handle all of the details of your Boston wedding!

My name is Nick and I have been a concierge here at the Lenox Hotel for over two years. I grew up in Harwich, a town on Cape Cod, and I wanted to share some of my favorite things to do, should you find yourself ‘on the Cape’!

You can’t think of summer in New England without instantly thinking of Cape Cod and the Islands.  Cape Cod consists of 15 different towns, and I wanted to share some of our insider tips to having a great experience while you visit. The most popular activity on the Cape are the beaches. The Cape Cod National Seashore runs up the eastern coast of Cape Cod from Orleans up to Provincetown. However, if you are looking for some other stops along the way here is a seven day itinerary written by a true local.

7 days on Cape Cod as you make your way down:

Dennis

1. 1. Cape Cod Museum of Art
   2. Scargo Tower
   3. Devil’s Purse Brewery – (try the Handline Kolsch!)
   4. Corporation Beach
   5. Sesuit Harbor Café
   6. Pelham house resort to end the day

Harwich

1. 1. 1. Cranberry Bog Tours area  super fun activity to check out the Cape’s biggest agricultural export.
      2. Cranberry Valley Golf Course
      3. Stroll Shops of Main Street Harwich Port
      4. Freedom Ferry to Nantucket – starting May 27th, the ferry will bring you over and back from Nantucket Island. Or… stay a night on ACK and continue the fun on the Islands!
      5. Stay at the famous Chatham Bars Inn for the next two nights as Chatham is the neighboring town to Harwich! This hotel is also a Stash Rewards Hotel!

Chatham

1. 1. Chatham Lighthouse and Lighthouse Beach
   2. Chatham Shark Center
   3. Atwood Museum
   4. Main Street Chatham
   5. Chatham Railroad Museum
   6. Marconi Museum
   7. Chatham Fish Pier Market – great lobster rolls and views of fishing boats returning to port before returning back to the Inn

Brewster

1. 1. Natural History Museum of Cape Cod – great activity for kids.
   2. Nickerson State Park – great place to go hiking or rent a campsite.
   3. Captains Golf Course – 2 separate 18 – hole courses.
   4. Antique shops off of Route 6A
   5. Stay at the Candleberry Inn on Cape Cod! They offer wonderful activities ranging from horseback riding to windsurfing and so much more (not to mention they too are a Stash rewards hotel!)

Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro

1. 1. Nauset Lighthouse
   2. Beachcomber Restaurant – Reopening May 25th with great views of Cahoon Hollow Beach and lively atmosphere.
   3. Wellfleet Drive-In Movie Theater – Always plays a double feature.
   4. Marconi Beach
   5. Mass Audubon Society Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
   6. Truro Vineyards. – Fantastic Wines. Great outdoor space and has a distillery as well.
   7. Payomet theater – A great place to see live music in the summer. All shows are ticketed.

Provincetown

1. 1. Commercial Street has some of the best art stores, window shopping, and drag shows in MA! We highly recommend
   2. Pilgrim Monument
   3. Race Point Beach
   4. Bike Trails through the Cape Cod National Seashore!
   5. Provincetown Art Association and Museum is always a hit and you might even be taking a couple pieces home with you.
   6. Staying several nights at White Porch Inn is a must. P-town has so much to offer this is a fantastic way to end your journey through Cape Cod. The Inn is easily accessible to town center and a short drive away from Wellfleet and Truro so you can easily revisit those spots! (Also, Cher once stayed here)

With magnolia blossoms veritably exploding on Commonwealth Avenue to tulips blanketing the Boston Gardens, Boston is brimming with color and life in spring. Check out some of our favorite things to do in Boston in spring in our latest edition of Nineteen Hundred.

Nothing rings in the summer season like a concert at Boston’s beloved ballpark, Fenway Park. While our boys of summer are traveling, Fenway Park transforms itself into a concert venue and this summer’s line-up brings a few new artists and some seasonal regulars!

With the addition of MGM Music Hall at Fenway, there is a multitude of concert choices from Tate McRae to blast from the past artists The Pretenders and Cheap Trick – there something for everyone! Also a few great comedy acts to throw in the mix.

Find below which artists will be performing and links to ticket information.

The Bryson Tiller Tour

MGM MUSIC HALL AT FENWAY – Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31
This Louiville Kentucky native serves up two shows in May. TICKETS

Bonnie Raitt: Just Like That…Tour

MGM MUSIC HALL AT FENWAY – Saturday, June 15
The iconic Bonnie Raitt stops by for a long awaited appearance in the Boston area. TICKETS

Hootie and the Blowfish

FENWAY PARK – Friday, June 21
Kane Brown and the Drunk or Dreaming Tour play for the first time at Fenway with special guests Darius Rucker, Gabby Barrett and Restless Road. TICKETS

Noah Kahan

FENWAY PARK – Thursday, July 18 and Friday, July 19
New England native to appear for two likely to be sold out shows, with special guests Mt. Joy and James Bay. TICKETS

Kane Brown

FENWAY PARK – Saturday, July 20
New England native to appear for two likely to be sold out shows, with special guests Mt. Joy and James Bay.  TICKETS

An Evening With Pretenders

MGM MUSIC HALL AT FENWAY – Friday, July 19
Chrissie Hynde and the band stop in Fenway as part of their world tour. TICKETS

Foo Fighters

FENWAY PARK – Sunday, July 21
An annual favorite at Fenway, don’t miss out on this amazing concert which will also feature special guests The Hives and Amyl and the Sniffers. TICKETS

Blink-182

FENWAY PARK – Tuesday, July 23
First time at Fenway, blink-182 will appear with special guest Pierce the Veil. TICKETS

Def Leppard + Journey

FENWAY PARK – Monday, August 5
Fenway is excited to welcome the return of legendary artists Def Leppard and Journey, joined by Heart, to America’s Most Beloved Ballpark. TICKETS

Tate McRae

MGM MUSIC HALL AT FENWAY – Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10
Singer/songwriter/dancer is sure to get the room up and dancing! TICKETS

Green Day

FENWAY PARK – Wednesday, August 7
Their first appearance at Fenway with special guests The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, and The Linda Lindas.
TICKETS

Pearl Jam

FENWAY PARK – Sunday, September 15 and
A summer tradition, Fenway Park welcomes back Dave Grohl and company for two nights, along with special Glen Hansard. TICKETS

I can’t think of summer in New England without instantly thinking of Cape Cod and the Islands. Route 6, which is one of  the longest highways in America, runs from Provincetown on the tip of the Cape, all the way out to Bishop, California. You’ll use route 6 should you be driving over the Sagamore heading to any of the towns on the eastern part of the Cape. Cape Cod consists of 15 different towns, and I wanted to share some of our insider tips to having a great experience while you visit.

Harwich, MA

Nestled on Cape Cods southeastern coast, this quintessential New England town offers charming villages, picturesque harbors and stunning beaches. Spend the day strolling along the Cape Cod Rail Trail or exploring the bogs of Massachusettes biggest export… cranberries! Discover the allure of this timeless town where history meets nature.

Chatham, MA

Perched on the elbow of Cape Cod, Chatham exudes class and timelessness. The shores of Chatham have become a destination for travelers from far and near. A scenic oceanside summerscape has vast oysterfarms and piers with the freshest catches and shucks everyday. With its rich maritime heritage, Chatham has an abundance of outdoor activities such as sailing, kayaking, and seal-watcing excursions. No trip down to Chatham is complete without a stop Chatham Bars inn to catch the sunset sea-side.

Sandwich, MA

Known as the oldest town on Cape Cod, Sandwich boasts its rich history. A wonderful stop for touring museums, as there is no lack of them in Sandwich, or walking through the botanical gardens. Sandwich is also home to Shawme-Crowell State Forest where many go to enjoy a leisurely picnic along the shore of Sandy Neck Beach.

Provincetown, MA

At the tip of Cape Cod sits Provincetown. Exuding vibrant spirit and artistic flare P-Town offers a unique combination of shops, galleries, night life, and beaches. The Provincetown Art Association and Museum attracts art connoisseurs from far and wide for its outstanding pieces, as well as the energetic festivals and celebrations put on all throughout Spring and Summer.

P.S.
Stop in Hyannis if you’re catching a ferry to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard!

Explore More Cape Cod

Can’t get enough of Cape Cod? Check out some of our other posts exploring the Cape!

Family Fun on The Cape
7 Perfect Days on the Cape
Cape Cod Cones

April’s school vacation is coming up and it’s never too early to start planning a fun week of activities for the family! If you need some inspiration on what to do this week, then check out the itinerary we made that includes fun for all!

Monday, April 15th (Patriot’s Day)
Watch the Boston Marathon

What better way to start April’s School Vacation Week than watching The Boston Marathon. This year, the marathon will take place on April 15th, and it’s an amazing day with runners coming from all over the world to compete in this 26-mile route and approximately 50,000 spectators watching the race. A great spot to watch the marathon is outside our hotel, with the finish line being only 132 steps away!

Tuesday, April 16th
Free Fencing Class

Looking for a unique opportunity to learn a new sport? Check out this Free offer to learn the art of olympic fencing on Tuesday from 4-5pm, at the Olympia Fencing Center in Newton, for children ages 7-12! Click here for details and to sign up.

Wednesday, April 17th
Stroll through Boston Common & Ride the Swan Boats

If you’re looking to spend some time outside this day, then we suggest making your way over to Boston Common. A day in the park is always fun, especially with cherry blossoms all over the park! The swan boats will also be available to ride for the season, so you and your family can enjoy a relaxing ride around the Public Garden Lagoon.

Thursday, April 18th
Cheer the Red Sox On

The Red Sox start their season in April, so we recommend catching a game and cheering for our beloved team. The Red Sox will be playing against the Cleveland Guardians this day at 1:35pm, so don’t miss out! Enjoy a Fenway Frank during the game or grab a meal at the many restaurants around Fenway Park after the game to conclude a fun day.

Friday, April 19th
A Day at the Museum

If you’re looking for an indoor activity, then you can’t go wrong with visiting any one of Boston’s fun museums. Some kid-friendly favorites are the Museum of Science and Boston’s Children Museum. Also, the MIT museum will be hosting a number of activities this week, including Learning Lab hours, family workshops, and more! If you want to explore other unique museums in Boston, check out a list of some we featured on our blog!

Feel free to follow along with this itinerary or add more things to do over the weekend, like visiting Franklin Park Zoo or going on a whale-watching cruise!

Are you planning a trip to Boston in February? Perhaps you’re taking a staycation during February’s school vacation week? We’ve got some activities for you to check out!

New England Aquarium

Sitting on the Boston Wharf, you’ll find the New England Aquarium. This aquarium is great for adults and kids alike. There’s so much to “sea” at the exhibits, such as the penguin colony, giant ocean tank to see the iconic myrtle the turtle, shark and ray touch tank, and much more. During February Vacation Week, the aquarium will be open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm, so make sure to add it to the itinerary

Boston Common Frog Pond

The famous Frog Pond on Boston Common is still open as a magical ice-skating rink! Located in the center of the park, visitors of all ages can skate and enjoy. You can also rent a Bobby Seal to help children and beginners across the rink. The rink is open seven days a week until March, and you can check out their website for information regarding skating times, admission, and skate rentals.

Children’s Winter Festival on the Boston Common

Join Mayor Michelle Wu and the Parks and Recreation Department for the perfect afternoon activity for kids of all ages. This free event features music, giveaways, various winter attractions, treats, crafts, and much more! Wednesday, February 21, from 11 a.m – 2 p.m

Boston Children’s Museum

This landmark has been around since 1913, and includes a multitude of fun activities for kids of all ages. Both kids and parents can learn about other cultures, see exciting performances, get involved with arts and crafts and experience many other hands-on exhibits. There is also a challenging vertical maze that stands three-stories tall, and allows kids to gaze at downtown Boston through large windows. Overall, the Boston Children’s Museum emphasizes learn and play, engagement and fun, which are ideal when looking for things to do with kids in Boston.

Museum of Science

You’ll experience science and technology in a new way at the Museum of Science with a  kaleidescope of visiting exhibitions, special presentations, and 700 or so immersive exhibits! Create your own tiny flying robot bee, meet a biologically inspired cheetah robot, and move your body to create simulations based on your movements in a special mirror.  Kids can journey to the past as they examine a 23-foot long, 65-million-year-old Triceratops skeleton!

Fireside Experience Package
A bonus sixth idea – escape to The Lenox with our Fireside Experience package! Stay in one of our luxurious Executive Fireplace rooms, some of the only hotel rooms in Boston with in-room wood-burning fireplaces, and enjoy a locally made fireside snack in style with hot chocolate, marshmallows & s’mores-inspired chocolates.

Winter is the perfect time of year to snuggle by the fire with a hot chocolate, a warm blanket and a really good book. Here are some recommendations of books I’ve read recently – Happy Reading!

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Small Miracles

by Dennis Lehane

This is an intense thriller by Dennis Lehane that takes place in Boston in 1974, when the city’s busing crisis was just getting started. The story centers around a single mother in the neighborhood of South Boston, whose daughter goes missing on the same night a Black man is found dead under suspicious circumstances.

MORE INFORMATION
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The Fraud

by Zadie Smith

Zadie Smith’s book delves into the Tichborne case’s controversy, where a working-class man asserted his identity as the missing heir to an affluent family’s wealth. Weaving together the narratives of Elizabeth Touchet, a white housekeeper, and Andrew Bogle, a former enslaved individual from Jamaica, this hefty novel uncovers a complex tale of intertwined lives.

MORE INFORMATION

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Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune

by Anderson Cooper + Katherine Howe

CNN journalist Anderson Cooper, along with co-author Katherine Howe, chronicles the saga of the prominent Astor. The book traces the family’s illustrious history, commencing with John Jacob Astor’s migration from Germany and his establishment within the cutthroat beaver fur trade, a business fraught with bloodshed and fierce rivalry..

MORE INFORMATION

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Such Kindness

by Andre Dubus III

Set in present-day Massachusetts, Such Kindness by Andre Dubus III is a tender, painful look at one man’s reckoning of an expansive life that once included marriage, a son, and owning his own business, but is now diminished to government housing, disability, and constant pain.

MORE INFORMATION
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PS – be sure to follow The Lenox Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for announcements on our future Author Events!

Scott & Amy are a husband-wife photographer duo who just so happened to have gotten married at The Lenox!  All of the wedding photos you see on our website are from weddings they have photographed, and we couldn’t be happier to call them our preferred wedding photographers.  Read a little about their story below and check out their work on their websites.

Amy Spirito Photography

Scott Zuehlke Photography

As wedding photographers, we’ve worked at a lot of different venues. We’ve photographed destination weddings on beaches, backyard weddings during COVID, and just about everything in between– but the charm of The Lenox hotel and the experience of attending a wedding there have always held a spot in our hearts. Scott & I have each had our own separate wedding photography businesses for quite a while, but have always enjoyed the weddings that we ended up photographing as a team. After becoming a couple and photographing several weddings together at The Lenox, we really fell in love with it. The team is always so enjoyable to work with, there is no shortage of spots and photo opportunities, and the classic vibe of the Dome Room never gets old. We live together in Hingham, a ways out of the city, and we started staying at The Lenox Hotel whenever we would come to Downtown Boston to celebrate an anniversary or birthday. When we decided to host our immediate families in Boston for our legal wedding ceremony before heading to Mexico for our destination wedding party, choosing a location was truly a no-brainer because we both agreed that it absolutely had to take place at The Lenox Hotel. We scheduled our wedding festivities for March, and were able to have my grandparents join us in Boston (from New York) even though they were unable to make the trip to Mexico. Our immediate families fell in love with the hotel, the staff, the coziness of the fireplace rooms… we even gifted everyone a room spray from The Lenox Mercantile of the signature Lenox scent. We hosted dinner the night before our legal ceremony at City Table, and had champagne after the ceremony the next day at City Bar. Everything was truly perfect (as we knew it would be!) from the time we checked in until the time we checked out, and our families are still raving about the experience. Our friend Victoria of Victoria Reilly Photography photographed the day for us, and we’re so happy to have such gorgeous images from the day that documented it all perfectly. Now, whenever we photograph weddings at The Lenox, together or separately, we get to relive that special day.