CAPE COD

Whether you're on the Upper Cape, Mid-Cape, or Lower Cape you'll find long sandy beaches, bike paths, and plenty of activities for land and sea. Hike, picnic, or swim at the Cape Cod National Seashore or bike the 25.1-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail. Catch a game of the premier Cape Cod Baseball League. Discover ocean life at the NOAA Aquarium, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Exhibit, or the ZooQuarium's live sea lion shows.

Along with the traditional Cape Cod trimmings - go karts, mini-golf, and ice cream stands - galleries and antiques can be found along Old King's Highway (Rte. 6A). Don't limit your golfing to the miniature kind; there are more than 25 golf courses throughout the Cape. Catch a first-run double feature at the Cape's only drive-in, Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre. But first, get to know the area with Art's Dune Tours or the Cape Cod Central Railroad. Hy-Line Cruises, Island Queen and the Steamship Authority get you to the islands and back on high-speed ferries.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD

A 45-minute ferry ride from Falmouth brings you to Martha's Vineyard, where you can relish the colors of the sunset at the glacially formed Aquinnah Cliffs. For more color, visit the brightly colored mid-1800s cottages at the Cottage Museum & Tabernacle and Martha's Vineyard Gingerbread Cottages. Trace history along the African-American Heritage Trail through 17 sites that illustrate the Vineyard's past.

In Oak Bluffs, visit the Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest working carousel in the country! In Vineyard Haven, the ferry port is open year-round and the scenes are always picturesque. Throughout the island, five lighthouses dot the coast, including the Gay Head and East Chop lighthouses. Moshup Beach, East Beach, and Lighthouse Beach are all different but equally enchanting sandy beaches.

NANTUCKET ISLAND

This crescent-shaped island 30 miles off the coast is known for its cobblestone streets, opulent sea captains' houses, and rich whaling history. Jetties Beach, Children's Beach, and Cisco Beach are just a few of the 10 unspoiled sandy stretches along Nantucket's coast. Inland, the Nantucket Whaling Museum preserves the island's industrial heritage, while the 1827 African Meeting House and Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum tell more about everyday life in the 1800s. Almost half the island is conservation land; enjoy Nantucket's natural beauty and slower pace by renting a bike or taking a guided tour.

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