If you ask my two daughters (ages 7 and 5) where their favorite place on earth is, they won’t say a theme park or a big city. They’ll say the beach. And specifically, they mean the beaches of Eastham, Massachusetts.

In August 2024, my wife and I took the girls back to the "upper arm" of Cape Cod for our annual week-long summer trip. There’s a specific kind of magic that happens in Eastham that you just don't find anywhere else on the peninsula. It’s the perfect home base, nestled right between the high-energy dunes of the Atlantic and the calm, shallow flats of the Cape Cod Bay.

The 'Alien Landscape' of First Encounter Beach

The absolute highlight of our trip—and something we did nearly every evening—was watching the sunsets at First Encounter Beach. If you haven't seen a bayside sunset in Eastham, it’s hard to describe. When the tide goes out, it recedes for miles. What’s left behind is a shimmering, vast expanse that honestly looks like an alien landscape.

My kids would run out hundreds of yards into the retreating tide, exploring the tide pools left behind. It’s like a natural treasure hunt; they found everything from migrating slipper snails to spider crabs. Watching them play against the backdrop of a sun sinking over the horizon is a memory I’ll hold onto forever. It’s quiet, it’s safe, and it’s spectacular.

Our Top Local Recommendations

If you’re planning a family trip to the Outer Cape, here are a few spots we visited and loved:

• Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar: This is a Cape Cod institution for a reason. We hit the mini-golf course first and then fueled up on their world-famous fried clams and lobster rolls.

• Marconi Beach: Located within the Cape Cod National Seashore, this beach is framed by massive, dramatic cliffs. It’s the quintessential "Atlantic" experience.

• Cuffy’s General Store: You can’t leave the Cape without the "uniform." We spent an afternoon t-shirt shopping here for classic Cape Cod sweatshirts.

• Exploring the Towns: We took day trips to Wellfleet (famous for its oysters) and Dennis.

A Typical Day in Eastham

Our routine was blissfully simple. We’d start with a morning run or a bike ride along the local trails. After a quick breakfast, we’d head to the Atlantic side for the bigger waves, then retreat to the Bay side in the afternoon when the water is warmer and calmer for the kids.

Between the bike rides, the endless scoops of ice cream, and the sunset walks, it’s the kind of vacation where you actually feel connected to the land and each other.

FAQs

What is the best beach for kids in Eastham?

For younger children, First Encounter Beach is unbeatable. The water is calm and very shallow, especially at low tide.

Where can I find the best lobster roll in Eastham?

Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar is the local favorite, offering world-famous rolls and family-friendly mini-golf.