Four Cape Cod highlights

A Cape Cod lighthouse. Photo / Supplied

Explore the best of coastal Massachusetts.

Whale watching

Most whale-watching boat cruises on Cape Cod leave from Provincetown, the closest port to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which is the humpback whales' summer feeding ground. Many of the 300 remaining North Atlantic right whales, the world's most endangered whale species, also frequent these waters.

Beached as

All roads lead to Coast Guard Beach ... the main road and cycling and hiking trails. This grand beach, with its coast guard station, attracts everyone from beachcombers and birdwatchers to surfers. But there are plenty of other great beaches - cliff-backed Nauset Light Beach with Nauset Lighthouse and the Three Sisters trio of 19th century lighthouses; Marconi, Skaket Beach, Herring Cove Beach.

French Cable Station Museum

The first cable connection between Europe and the US was established on a windswept bluff in Eastham in 1879. But conditions proved inhospitable and the station was moved to Orleans in 1890, and until the mid-20th century communications were transmitted using a 4800km-long cable between Orleans and Brest, France. Charles Lindbergh's arrival in Paris and Germany's invasion of France were among messages relayed.

Walk this way

Cape Cod is a walking paradise and work is underway to link existing walks to become the
Cape Cod Pathways network, extending from Provincetown to Falmouth and Bourne. A walk with a great view is the climb to the top of the Provincetown 1910 Pilgrim Monument, the country's tallest all-granite structure (84m) for a lookout over the town, beaches and the spine of the Lower Cape. At the tower base, a museum depicts the landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims.

Further information: See DiscoverAmerica.com for more on visiting Cape Cod.