Things to do South of Boston

Boston and Cape Cod have a little bit better reputation on fun things to do, but don't despair. There are plenty of things to do south of Boston, many of which you may not have known existed. For instance, did you know about World's End in Hingham? This little spot has great views of Hingham Harbor and the coastline of Hull. It's a secluded piece of land that's far from most of the rest of town. If you're looking for something fun to do in a busier atmosphere, Plymouth Center and the waterfront have plenty to enjoy. Plymouth Center has hundreds of small shops, restaurants, cafes, and historical buildings to browse and shop. The waterfront area of Plymouth has Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II, and beautiful views of Plymouth Harbor.

To the north, you can find Wompatuck State Park, with miles of bike trails and jogging paths. The towns of Hingham, Norwell, and Cohasset share this park. On the southern side of the South Shore, Carver and Plymouth share Myles Standish State Forest. This has hundreds of acres of ponds, paths, and woods to camp, hike, or bike. It's also a great scenic drive. Visit this page for the complete list of things to do south of Boston to get more ideas.

Fun Things to do in Wellfleet, Massachusetts

Wellfleet, MA is a great town on Cape Cod to relax, kick back, and have a good time. You can reach the town of Wellfleet by taking Route 6, past most of the town on Cape Cod, to the Outer Cape region. As you head further east on the Cape, the less "big businesses," chains, and conventional non-Cape things you'll experience. Here's a quick top five list of things to do in the town of Wellfleet, MA:
(in no meaningful order)

5. Marconi Beach. This beautiful beach sits on the Atlantic Ocean side of town. It's one of the most popular summer beaches on Cape Cod, and has some incredible views. The surf is a bit rougher, but it's well worth the visit. Expect to pay to park, and get there early to ensure yourself a parking spot!

4. Art Galleries in Wellfleet. This town contains the 2nd most number of art galleries on Cape Cod, behind Provincetown. Check out the local artwork at galleries in Wellfleet Center, just off Route 6, or the many galleries right on Route 6. Don't be afraid to venture off the main road and find a hidden gem!

3. Wellfleet Bay View from Route 6. This incredible view of Blackfish Creek on Route 6 is often seen, but seldomly truly appreciated. The wide open marsh meets the road at Route 6, and provides a panoramic view of Cape Cod Bay and Wellfleet Bay. It's especially scenic at sunset. Take a drive by this area to sneek a peak.

2. Wellfleet Drive In Theater. You can't miss this age-old drive-in located on Route 6. It's a double feature, so set aside some time for an unforgettable experience!

1. Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. A trip to Wellfleet wouldn't be complete without a visit to this protected piece of beautiful land. The property has great views of salt marshes, has many walking trails, and you're sure to see plenty of wildlife. Stop by and visit the grounds during visiting hours, and stop by the information center to read more about the sanctuary.

For more things to do, photos, and information, be sure to visit this page on the town of Wellfleet.

Is Plymouth Rock Real?

Plymouth Rock is where America was first permanently settled... but is Plymouth Rock real? Since there is no account by the Pilgrims that they landed on any sort of rock, how do we know that Plymouth Rock is actually what is claimed? What is claimed is that the Mayflower Pilgrims first stepped foot upon a rock in Plymouth Harbor. So who claimed the Pilgrims stepped foot onto a rock? The exact location of the rock was passed down from generation to generation, with 94 year old Thomas Faunce pointing out what is today "Plymouth Rock." It's the first piece of solid rock that the Pilgrims stepped foot on... in Plymouth, Massachusetts, that is.

Let's first examine the facts:

* The Pilgrims landed in Provincetown, MA first. That means Cape Cod is truly the birthplace of America in a way, not Plymouth. Plymouth just got more hype because that's where they settled.

* There are no written records by the Pilgrims of stepping foot on a rock in Plymouth.

* The rock was not identified by an actual Pilgrim, but by a descendant named Thomas Faunce. Faunce claimed that many respected Pilgrims showed him the location of the rock. It is upon his story that Plymouth Rock became the landmark that it is today.

* The rock has been split, chipped, and moved. Before the rock was enclosed, tourists would carve pieces of the rock off. Some have even appeared on Ebay (though who knows if they're real or not).

* The rock's location today is not where it was originally. It has been moved several times since, until its present location along the waterfront in the enclosure, right on Plymouth Bay.

* Plymouth Rock is a massive tourist attraction for the town of Plymouth. Whether or not it is the real deal, it remains a national symbol from which the United States was derived.

What do you think about Plymouth Rock? Do you think it's the actual rock the Pilgrims landed upon, or was it a legend that was made reality? I'd like to hear your comments below.

Things to do on Cape Cod this Summer

If you're headed to Cape Cod, you're probably thinking you really won't run out of things to do. While the Cape's beaches are beautiful, sitting in one spot on one town can get boring after a couple of days. This list of things to do on Cape Cod will give you some great ideas for your vacation. Even if you're a resident, you'll find some fun things to do to occupy your time. As a bonus, here's a few more we've added to the list:

* Take a drive to Bass Hole in Yarmouth Port. This northern part of town has a long pier, beautiful marsh views, and some of the most pristine views of the entire Cape.

* Plan a dunes tour of Truro and Provincetown. This business has been around for years, and explores the beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

* Visit the Cape Playhouse in Dennis for the oldest professional summer theater in the country.

Cape Winds - Will It Benefit the Bay State, or Ruin Timeless Views of Cape Cod and Nantucket?

Cape Wind hasn't been the smoothest project to get off the ground, and it's been a difficult hurdle to overcome for proponents of alternative energy. With all signs pointing to the Cape Winds wind energy project getting the green light, this could be a giant step forward in energy independence, or a massive setback in terms of keeping our environment pristine and beautiful.

If it's one thing that Cape Cod isn't known for, it's massive, tall, towering structures jutting into the open sky like Manhattan. However, that's just what the Cape Wind project is proposing. The area that the Cape Wind project will consume, over the open ocean of Nantucket Sound, will equal roughly the size of Manhattan. These structures could dominate the skyline for certain views looking from Craigville Beach, Edgartown, and from Nantucket, amongst other beach communities.

If there were another option in terms of clean energy solutions, that would have been taken. It seems that Nantucket Sound has the sweet spot for strong winds that can be harnessed for energy, and the project is moving forward (for now). Many people are very concerned with the impact Cape Wind could have on the marine life of Nantucket Sound, as well as the spoiled views from so many beloved Cape Cod beaches.

Where do you stand on this issue? Are you for the creation of jobs and an alternative energy source on Cape Cod, or are you in favor of keeping Nantucket Sound free of the eyesore and protecting the marine habitat just beneath the proposed wind turbines? Weigh in with your thoughts on the Cape Wind debate here, and tell us what you really think! Don't hold back (and have fun, while you're at it).

Nantasket Beach and Hull: The Closest Clean Beach to Boston

To those that live on the South Shore, we kind of take Nantasket Beach for granted. It's a great beach, and anyone that doesn't live in Massachusetts and has been there will tell you that. Nantasket Beach is located in Hull, a peninsula town north of Hingham. Just south of Boston, you can find Wollaston Beach, but it isn't anywhere near as clean or as "beachy" as Nantasket.

Nantasket Beach is known for its giant sea wall that runs alongside the coast, and the giant tidal pool area to along the rocks near the entrance to the beach. While Paragon Park might be closed, Nantasket is still making some great memories for kids and adults alike for the white sand beaches, open Atlantic waves, and summer fun.

The Best Beaches on the South Shore of Massachusetts

Massachusetts is renowned for its great beaches, and some of the best in the state can be found on the South Shore. While thee beaches of the South Shore may not be as well as known as the beaches from Cape Cod, they might be just as impressive and beautiful (and without the Sagamore Bridge traffic).

Read more about the beautiful South Shore beaches on this page, which features coastal favorites like Wollaston, Nantasket, Duxbury Beach and Whitehorse Beach.