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North America > United States of America > New England > Massachusetts > Cape Cod > Outer Cape > Wellfleet

Wellfleet

For other places with the same name, see Wellfleet (disambiguation).
See also: Cape Cod National Seashore
View from the top of the dune at Whitecrest Beach

Wellfleet is in Massachusetts on Cape Cod and includes the village of South Wellfleet. Its name is believed to be derived from "whale fleet". A quaint rural feel exists to Wellfleet. Over 60% of the land area is protected by the Cape Cod National Seashore, which has its headquarters here, and also by the 1,100-acre (4.45-km²) Massachusetts Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary. Wellfleet is blessed with a number of spring-fed freshwater "kettle ponds" that resulted from glacier activity. Its beautiful, working harbor is near the town center, making for a delightful walk in a nautical atmosphere complete with good dining, shopping and photographic opportunities. Gone are the days of a great whaling and fishing fleet, but Wellfleet retains its reputation for great tasting shellfish, particularly "Wellfleet Oysters".

Get in

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By car

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Wellfleet is about 50–55 minutes from the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne via Route 6.

  • From Boston take I-93 south to Route 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge (Becomes Rt. 6).
  • From Providence or points south take I-95 north to I-195 to Route 25 south to the Bourne Bridge (I-495 also becomes Route 25). At the rotary (traffic circle) on the Cape side, go almost all the way around and travel along the Canal to Route 6 east.

By bus

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Get around

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Route 6 is the main highway. Bordering towns are Truro to the north and Eastham to the south.

See

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  • 1 Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre, ☏ +1 508-349-7176. Route 6, Eastham-Wellfleet line. Only drive-in theater on Cape Cod. Flea market on weekends (and Wednesday and Thursday during the summer). Nice little mini-golf with snack counter. Age 12-61: $8, seniors 62+: $5, children 4-11: $5, children 3 & under: free. Wellfleet Drive-In Theater (Q7981269) on Wikidata Wellfleet Drive-In Theater on Wikipedia 
    Wellfleet harbor
  • Uncle Tim's Bridge, E. Commercial Street (Route 6 East. Left onto Main Street and then Left on E. Commercial Street). A parking area for 12 cars makes this site more accessible, Uncle Tim's Bridge is a boardwalk over a tidal marsh close to the Wellfleet harbor. It is the subject of countless paintings, photographs, and postcards. The bridge leads to hiking trails around the salt marsh. $Free. 
  • Pleasant Point Town Landing, Pleasant Point Road (Route 6 East to Way 112 (The sign reads Paine Hollow Road.) Bear left onto Paine Hollow Road to Pleasant Point Road. Way 112 is a half-moon loop – if you miss the left onto Paine Hollow – it will loop you back onto Route 6. Limited parking.). At low tide you can walk through and explore the tidal flats. At high tide you can launch your boat or wind surf through the marsh into the harbor. Free (but permit required for boaters and wind surfers. Must see Wellfleet Harbormaster). 
  • Wellfleet Preservation Hall, Main Street (downtown, 150 yards north of Town Hall). A beautifully restored 1910 church, now a community center. Hosts events year-round in the 2 halls preserved from the church - the upstairs sanctuary and the downstairs theater. Be sure to see the heron sculpture on the cupola, the stained glass windows and the sculpted and painted wood doors. Architects, Landscape Architects - Hadley Crow Studio (Orleans, MA.) 
  • Wellfleet Town Marina, Commercial Street (Route 6 East. Left onto Main Street and then left on E. Commercial Street which turns into Commercial Street). 
  • 2 Griffin Island. hill Griffin Island (Q56282351) on Wikidata Griffin Island on Wikipedia 
  • 3 Whydah Gally. Sunken pirate ship. Whydah Gally (Q1334002) on Wikidata Whydah Gally on Wikipedia 

Do

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Hours: Nature Center: June-Oct 12: Open every day, 8:30AM-5PM; Oct 13-May 31 Tu-Su 8:30AM-5PM
Trails: Open every day, 8AM-dusk. Enjoy a naturalist-led bird walk here or listen to an evening lecture. They conduct tours and cruises inside and outside of Wellfleet. Admission: $5/$3.
  • Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT) (near the Town Pier), ☏ +1 508-349-9428 (general information), +1 508-349-9428 (box office). 
  • 2 Wellfleet OysterFest - Mid October, Main St, . This two-day family festival celebrates the town's famous oysters, clams and shellfishing traditions bringing together locals and visitors alike for a weekend full of hometown flavor and big time fun! There is something for everyone: local cuisine, arts and crafts, educational programs, cooking demonstrations, children's activities, walking tours, live music, a road race, and the annual Oyster Shuck-Off competition. Held annually the weekend after Columbus Day. Admission fee. No pets. 
  • Cape Cod Bicycle Adventures, 2533 State Hwy, toll-free: +1-888-644-4566. Guided bike tours. 
  • Historical Society Museum, Main St.. A taste of Wellfleet's past. 
  • Jack's Boat Rental, Route 6 and Gull Pond, ☏ +1 508-349-9808. 
  • Bike the Cape Cod Rail Trail, Lecount Hollow Rd. or National Seashore at Marconi area, ☏ +1 508 896-3491. Free parking. This 22-mi (35.4-km) bike trail follows an old railroad bed through several towns. Check their website or call them to check for closures. 
  • Idle Times Bike Shops, Route 6, ☏ +1 508 349-9161. Rentals, service. Right on the rail trail. 
  • Wellfleet Beachcomber, 1120 Cahoon Hollow Rd, ☏ +1 508-349-6055. Live music and great food. Perched in the dunes atop Cahoon Hollow Beach in a former lifesaving station. 

Beaches

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Town parking permits (TPP) required 3rd Saturday in June to 1st Monday in September (Labor Day). Non-resident: week $60, 2 week $120, season $200.

Ocean side (All off Route 6 to roads shown) All excellent beaches.

  • Marconi (National Seashore), Marconi Landing Rd, lifeguard, restrooms, Location of Marconi's first wireless communication from America to Europe.
  • Maguire Landing Lecounts Hollow Rd., (Town), TPP, lifeguard, restrooms
  • White Crest, TPP or $15, lifeguard, restrooms, food
  • 3 Cahoon Hollow Beach, Cahoon Hollow Road. lifeguard, restrooms, food. TPP or $15. Cahoon Hollow Beach (Q20709097) on Wikidata Cahoon Hollow Beach on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2018)
  • Newcomb Hollow, Gross Hill Rd. to Ocean View Dr., lifeguard, restrooms, food

Bay side (Town parking permit required at all except Mayo)

  • Mayo Beach, Commercial St. off Rt. 6, free parking, rest rooms, handicapped accessible.
  • Duck Harbor, Take Chequesset Neck Rd. to Duck Harbor Rd., rest rooms.
  • Indian Neck, Off Pilgrim Spring Rd., rest rooms.
  • Powers Landing, From Main St. take Chequesset Neck Rd, No facilities.
  • Burton Baker Beach, No facilities.

Freshwater (Town parking permit required at all)

  • Gull Pond, Rt. 6 to Gull Pond Rd. Rest rooms. 
  • Long Pond, Rt. 6 to Long Pond Rd. Rest rooms. 
  • Great Pond, Rt. 6 to Off Cahoon Hollow Rd., rest rooms.
  • Duck Pond, rest rooms.

Buy

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  • Kite Gallery, 75 Commercial St, ☏ +1 508 349-7387. Kites, flags, windsocks, toys. 
  • Wellfleet Marketplace, 295 Main St, ☏ +1 508-346-3156. From 7AM daily. Grocery store. Fresh meat, produce, fish and dairy. Full deli with bakery, sliced meats and prepared foods. The Marketplace is the community general store with health & beauty aids, housewares, stationary, wine & beer. 
  • Wellfleet Booksmith, 295 Main St, ☏ +1 508-349-3156. Located in the Wellfleet Marketplace. New books, bestsellers, local authors. Gifts, cards, toys and novelties. 

Art galleries

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Eat

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  • Book Store & Restaurant, 50 Kendrick Av, ☏ +1 508 349-3154. Year round - breakfast, lunch, dinner. Upstairs with nice harbor view from their deck. Live entertainment on holiday weekends. Playground right next door for the kids. 
  • The Wicked Oyster, Main St., +1 508-349-3455.
  • The Lighthouse Restaurant, Main St., +1 508-349-3681. Breakfast? It's the blueberry muffins.
  • Finely J.P.'s, 554 Route 6, So. Wellfleet, ☏ +1 508-349-7500. 
  • The Wellfleet Beachcomber, Cahoon Hollow Beach, +1 508-349-6055. Quite possibly the best bar on Cape Cod.
  • PJ's Family Restaurant, Route 6, +1 508-349-2126.
  • Moby Dick's Restaurant, Route 6 (Across from Gulf Pond Rd), +1 508-349-9795. Open Early May - Columbus Day 11:30AM-10PM, Basic. Seafood, lobsters, burgers.
  • Mac's Seafood Market & Grill (Town Pier), ☏ +1 508 349-9611. 
  • Mac's Shack, Sushi, Raw Bar, Coastal Cuisine, 91 Commercial, ☏ +1 508 349-6333. 
  • Box Lunch, Briar Lane, a wide range of sandwich wraps +1 508-349-2178.
  • Van Rensselaer's Restaurant, Route 6, South Wellfleet (opposite Marconi Station), ☏ +1 508-349-2127. Voted Cape Cod Life best Breakfast and Family Dining on the Outer Cape 2010. Menu offers seafood, pasta, meats as well as a kids menu. Covered outdoor deck and three indoor dining areas. 
  • Catch of the Day, 975 Route 6, South Wellfleet. +1 508-349-9090 Zagat Rated
  • Russ & Marie's Marconi Beach Restaurant, 545 Route 6, South Wellfleet, ☏ +1 508-349-6025. Early April to mid October. Casual. Wood Fire Smoked Ribs, Chicken, Pulled Pork. Full Bar. 

Drink

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  • The Wicked Oyster, Main St., +1 508-349-3455.
  • 1 The Beachcomber, 1120 Cahoon Hollow Rd, ☏ +1 508 349-6055. 11:30AM-1AM daily; Memorial Day to Labor Day. This restaurant/bar is located right on the bluffs in the scenic National Seashore. Sip on your beer while looking out over the Atlantic. Voted “best live entertainment on the lower cape” and “one of the best seaside dining spots in New England”. Tends to cater to the party bus crowd. Starters $6-12, mains $15-25. (updated Mar 2019)

Sleep

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Campground

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Go next

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Traffic is heavy on summer weekends. If leaving on Sunday, try to avoid leaving between noon and 6PM.

Routes through Wellfleet
Provincetown ← Truro ←  N  S  → Eastham → New Bedford


This city travel guide to Wellfleet is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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