Destination guide
Dennis & Dennis Port, Cape Cod travel guide
Warm Sound-side water, bay sandbars at low tide, and a village you can walk to the beach from.
There's a reason Cape Cod has held on to travelers for generations. It's a place where the tide sets the pace, and the biggest decision of the day is whether to spend the afternoon at the beach or wandering a village.
Our two homes are in Dennis Port, on the Nantucket Sound side of Dennis, mid-Cape: Cape Cod Bay's beaches are to the north and the warmer Sound beaches to the south. From the house you're a short walk or drive from the Sound beaches, the Rail Trail and dinner in the village. The Dennis Beach House has two bedrooms; the Cape Cod Cottage, at the same address, has one.
- Best season
- June – September
- From Boston
- About 90 minutes by car
- Beaches
- Two coasts: the Sound and the bay
- Location
- Mid-Cape, Dennis Port
The beaches
Dennis has beaches on both sides of the Cape. The bay side has calm water and long low-tide flats; the Nantucket Sound side has the warmest water on the Cape and a little more wave. Our beach guide covers parking and timing for each.
Bay side · Local favorite
Mayflower Beach
The best known of Dennis's bay beaches. At low tide you can walk a long way out on the exposed sandbars, which makes it a favorite with families and shell collectors. The sunsets over the bay are the other reason to go; arrive early to park.
Bay side · Great for kids
Corporation Beach
Another bay beach with the same gentle water, often a little less crowded than Mayflower. The name comes from a 19th-century fishing corporation. Good swimming and tide pools at low water.
Nantucket Sound · Best for waves
West Dennis Beach
About a mile of sand on Nantucket Sound, with a little more wave than the bay side: good for boogie boards and full beach days. Plenty of facilities and room even in August.
Bay side · Quieter
Chapin Memorial Beach
A quieter alternative to Mayflower with the same long low-tide walks and a more local crowd. The lot is small and fills quickly on summer weekends.
Where to eat
Clam shacks are still the heart of it, but Dennis also does a proper night out. These are three we send guests to; the full list is in where we actually eat in Dennis.
Dinner with a view
The Ocean House
On the water in Dennis Port: fresh seafood, a raw bar and a room that works for a special night out without being stuffy. Book ahead if you want a sunset table.
- Seafood
- Waterfront
- $$–$$$
Lobster rolls
Sesuit Harbor Cafe
Order at the window, take a picnic table and watch the fishing boats come in at Sesuit Harbor. Known for its lobster rolls, fried clams and chowder. Expect a line in summer.
- Lobster rolls
- Casual
- $–$$
A night out
Scargo Cafe
Creative American food in a sea captain's house from the 1890s. The menu changes with the seasons; a good pick for a birthday or anniversary dinner.
- American
- Dinner
- $$$
Things to do
Beyond the beaches: bikes, boats, a stone tower and the oldest summer theater in the country. For rainy days and kids, see our family activities guide.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
A 22-mile paved path past ponds, cranberry bogs and marsh. It starts in Dennis; rent bikes nearby and ride as far as you like. Flat and family-friendly.
Scargo Tower
A stone observation tower on Scargo Hill with views over Cape Cod Bay and, on clear days, out toward Provincetown.
Fishing charters
Half-day and full-day charters leave from Sesuit Harbor for striped bass and bluefish. Half days suit beginners.
Kayaking
Paddle the calm Bass River or the bay shore. Local outfitters rent kayaks and run guided trips.
Cape Cod National Seashore
The Outer Cape's protected ocean beaches and dunes start about 30 minutes east of Dennis.
Cape Playhouse
America's oldest professional summer theater, in Dennis Village, with productions all summer.
Both cottages side by side, with the price for your dates and the questions guests ask before booking: our Dennis Port vacation rentals.
Plan your trip
Everything we've written about Dennis and the Cape.
- Our Favorite Cape Cod Beaches (and a Few You Probably Haven't Heard Of)We've been going to these beaches our whole lives. Here are the ones we actually go to, not just the famous ones everyone talks about.12 min read
- Where We Actually Eat in DennisEvery guest asks us for restaurant recommendations. Here's the list we send them, with our honest opinions on each place.10 min read
- What to Do on Cape Cod When the Kids Are Done with the BeachThe beach is great, but kids get bored. Here's what else there is to do.13 min read
- Planning Your Cape Cod Vacation: The Complete Dennis Port GuideEverything you need to know about planning a Cape Cod trip, from the best beaches and restaurants to seasonal tips and day trip ideas.13 min read
- Your Guide to Glendon Road Beach: Dennis Port's Best-Kept SecretEverything you need to know about Glendon Road Beach—the quiet Dennis Port beach that locals love for its warm water, easy access, and laid-back vibe.10 min read
- Booking Direct: How Airbnb & Vrbo Service Fees WorkGuests often ask why they'd book a house on its own website instead of on Airbnb. Here's how platform service fees work, and how to compare a direct booking fairly.9 min read
- Cape Cod in the Off-Season: Why Fall and Winter in Dennis Are Worth the TripEveryone asks us about July and August. But September through the winter is when the Cape belongs to you—warm water, empty beaches, and no traffic.11 min read
- Where to Stay in Dennis, MA: Dennis Port vs. West Dennis vs. Dennis VillageDennis is one town with five villages and two coastlines, and where you stay shapes your whole vacation. Here's our honest breakdown of each village and who it's right for.11 min read
- Two Easy Weekend Getaways from Boston: Cape Cod Beach House or NH Lake HouseBoth of our destinations are about 90 minutes from Boston in opposite directions—one to the ocean, one to a lake. Here's how to pick, and how to make a two-night weekend actually work.10 min read
Ready for Cape Cod?
Two homes at one Dennis Port address: book one, or both for a bigger group.