Nestled in the crook of Cape Cod, the town of Orleans, Massachusetts, is the perfect place for a relaxing weekend. It’s a short drive to many of the Cape’s other seaside towns, so after a quiet afternoon on Nauset Beach,you can go to Hyannis to wander the shops and restaurants on Main Street. Whatever you do, be sure to catch at least one sunset from Orleans’ Rock Harbor (and bring bug spray, too).
Where to Stay
Budget Bliss: Nauset House Inn. From the blue bottles on the windowsill to the stenciled flowers lining the hallways, this 14-room bed-and-breakfast oozes old-fashioned charm (even the prices are a throwback to simpler times). The cheerful family of innkeepers whips up a delicious homemade breakfast every morning, including fresh baked muffins, omelets, and seasonal fruit. Since the inn is also a half mile from Nauset Beach, you won’t have to pay for parking. Rates start at $85 for a single room with shared bathroom and go up to $175 for a room in a cottage with private bath and queen-size bed. 143 Beach Road; 508.255.2195; nausethouseinn.com
Classic Cape Cod: Orleans Inn. This historic inn dates back to 1875, when it was a sea captain’s mansion, but they’ve also added modern conveniences like air- conditioning and cable TV. With only 11 rooms, guests can count on personal attention from the concierge. The adjacent restaurant offers elegant waterfront dining, which is popular for weddings and other functions. Another perk is the inn’s proximity to the water—the deck overlooks Town Cove. Rates start at $175 per night for a standard room and $250 for a waterfront suite. orleansinn.com
Where to Dine and Drink
Salads and Sandwiches: Jo Mama’s. Stop by Jo Mama’s for a quick breakfast or lunch on the cheap. This colorful café and coffee shop serves smoothies, hot and cold sandwiches, espresso drinks, and over 15 kinds of bagels. Vegetarians will find plenty of delicious options including the mellow mushroom sandwich and the effin bagel with melted brie and avocado. You can also create your own sandwich by mixing and matching meat, cheese, and other toppings. 125 Route 6A; 508.255.0255; jomamasnybagels.com
Casual Cocktails: Joe’s Bar and Grill. This is Orleans’ main hot spot for cocktails and bar food. You’ll find the standard burgers, quesadillas, and buffalo wings, plus seafood specialties like chicken and shrimp Provençale or lobster ravioli. Expect crowds on the weekends, when Joe’s hosts live music. 5 Beach Road; 508.255.0212; barleyneck.com/joes.html
Fusion With Flair: Abba. Combining elements of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, Abba serves inventive dishes like shrimp and lobster pad thai, falafel with Israeli salsa, brie tempura, and lemongrass tart. There’s also a creative selection of cocktails. Flickering candles, a vaulted ceiling, and soft throw pillows create a cozy, romantic ambiance. The dining room is small, so reservations are recommended. 89 Old Colony Way; 508.255.8144; abbarestaurant.com
Where to Shop
Classic Chic: Karol Richardson. Owned by British-born designer Karol Richardson, this boutique features Richardson’s own dresses, bags, and jewelry, which are produced locally in New England, plus apparel and gifts that Richardson handpicks from other designers. The aesthetic is classy, yet still casual enough for a weekend of lounging on the beach or window-shopping. 47 Main Street; 508.255.3944; karolrichardson.com
Lots of Pots: Kemp Pottery. Father-son team Steven and Matt Kemp run this pottery studio and gallery, which shows off an impressive selection of the pair’s wheel-thrown pitchers, plates, lamps, figurines, and tiles. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for that hard-to-shop -for friend or relative, you just might find it here. 9 Cranberry Highway; 508.255.5853; kemppottery.com
Where to Chill Out
Heavenly Scents: Heaven Scent You Wellness Spa. Located in downtown Orleans, this cozy spa offers all of the standard services you’d expect from a spa: facials, manis and pedis, body wraps, and eye treatments. Spa packages start at $190 for the day of beauty, which includes a deep pore-cleansing facial and several other treatments. Also check the website for specials. 13 Cove Road; 508.240.2508; heavenscentyou.net
Sugar Fix: Hot Chocolate Sparrow. With their infamous frozen hot chocolate and free wireless, Hot Chocolate Sparrow is a favorite spot among locals and visitors to the Cape. The menu includes hot and cold espresso drinks, paninis, ice cream, and hand-dipped chocolate delicacies that are made on-site. Stop by for lunch, dessert, or an afternoon snack. The espresso bar is open year- round, but sitting on the benches outside with a raspberry sorbet lime rickey or an iced chai is pure bliss in the summer. 5 Old Colony Way; 508.240.2230; chocolatesparrow.com
Movies by Moonlight: Wellfleet Drive-in Theater. A short drive from Orleans, the Wellfleet Drive-in is one of only a handful left in New England. With an old-fashioned snack bar and sock hop music playing before the movie, the drive-in offers an adorable blast from the past. Eight dollars per person buys admission to both movies screening that night; the first starts just after dusk. Wellfleet Drive-In also hosts a flea market on weekends during the day. 51 Route 6, Wellfleet; 508.349.7176; wellfleetcinemas.com
