15 Must Visit Destinations In or Near Chatham, MA

One of the best parts about staying at Chatham Bars Inn is getting to explore the town of Chatham and the surrounding area. Full of natural beauty and world-class attractions, this region of Cape Cod is worth visiting year-round. Here are 15 of our favorite attractions, all only a short drive from the Inn.

Take a cranberry bog tour.

_Image courtesy of Cranberry Bog Tours_

Starting in April, visitors have the opportunity to take daily tours of the area’s largest organic cranberry bog. Husband and wife Leo & Andrea Cakounes run this bog together, and it’s a great place to take your family to learn about how cranberries are harvested and interact with some friendly farm animals. Make sure you bring cash - the bog does not accept credit cards.

For more info, visit [http://cranberrybogtours.com/.](http://cranberrybogtours.com/)

Discover living history at the Atwood House.

_Image courtesy of The Atwood House_

Built in the 1750s by sea captain Joseph Atwood, the Atwood House remained in the family until the early 1900s when it was purchased by the Chatham Historical Society. The Atwood House & Museum now offers eleven galleries with a rare glimpse into the past, and is a great place for history, art and culture buffs to check out. Be sure to visit the Mural Barn featuring the rare works by Alice Stallknecht, the Fresnel light offering a closeup look at a working lighthouse lens, and the Nickerson Beach Camp. Docent and private group tours are available.

For more info, visit [http://chathamhistoricalsociety.org/at-the-atwood/the-museum-galleries/the-old-house/.](http://chathamhistoricalsociety.org/at-the-atwood/the-museum-galleries/the-old-house/)

Visit Cape Cod’s historic lighthouses.

Cape Cod lighthouses have been lighting up the coast for centuries, and while some have been deactivated, many remain, serving as historical landmarks and tourist destinations. The nearest lighthouse to Chatham Bars Inn is Chatham Light, a still-operating lighthouse that often serves as a de facto symbol of the town.

For a longer list of lighthouses on Cape Cod, visit [Best of Cape Cod.](https://www.bestofcapecod.com/cape-cod-lighthouses/)

Harvest your own oysters at the Chatham Shellfish Company.

Chatham Shellfish Aerial Footage - YouTube

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[Chatham Shellfish Aerial Footage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-5T5dOjJd4) [Jack Bacigalupo](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClkVtb2nMb8yX1BjXWMVZ3g)

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Have you ever been curious about how oysters end up on your dinner plate? Take a tour at the Chatham Shellfish Company’s interactive oyster farm! You’ll learn all about oysters from shellfish expert Stephen Wright, enjoy a scenic barge tour out to Oyster Pond, and even harvest your own oysters.

For more info, visit [https://www.chathamoysters.com/.](https://www.chathamoysters.com/)

Rent a kayak or paddle board.

_Image courtesy of Bass River Kayaking_

If you didn't get out on the water, did you really visit Cape Cod? Do yourself a favor and make a point of taking a kayak or paddle board out for the day. We offer rentals at the Inn if you'd like to paddle around the bay and local area and take in the sights.

If you’re looking for a more intimate tour of the waterways of Cape Cod, we highly recommend checking out Bass River Kayaking. They offer rentals that go out on the Bass River, a gorgeous salt river that’s full of pristine beaches and wildlife (but don’t worry - there are no sharks). Expect a laid-back, relaxing trip down the undisturbed side waterways of the river and make sure that you make time to stop at a few sandbars and take in the scenery, or snap a photo of the family by the windmills that you’ll pass. Bass River Kayaking is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, and offers a variety of great bonuses (like free parking) that will make your visit with them all the more enjoyable.

For more info, visit [http://www.capecodkayaking.com/.](http://www.capecodkayaking.com/)

Enjoy a drink at one of our local breweries.

_Image courtesy of Hog Island Beer Co._

Did you know that Cape Cod is a craft beer destination? Our area in particular is home to a wide variety of local breweries that are must-visits for the beer lover in your life. While there are many great places to sit down for a cold one, Hog Island Beer Co. is one of the area’s most celebrated breweries. Once you’re done there, take a short walk to the popular Jailhouse Tavern, which offers a beautiful view of Nauset Beach. If you're in South Dennis, Devil's Purse is also a must-visit.

For more info, visit [Hog Island Beer Co.](http://www.hogislandbeerco.com/), [Devil's Purse](https://www.devilspurse.com/), or [the Jailhouse Tavern.](https://jailhousetavern.com/)

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