The beautiful landscape and shoreline of Cape Cod make it one of the most romantic places to spend a weekend (or week) with your loved one. From the sparkling bays to the sand dunes, you can always find a peaceful spot to spend time together. And, whether you’re celebrating a milestone or just spending time together, there are tons of romantic things to do on Cape Cod.
Walk a Beach
Walking hand in hand with your partner in the sand is a popular romantic activity anywhere on the U.S. coastline. It’s a whole other experience on Cape Cod, though!
With more than 500 miles of shoreline, the Cape has tons of beaches. Several Brewster beaches are ideal for walking — such as Breakwater Beach and Point of Rocks Landing, especially at low tide when the tidal pools are exposed.
On the west side of the Cape, Old Silver Beach in Falmouth and Town Neck Beach in Sandwich are ideal for romantic walks. There are a lot of beaches within the Cape Cod National Seashore as well — Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, and Head of the Meadow in Truro.
Visit a Cape Cod Lighthouse
There are 15 lighthouses on Cape Cod, and each offers a picturesque view that’s romantic to share with your special someone. While all of them are fantastic destinations, here are a few of our favorites.
Nobska Lighthouse
Located in the Woods Hole area of Falmouth, Nobska Lighthouse has been completely restored. You can climb the tower during the summer as long as the weather is nice. And, the view of the ocean is awesome.
Nauset Light
One of the most popular lighthouses on Cape Cod, Nauset Light is an important maritime landmark. The majestic tower is one of the most photographed on the Cape, so you know that the setting will be romantic. From the top, you get a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Race Point Lighthouse
At the tip of the Cape in Provincetown, Race Point Lighthouse feels like it’s at the end of the world. With Cape Cod Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, it’s the perfect backdrop for a romantic picnic and stroll.
Climb a Tower
If visiting the Cape’s many lighthouses isn’t enough, you can add a couple of towers to your romantic getaway itinerary — one of which is a climb of epic proportions!
Scargo Tower
The tallest tower in the Mid Cape, Scargo Tower stands 30 feet tall in South Dennis. The original tower was built in 1874 as an observatory for tourists. The current cobblestone tower opened in 1901, and you can climb it for panoramic views of Scargo Lake and other parts of the Cape.
Pilgrim Monument
Although more of a masterpiece than a tower, the 252-foot Pilgrim Monument stands over Provincetown. Climbing the 116 steps and 60 ramps might not be your idea of romance, but you can’t experience that scenic view at the top anywhere else on the Cape.
Walk a Boardwalk or Gardens
Walking on the beach isn’t the only romantic outdoor activity that couples can do. Strolling along the Sandwich Boardwalk is considered one of the most romantic things to do on Cape Cod because it looks like a destination out of a movie. It’s very intimate, and downtown shopping isn’t far away.
Not too far away, the Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich is already an amazing place to spend a day. The beautiful gardens feature daylilies, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, meadows, water features, and more — all which look spectacular under a colorful sunset.
Watch a Sunset
No matter where you go on Cape Cod, the sunset will be stunning, especially within the Cape Cod National Seashore and at Nauset Light. However, there are a few places where the sunset may take your breath away!
Cape Cod Canal Bikeway
Anywhere along the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway is ideal for sunset viewing. This pathway stretches for 7 miles on each side of the canal between the Bourne Bridge and Sagamore Bridge. You’ll pass a few recreation areas with sweeping views along the way.
Paine’s Creek Beach
Watching a sunset on the beach is one of the most romantic things to do on Cape Cod, and Paine’s Creek Beach in Brewster is one of our favorites. The soft sandbars seem to stretch forever into the colorful horizon.
Skaket Beach
If you’re looking from Skaket Beach in Orleans, the sun appears as if it’s dipping into Cape Cod Bay. You can walk for miles on the tidal flats during low tide. We recommend bringing a blanket and evening picnic for the show.
Rock Harbor
A few miles north of Skaket, Rock Harbor in Orleans has an active harbor on one side and a beach on the other. Sunsets here have been described as “epic” with reddish purple hues that feel serene and almost surreal.
Great Island
In Wellfleet, the best place to see a sunset is on Great Island. This recreation area has two trails — an about 4-mile loop to the Samuel Smith Tavern Site and a nearly 9-mile loop that also includes a trek to the Jeremy Point overlook. You definitely want to head to the overlook for the sunset!
Attend a Live Show
Does your idea of romance include enjoying a live show with your partner? Cape Cod is home to a variety of theatres and entertainment venues.
For example, the Falmouth Theatre Guild hosts Broadway-like musicals. And, the Barnstable Comedy Club has been running longer than any other live community theatre on the Cape, putting on comedy, music, and other shows during the year.
The Cape Playhouse in Dennis is known for its excellent shows, and several famous actors have graced its stage — including Bette Davis and Jane Fonda! Also, the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis and the Cape Rep Theatre in Brewster host a range of entertainment.
Take a Tour of Cape Cod
For a wider view of the Cape and its sunsets, you can take an aerial tour with Stick’n Rudder Aero Tours, which departs from Chatham Airport. The classic Waco biplane passes over an array of places, and you can choose how long you fly.
If you would rather stay closer to the ground, you could book a sunset tour with Bay Spirit Tours in Hyannis or Blue Claw Boat Tours in Orleans. Both offer several other tour options as well. Plus, several companies on the Cape offer seal tours and shark tours.
Go to a Wine or Beer Tasting
Do you and your loved one like to taste new wines and craft brews? You can find a few Cape Cod wineries and even more Cape Cod breweries.
If wine is more to your liking, you can visit Cape Cod Winery in Falmouth, First Crush Winery in Harwich, and Truro Vineyards in Truro. Along with having a romantic wine tasting, you can tour the vineyards.
For beer tastings, we recommend heading to Hyannis for Cape Cod Beer, one of the most popular breweries. In Orleans, Hog Island Beer Co. is another fantastic option. If you want to spend the day visiting breweries without worrying about driving, book a Cape Cod brewery tour.
Have a Romantic Dinner
A romantic getaway on Cape Cod would be incomplete without a fancy dinner. Fortunately, you have a slew of romantic Cape Cod restaurants to choose from.
From fresh seafood to Italian to Mexican to fusion cuisines, you can satisfy your craving in an intimate setting. Some of our recommendations across the Cape include:
- Bucatino Restaurant & Wine Bar in North Falmouth
- Amari Bar and Ristorante in East Sandwich
- The Naked Oyster Bistro & Raw Bar in Hyannis
- Fin Restaurant in Dennis
- Spinnaker in Brewster
- Buca’s Tuscan Roadhouse in Harwich
- Blackfish Bistro in Truro
- Front Street in Provincetown
Plan an Island Day Trip
While there are more than enough romantic things to do on Cape Cod itself, you could take your romantic getaway to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket Island for a day. Getting to each of these islands means hopping onto a ferry, and there’s plenty to do when you get there.
Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard has several lighthouses, but one of the best to visit is the Edgartown Lighthouse. However, you don’t want to skip walking around the quaint town either!
The island is also full of natural gems, and the Aquinnah Cliffs are one of them. Located in the western-most town of Aquinnah, the cliffs are a perfect spot for island sunsets.
When it’s time for dinner, head to The Woods for the delightful tastes of fine dining. This award-winning restaurant in West Tisbury is known for its unique ambiance and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Nantucket Island
On Nantucket Island, you can visit another brewery — Cisco Brewers. To get the most out of the experience, though, we recommend taking the Cisco Bike Path, which runs alongside Hummock Pond Rd. The brewery is about 1 mile into the trek, and you get refreshing brews and delicious food when you arrive.
We recommend going to Brant Point Lighthouse as well. You walk through the sand to reach the tower or a viewing spot for sweeping views of the water and coastline. In the evening, you can enjoy fine dining at Brant Point Grill, including selections from its award-winning wine cellar.
Stay at Candleberry Inn for Access to Romantic Things to Do on Cape Cod
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or looking for the perfect place to propose on Cape Cod, Candleberry Inn is excited to be your charming home away from home. In 2022, TripAdvisor named us the No. 1 Bed & Breakfast in the country and No. 2 in the world!
Our guest rooms and suites feature luxurious amenities, and you can amp up the romance during your stay with our add-ons and extras. Plus, we’re in a central location from all the best things to do on Cape Cod. When it’s time to book romantic accommodations for your getaway, check our availability.
