After a busy day on Nantucket, an R&R day is order for the middle of your Cape Cod week vacation. In previous blogs, I’ve discussed beaches and the Cape Cod rail trail, both of which fit the bill in terms of kicking back. If neither of those ideas appeal to you, or, if you come across a rainy day during your stay, how about a leisurely drive along Old Kings Highway (a.k.a route 6A) which runs along the north coast of the Cape. This scenic route is dotted with antique, glass, and pottery shops and the old clapboard homes and inns truly depict the charm of old Cape Cod.
Head west along the highway and don’t miss stops at the Brewster General Store for a throw back in time, Sydenstricker Glass in Brewster which showcases a huge selection of glassware in a variety of designs, Dianne Heart Pottery in Brewster where Dianne creates one of my personal favorite pieces – a tea mug with a little slot for the teabag string, and The Barn and Co. in Dennis for one of a kind treasures many of which are created by local artisans.
Stop at the Brewster Fish House for an unbeatable seafood lunch. Don’t miss the lobster bisque – some of the best I’ve ever had chock full of fresh lobster meat and bursting with flavor.
Continue west and eventually come to the village of Sandwich, the oldest town on the Cape and home of the Heritage Museum and Gardens which also houses an antique automobile collection and the Glass Museum where sometimes you can catch a glass blowing demonstration. Browse through the quaint downtown area in the many galleries, antique, and glass shops before heading back east, this time taking the more efficient route six.
For dinner, take a break from traditional seafood and head to Buca’s in Harwich, just 10-15 minutes from the Captains House Inn. Buca’s features fantastic northern Italian cuisine in a cozy, romantic setting. Every time we dine there, the authentic food, dim lighting, and red checked table clothes make us feel like we’ve been transported to Italy itself. No matter what you order, you can’t go wrong, but don’t skip dessert with a glass of Vin Santo, a traditional Italian dessert wine, perfect to cap off a relaxing day.
