Cape Cod Vacation

Thanks to everyone that posted. We are going to reserve sites at Atlantic Oaks. All of the info here really helped.

We work camped at Bayveiw last summer, if you need 50amp site book early, when the park is full if it gets hot voltage dips to 104 or so had a couple of power outs last year, the good it is spotless has 2 pools and generally friendly folks.

I've been to Hyannis many times, I've never seen anything like the above poster has described.

I hadn't until about a month ago. There are some shops and restaurants but it's not a place I'd feel comfortable with kids. PTown was a long time ago, so I can't be certain.

Bay View Campground is on the Cape side of the bridge in Bourne along Rt 28 a couple of miles beyond the bridge.

Ooops. Bad memory. You are correct.

Bay probably warmer.

This I know for certain-hubby grew up with a family cottage in Sandwich. Bay side is colder. If you want a "warm" beach try Monument Beach. Regardless water temps will be very chilly that time of year unless we have a warmer-than-normal spring that MIGHT bring water temps up a bit.

Crowe wrote:
I have not stayed at either but I can tell you that Bay View in Bourne is not on the water and isn't on the Cape proper-it's on the mainland side of the bridge. This would mean traversing the bridge any time you wanted to go further out onto the Cape. Depending on how many snow days the schools use and how late school gets out, that could be the beginning of heavy traffic season, which can be a nightmare.

This is not true. Bay View Campground is on the Cape side of the bridge in Bourne along Rt 28 a couple of miles beyond the bridge. Traffic may be a little heavy but the bridge is not an issue.

Crowe wrote:


There are two towns I would recommend "thinking about" before visiting:

Hyannis: We were just there a few weeks ago and it's gone WAAAAY downhill. Drug busts, drunks all over the place, adult toy stores, and drug paraphernalia being sold in store fronts.

Provincetown: Home to many "alternative" lifestyles. Once a family-friendly, artist/hippie type colony, it turned into a place with punkers and goths but was still fine. Last time I was there, and I'll admit it was a number of years ago, it also had turned into a drug-infested haven for stoners and real wackadoodles. Not sure if it's changed-hopefully someone else can weigh in,

I've been to Hyannis many times, I've never seen anything like the above poster has described. There are nice shops and restaurants along the main street along with the Kennedy Museum. It has grown some. The mall, Home Depot etc,. Its probably considered the main hub for business on the cape. Lots of nice homes too.

Provincetown, well true there are many walks of live there. Kind of made it interesting and fun to me. But it is still family friendly, at least during the day and quite safe day and night. Lots of shops and restaurants here as well.

Regarding your visit. A lot depends on what you want to do as it relates to activities for you and the kids. These two campgrounds are pretty far apart. We usually stay at Scussett Beach to cover the western part of the cape as far east as Hyannis. We would then stay at Atlantic Oaks to see places to the east like Chatham and Provincetown. Like you said, if you narrowed it down to these two, you may want to split your time between Bayview and Atlantic Oaks as there is much to see and do for everyone across the entire cape.

Never stayed at Bayview, but have stayed at Atlantic Oaks many times. Nice CG. Very clean and friendly people running it. Excellent paved bike trail next to the CG. You can bike to the beach along the trail. You can bike or walk to Arnold's next door. Great seafood and Ice Cream. We always make it a point to go to the drive in movie nearby in Wellfleet. Kids love sitting in their beach chairs in front of the car watching movies. Again great sights from Chatham to P-Town and midway between the bay and ocean beaches. Never been there in June but I imagine the ocean temps are still pretty chilly. Bay probably warmer.

Whatever you decide I assure you, you'll have a great time.

I have not stayed at either but I can tell you that Bay View in Bourne is not on the water and isn't on the Cape proper-it's on the mainland side of the bridge. This would mean traversing the bridge any time you wanted to go further out onto the Cape. Depending on how many snow days the schools use and how late school gets out, that could be the beginning of heavy traffic season, which can be a nightmare. If you want to get out to the best beaches you have to head out to the National Seashore almost at the tip of the Cape, so a campground further is better. It's been a long time since I've done real "kid" stuff down there but I highly recommend biking along the canal and visiting the small museum there. heritage Gardens in Sandwich is a nice, peaceful place that hosts a lot of events for both kids and adults.

There are two towns I would recommend "thinking about" before visiting:

Hyannis: We were just there a few weeks ago and it's gone WAAAAY downhill. Drug busts, drunks all over the place, adult toy stores, and drug paraphernalia being sold in store fronts.

Provincetown: Home to many "alternative" lifestyles. Once a family-friendly, artist/hippie type colony, it turned into a place with punkers and goths but was still fine. Last time I was there, and I'll admit it was a number of years ago, it also had turned into a drug-infested haven for stoners and real wackadoodles. Not sure if it's changed-hopefully someone else can weigh in,

I spent summer vacations at the Cape for close to 40 years. Always out near Truro and Provincetown. I would recommend the Coast Guard Beach and Corn Hill Beach. Both require a parking permit from the town. There are a few private campgrounds out that way, some better than others. Haven't camped there for a number of years although my sister likes Nickerson.

We've stayed at Atlantic Oaks and really liked it. However, it was in mid September, so laying on the beach was out of the question. The campground was very clean and we'll maintained. The bike trail right in back of the campground with access to it was a definite plus. Since it was off season there were no beach access fees, but it is something to keep in mind.

Taking into consideration your list of priorities, location, things for the kids to do, amenities, I think you'd be better off at Atlantic Oaks as opposed to Bay View. Much more centralized location, right on 6 in the middle of a tourity area, movies close by, mini golf, not far from either shoreline and a good number of beaches.

livelylittlecampers wrote:
We are going to Cape Cod for 6 days in late June. We have narrowed our options down to Bay View and Atlantic Oaks. We are a family of five with three little kids. Can anyone comment on which might be a better choice in terms of all elements? Location, amenities, fun stuff for the kids etc... I also have this crazy idea that we could spend three days at each, but am wondering if their locations are different enough and far away enough to justify the extra clean up/set up etc..

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Happy New Year!!!!!

Our daughter and her family also have an RV.she also has 3 boys...6 yrs, 4yrs and 6 months...we have been to Camper's Haven in Dennisport and Atlantic Oaks ......when they go with a group of their friends with a lot..and I mean a lot of kids..they like Camper's Haven for the beach...just walk across the street....but they also don't travel around with the whole crew..guys watch the kids ..ladies go shopping....
But when go up with us or another cpl..they like Atlantic Oaks....the bike trail is right at the back of the campground and her 2 older boys will bike ride with me or their Dad for hours....so off they go and ride to the Nat'l Seashore Park and back.....also a great fish rest within bike or even walking distance...Chuck

+1 on the Cape Cod Rail Trail! It's a paved milti-use path that runs through Nickerson State Park. Check out the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster too. And the Brewster General Store and ice cream shop.

We've been to the Cape several times and stayed at Sweetwater Forest in Brewster. Can't comment on the other cg's.

On our last trip I did some research and got our truck outfitted so we could drive on the beach at Race Point. $50 for a 7-day pass and we had several relaxing days on there.

We did a day trip to New Bedford to see the whaling museum but were both disappointed. Both of us felt the private museum in Nantucket was better. Caution - If you go, the ferry ride can be expensive for a family.