The clouds are disappearing, the weather is getting warmer, and the days are getting longer — beach days are finally here. What a wonderful idea that you and thousands of other people had at the same time. Now, everyone will try to snag the last lounge chair or umbrella. Well, that’s not exactly true when you’re in Harwich, Massachusetts. Here, the coast is almost never as packed as the award-winning shoreline of St. Pete, Florida, or San Diego, California’s best beaches for vacations. In fact, this New England destination offers all the best parts of a touristy getaway minus the actual tourists. Uncrowded beaches, chic resorts, boutique stores, and fun activities — what more could we ask for?
Seven villages make up the quaint town of Harwich, spanning from Nantucket Sound all the way to Pleasant Bay. With 11 miles of coastline taking up the south of Cape Cod, it comes as no surprise that the town was once a whaling port. However, it’s the cranberry industry that became the driving force behind its economic growth as early as 1846. To this day, Harwich is a big name when it comes to cranberries — they even host a festival dedicated to the fruit every autumn.
Getting to Harwich is a no-brainer, especially if you’re coming from Boston — you’ll arrive in less than two hours. The drive from Cohasset, a quintessential New England town, is even shorter at one-hour-and-15-minutes. You can also plan a road trip from New York City and get to Harwich within six hours. But, in that case, it’s probably better to fly into Cape Cod Gateway Airport, only 20 minutes away from the beach town.
Beaches are anything but basic in Harwich
How does “white sand, seashells, and clean water” sound to you for a beach day? Find all that and more at Red River Beach in South Harwich. As the most famous and largest in Harwich, this is where families come to swim, kayak, and boogie board. Although it’s not the best for surfing, it’s a great spot to go on long beach walks while your four-legged friend splashes around and the kids fly their kites. With plenty of parking space available, Red River Beach is a top choice for all kinds of vacationers…