Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod

Coast Guard Beach, one of Cape Cod’s most popular beach destinations was named one of the top ten beaches in the country in 2009 by “Dr. Beach,” Stephen P. Leatherman.  Included in Leatherman’s top ten are several beaches throughout Hawaii, Florida, California, and the Carolinas.  While Cape Cod lacks the year round picture perfect climate of other destinations on the list, Coast Guard Beach compensates with pristine facilities, easy parking, and most importantly, waves worthy of two surfing website web cams honed in on it at all times. 

Located just 25 minutes from the Captains House Inn, Coast Guard Beach is a favorite day trip for guests.  But for those who prefer a shorter drive or calmer waters, Chatham offers 70 miles of shoreline dotted with its own award-worthy beaches.  Chatham Light Beach, just 1.5 miles from the Captains House is a favorite for sun worshippers and Hardings Beach, just ten minutes from the inn offers breathtaking sunsets.  For those who prefer strolling along the shore to lounging, Monomoy Wildlife Sanctuary, a five minute drive from the Captains House offers a long stretch of sandy shoreline complete with dozens of horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, and other sea creatures to observe.

Whichever beach guests choose to spend their leisurely getaway perusing, Cape Cod’s myriad of options awaits and never fails to impress travelers and locals alike.

Strolling along the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode is one of many things that Cliffside Inn guests can enjoy during their visit.   Newport, Rhode Island is jammed packed with wonderful activities at any time of the year.  However, one special way to enjoy the beauty of the coast is to stroll along the Cliff Walk.  Located on the eastern shore in a National Historic District, the walk combines the natural beauty of the Newport shoreline with the architectural history of Newport’s gilded age.  Wildflowers, birds, and dramatic views are all a part of this lovely walk. 

The walk itself is 3 ½ miles long and mostly easy to navigate.  However, beware that there are a few sections than can be a challenge!   The latter half of the cliff walk has unpaved sections and rugged paths.  The walk runs from Bailey’s Beach to First Beach, with public access points along the way.  The walk also skirts the edges of some of the city’s mansions, including Beechwood, Rosecliff, Marble House, The Breakers, Ochre Court, and Rough Point. 

Upon completion of your stroll, return to the Cliffside Inn to enjoy an afternoon tea or better yet, a relaxing Jacuzzi.  What better way to enjoy a romantic getaway!

by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality

Looking for adventure in your summer New England getaway? Zip line tours may be  just the answer for you! While doing a search for some things not to be missed from a vacation getaway, I discovered the thrill of taking a zip line tour. What is it all about? Put on the helmet, clip in, and soar through the trees and enjoy the scenic views along the way. There are a number of them in New England and you can stay at one of your favorite Distinctive Inns of New England along the way. These two especially caught my eye:

Deerfield Valley Zip Line Tour located in Charlemont, MA, This zip line tour lasts three hours and zips through the woods by means of zip lines and sky bridges suspended in the trees. What better way to view Deerfield Valley and the Berkshires. After your thrilling day, stay at the Deerfield Inn which is 22 miles away or continue on to Lenox and stay at the Gateways Inn which is about 39 miles away.

Alpine Adventures, Lincoln, NH – All I can say about this one is that the grand finale is called “White Knuckle Pine”. It has an 80’ drop and zip speeds of up to 50 mph. Need I say any more? Enjoy a relaxing finish by visiting Rabbit Hill Inn 40 minutes away or Inn at Thorn Hill which is about a 70 minute ride. Make sure to reserve dinner as you will to relax after this day!

by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality

Camden Maine Stay Bed & Breakfast was voted by Karen Brown’s Readers Choice as the “Warmest Welcome” for 2009!  This is the second year that the Readers’ Choice awards have been awarded.  After all the votes are tallied, one winner is chosen for each of the seventeen award categories in each country.   The Distinctive Inns of New England are extremely happy to have one of their members receive the prestigious award. 

Built in 1802 by a direct descendant of John Alden, the very first Pilgrim of the Mayflower to set foot on Plymouth Rock. The Camden Maine Stay is a delightfully decorated eight room Bed and Breakfast and is the perfect place to enjoy the history and the tradition of Maine.  It is surrounded by wooded gardens, which bloom constantly from spring thru fall.  Located in the historic district of Camden, Maine, guests enjoy an easy stroll into town to enjoy shopping and boating on Penobscot Bay.   A perfect getaway for any season.

by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality

Have you always wanted to take a painting class, but you were not sure how to go about it?  Windham Hill Inn in West Townsend, Vermont has just made it easy!  They are holding their first watercolor painting class May 31^st and June 1^st.  The Inn is situated upon 160 acres and is located at the end of a winding country road, truly a location to bring out the best in your creativity.  The class will be instructed by Karen Becher, a Vermont artist and teacher for the Vermont Art Council.  Karen has been involved with art for over 40 years and works with watercolors, as well as photography.

The Watercolor Painting Class Getaway Package includes two nights lodging, six hours of watercolor painting class, and dinner for two for one evening.  Package rates start at $654.00.  They will even provide you with a “take home studio” to continue your work with watercolors!  Are you ready to get inspired at Windham Hill Inn?

by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality

Biking Along the Cape Cod Rail Trail

After the long, cold winter and before the heat makes us want to do nothing but lounge on one of Cape Cod’s many beautiful beaches, travelers can take advantage of the perfect weather for biking along Cape Cod’s scenic rail trail.  The trail follows 22 miles of former railroad from Dennis to Wellfleet and with paved paths, few hills, and wide shoulders, it is an ideal route for a leisurely cycle through Cape Cod. 

Along the trail, cyclists will find several opportunities to pull off for a bite to eat or relax on a beach.  Popular stopping points are Coast Guard Beach in Eastham and Nickerson State Park in Brewster.  Travelers can rent bikes at a number of shops dotted along the trail including Chatham Cycle, just down the street from the Captains House Inn or at Brewster Bike in Brewster.  While the scenery and exhilaration of biking make a day of cycling along the rail trail worthwhile, the icing on the cake is returning to the Captains House Inn for cream tea, knowing that every calorie consumed is already burned off!

I was thinking what to write about today when I came upon Chesterfield Inn’s Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp’s recipe.  When we were innkeepers, we served this on Sunday mornings when rhubarb was in season.  When not in season, you could find other hot fruit entrees like apple cranberry crisp on our menu.  However, this is an all time favorite!

Chesterfield Inn offers their Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp with ice cream or whipped cream, but we use to drizzle a little fresh cream on the top.  For those of you that think this is too sweet for breakfast, think again!  You do not know what you are missing!  Here is the secret recipe from the Chesterfield Inn: (more…)

As the warm weather slowly rolls in, Chatham, Massachusetts prepares for one of its longstanding summer traditions – Cape Cod baseball league season.  The premier amateur baseball league in the nation since 1885, the Cape Cod baseball league celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.  With over 1,000 alumni performing at all levels of professional baseball in 2008, a record total 212 former Cape leaguers play in the major leagues. 

With such a high caliber of talent, it stands to reason that the Cape Cod ball games are consistently packed with fans who enjoy unsurpassed entertainment for only a voluntary donation.  The Captains House Inn, located just 1/2 mile from the Chatham Anglers, (formerly the Chatham Athletics), ball field is an ideal location to stroll over to catch a game, and maybe grab a burger at the nearby Red Nun.  The Anglers will kick off opening day at a home game against Wareham on June 12th at 7:00 p.m.  The new schedule has been published and tourists and locals alike wait with baited breath for opening day – the official start to Cape Cod summer. 

by Jill & James, Captain’s House Inn

Inn at Thorn Hill’s
Mother’s Day Brunch
Chef John Russ has a great plan for your mother, grandmother or mother-in-law. Joins us for brunch on Sunday, May 10th and we will have a great food experience for you. Brunch is being served from 10am until 2pm in our main dining room. It is $28 per person for adults, half price for children 10 and under children under 5 free. (more…)