What to See and Do in Chatham - Summer Edition
We love our location in the heart of Chatham and are often asked by our guests, “What should we see or do while visiting Chatham this summer?” We’ve created a list of some of our favorite summer activities in Chatham, most are within walking distance of Chatham Bars Inn
01. Godfrey Windmill
Built in 1797 and now located in Chase Park, the Godfrey Windmill is on the National Register of Historic Places. The windmill is now fully restored and is currently the only windmill on Cape Cod that (on special "Grinding Days") is set in motion and grinds corn - just as it did in the 18th and 19th centuries.
02. Chatham Fish Pier
See Chatham’s vibrant commercial fishing industry in action as you watch boats unload their daily catch. The recently renovated observation deck offers a perfect view of the harbor and fishing crews. The Chatham Fish Pier is open daily to the public and even has an elevator for wheelchair access to the second level observation deck.
03. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
Just a short bike ride from Chatham Bars Inn, you'll find the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, with breathtaking views and walking trails down to the beach via a private path. This federally designated Wilderness Area is an important site for migratory and beach nesting birds. Sand stretches for eight miles off the elbow of Cape Cod, forming the barrier island of North Monomoy Island and barrier beach of South Monomoy. The total size of the refuge is 7,604 acres with varied habitats of oceans, salt and freshwater marshes, dunes, and freshwater ponds. The refuge also supports one of the largest nesting colonies of common terns on the Atlantic seaboard.
04. Atwood House Museum
Explore the history and culture of Chatham and the local area at the Atwood House through art, artifacts and archives as well as changing exhibits. This year, featured exhibits include: A WETU – A Wampanoag Dwelling built on the grounds; The Turning Point Commemorating the Mayflower Arrival and the Wampanoag Community; and, Remembering Our Heroes – WWII 75th Anniversary. Also on the grounds are the mid-20th century Nickerson North Beach Camp, the Chatham School Bells display, and the Chatham Light Display, featuring the lantern house from Chatham’s twin light with its original Fresnel lens, which flashes its beam whenever the museum is open.
05. Orpheum Theater
Perfect for a night out or a rainy day, the renovated Orpheum Theatre on Main Street shows independent films as well as blockbusters and has a café serving coffee, sandwiches and desserts to enjoy with your movie (as well as the traditional popcorn and candy are also available). Don’t miss the larger-than-life 30’ x 14’ lobby wall mural created by local artist Hans de Castellane with over 100 of your favorite stars of the silver screen from Marilyn Monroe and Burt Reynolds to Johnny Depp and Harry Potter.
06. Chatham Light
You may recognize the “Chatham Light” Lighthouse as it was featured in the Disney film The Finest Hours depicting the U.S. Coast Guard's rescue of the S.S. Pendleton in 1952 off the coast of Chatham. The original station was built in 1808 with two wooden towers that were replaced in 1841. In 1877, two new towers, made of cast iron rings, replaced those. One of the towers was moved to the Eastham area and became Nauset Light in 1923 (you may recognize that one from the Cape Cod Potato Chips bag!).
07. Kate Gould Park
Stop by this shady green space tucked along Main Street for a summer picnic or to see the annual “Art in the Park” display. Plan to attend one of the Friday Night concerts where the Chatham Band plays from the Whit Tileston Chatham Bandstand, a classic gazebo, as families gather on blankets and lawn chairs to hear an All-American summer performance.
08. Chatham Labyrinth
Located in Chase Park, the design chosen for the Chatham Labyrinth is a replica of the 11-circuit medieval labyrinth found in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. Walking the labyrinth can be a personal practice that quiets and clears the mind, opens the heart and grounds the body.
09. Cape Cod Baseball League
Did you know 1 in every 6 Major League players once played in this highly-rated collegiate summer baseball league? Ten towns on the Cape have teams and play several nights each week. Games are free to attend and fun for families. Keep an eye out for dozens of Major League scouts who attend games with radar guns and notebooks in hand to look for future prospects. Cheer on the local Chatham Anglers at Veteran’s Field, less than a mile from the Inn. Games are played from early June to mid-August.
10. Chatham Railroad Museum & Playground
Fans of trains and kids of all ages will enjoy a stop at the Chatham Railroad Museum located in a restored 1887 railroad depot and featuring hundreds of exhibits, the New York Central model locomotives used at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and a child-friendly 1910 restored wood caboose for kids to explore. Then cross the street to a fantastic playground adjacent to Veterans Field for hours of outdoor fun. An easy walk (less than a mile) along side streets from the Inn.
11. Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Shark Center
Learn more about these fascinating creatures and the role they play in the environment. Experience interactive exhibits, videos, displays, and virtual reality experiences at this family-oriented center offering an insider’s view into their groundbreaking research.
12. Main Street
Stroll five minutes from the Inn and you’ll find yourself on Chatham’s charming Main Street, recognized by USA TODAY as one of the top 10 “Great American Shopping Streets” in the country. Visit galleries, shops, boutiques, homemade ice cream and candy stores, restaurants and bookshops. And don’t miss “Mondays on Main” with live music and fun activities every Monday evening throughout the summer.
13. Marconi Maritime Center
Explore the history of 20th Century maritime radio and innovative advances in science and technology with a series of exhibits and even an outdoor Antenna Trail. Built for Guglielmo Marconi in 1914, the 11.3-acre, 10-building Chatham Marconi Maritime Center campus is one of many Chatham landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places. Marconi's Wireless Receiving Station was initially part of his visionary global network planned to link America with Europe and Japan.
