town of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States

Orleans is in Massachusetts on Cape Cod, and includes the villages of East Orleans and South Orleans. With the Rock Harbor sunsets and the Nauset surf, Orleans has the best of both Cape Cod waters.

Get in edit

 
Map of Orleans (Massachusetts)

By car edit

Highway access is by Route 6 from the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne which is about 55 minutes away.

  • From Boston take I-93 south to Route 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge (Becomes Rt. 6). Exit onto Route 6A at Orlean's landmark rotary (or roundabout) on Route 6, approximately 55 minutes from the Sagamore Bridge and 1.75 hours from Boston.
  • From Providence or points south take I-95 north to I-195 to Route 25 south to the Bourne Bridge (I-495 also becomes Route 25). At the rotary (traffic circle) on the Cape side, go almost all the way around and travel along the Canal to Route 6 east.

By bus edit

  • Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway, 17 Elm Av., Hyannis, +1 508-771-6191, [1].

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Beaches edit

  • 1 [dead link] Nauset Beach, 250 Beach Rd, +1 508 240-3775. A public beach with good surf. The children can play in the sand and ocean, as the adults relax under the sun. There is a fee to get on to the beach. This beach is equipped with changing rooms and bathrooms.    
  • Pilgrim Lake, Herring Brook Road. 43 acre lake owned by the Commonwealth. Offers a swimming beach, restroom facilities, and parking for ~20 cars. Town sticker required during the season.
  • 2 [dead link] Skaket Beach, 200 Skaket Beach Rd. Amenities include a 175 car parking lot (fee charged in season), restrooms, outside showers, lifeguards, handicapped accessibility, ramp, and snack bar. While other beaches are emptying out, crowds gather here to watch the sunset.  

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Tours edit

  • Blue Claw Boat Tours, 235 Main St, +1 508 240-5783. Here the family can enjoy one of New England’s favorite attractions: seal Tours. Great for children, the informative seal cruise will take you from Orleans, all the way through Pleasant Bay to view seals as they swim and play in their natural habitat. Tours last about an hour and a half.

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Budget edit

  • Hot Chocolate Sparrow, 5 Old Colony Way, +1 508 240-2230. Espresso bar, pastries, desserts.
  • Homeport Restaurant, 55 Main St, +1 508 255-4069. For breakfast, you can enjoy items such as their omelettes, eggs and egg dishes, pancakes or french toast. The restaurant also serves a wide selection of lunch dishes.
  • Cooke's Seafood, 1 S Orleans Rd, +1 508 255-5518. Casual restaurant. Great (and surprisingly light) fried clams and onion rings. Some of the best clam chowder on the Cape!

Mid-range edit

  • Land Ho!, 38 Main St, +1 508 255-5165. The Land Ho is a tavern-type restaurant that is open every day, serving appetizers, burgers and soups until midnight. Frequented by locals, the pub is known for its decorative Cape Cod flair. Try the sea clam pie. Live music some evenings.
  • Barley Neck Inn, 5 Beach Rd, +1 508 255-0212. Near Nauset Beach, also offers a few rooms for rent.
  • The Old Jailhouse Tavern, 28 West Rd, +1 508 255-5245. 11:30AM-1AM year round. Jailhouse theme to this old stone building.
  • Saltwater Grille, 20 S. Orleans Rd, +1 508 255-5149. The Saltwater Grille has an extremely diverse menu that will be great for the entire family. This local restaurant offers great drinks for the adults, as well as a wide selection of appetizers and meals. The restaurant also offers a huge selection of seafood, all brought to you fresh from local areas.
  • The Yardarm, 48 S Orleans Rd, +1 508 255-4840. A Cape tradition since 1972.

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Routes through Orleans
New BedfordHarwich  W   N  EasthamProvincetown
BourneBrewster  W   E  EasthamEnds at  
WarehamChatham  W   E  EasthamEnds at  


This city travel guide to Orleans is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.