Move Over Cape Cod! This Charming East Coast Hideaway Is More Affordable
There are 2 things that have deterred travelers from vacationing on the Northeast’s beautiful beaches: Jersey Shore reruns and the Ring cam footage of a topless Bill Belichick that nobody asked for.
But there are clusters of delightful beach towns far away from the fist-pumping, fake-tanned crowds of New Jersey, and many of them are in Massachusetts, with Cape Cod being the most notable.
The financial experts at GoBankingRates compiled an insightful list of the East Coast’s most affordable vacation spots this summer.
The beach town that stood out the most was a spitting image dupe just before the bridge to Cape Cod, offering budget-friendly prices, hidden beaches with 54 miles of winding coastline, and a surprising industry that let’s just say you’ll never have to eat Gam Gam’s “famous Cranberry sauce” at Thanksgiving dinner again.
Wareham: More Than A Springboard To Cape Cod
Wareham has long been viewed as just a name on a green road sign before you see “Welcome to Cape Cod”.
Located just before you pass by rows of traditional New England homes, whale watching advertisements, and some would say, overpriced seafood shacks.
GOBankingRates says, “Wareham gives you Cape Cod vibes without Cape Cod prices”. That’s exactly the selling point — why pay extra?
Saying you’re vacationing in Cape Cod comes with social status cred, given its affluent summer residents and reputation as an exclusive paradisal hideaway.
Even more so for the LGBTQ+ community as Cape Cod’s Provincetown is renowned as a historic, welcoming safe haven and premiere vacation destination.
Wareham offers similar vibes and far more palatable prices. With over 50 miles of coastline, finding an idyllic sunny hangout along either the Wareham River or Buzzard Bay is much easier than finding many other East Coast icons.
Wareham is vastly overlooked and underrated, but if there’s one claim to fame for vacations, it’s Onset Beach.
Here you’ll discover a popular spot for swimming the calm blue waters, sunbathing, and casual sunset strolls. Plus, there’s usually fun festivities on weekends like live music or the one event locals circle on their calendars, Harvest Moon Festival.
Wareham’s Affordability
Is Wareham the cheapest beach town on the East Coast? Highly unlikely.
Is it lighter on your wallet than Cape Cod? Without a doubt.
For sample size, even Cap Cod’s HI Truro Hostel (yes, a bunk-bed hostel) goes for $97 this summer, while if you to opt for a comfortable stay in Wareham, you have options like these:
Mulberry Bed & Breakfast – $100 – located in charming downtown Wareham
Inn On Onset Bay – $155 – located on Onset Beach
Briarwood Beach Motel – $160 – rave guest reviews!
For what it’s worth, there are way more vacation rentals than proper hotels here, and nightly rates are in the same ballpark on Airbnb.
No trip to the East Coast is complete without indulging in one of many fresh catches from succulent crustaceans to briny bivalves, but oftentimes these aquatic delicacies come at premium price points.
In Wareham, you can score a bowl of quintessential clam chowder for just $10 at Lobster Pot or awesome daily specials at Kool Kone, where you can knock out seafood and a snow cone all in one spot.
Of course, beaches are free and so is exploring nature. The most you’ll spend on are rentals, whether it be bikes along Wareham’s scenic trails or kayaking, canoeing or river boating.
Beyond Onset Beach, the most popular way to cool off is Water Wizz of Cape Cod (yes, it’s in Wareham). This thrilling water park offers everything from towering waterslides to lazy rivers with tickets as low as $37.95.
The “Cranberry Coast”: It’s Thanksgiving Every Day
Whether Gam Gam’s cranberry sauce hits the mark or not, Wareham’s cranberry concoctions are consistently 10/10, especially at Makepeace Farms.
Not only are there vibrant beaches and tranquil rivers to enjoy, touring Wareham’s vast cranberry bogs are a must-do.
Visitors can book A.D. Makepeace Company’s insightful tour covering the ins and outs of cranberry cultivation and harvesting techniques.
Although vibing out on a skateboard with a bottle of Ocean Spray is frowned upon.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.