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A Guide to Harwich Attractions and Activities
We created this Harwich guide to help you explore one of the most inviting towns on Cape Cod. The area offers beaches, outdoor paths, local markets, and relaxed dining options that fit a calm coastal getaway. Guests often ask about the best places to spend an afternoon or enjoy a simple day by the water, and Harwich always offers something appealing. Use this page to discover the town and shape the moments you want to enjoy during your stay.
Top 10 Things to do in Harwich
The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn is located in Harwich, Cape Cod, the center of and the best place to stay on the Cape! What most visitors do not know is that Harwich is comprised of seven villages: Harwich Port, West Harwich, East Harwich, South Harwich, North Harwich, Harwich Center, and Pleasant Lake. With the charming downtown area for shopping and dining, the variety of warm beaches along the Nantucket Sound, and cultural and nature activities, there is so much to do and see on The Warm Side of the Cape! These are the Top 10 Things to do in Harwich, America’s #2 Happiest Seaside Town (Coastal Living Magazine) and one of the Top 25 Main Streets in the United States (Country Living Magazine).
1. Explore the Beaches of Harwich
You are on Cape Cod…of course, this is #1 on the list! Harwich has 21 ponds and saltwater beaches for swimming, sunbathing and shell collecting. From beaches full of amenities to secret, off the beaten path hideaways, Harwich beaches are some of the best beaches on Cape Cod. The warmer waters of the Nantucket Sound inspire a day of play and fun in the sun. Where the waters here can reach the mid-70s, the Outer Cape beaches will barely break 60 degrees!
The best time to visit the beaches of Cape Cod is, of course, during the off-season. July and August are busy months, and (almost) everything is full. September is our favorite month here. No matter the season, with a little effort, you can always find an empty beach of your own in Harwich. Every street seems to lead to the beach, explore, and you will be surprised at what you find. Right down the road from the Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn is Belmont Road beach, a small, semi-private beach with big views of Nantucket Sound. It’s a short walk from The Platinum Pebble, or our guests may use our complimentary bicycles, The Platinum Peddles, and attach one of our beach carts to load up with provided beach chairs, towles, umbrellas, and more!
Our beaches are perfect for a quick dip or simply relaxing midday with your toes in the sand. For more information on the amenities offered at each beach (including parking, lifeguard services, restrooms, etc.) and to obtain beach parking stickers, visit the Harwich Chamber of Commerce in Harwich Port, located on Route 28.
2. Explore Restaurants in Harwich
Harwich is full of great dining choices for guests who want to stay local after a day spent at the beach. It’s a treat to hear about guests discovering Cape Cod classics like oysters on the half shell or their first stuffed quahog—both favorites that never fail to impress. As a guest of The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn, you’re surrounded by excellent restaurants in Harwich. Enjoy everything from tapas and upscale dining to standout seafood, Italian, barbecue, Japanese hibachi, pub food, and hand-scooped ice cream as you wander through town. Every taste is just around the corner.
3. Cape Cod Rail Trail
The Cape Cod Rail Trail attracts locals and visitors all year, offering a scenic escape for cyclists and hikers. This easy, mostly flat route covers 27 miles from South Yarmouth to Wellfleet, making it ideal for all skill levels. The trail allows you to explore Cape Cod at a slower pace, away from traffic, and with numerous opportunities to connect with local history.
Bring a picnic, or pause your ride for lunch at Pleasant Lake General Store along the way. Several freshwater ponds dot the trail, so you can stop for a quick swim or simply take in the peaceful views. On your way back to The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn, consider taking a detour in Harwich for lunch or sampling wine and wine slushies at First Crush Winery.
Guests at The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn have access to complimentary bikes, and the Rail Trail is just a quick ride north of the inn. If your preference is an electric or tandem bike, there are bike rental places in town to get your wheels.
4. Harwich Port
Beaches, lobster rolls, ice cream, and strolls through classic Cape towns define the Cape Cod experience. Harwich Port brings all of these favorites together, especially during the lively Port Summer Nights every Wednesday in July and August. The village buzzes with outdoor music, open shops, street bands, and delicious food vendors, creating a festival atmosphere where locals and visitors all join in the fun. This is Cape Cod at its best—vibrant, welcoming, and full of summer energy.
Enjoy Port Summer Nights until the end of August. For smooth parking, head to the Visitor’s Center at the Harwich Chamber of Commerce, located at Main and Schoolhouse Road. After the festivities, you’re close to some of the top Nantucket Sound beaches, with Bank Street Beach offering easy access and convenient parking. Harwich makes your visit easy and enjoyable from start to finish.
5. Harwich Cranberry Festival
Harwich celebrates its cranberry heritage each September with the annual Cranberry Festival, honoring a crop that’s been grown here since 1816. Cranberries have played an important role in Cape Cod’s story, and you can discover more about them with a guided tour of the largest organic cranberry bog on the Cape. Tours, which last around 90 minutes, share the details of the bog’s life cycle, what’s needed to keep the bog healthy, and the rich history of this native berry, with a tasting to end your visit.
Tours run during spring, summer, and fall, but you’ll need to book by phone and pay in cash. They aren’t offered during the busy harvest season, so be sure to plan ahead. Insider tip: Follow the directions from the bog’s website rather than using GPS for the most leisurely trip.
If you’re in Harwich during harvest time, you might spot Ocean Spray’s bogs and see the dramatic harvest in action. Cranberries are corralled and vacuumed from the water in a scene you have to see to believe. Pick up some fresh Cape Cod cranberries at a roadside stand—they make a great local treat. We use these local berries in many of our inn’s recipes year round.
6. Cape Cod Lavender Farm
From March through December, the Cape Cod Lavender Farm in Harwich welcomes visitors with free entry to its beautiful lavender fields. You can explore the grounds at your own pace, visit the whimsical fairy village, and browse the charming gift shop filled with everything lavender, from plants to unique gifts and treats. Peak bloom typically occurs from late June to mid-July, when the fields are at their most vibrant. However, this destination offers a relaxing and memorable experience at any time of year. The farm is typically open from noon to 4:30 p.m. For more details, visit their website.
7. Kayak Cape Cod
Set out on the Herring River in Harwich for a kayaking adventure, available by guided tour or self-guided rental. Begin your journey near Nantucket Sound and cruise north, gliding beneath historic bridges and entering the Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands. Take time to stop at a private beach along the way, enjoy a picnic or a snack, and continue exploring the winding channels that make up the river’s unique backwaters. This beautiful stretch of water is often named by guests as one of their favorite experiences in Harwich.
8. Swimming Holes in Harwich
With 22 freshwater ponds, Harwich is a haven for outdoor lovers. These ponds are perfect for swimming, boating, fishing, and blue crabbing, and some are ideal for a relaxing picnic. Many are easily accessible, while others provide a quiet retreat for those willing to take the time to explore.
Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands provide an authentic wilderness experience, far from the crowds. Blue crabbing is a local favorite here, and a great way to enjoy the outdoors while preparing a fresh dinner.
9. Watch the Harwich Mariners
Watch one of the favorite Cape Cod Baseball League teams, the Harwich Mariners, play while you enjoy a hot dog and soda under a cool Cape Cod night sky! Whitehouse Field is just off the Main Street of Harwich’s city center, an easy ride from the Cape Cod Rail Trail. For an authentic Cape Cod night, try something exciting and remember how much you love this all American pastime.
10. Take a walk at Bell’s Neck conservation land
Harwich boasts over 600 acres of conservation land, preserving the natural beauty of Cape Cod, and keeping pure the homes of our wildlife. Bell’s Neck, off Depot Road (and also accessible from the Cape Cod Rail Trail), is close to the Platinum Pebble and is one we love with a 2.75-mile jaunt around the West Reservoir. In addition to hikers and dog walkers, nature enthusiasts are drawn to it for the variety of birds and fish, including hawks, swans, and osprey.
You can watch herring jump the herring ladder at the west trailhead as they make their spring migration into West Reservoir and beyond. Don’t forget your camera! The Harwich Conservation Trust offers walks and events covering a variety of wildlife and preservation topics as well as QiGong sessions and drumming, so check them out before you arrive at https://harwichconservationtrust.org/
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I love staying here!
This B&B is the best I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to several! The owners are so hospitable and think of everything you could possibly need. The rooms are super clean, comfortable, and a nice decor and the bed and linens are top-notch. They have a very nice pool area and a beautiful backyard to relax in. And to top it off, they have delicious breakfasts and are very accommodating to special diets! Just finished my fourth year in a row visiting and I am a lifer for sure!
Thank you, Shawn & Sharon for making this the best place to stay!