Chatham, Massachusetts

The whitewashed old town of Chatham is tucked away in a protected harbor between Nantucket Sound and the open Atlantic Ocean. Hang out at the Fish Pier on Shore Road and wait for the fleet to come in during the mid-afternoon, or head a mile south on Hwy-28 to Chatham Light, one of many lighthouses built to protect mariners from the treacherous shoals. Tour maps are available from the information booth at 533 Main St (May– Oct Mon– Sat 10am–5pm, Sun noon-5pm; Tel:508/945-5199, Web: www.chathamcapecod.org ). Good seafood abounds at the Chatham Squire, 487 Main St (Tel:508/945-0945), a low-key, local institution. Also, be sure to stop by aMarion's Pie Shop, 2022 Main St, Rte-28 (Tel:508/432-9439), for a life-changing bumbleberry pie. If you're going to stay in chic Chatham, you might as well indulge; the fantastic Carriage House Inn, 407 Old Harbor Rd (Tel:508/945-0127, Web: www.captainshouseinn.com ; Price: $201-250), is a gorgeous old whaling captain's home with rambling gardens and afternoon tea, while the Pleasant Bay Village Resort, 1191 Orleans Rd (Tel:508/945-1133, Web: www.pleasantbayvillage.com ; Price: $161-200) has lovely grounds and more affordable digs.