Nothing beats Cape Cod in the Fall especially if you think of yourself as an outdoor explorer.  Throw on a sweater, cozy scarf and take in a fresh autumn day on a hike at any of our glorious beaches.  Finish the day relaxing in the lounge at the Parsonage before heading out to one of Orleans fine restaurants. With so much to see and do, here’s four of our favorite activities.

Cape Cod Biking

Cape Cod encompasses more than 100 miles of wide, mostly flat, paved trails that make pedaling a breeze—especially in fall when they’re far less congested. Cycle past tranquil salt ponds, cranberry bogs and marshes, dense thickets of fragrant Rosa rugosa, and long strands of beaches where seabirds outnumber people.

The Parsonage Inn is perfectly located at the half way point in Orleans on the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail from Dennis to Wellfleet.  Ride north to Wellfleet and enjoy a coffee and pastry at PB Boulangerie, or cycle south through ponds and bogs to Chatham and stop at its famous Lighthouse.

Embrace the challenge of the Province Lands Trail, an eight-mile loop through windswept dunes and finish the day in Province Town with its eclectic restaurants.

Beach and nature walks

There’s really nothing quite like a walk in the Fall and Cape Cod offers a rich variety of stunning hiking trails to enjoy.  Go to our blog for a list of our favorites, ranging from a short stroll to an hours hike.  Here’s two of our favorites.  Wrap up well and enjoy.

Mill Pond:

Right around the corner from us and a favorite to walk year round.   Looks out on the backside of Nauset spit, the marshes and out towards Tonset and Fort Hill. 

The site of a Mill in the 19th century you can still see the original daming. Un-spoilt and always deserted.

Wings Island, Museum of Natural History:

One of our favorites and just 15 minutes from the Parsonage Inn. This is a glorious hike that passes through the coastal pitch pine woodlands, across a salt marsh, to Wing’s Island.  Finally descending through a salt marsh swale to the barrier beach and tidal pools of Cape Cod Bay. A microcosm of the Cape’s landscape.

 

Restaurants

It’s difficult to know where to start.  Orleans is blessed with so many fabulous restaurants ranging from freshly prepared casual spots like The Corner Store, to modern contemporary American dishes at Vers and everything in between. Many are open year round, here are just two of our many favorites.  Yelp  offers a detailed list of the local eateries, you wont be disappointed.

Rock Harbor Grill has great atmosphere and delicious dishes, always busy.

The Beacon Room features elegant casual dining, with an extensive menu, offers luncheon too.

The Arts

The Cape has always been a cultural center for the arts, with an abundance of musicians, artists, writers and actors contributing to a rich and vibrant environment. With venues and gallaries throughout the Cape, we have just focused on some of Orleans best.

“Addison Art is considered one of the nation’s finest galleries.”—Arts and Artisans Trail. Focusing on many of the Cape’s finest artists,  Addison offers a collection of art by newly discovered artists and masterpieces by established artists. Perhaps we’re biased but love the work of Susan Overstreet who painted the Inn a couple of years ago – love it!

The Gallery at Tree’s Place was founded on Cape Cod in 1986,  promoting the best established and emerging artists in the region. It has since grown to become one of the leading dealers of representational painting in the nation, home to some of the finest living painters working in this genre.

The Academy Playhouse in Orleans is a non-profit community theatre formed in 1975,  converting the original  Town Hall into a Playhouse. A program of year round productions includes the current play “A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder” running through November.

The Parsonage Inn is just minutes from the ocean and bayside beaches and the Cape Cod bike trail. The Inn is opposite one of the best Farm shops on the Cape, close to gorgeous local gift shops and restaurants.  Relax and enjoy our cozy lounge, each of our rooms are individually appointed and we offer a delicious organic breakfast each morning.

Reserve your room today, we look forward to welcoming you to Orleans Cape Cod soon. Enjoy!!