Our first stop when we're on the Cape. Famously, Alissa once said to Erika "I saw this amazing place on Instagram, we have to try their soft serve", Erika said, ".....I have been going there for decades and it's a seafood shack....." Well, jokes on Erika, the soft serve is some of the best. The fries, onion rings, and fish nuggets (!!) are top of the list, too. There is another location in Dennis. It is the original and more classic location. It is also a great time but the Chatham one is *the* one. Plus, Dennis doesn't have fish nuggets so do with that what you will.
It's no secret that we love books! This lil bookstore is completely perfect and a spot we visit weekly when we're here. You can find Erika in the sci-fi section while Alissa is getting another sweatshirt (the logo is just too perfect) and her book club book for the month.
No trip to the Cape is complete without a round of mini golf. We've hit this course many times - there's been heartbreak, laughs, losers, winners. It's always a good time. If you know what's good for you, you'll follow the Davin family tradition and losers buy the group ice cream. We recommend Ice Cream Cafe, which is conveniently up the road!
A recent obsession for us (especially when Erika is vegan), Sunbird has healthy fare and good coffee. The bird turds (stick with us here) are the perfect pocket snack, the green salad is packed with fresh veg, and the quinoa porridge is a breakfast we crave. Pair it with a sweat at Orleans Yoga next door and you have a typical Saturday for Alissa.
If you want a trip down memory lane...head to Buffy's and check out Erika in the staff pictures from 2010-2013. Her cousin Bobby is in there too! If you can't tell who is who...don't worry about it. The Davin genes are scary and strong. Buffy's is under new ownership since those summer glory days but it's still an essential part of the Cape experience. While you're there, bop around Chatham Main Street, there are lots of cute shops, restaurants, and the most perfect movie theater (Chatham Orpheum).
The best place to get breakfast on Cape Cod, in our opinion. Located on the second floor of the municipal airport office, head downstairs to the bathroom to learn all about the tours they provide around the Cape and adjacent islands. But for real, this place is phenomenal and will make you smile.
This trail is all over the Cape - it's a fabulous place for the runners, bikers, walkers, and talkers! If you are looking to take a stroll, find the nearest part of the trail and hop right on. We particularly love the stretch that passes Long pond, Seymour pond, Pizza Shark, and a cranberry bog.
If you are up for an adventure, or have a few extra days on the Cape, head to the top of the peninsula, Provincetown! It's a great place to walk around, explore, and take in the beautiful Cape Cod National Seashore. There's also a ferry that goes from Ptown to Logan Airport, just saying. Anyway, The Lobster Pot is an iconic piece of Ptown history, and a piece of Alissa + Erika history as well. Sitting at the bar, looking out at the beautiful water, they decided to get married on the Cape over lunch at The Lobster Pot. <3 It's also the first restaurant that Anthony Bourdain worked in - if you've read Kitchen Confidential, you know the story.
A Cape Cod Classic - Mac's is everywhere. The Wellfleet one is the best, in our opinion, but Chatham is the one we go to most. This is an incredible spot for the Gluten Free folks out there, everything on the menu can be GF, including the fried seafood!
No disrespect to our #1 ice cream on the Cape, Ice Cream Cafe, but the sundaes at Sundae School are the best. Just look at that whipped cream! We are obsessed with the Cape tradition of using a fresh cherry. There are a few locations, and they are all perfect.
Nauset is the beach Erika grew up going to. She has memories of driving out onto the sand past the sea-worn cottages and spending a day at the beach. Sandy sandwiches, chips, and iced cold Polar seltzers. If you want to recreate this vibe (minus beach driving) head to Nauset. It's a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.
Since 1968 (!!) The Squire has been the place to gather for folks looking for a good time or a drink! It's covered with license plates, often has live music, and is a classic for a reason.
The name is deceiving, this is a hot chocolate / coffee shop but more importantly, it's a chocolate shop. You'll catch Alissa here nearly 7 days a week getting chocolate-covered apricots and peanut butter cups. If you too love chocolate, don't miss it.
RIVAL Chocolate / Candy Shop in Chatham. Vibes are 10/10. Chocolate is maybe worse than the Chocolate Sparrow. We've conducted a blind taste test 3 years in a row and we can never seem to agree on the results. Get chocolate from both and conduct a taste test of your own! If you go to the movies at the Chatham Orpheum, you can get Candy Manor there too. We told you, it's perfect!