I love weekend trips.
In the past, I could almost never take them.
I play in the music band at my church. For a long, long time (about 10 years), Bryan was the head of the music ministry, and we played at church virtually every single week. More recently we’ve added some leaders and re-arranged the teams a bit. We don’t play every week anymore, which has given us more flexibility to take weekend trips once in a awhile. It’s definitely nice to be able to take spontaneous trips now and then, and I’m very thankful to those who have stepped up to allow us to have some open weekends.
One of the first weekend trips we took after the new arrangement was to Cape Cod last year.
It was *sort of* my first time there.
Even though I’ve lived in Massachusetts basically half my life, for some reason I’d never really explored the Cape before. I’d taken a day trip to Falmouth and Woods Hole years ago, but that was it. Last year, Bryan and I rented bicycles and rode for miles across the numerous, well-maintained bike paths. 
I fell in love with the region – its beautiful oceans, quaint little towns, and overall relaxed atmosphere.
Last weekend, we returned, this time with friends from college for a reunion.
We first stopped by Plymouth on the way to the Cape and visited the Mayflower II as well as the famous rock (another first for me!). Plymouth is a quaint little town and a perfectly fine place to stop for lunch on the way to the Cape.
We kept this trip pretty focused. We spent our first day in Provincetown, which has a great mix of beautiful preservation land (the National Seashore is there), vibrant town life, and lots of water activities.
We took a less-beaten path into the town, walking by many quaint residential areas.
Because we had a big party of people, it was harder to find restaurants where we could all fit as a group. Thankfully, Lobster Pot, which is quite popular, had a table upstairs for us. We only had to wait about 20 minutes for it, which was just enough time for us to sneak in our first ice cream cone (and most certainly not our last!) of the trip.
The menu at Lobster Pot is HUGE, and they offer lobster prepared almost every way imaginable. We tried lobster pasta, lobster scampi, lobster pot pie, steam lobster, lobster mango avocado salad, and many more. Food was pretty good, and everyone had a good time.
It was a great space as well, overlooking the ocean. We even popped out briefly on the deck to watch the sunset.
The next morning we had a lovely brunch at the Old Yarmouth Inn. This is a great place to have a private party. They set aside a separate room for us, where we ended up throwing a surprise baby shower for one of our friends. The buffet brunch was excellent, and the folks there were just really, really nice.
We had a relaxing afternoon in Chatham (cute, cute town!), where we got (more) ice cream, enjoyed lighthouses, and visited the beach.
I love how rustic and uncrowded this beach looks and feels.
At dinner, Bryan was excited to finally try Spencer Trappist Ale, the first official authentic Trappist ale outside of Belgium (made right in a monastery in western Massachusetts!).
The next day, we took a high-speed ferry to visit the island of Nantucket for the day.
I loved the cute town, which is conveniently located right where the ferry drops you off. It had tons of cute shops, as well as really interesting history and architecture. I highly recommend the self-guided walking tour you can get from the visitor’s center, which explains some of the unique architecture.
We stopped by The Juice Bar, which actually has amazing ice cream.
I loved their freshly baked (still warm!) waffle cones. And they had Grape Nut ice cream! It was one of the best “meals” I had on the trip, even if it was a bit strange to have ice cream for breakfast. 😉
The trip went by way too quickly, but soon it was time to return to Boston. The morning before we left, we took one last trip out to Coast Guard Beach, supposedly one of the top ten best beaches in the country.
We walked from Coast Guard Beach to Nausset Light Beach. Although the two beaches were reasonably crowded, the stretch in between was quiet, peaceful, and really, really nice. That’s where we felt like the beach was almost our own.
When we returned to Boston, there was just one last place we just had to visit.
Many of you may not know this, but back when I was in college at MIT, there was actually a Tosci’s right on campus in our student center. So, it holds a special place in all of our hearts. I guess you could say I was spoiled right from the start.
Giveaway!
I hope I can help two of my readers win their own weekend getaway (or maybe even free hotel stays for life!!) compliments of Radisson. Here are two ways to enter:
1. Win Your Own Weekend Getaway
I am giving away in a random drawing two (2) Radisson vouchers, each redeemable for one (1) night in a standard room, double occupancy, at any Radisson hotel in North America (additional terms and conditions apply). See this link for full terms and conditions. Enter by commenting below where you would like to visit with this voucher. I will pick two (2) winners.
One entry per person. Entries must be received by August 16th, Midnight Eastern Standard Time. I will pick the winners on August 17th and will email the winners (if I have a valid email address) as well as post the winners’ names on the blog. If you do not respond to me within 24 hours of notification/posting of winning, I reserve the right to pick a new winner.
2. Win Hotel Stays for Life!
Additionally, Radisson is giving away (to one lucky winner) free hotel stays for the rest of your life. Learn more and enter here.
Good luck!!
Disclaimer – Radisson is providing two free hotel stays to the winners of this giveaway as well as to Tiny Urban Kitchen as a thank you for participating in this event.
All Rights Reserved
I would like to go to visit Taiwan. I would love to experience the night market and the food. I hear the food is delicious!
As an east coaster, I’d visit San Francisco for a serious food tour and scenic visit 🙂
I’d love to visit cities I’ve never seen in the US. I’ve only been to where my family is, and where my husband’s family’s from. I would love to see Seattle, and have delicious coffee, or Chicago, and take a picture with that giant silver bean everyone has a photo with on Facebook. For some reason, I feel that this opportunity would open up the possibility of visiting these cities that I otherwise would likely not see.
I would love to visit New York City. I’ve only ever been once and stayed with family in NJ. I’d love to stay right in the city.
Portland!
Philadelphia or Baltimore. Both are close enough to do a quick trip !! Thank!
I would visit seattle for the beautiful scenery.
I would love to visit Boston or NYC, have never been to either place — yet.
Hello! My husband suggested that we take more weekend trips (yay) a few weeks ago. Born and raised in Southern California, I would actually love to visit boston! Last time I visited the east coast (NYC and DC) was probably 20 yrs ago! So I’d absolutely love to visit boston for the first time and see the east coast as an adult and foodie. 🙂
I would love to visit Nashville! I’m a huge country music fan and I’ve heard amazing things about the city!!!
I would love to visit San Francisco for a much-needed getaway with my husband of 22 years (this month)! I love your blog, and thank you for the giveaway.
Thank you for the opportunity to enter! In October, we are heading to the Bay Area for a weekend family event. We’d love to extend the trip for a few days, to take in the sights. We really enjoy your beautiful photographs and blog, and love that Domo travels with you. He goes with us on our trips, as well, and is heading to Wellfleet next week!
San Francisco with the GF for sure! Love the blog – thanks for the insight and inspiration!
Would love to head up to Maine!
Maine of Cape Cod!!! Being a local gal, it’s a short trip do less time traveling, more time relaxing! Looks like you guys had a greAt time.
I would love to go somewhere warm, especially in the middle of a cold cold winter like the one we had last year! Maybe the Outer Banks or Florida?
There are soooo many places that we haven’t made it to yet. If i had to pick one right now it would be Vancouver!
Thanks for hosting this great giveaway! If I won I would’ve to visit my best friend from high school phoebe who I haven’t seen in two years. Since graduating college I have been saving up money and vacation time to go on a trip to visit her and since I haven’t ever been to Chicago, explore the city! I have heard it is amazing and can’t wait to visit.
Thanks again for hosting!
I’ll cross my fingers.
Best,
Andrea
http://www.organizeshopstyle.blogspot.com
Instagram: @andrav23
Twitter: @andrav23
I’d love to visit Sydney, Australia!
Portland!
I would stay in savanah ga! (littlesillysally at gmail dot com)
I would go to San Francisco
elena150980 at yahoo dot com
I would go to San Francisco
elena150980 at yahoo dot com
Hi Jen, thanks for doing this giveaway. I’d love to visit Seattle with my wife. She’s 5 months pregnant now, and we’re trying to travel as much as we can before the baby comes out. Budget is always a concern. That’s why we always stay at some homes with airbnb. I hope you can help our trip. Thanks so much!
After looking at your photo’s-Cape Cod! But for a quick weekender- Portland Oregon!
My boyfriend has never been to New Orleans, and I would like to take him for his birthday this year.
I would love to go anywhere with my husband. We are in need or a romantic getaway and honestly anywhere would be perfect as long as we’re together. 🙂
Oh man, that Trappist ale looks gorgeous.
I’d go to San Diego!
[email protected] dot com
I would go to Middleriver Maryland to visit with family I haven’t seen in years. Thank you for the chance.
Somewhere fun in Asia where we haven’t been before!
I’d go to Boston! Never been there before!
I would go to San Francisco
i would love to go to sarasota for our anniversary! thats if we can get grandma to babysit!
I would like to use it in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I would love to use these vouchers in Texas so I can visit my sister and the kids. So exciting for this giveaway! Thanks.
My husband and I would love to go to Austin,TX. We both grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh and came to the US for studies (me for college in NY years ago, he for grad school at UMass). We’ve never visited the west coast. I’ve always liked the youthful, laid-back vibe of Austin, as portrayed in film and travel articles. My husband’s main incentive is the BBQ and music.
i would use it in the LA area!! haven’t been for many years!
Hi Jen, I would like to take a weekend to visit Niagara Falls!
I would love to visit Fayetteville, AR with my husband 🙂
I’d love to go to Seattle!
Florida.
Montreal tops my list of places I’d love to visit and your post on Joe Beef makes that restaurant the first stop on the trip!
Banff, Alberta. It’s my favorite place in the world!
I’d love to go to Portland!! Hipster-landdd
Niagara Falls! I went when I was a kid. My husband’s never been and I’ve been raving about HOW COOL THE FALL IS. I think it’s about time for a visit!
Hi Jen! Fantastic photos. Eric and I would go to Washington D.C. to see my brother and his family. BTW, I love, love that Tosci’s pic. I have not seen those faces in years! 🙂 See y’all soon.
I’d love to go to Boston and visit your city and do a food tour following the Tiny Urban Kitchen best of the bests!
I’d love to go to Chicago.
To Copenhagen!
Seattle, please!
I’d love to visit San Francisco! [email protected]
My husband and I want to visit Italy sometime.
I’d love to visit Savannah GA with my family and take in the gorgeous sites!
Austin, TX!
So many places I’d like to see! I’d love to visit Portland. Or Austin which I hear is the new place to be. Or New York! I live so close to New York and I need to take advantage of it more. Or Hawaii to get some shave ice.
I want to visit Cali
I’d love to visit Austin – I’ve been dying to go!
I’d love to visit friends in LA.
[email protected]
I would love to visit Chicago and cross it off my list!
carbzombiejenn[at]gmail[dot]com
i live on cape cod!! i would like to go to florida
I would love to use the voucher for an overnight impromptu anniversary trip in Portland, Maine and spend a day and night venturing around the Old Port, Ogunquit, and York!
Marie T.
[email protected]
I would love to use the vouchers for a weekend getaway in Detroit! They have so many amazing museums and activities – and Detroit could use a little love! 🙂 Thanks! BTW, your pictures are AMAZING – I miss Cape Cod!!
I’d like to go to Chicago! My friend is getting married there next summer, so we probably won’t be able to crash on her couch…it looks like the Radisson is right by the Bean, and there are so many things to do there!
I’d go to san diego for a mini vacation!
Los Angeles! Because I’ve never been there!
I ld love to visit North Carolina
I love the cape. Such a great weekend getaway location. Living in MA I’m super close to the Cape so I I would love to visit Gatlinburg, TN!
I’d love to visit Seattle/Vancouver next summer with my family. It would be awesome to see all of the foodie places (and the Asian influences in food) in both cities!
I would visit my brother in LA!
What fun! I am a SF based reader and would go to NYC.
BTW, I just made your san bei ji recipe the other night. It was delicious, thank you!
LA to visit family & friends!
SF, because it’s my favorite city.
Chicago
Utah with friends – twitter.com/sandyhills25
Probably California!
Visiting Toronto now that we have relocated to the East Coast!
I’d love to visit Portland!