Cape Cod Clam Shacks

A sure sign that the summer season is almost upon us is the opening of the many Clam Shacks around the outer Cape. By clam shack we mean no-frills, picnic tables in the sand, no waiters or waitress type of place with of course ultra fresh seafood. Here are some of our fave’s.All of these are waterfront with great views to boot!

Mac’s Seafood – Located on the Town Pier in Wellfleet about 40 minutes from the inn this fabulous spot has some of most amazing views of Wellfleet Harbor and a really interesting menu. First of all, the menu includes all the usual suspects such as clam and lobster rolls and fried seafood galore. But what sets this apart is their diverse menu that also includes things like shrimp wraps, grilled tuna burrito’s and sushi. Mac’s owns several seafood stores so the quality of the fish is first rate. We also love sitting at the picnic tables with our feet in the sand absorbing the amazing views west of Wellfleet harbor and Great Island. The tables are big so don’t feel uncomfortable sitting down next to strangers. It is a great way to meet people. It is BYOB so bring one of our coolers with your own beer or wine. Opens May 19th.

Chatham Pier Fish Market –Formerly Nickerson’s and just a mere ½ mile down the road from our Chatham Bed and Breakfast at the Chatham fish pier this local spot is a combo fish market and takeout clam shack. With its proximity to the Fish pier where the fresh local catch is hauled in you can’t get any fresher fish. They have excellent lobster bisque, clam and scallop rolls and a fabulous fish and chip that our British guests swear by. We also love their lobster rolls, very meaty, just a dollop of mayonnaise served on a nice toasty roll. There is not much seating right there (a bench overlooking harbor on the backside of the market and 1 picnic table across the lot). Our guests like to take our beach chairs and beach towels that we provide and walk 100 yards across to the town beach and spread and enjoy a delicious picnic on the beach. Opens May 7th


Paula & Tim MillerThe Carriage House InnYour Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast

Cape Cod Lighthouses

The history of the cape lighthouses is one of the ever changing geologic history of Cape Cod and modernization. There is something that is inherently “New England” and captivating about the Cape Lighthouses. Sentinels of a seafaring way of life over a hundred years ago, the first cape lighthouses were built in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s at the early part of our young nation’s history. Over the years, many have been moved back from the Ocean due to the constant erosion of the sea. The first Chatham Lighthouse was a lard burning lighthouse and was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson over 200 years ago. Chatham originally had two lighthouses to distinguish them from Highland Light in Truro. One was moved to Eastham in 1923 to replace one of the Three Sisters.

There are well over a dozen lighthouses on Cape Cod with 9 located on the outer Cape. Our favorite Lighthouse is called Chatham Light and it is located just a bit over a mile from the
“A lighthouse is such a potent image, practical because lives depend on it and at the same time utterly romantic, this lonely building on the cusp of land and sea, sending out light into the darkness” Jeannette Winterson

We offer map that will help you discover all the Lighthouses on the Cape here at the Carriage House Inn, and you can easily visit at least 8 of them in one day, grab a picnic and make a day of touring. Our local Cape Cod Times news paper lists tours that being offered each week, and we have that information readily available for our guests here at the Inn. for more information on Lighthouses, check out this link to the National Sea Shore.


Val and Jim Mellett
The Carriage House Inn
Your Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast