Eastham marks the beginning of the Cape Cod National Seashore, where over 40,000 acres of protected beaches, dunes, kettle ponds, and upland forests stretch all the way to Provincetown. Nauset Light Beach — one of the most photographed shorelines in New England — is here, as is the Salt Pond Visitor Center and the Eastham Windmill, built in Plymouth in 1680 and the oldest windmill on Cape Cod. Eastham offers the best of the Outer Cape without the crowds of the outermost towns.
Eastham Highlights
- Cape Cod National Seashore — gateway to 40,000 acres of federally protected coastline, dunes, and forests
- Nauset Light Beach — dramatic cliffside beach with the striped Nauset Lighthouse above
- Eastham Windmill — built in 1680, the oldest windmill on Cape Cod
- First Encounter Beach — the site where Pilgrims first encountered the Wampanoag people in 1620
Coast Guard Beach
Consistently ranked one of the top beaches in the United States — a sweeping Atlantic National Seashore beach with powerful surf, dramatic views, and outstanding facilities. Summer overflow parking uses a free shuttle from the Salt Pond Visitor Center.
Atlantic Ocean / National SeashoreShuttle parking (seasonal)Lifeguards (seasonal)RestroomsConcessionsTop-rated beach
Nauset Light Beach
A dramatic cliffside National Seashore beach below the red-and-white Nauset Lighthouse, with powerful Atlantic surf and striking erosion cliffs. One of the Cape's most iconic and photographed beach settings.
Atlantic Ocean / National SeashoreParking (fee)Lifeguards (seasonal)Restrooms
First Encounter Beach
A calm Cape Cod Bay beach with broad tidal flats and warm shallow water — ideal for families and young children. Historically significant as the site of the Pilgrims' first encounter with the Wampanoag people in November 1620.
Cape Cod BayParking (fee)No lifeguardsRestroomsTidal flatsHistoric site
Nauset Light Beach
A dramatic cliffside ocean beach below the red-and-white striped Nauset Light, with powerful surf, dramatic erosion cliffs, and iconic Cape Cod scenery.
Salt Pond Visitor Center
The National Seashore's primary visitor center, with outstanding exhibits on Cape Cod geology, ecology, and Wampanoag culture, plus access to the Nauset Marsh Trail.
First Encounter Beach
A calm bay beach where the Pilgrims first encountered the Wampanoag people in November 1620 — a historically significant and beautifully peaceful spot.
Eastham Windmill
Built in Plymouth in 1680 and moved here in 1793, this fully restored post windmill is the oldest surviving windmill on Cape Cod.
Fort Hill Area & Red Maple Swamp
A spectacular National Seashore walking area with ocean views, historic farmstead, and a unique red maple swamp boardwalk trail.
Casa del Cabo
A Eastham institution for flavorful Latin American-inspired dishes, with many highlighting the fresh oysters, swordfish, and empanadas.
Local Break Restaurant and Bar
Local Break has earned its reputation as a favorite among locals and visitors, serving up the best local drafts, burgers and seafood dishes on the Cape.
Brickhouse Seafood and Grill
Fresh local seafood, Caribbean-inspired plates & hand-cut steaks in Eastham, MA. Steaks kissed by smoke and salt. A rum punch that tastes like someone actually cared.
Caroline's Bar and Grill
Fresh seafood, clams, and shrimp, as well as hearty entrees like fish and chips and lobster fettuccine and a welcoming year-round vibe.
From CAI — Cape and Islands NPR Station
The small, black relatives of the blueberry grow all over the Cape and Islands.
Amateur cooks get by with a little ?kelp? from their friends and the results are pretty tasty.
Garlic scapes are in season at the Truro Farmers Market, and there are so many good ways to cook them.
A centuries-old Portuguese ritual rich with history, pageantry, and, most definitely, food.
Landscaping can direct major rainfalls to places where plants can use the water later.
An expert makes the case for eating "micro-livestock."
The hub offers food from 20 farms in the region.
For more than a hundred years, the state has been stocking ponds all over the Cape and Islands with locally raised trout. Mike Clark of Plymouth helps breed these fish at a series of outdoor pools in Sandwich.
On a Cape Cod blueberry farm, a newly arrived colony of bumblebees takes flight, beginning the careful work that transforms spring flowers into summer fruit.
Last spring, honeybee keeper Tim Colon of Vineyard Haven emailed me a fascinating recording.
We look at acorns, chestnuts, and hickories on the commercial food scene.
You know hostas? Those broad-leafed, perennial plants landscapers so often put in shady spots, or on the edges between gardens and lawns? Well, it turns out hosta shoots are edible. Really.
Sherri's Knitting Nest
A cozy yarn shop in Eastham with a warm community of knitters and a thoughtful selection of fibers.
Sunken Meadow Boutique
Local clothing, gifts, and Cape Cod accessories in a charming Eastham setting.
Eastham Farm Stands
Several seasonal farm stands along Route 6 offer local vegetables, corn, flowers, and pick-your-own options.
Eastham Art Gallery
A community gallery in Eastham presenting rotating exhibitions of work by local and regional artists throughout the summer season — a welcoming introduction to the Outer Cape art community.
Salt Pond Visitor Center Art Exhibitions
The National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitor Center presents rotating exhibitions of artwork and photography inspired by the Cape's natural landscapes, ecology, and cultural history.
Cape Cod Open Studios — Outer Cape
Eastham artists participate in the annual Cape Cod Open Studios tour, opening their working studios to visitors and offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the creative process in a National Seashore setting.
Nauset Ice Cream (Eastham)
A local Eastham favorite serving hand-dipped scoops and classic ice cream in a casual, welcoming setting — a perfect treat for National Seashore beachgoers and Outer Cape visitors looking for a sweet end to the day.
Poit's Ice Cream (Eastham)
A Cape Cod institution for 33 years — Poit's old-school charm, freshly grilled waffle cones, and over two dozen flavors including Hazelnut Coffee and Cranberry Bog make it one of Eastham's most beloved summer stops.
Courtesy of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
April 25 - October 18, 2026
- What comes to mind when you think of cranberries? A crimson bog on a bright autumn day? Or maybe a Thanksgiving table? Whether covering our local bogs or garnishing our cocktails,...
April 25 - October 18, 2026
- In From Carriage to Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America, we present the origin story of the American automobile through 26 cars from Heritage’s permanent collection....
June 1 - August 14, 2026
- Spend your summer evenings with Hyannis Sound at our weekly Cape Cod shows in Falmouth, Chatham, Dennis, and Osterville! Join us from June 1 through August 14 for live a cappella...
June 4 - September 3, 2026
- Thursdays, 5:00 - 8:00 PM Chapter House Cape Cod, 277 MA-6A, Yarmouth Port Join Cape Symphony Presents for Thursday Night Chapters - a free, weekly summer residency at the historic...
June 25 - August 22, 2026
- 2026 Osterville Village Library 34th Annual Car Raffle - Tickets are on sale now!Win either a 2026 Audi A3 quattro or a Jeep Wrangler 4-door Sport 4x4 - winner's choice!The...
June 25 - August 27, 2026
- Canal Region Farmers Market📅 Thursdays, June 25 – August 27, 2026🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM📍 Buzzards Bay Park, 90 Main Street, Buzzards Bay,...
July 7 - August 31, 2026
- Our ever-popular biennial installation of whimsical fairy houses will return to the Highfield grounds this summer! Our theme for the 2026 fairy houses will be Celebrations!,...
July 7 - September 27, 2026
- The country will celebrate 250 years of Independence in 2026. To honor this special Semi-quincentennial anniversary, Highfield will present a celebratory exhibition, O Beautiful:...
July 25 - August 8, 2026
- View the Plein Air works of art created by local artists painting in the gardens during the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival garden tours.For the sixth year, artwork will be on display,...
July 27 - August 2, 2026
- Hyannis HyARTS ARTIST SHANTIES Hyannis Harbor *two locations along the Walkway-to-the-Sea* OPEN MAY - OCTOBER Bismore Park & Harbor Overlook, on Ocean Street 12 seaside...
July 29 - July 31, 2026
- Bayberry Quilt Guild annual quilt show, over 200 quilts on display as well as vendors, demos, lectures, refreshments. Bayberry Quilters’ 43rd annual quilt show will be...
July 30 - August 1, 2026
- The Cape Cod Writers Center Annual Conference is a nationally-acclaimed multi-day event tailored for both aspiring and published writers of all genres. It provides attendees...
Browse Eastham Listings
View all currently active properties for sale in Eastham, MA.
View Eastham ListingsEastham Market Report
Current market stats — active listings, median price, days on market.
View Market StatsExplore Other Cape Cod Towns
Discover the unique character of every Cape Cod community.