Chatham

If you’ve ever wanted to reenact a scene from Jaws — the parts on the shore, of course — get yourself to Chatham. Situated along the “elbow” of Cape Cod, Chatham has wide white-sand shorelines, worn wooden fences, a rapidly changing tide cycle that creates mini sand spits, and, yes, great white sharks.

Downtown, the stores and restaurants feature classic New England architecture, pastel-colored awnings, and window boxes with bunches of bright flowers. As one of the few remaining commercial fishing towns on Cape Cod, Chatham’s heart and history are tied to the sea, so there’s plenty to do in the way of sailing, fishing, boating, and eating fresh seafood. Taste the best lobster rolls on Cape Cod at the Chatham Pier Fish Market, take a boat tour to watch the seals splash and play in the water, visit the local lighthouse, or rent a bike and cruise around.
If all else fails, grab a spot on the warm sand and revel in the sunshine — just make sure to scan the horizon for gray fins.