A Locals Guide To Harwich, Massachusetts

The sleepy town of Harwich located in Cape Cod, Massachusetts is home to golden beaches, cozy bed and breakfasts, seafood restaurants, and plenty to do. I am so lucky to have spent my summers in Harwich. This locals guide to Harwich, Massachusetts will have everything you need to know from where to stay to what to do in Harwich. Read on to discover the very best Harwich, MA has to offer!

About Harwich

Safety - Harwich and Cape Cod in general is a super safe area. The only crimes that ever take place on the Cape are usually break ins during the off season. People will sometimes break into the huge houses that people only use in the summer.

History - Established in 1694, Harwich is full of history. From early on Harwich thrived on the tourism industry. They also thrived on the cranberry industry (more on this later). For more information on the history of Harwich read this article by the Harwich Historical Society.

Weather - Harwich is humid year round because of its close proximity to the ocean. In the summer months it never gets too hot (usually 60s - 80s) and in the winter it never gets too cold (usually 30s - 50s). In terms of rain, we get a normal amount. It rains about 9 days a month. During the winter we may get a light dusting of snow but never that much, and usually none.

Best Harwich Hotels

Luxury Harwich Hotel

Wequassett - Located on the Chatham - Harwich border, the Wequassett is one of the nicest resorts on the Cape. Complete with an outdoor pool, amazing restaurants, harbor views, and more you will love staying at the Wequassett.

Middle Range Harwich Hotels

Inn On The Beach - The Inn on the Beach is an adorable bed and breakfast. At the Inn on the Beach you will have access to a private section of the beach, spacious rooms, a lovely breakfast served daily, and more.

The Winstead Inn - Located in the heart of Harwich you will find the cozy Winstead Inn. At The Winstead Inn you will have access to an outdoor pool, spacious rooms, and more.

Budget Harwich Hotels

The Tern Inn - The Tern Inn is adorable bed and breakfast located in western Harwich, within walking distance to Pleasant Road Beach and Harwich Port. At the Turn Inn you will find a outdoor pool, breakfast served daily, and more.

Blue Water Resort- The Blue Water Resort is a lovely budget friendly option in Harwich. At The Blue Water Resort you will have access to an outdoor pool, comfortable rooms, and more.

What To Do In Harwich, Massachusetts

Visit The Cape Cod Lavender Farm

The Cape Cod Lavender Farm is located on the Harwich - Brewster border and is home to a beautiful field of lavender. You will also find a cute little shop selling homemade lavender soaps, candles, and more. For more on the Cape Cod Lavender Farm visit the website here.

Go To The Beach

Harwich is lined with picturesque beaches. You can visit Pleasant Road Beach, Red River Beach, or Earle Road Beach.

My go to beach growing up was Pleasant Road Beach, mainly because it is within walking distance of my families house. If you are looking for light crowds then Pleasant Road is the beach to go to. Red River is the most popular beach in Harwich, it is also the biggest. If you are in Harwich during the fourth of July then Red River is the best place to go to see the fireworks.

Explore Harwich Port

This guide to Harwich would not be complete without Harwich Port! Harwich Port technically isn't the downtown, but it feels like it. Home to loads of adorable boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, toy stores, ice cream parlors, and more Harwich Port is definitely worth checking out. Some of my favorite shops in Harwich Port include Stiveva, Solis, and Dr. Gravity's Kite Shop. If you are in the mood for a sweet treat be sure to stop by Sundae School!

Cape Cod Rail Trail

If you are a fellow runner or biker you will love the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The Cape Cod Rail Trail 25 mile trail that takes you all the way to Wellfleet. On the Cape Cod Rail Trail you will see lakes, ponds, and plenty of nature along the way.

Visit this website for more information on the Cape Cod Rail Trail.

Take a Walk Down Shore Road

Located right next to Pleasant Road Beach is the stunning Shore Rd. On Shore Rd you will find picturesque Cape style houses, colorful hydrangeas, and ocean views. Shore Road is a great place to go if you are a photographer, want to see Cape Cod style house, or just want to go on a walk with incredible views.

Yankee Doodle Shop

The Yankee Doodle Shop was one of my favorite places to go growing up. You will find the most random things in this unique gift shop. Located right on the Herring River, if you are looking for a way to entertain your kids or for a one of a kind souvenir The Yankee Doodle Shop is perfect.

Go Kayaking On The Herring River

Kayaking is always great fun. The Herring River is where I always would go kayaking, swimming, bridge jumping or stand up paddle boarding. You can rent a kayak or stand up paddle board from Cape Cod Waterways. Be mindful of the currents on the Herring River, they can get pretty strong.

Technically bridge jumping is illegal but I did it all the time growing up and never got in trouble. Jump off the Main Street Bridge into the Herring River. Make sure it isn't low tide when you jump!

Take a Day Trip

There are plenty of amazing day trips you can do from Harwich. The best are Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Provincetown. You can catch a morning ferry right out of Harwich to either Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. Provincetown is about an hour's drive from Harwich. My favorite place to go is Nantucket because of the restaurants and amazing beaches!

Visit a Cranberry Bog

Harwich was and still in home of the cranberry industry. The cranberry industry is huge in Massachusetts, and Harwich alone has two cranberry bogs that take up around twenty acres. You can book a Cranberry bog tour if you want to learn more about it.

Have a Go At Goat Yoga

I feel like people will either love or hate goat yoga. I, however, love it. The Cape is full of farms, I mean I even had my own pet goats growing up (Brad & Kyle). So if you have a love for animals and yoga like me you will love doing goat yoga. You can book a class with some yogi goats at Mindful Goat.

Where To Dine In Harwich

Coffee and Breakfast In Harwich

Woolfies - Woolfies may be the best place to buy muffins in the world. Serving up massive and insanely good muffins, delectable coffee, and breakfast sandwiches, you will love Woolfies!

Snowy Owl - Snowy Owl is a amazing coffee shop that serves the best espresso on the Cape. I love everything at Snowy Owl, but the coffee is really the show stopper.

Perks Coffee - Perks Coffee is a lovely little coffee shop right in Harwich Port. Typically quite crowded with tourists, but still good if you are in the area.

The Lighthouse Cafe - The Lighthouse Cafe is the place to go if you are looking for a diner style breakfast. Serving up pancakes, waffles, eggs, toast, you name it, The Lighthouse Cafe has it!

Lunch and Dinner In Harwich

Mooncussers - Mooncussers is a bit on the fancy side, At Mooncussers you will find freshly caught seafood. Be sure to try the lobster roll, it is so good!

Ember - Ember is a pizza joint located in Harwich Port. Perfect for take out or eating there, Ember is a great place to go after a fun beach day. It is also a good place to go out as the outside area has fire pits, a bar, and live music.

Wequassett - Eating at the Wequassett was always a treat growing up. We went once a summer and devoured our food. The views from the restaurant is incredible. The Wequassett is the perfect place to go if you are celebrating or just want a nice dinner.

George's - George's is an amazing pizza and pasta joint in Harwich Port that serves the best spaghetti and meatballs in town.

How To Get To Harwich

If you are flying - fly into Boston Logan International Airport. From Logan you can either rent a car or take the bus to Yarmouth (from Yarmouth Harwich is only 11 miles). I have used the Peter Pan Bus Line. I would rent a car though because you will have to rely on uber and walking once you get to Harwich and that can get expensive.

When To Visit Harwich

The Cape is a summer destination. The winter's on The Cape are cold, grey, and almost all of the shops and restaurants are closed for the season. If you visit The Cape in early fall then most of the shops will still be open and the weather should still be pretty good. If you visit in the fall you will only have to pay a fraction of the price you would in the summer months. There is not much of a spring on the cape or in Massachusetts in general. March - mid May is cold and grey. Overall the end of May - the beginning of October is the best time to be on the cape.

Harwich FAQs

Is Harwich worth visiting?

Absolutely. Harwich is a tourist hotspot for a reason. The golden beaches, adorable bed and breakfast, mom and pop shops, and array of things to do make Harwich an amazing place for a vacation!

Is Harwich in mid cape?

Nope. Harwich is located in the lower cape. The lower cape consists of Harwich, Brewster, Chatham, and Orleans.

Is Harwich nice?

Yes! Harwich, Massachusetts is safe, clean, and is home to top notch hotels.

Is Harwich, MA safe?

Yes. Harwich, MA is one of the safest towns in the country.

Where is Harwich, MA?

Harwich is located in Massachusetts on the lower cape region of Cape Cod.

What county is Harwich, MA in?

Harwich, MA is in Barnstable County

Dose Harwich, MA have a downtown?

Yes. You can visit downtown Harwich and find restaurants and shops. However, there is more going on in Harwich Port.

What is Harwich, MA known for?

Harwich, MA is known for beautiful nature, summer tourism, and the cranberry industry.

A Locals Guide To Harwich Wrap Up

Harwich will always be one of my favorite places in the world - the cape cod cottages, colorful summer flowers, dark ocean, and restaurants, remind me or home. I am sure you will love this sleepy little town as much as I do. I hope that this locals guide to Harwich, Massachusetts helps you plan the perfect Cape Cod vacation. If you liked this post I think you will love my locals guide to Boston and my complete guide to Nantucket.

Happy Travels,

Daisy