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KIDS ON THE CAPE SUGGESTS...
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Get a free map and other information from the Chatham Chamber of Commerce. Information booth located on Main St. in the center of Chatham Village. 508-945-5199
BEACH FOR KIDS: Ridgevale Beach is the best spot for families; it offers a protected inlet with calm water plus an open ocean side for those who love waves. Take Ridgevale Rd. off Rte 28. Lifeguards, parking, facilities. Closer to town, veer right off the rotary and go down a bit to Oyster Pond where there’s a small beach, clean public restrooms, a lifeguard, free parking and very calm water. Freshwater Swimming: Schoolhouse Pond. Located off Sam Ryder Rd. near Old Queen Anne Rd. in West Chatham. Lifeguard, porta-potties. Resident sticker required.
PICNIC SPOT: Chase Park, on Cross St. near the center of town, has picnic tables and a public rest room. Well away from street traffic, very quiet and pristine.
FISHING SPOT: Goose Pond, off Old Queen Anne Rd.
LIBRARY: Eldredge Public Library. 964 Main St.. This kid-friendly place features a children’s room full of games, puppets, computers and toys. Call for scheduled story hours. 508-945-5170
PLAYGROUND: A great playground is located adjacent to Veterans Field, behind Chatham Elementary School, across from the Railroad Museum. There’s a multi-level, wooden structure and a fenced tot area. The railroad museum across the street has a vintage passenger car in the back and is fun to climb aboard. Another playground is located on George Ryder Rd., next to the airport.
SEASIDE SORCERY: Join Comus, master magician, returning from “Magic by the Sea” for an astonishing and entertaining evening of classic conjuring. Comus brings you an intimate and amazing program of magic tricks that will amaze and delight. Monday eves, 7:30, July 2-Aug. 27. Unitarian/Universalist Meeting House, Corner of Rte 28 & Crowell Rd. 508-430-1305
OUTERMOST ADVENTURES, CHATHAM: You haven’t truly experienced the beauty of Cape Cod until you have seen it from the water, and the Chatham waterways are among the Cape’s most scenic. The captains at Outermost Adventures (at Outermost Harbor Marine) offer a nice selection of tours and shuttles. They’ll take you to the limited access areas of highly acclaimed South Beach and Monomoy Island for shorebird and seal watching, or on a scenic Stage Harbor Cruise to see Chatham at its most picturesque. 83 Seagull Lane, Chatham. Free parking and easy “dry dock” boarding. 508-945-5858
FISHING SPOT: The Chatham Fish Pier (corner of Shore Rd. and Barcliff Ave.) is a working pier where the fishing boats return from up to 100 runs each day beginning shortly after noon (depending on the tide) and continuing for hours. Your family can view the fascinating activity from the visitors’ balcony and watch the day’s “catch” being off-loaded and sent to market!
THE ATWOOD HOUSE MUSEUM: See period furnishings, toys and tools in an antique 1752 Cape, plus a maritime gallery with portraits of local sea captains (accompanied by their life stories), a large display of seashells from around the world, a working turret from one of the historic Chatham twin lights, a North Beach dune shack, the Alice Stallknecht mural barn, as well as wide-ranging collections of artwork, artifacts, photographs and memorabilia related to local history, art and culture. Admission: $3; $1 students; free for children & members of the Chatham Historical Society. Open Mon-Fri: 1-4 pm; Sat: 10 am-1 pm; plus all rainy days (except Sun) 10 am – 4 pm. 347 Stage Harbor Road. 508-945-2493
OUTDOOR BAND CONCERTS: Every Fri. evening at 8 pm, Kate Gould Park, Main St. during July and August.
SEAL CRUISES, LOWER CAPE: Several local companies take seal lovers out to watch the seals frolic in the waters off the coast of Chatham, out near Monomoy Island: Outermost Adventures at Outermost Harbor Marine, 508-945-5858; Beachcomber Boat Tours, 508-945-5265; Cape Cod Sportfishing Charters, 800-848-8862 and Monomoy Island Excursions, 508-430-7772. Dress warmly regardless of the season, and don’t forget your camera!
SKATEBOARD PARK: Located behind the airport on George Ryder Road in Chatham. Open morning ‘til sunset.
SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM: Mon - Fri., 9-12 am for kids 7-14. 508-945-5175
CAPE COD BASEBALL LEAGUE: Catch a free baseball game with the hometown Chatham Athletics. See the Cape League Baseball feature story in this issue for the baseball schedule.
CREATIVE ARTS CENTER: Art for kids, mornings in July and August. Call for program and schedule. 508-945-3583
BEACHCOMBER BOAT TO THE BEACH, CHATHAM: Look for the yellow boats which shuttle folks to the outer beaches and explore the Lower Cape’s magnificent waters and coastal habitats including Chatham Harbor with its magnificent homes and rich history; specializing “sunset” and “seal watch” cruises. 508-945-5265 for reservations.
CHATHAM AIRPORT: Located off Rte 28 on George Ryder Rd.; watch small planes take off and land. There is a small public playground abutting the airfield which is usually uncrowded. 508-945-9000
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