Eastham
Situated on the "forearm" of Outer Cape Cod, Eastham, Massachusetts, is a picturesque seaside community known as the "Gateway to the Cape Cod National Seashore." Stretching just three miles wide between the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay, this serene, rural town is renowned for its striking coastal beauty, featuring world-class sandy stretches like Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach, vast salt marshes, and pristine freshwater kettle ponds. Visitors and residents alike flock to the area to explore miles of hiking and biking trails, including the scenic Cape Cod Rail Trail and the historic Fort Hill overlook. With roughly a third of its land protected within the National Seashore, Eastham offers an unhurried, nature-centered lifestyle defined by wildlife watching, water sports, and tranquil sunsets over the bay.
Beyond its natural scenery, Eastham carries a deep American history dating back centuries. In 1620, it served as the location of First Encounter Beach, where a Mayflower landing party led by Myles Standish first met the native Nauset people. Officially incorporated in 1651, the town retains its historic charm through landmark sites such as the 1680 Eastham Windmill—the oldest working windmill on Cape Cod—and the iconic red-and-white Nauset Light, famous for appearing on Cape Cod Potato Chips bags. Today, Eastham balances its rich heritage and coastal conservation with a welcoming, tight-knit community filled with local seafood shacks, art galleries, and cozy inns.