Places – Page 15 – HappyCapeCod

Coffee on Cape Cod

A chilly winter morning along the shores of Ridgevale Beach, Chatham.

Author’s Note: My father-in-law prominently features a comical coffee mug in his kitchen. It states, “No Coffee, No Workee.” Similarly, my own father writes, “Up, Coffee” on his daily “to do” list. While both of these seasoned coffee drinkers’ habits are no different than even mine, those funny symbols and practices speaks to the importance of the daily java jolt. I did not start drinking coffee regularly until after college, when the whole career-thing started. Sure, I’d have some from time to time on late nights studying at the library or to break-up an afternoon, but it was not part of anything that resembled a daily routine. Oh my, how that has changed. Fast forward many years later, and I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a coffee snob. The comical sign, “Life’s to short for bad [fill in the blank, coffee, wine, etc] comes to mind. There is nothing worse than a bad cup of coffee. Your stuck with it. To avoid such situations, I keep a mental list of diners, cafes and breakfast spots with at least decent coffee and I readily offer them as options when deciding if and where to go out for breakfast. All of this insanity somewhat explains why the Starbucks and locally owned cafes/coffee shops have thrived, with people literally spending their days (well, doing work thanks to wifi and cozy seating) and paychecks there.

My morning two-cups usually sustain me for the day. Occasionally, a post lunch or pre-long drive jolt is a nice surprise, if not necessity. I prefer the medium to dark roast, which I take black because, as I’ve learned, quality coffee doesn’t need fillers (which started thanks to my buddy Connor insulting me every time I put sugar and milk to improve the taste of terrible diner coffee). I also rotate where I go – especially on Cape Cod as there are plenty of good coffee stops. Are you up for a java journey across the Cape?

Cape Cod is known for many things – stunning beaches, fresh seafood, charming cottages, soft serve ice cream, even mini golf, to name a few – but one often overlooked feature is the coffee. There are a ton of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and deli’s to find an above average, if not great, cup of coffee. While this list is not comprehensive of every Cape town, I included at least one spot in all four Cape Cod regions.

The chicken salad wrap comes with a dill pickle and bag of chips.

Beth’s Bakery & Cafe. Sandwich
Located on Jarvis Street in downtown Sandwich, Beth’s Bakery & Cafe is a fast-moving, yet delightfully bright danish and sandwich spot with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating. Beth’s features freshly baked goods below the counter, and a variety of sandwiches on the menu board above the register. There is a self-serve coffee station with a light roast, dark roast and decaf, which lends itself nicely to re-fills or a “hot top-off”. A dark roast paired well with my chicken salad wrap, which was quickly consumed on the outdoor patio.

Stop by on Sunday mornings in the summer to check out the classic/vintage car club.

Chatham Cookware Bakery, Chatham (downtown)
Located on Main Street, smack in the middle of downtown Chatham, Chatham Cookware Cafe is a landmark in its own right. Known for its unofficial hosting of the vintage/classic car club of Chatham every Sunday morning in season, locals and visitors alike flock to Cookware to buy a coffee, thus, having an excuse to hang out with the cars. The cafe has a mix of front porch (bench) seating, tables inside as well as ample seating out back and on the side of the building. The self-serve coffee bar, featuring at least six different roasts, some of which are Beanstock (roasted locally in Wellfleet) is located between the deli, gift shelf and the register. I’ve tried at least 6 roasts, and the Black Fish Creek Blend (dark roast) is the tastiest. “Big and full-bodied with dark chocolate notes in the front and finishing with red berry and melon,” yum. Winter note: Cookware is closed until May, 2019, for remodeling.

The patio furniture outside Chatham Perk will return around Memorial Day weekend.

Chatham Perk, North Chatham
A name play on “Central Perk” from the sitcom “Friends,” this diamond in the rough is located in North Chatham in the same plaza as the old Northport Restaurant (you probably don’t know what that is unless you’ve lived on the Cape for a long time). There is a small outdoor patio with umbrellas that catch the morning sun, with a mix of bartop and table seating inside facing the bay windows. They feature “Grab and Go” breakfast sandwiches and also make lunch sandwiches to go all day. A self-serve coffee station features 8 roasts by Cape Cod Coffee Roasters. I always go with the unbelievably tasty Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, a dark roast that has a ton of sweet notes. Of the freshly baked breads and muffins, their Perk Donut, which comes in sizes of small and large, is a must-try. You probably only need a small unless you are sharing. They also use bagels from a supplier in New York, so you can taste the quality, not to mention they are generous with the cream cheese smear. The smoothie bar is another option, especially in the dog days of summer. The staff, particularly Sean, is always friendly and moves quickly. Winter note: Perk is closed on Sundays in the off-season.

An old picture of Chatham Village Bakery Cafe, featuring their prominent ‘shark in the bush.’

Chatham Village Bakery Cafe, Chatham
Now located on Crowell Road (formerly located downtown where JoMama’s Bagels resides) due to a dispute with a greedy landlord, the Village Bakery is tucked away off the main drag but is worth a super short detour. In the summer, the line stretches out the door. Unlike other bakeries on this list, Village Bakery freshly bakes an assortment of donuts (simple Cinnamon sugar is one of my favorite ways to start the morning). They also feature bagels, hot egg sandwiches, deli sandwiches and even have a few gluten-free baked goods. Their self-serve coffee counter features 8 roasts, most of which by the Art of Roasting. Oddly enough, like Perk, Village Bakery also features an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, but it tastes completely different than the roast at Perk. I cannot decide which one I like better. Winter note: Village Bakery is on vacation until February 25, 2019.

A throwback picture of Ellen and I posing with Mr. Optimist Cafe.

Optimist Cafe, Yarmouth
There may not be a better morning drive than slowly making your way west along Route 6A, the Old Kings Highway, on the Bay side of Cape Cod. Surrounded by old Sea Captain’s home, antique shops, art galleries and marsh and wetlands, this quiet stretch of road is one of the most scenic on Cape Cod (Ocean View Drive in Wellfleet is stunning). At some point, you will pass by a Yellow gingerbread house with some funky artwork outside; you’ve arrived at the Optimist Cafe. If there was a logo or mascot for this website, the Optimist Cafe would be it. The sit-down restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and a pseudo-high tea. The interior is spacious, elegant and bright. The menu is abundant, yet focused on essential breakfast and lunch favorites. The coffee is the best for a sit-down restaurant (on or off the Cape). It’s a Douwe-Egbert medium roast that is brewed in a contraption that looks like a time machine. The coffee is so good that I will deprive myself of food and drink, so I can indulge with a third or fourth cup and a table pancake. Relax, the cups are on the small side. But that’s all part of it, you are in no rush and the atmosphere encourages diners to take your time and savor the flavors. Winter note: they’ve been known to take a month off in the winter so just check their off-season hours so you don’t get surprised (scroll down to “food”).

The “best coffee ever,” after Leg 3 of Ragnar Cape Cod in 2014. In the background, teammate Brian (in blue) fighting through his final miles.

Savory & the Sweet Escape, Truro
It’s ironic that the smallest Cape town by population has one of the better coffee stops. Situated along busy Route 6, the “Heart and Soul of Truro” restaurant is half bakery, half pub, with cupcakes, egg sandwiches, pastries, lattes on one hand, and pizzas, grinders, burgers, and salads on the other. The brewed coffee is locally roasted Beanstock with a light, dark, decaf and two flavor roasts. My introduction to Savory was on the last leg (pun intended) of the Ragnar Relay Cape Cod 2014 and was able to snap a picture of myself drinking the best cup of coffee ever (consider, my physical state of having run 21 miles, over a 24-hour-ish period, with 2-hours of sleep) with my buddy, Brian, in the background churning away his last few miles on a chilly May morning. While the “best coffee ever thought” may have been a stretch considering my delirium, it was a memorable moment, and I have the picture to prove it!

Wired Puppy, Provincetown
At the end of the peninsula, this second location to the cafe on Newberry Street in Boston, resides on the quieter stretch of Commercial Street in P-Town. The atmosphere is hopping, the colors are vibrant and the coffee is hot and delicious. Each cup of coffee is certified organic and fair-trade which the baristas will happily tell you about if you ask. They don’t bother asking if you “need room” because the coffee is brimming with flavors of dark chocolate, caramel, toffee, and a hint of fruit, why drown that out? The coffee shop also has a bartop with high-top stools facing the window, a people-watchers dream.

What is your favorite coffee stop on Cape Cod?

Gift Shops on Cape Cod

Author’s Note: It is not lost on me that life is not always gumdrops and roses. I received a heavy dose reality check last week while reading headlines on the Hartford Courant during lunch. Three aricles on their homepage “featured” a disturbing act of anti-semitism during a performance of Fiddler on the Roof in Baltimore (which we had just seen in Hartford the week prior), a disgusting story of human trafficking in a suburb not more than 30 minutes from home, and a “are-you-kidding me” case of animal cruelty in the town I grew up in. I literally lost my appetite. Not to mention the ongoing wildfires in California, chaos on the southern border and yet another damaging climate report noting that we may be at the point of no return for a permanently warming planet. Such saddness, devastation, tragedy and uncertinly is becoming too common and all the more reason to be thankful for what we have – now and every single day.

Be thankful for what you have — I am thankful for waking up today, my family, friends, health and the ability to hope, laugh and wonder. Don’t frown about what you don’t have. Experiences matter, stuff does not. Help others. Be nice. Smile and laugh as much as you can. Tell people how you really feel now, don’t wait. Get outside more. Turn off push notifications and alerts. Read a newspaper when you have no where to be. Drive with the windows down and your favorite music turned up. Throw your routine upside down every now and then. Okay, enough of the soap box.

As we transition into the (usually) happy holiday season, part of the magic of the season is giving. Such small acts can reap big reactions and rewards. It’s what makes the season special – and those experiences are what counts. Even more important, are the faces you may not see; adults and children in need that may sneak a smile just from a strangers’ generority. Whoever the gift recipient, there are plenty of “ways” to give — i.e., shop — Black Friday sales, Small Business Saturday, Cybermonday discounts, Giving Tuesday, and the hundreds of “coupon-emails” you will no doubt receive from any business you ever shared your email with! Shop local whenever possible, as it has been estimated that 2/3 or $0.67 of each dollar spent locally STAYS in the local community. If that’s not an economic development plan, what is? To fulfill some of your gift giving needs, with a nautical or coastal twist, check out these Cape Cod shops!

Gift Shops on Cape Cod

Barry’s Barn, East Dennis. Painter C. Barry Hills, runs a small botique gift shop just off scenic Route 6A in East Dennis, a few minutes away from the popular greasy spoon, Grumpy’s Restaurant. The two-story, charming half gift shop/ workshop (upstairs) barn behind his home, features a mix of paintings, gifts, home decour and garden accents for coastal living with a touch of vintage. Whenever we have a lazy day along 6A, stopping at “the Barn” to poke around is a requirement. Our “Cape Escape” themed living room has a few pieces from “the Barn.”

Christmas Joy, South Chatham. Their tagline rings true, “where you can

experience the joy of Christmas everyday!” Sure, Christmas shopping in shorts and sandals may seem a little odd in the northeast, but there are so many creative works and fun little games, puzzles, etc, that it’s hard not to get lost in this seasonal escape. The store is also the anchor of the South Chatham village and business community, surrounded by two restaurants, hardware store and branch library.

Hattie D’s, Harwichport. Hattie D’s was a new discovery this year during an autumn “slow ride” down Route 28 to the Bourne Bridge. The small gift shop and art store features a mix of antique decorative pieces, home furnishings, lighting as well as a robust “create-your-own” art supply section. What distinguishes Hattie D’s from other stores is their decorative art classes, led by three different artists, with a cap of 10 people per session. We left the store with a discounted Halloween decoration and felt satisfied with the surprise stop.

Just Picked, Yarmouthport. Located at a dangerous intersection (blind curve) along Route 6A and Willow Street, Just Picked features three “departments,” coastal clothing, gifts and home furnishings, played out in two buildings. Perhaps most important, Just Picked carries many of the same items that other stores price higher (notably accent pillows, fun signs, and decorattive ornaments). The store is clean, decorated for the season, and a fun game or humorous gadget seems to always be displayed at the register. My favorite game is their Cape Cod trivia cards. For a small shop, they also have an online store.

Monomoy Salvage, Chatham. If owner Carol Sherman did not set up some of her nautical antique items outside the barn-size gift shop, you may not see a reason to stop. The white one room barn, with faded front signage, isn’t much to look at, but don’t let that fool you. The broken sea shell driveway is a red carpet to some pretty cool finds. A mix of “salvaged” nautical instruments, signs, antique paintings and coastal home furnishings are the core contents. On the other hand, what makes the place unique is there collection of whales, wine crates, mermaids, baseball memorbilia and oars. Where else have you those items mentioned in the same sentence!

Shor, Provincetown. The up-scale home furnishings store is located in the heart of Commerical Street, and invites you to see Herbert and Kevin at work with interior design projects. It’s not a large store – more of a mini showroom – but they have items you may have not seen before. (A circular mirror surrounded by two dozen white oars was particulary impressive.) The store definitely has a “be careful, don’t touch that” feel to it, but the doors are open.

Tale of the Cod

, Chatham. Located at the “tail end” of downtown, Tale of the Cod is one of my favorite stores, if not just for the perfect name. The transformed sea captains home is a series of displays within just three rooms, but it feels much larger with alcoves and the long and narrow home furnishings area. The inspiration for our (7-foot) seashell tree and many of the first ornaments came from their displays. Fast forward to present day, their Scout line is

another perfect fit for our furry child!

There are many other local stores: surf shops, pet stores, clothing stores and other specialty goods stores, all of which are worth mentioning, so stay tuned for more shopping tips!

As a teaser, my go-top surf shop is Pump House in Orleans; pet shop is Barkers, Orleans; gear rental is Chatham Kayak Company; hot food to go is Chatham Fish and Lobster, sandwich shop is Corner Store, coffee shop is Chatham Perk, brewery is Devil’s Purse in Dennis, and clothing store is Black Eel Outfitters in Dennis. Breakfast and lunch spots leaving the Cape are Marshland and Beth’s Bakery, Sandwich, respectively.

Del Mar Bar & Bistro – From Memorable To Magical

Author’s Note: I (we) love to cook…when time is not an issue. Too often, time is an issue. This unfortunate reality – which found us eating ‘fast fresh’ or ordering take-out much of the time- pushed my wife and I to dedicate the 6:45-8:00pm window for weekday homemade dinners – prep, meal, clean-up. We are now experimenting with meal delivery options such as Sun Basket, Plated, and Hello Fresh for new ideas, foods and recipes. We also pride ourselves on hosting a big family/friends dinner every other Sunday. Cooking/meal preparation becomes an event for the senses — listening to dinner music (courtesy of Pandora, Alexa or Jeff’s Playlists), using the ‘every day’ (“fine”) china in the dining room, sipping on a favorite wine or cocktail, watching the steam rise from the main course fresh out of the oven, and of course, taking part in a lively conversation devoid of the distractions of the day.

One of my go-to comfort foods, a burger and fries, at the Coleman Brook Tavern in Jackson Gore, Okemo Mountain, Vermont. My buddy Bryan and I completed a marathon of skiing that day (26.2 miles of skiing!)

When going out to dinner, I hope for a similar experience of the senses, with varying degrees of success. I approach menus with an eye toward ordering something I would not attempt to make at home. Comfort food like fried chicken and waffles, a juicy burger or pasta bolognese, are all solid back-up plans that rarely (pun intended) disappoint. In the hot and busy summer months, I lean toward Fido friendly patios and in the slow, cold and dark winter, prefer cozy taverns brimming with the chatter of holiday excitement and anticipation of the first snow fall.

The restaurant scene on Cape Cod seems to get better each year, with almost every culinary option available year-round. One of these top restaurants, Del Mar Bar & Bistro, checks all the boxes of ‘an experience of the senses’ and takes dining out from memorable to magical.

The wait is worth it. But first a little background. It pains me to admit this, but for years, I drove by the trendy dinner-only restaurant, comically making a nightclub “beats” sound. That was my assumption of this new restaurant at the time. For five decades, a classic Friendly’s Restaurant and Ice Cream resided there and I have the fondest summer memory of eating my first Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Sundae at this location. I even recall the tall, glass “tulip” sundae dish, whipped cream piled high, with a cherry on top. Ahh, the good old days. For too long, a part of me resented that this past memory could only be replicated in the frozen section of Stop N Shop grocery stores. Following the closure of Friendly’s, a trendy restaurant, Roobar, that I never went to, re-designed the building and gained a following of new customers, but ultimately didn’t last long. Enter Del Mar Bar & Bistro.

A playful game of “Guess Who’s at Del Mar?”

My wife pleaded with me to try it after reading recent reviews and constantly witnessing a packed parking lot. Despite being loyal to a certain Tuscan Roadhouse nearby as well as an Old Inn in the mid-Cape, I gave-in — and so happy I did! A present connection to the restaurant and location is that during a second visit, I bumped into a colleague and Connecticut State Representative James Albis. It turns out his (twin) cousins are sous chefs in the kitchen. We had a great laugh about all the connections to the current restaurant, town and location. To keep things interesting, nowadays each time one of us dines at Del Mar, we send the other a picture of the menu or our entree. A text message war never fails to entertain.

The dimly lit restaurant is half kitchen, half seating with a bustling bar. An enclosed heated patio section off the bar area (where the “to go”/ice cream window was located) adds desperately needed seating. The main dining room has about 15 tables, with the bar accommodating a dozen people comfortably. There is also live music on Tuesdays through Thursdays. I’ve driven by the restaurant recently and seen a line forming outside prior to the 5:00pm opening for folks likely hoping to grab a seat at the first come, first serve bar.

The braised short rib blackboard special.

Our first experience can be described as, “it’s better to be lucky than good,” as we happened to get two seats next to each other at the bar, having to only wait 10 minutes as the other three couples ahead of us on the wait list lost a battle with their patience. Win! The hustling bartender made one of the best Manhattan’s I’ve ever tasted, and the portion was impressive. The menu features fresh and local seafood, chops, imaginative appetizers, wood fired thin crust pizzas and hard to resist desserts. I ordered the Lobster Tostada appetizer, followed by the grilled salmon over truffle mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. Ellen ordered the braised short-rib over a rissoto, with a classic Caesar salad to start. The presentation, temperature and taste of each part of the meal was exquisite. We passed on dessert due to the limited availability of “Raz-Oreo” ice cream at the nearby Sundae School Ice Cream.

The glazed pan roasted Faroe Island salmon.

If you are lucky enough to get a table, the wait staff is attentive, check-in after each course was served, including drinks, to make sure the food and drink have met your expectations. The atmosphere, the service and the food are impossible to beat. Del Mar Bar & Bistro is simply one of the best.

Brax Landing’s Waterfront Dining

Author’s Note: I continue to be amazed by how much you can do on Cape Cod in autumn. The shoulder season is packed full of events, from dog friendly days, festivals, craft fairs, road races, as well as clearance sales at many stores. Most outdoor activities, such as whale watches, mini golf (and large golf), kayaking, biking, fishing charters, etc., are still open and not nearly as busy. That last point paving the way for “restaurant hopping,” which in peak summer season, would require the waiting game. Not in autumn.

Waterfront dining is at a premium on Cape Cod. While it may be easy to find waterfront dining options thanks to articles like this and Apps like Yelp, it will likely take a good chunk of time to be seated. Nothing could be more true of Brax Landing, located prominently along Route 28 overlooking Saquatucket Harbor, in Harwichport. For the last 42 years, Brax Landing has been a go-to restaurant to fuel up after a fishing trip, catch a game in the lively bar, or relax with a cocktail and view on the deck. You just may need to ignore the seemingly hundreds of cars in the parking lot and parked on the grass.

Prior to 1976, the building then known as the Bourne House, provided housing for staff of former and legendary Thompson’s Clam Bar, located further down Route 28, off Snow Inn Road, overlooking another waterfront, Wychmere Harbor. Brax Landing has been an institution on the Lower Cape’s restaurant scene ever since — not too mention a fixture of the Shaw Family’s rotation for dining out.

Everyone has a waterfront view at Brax Landing.

The restaurant’s exterior weathered wood panelling just oozes Cape Cod, with a dark wood interior channeling a well traveled tavern consisting of four rooms. The first room being the largest and brightest, the dining room with large rectangle windows overlooking the patio and harbor. Take a few steps down, and the tables next to the windows are on a lower level so the view for everyone in the dining room is unobstructed. The second room is the bar, with about 12 stools (once again, overlooking the harbor — think that’s a theme), 4 table tops and an open area near the fireplace for folks to mill about. The third room is an extension of the bar with about six table tops for open seating.

The view from the cocktail deck is one of the best on the Lower Cape, 2012.

Saving the best for last is the outdoor patio, with over 20 tables, and again, the deck area designed with an upper and lower level with waterfront views. You can taste the salt air. Recently, a firepit was added surrounded by Adirondack chairs so patrons can enjoy a drink while waiting for a table or enjoy a nightcap in the crisp evening air.

The famed Lobster Roll and pint to pair.

Brax Landing’s blackboard menu features specials such as prime rib, baked stuffed lobster, and catch of the day, appearing on your left as you walk down the dark hallway to the hostess. It sets a tone that the restaurant has a range of menu options and seeks to please all. The regular menu is casual, with a mix of hearty soups, big salads, tavern fare and a short list of entrees. For the last 10 years or so, the Lobster Roll has been a hard selection to pass up. While the $22.99 “market price” might turn some off, the 50-50 claw to tail meat ratio is worth it. The hard roll is comically large, nestled next to two handfuls of fries, cup of cole slaw and a dill pickle. Add a summer ale – or in this season – a harvest ale – and you will leave feeling full and happy. We also learned they have gluten-free bread to swap in for hard rolls, which is a nice touch and reassuring that they accommodate people with food allergies.

The wait staff hustles, the bartender banter is hilarious -if not contagious should you have the pleasure of nabbing a seat at the bar. Brax Landing’s character, breathtaking view and hearty fare keeps locals, seasonal residents and visitors coming back. A full parking lot and 45+ minute wait should not stop you from landing at Brax!

Cape Cod Melody Tent Summer Evenings

I bought my first concert t-shirt in decades to commemorate the back-to-back DMB shows.

Authors note: Earlier this summer, I was lucky enough to attend back to back Dave Matthews Band concerts, the first at Great Woods (Mansfield, MA), the second at the Meadows (Hartford, CT). Yes, I intentionally omitted the venues official names due to the evil nature of the tech company that owns the naming rights. Plus, my “coming of age” concert experiences were in the days when both of those venues were actually named, Great Woods and the Meadows. Ahh, the good-old days. There was a comical number of incidents with the Great Woods tickets that made the weeks leading up to the show equally memorable. Perhaps I’ll tell that story another time.

It had been some time since I attended back to back concerts of the same band – like, a long time. First, DMB is one of my favorite bands. Second, due to their enormous portofolio of music, they play different songs, mix up their set lists; and of course, are known for their improvisation and jams. You never know what you’re going to hear at their show. Third, their fans are some of the best. Both venues were packed, crowds were into each song and the music was loud and in sync. It was a memorable weekend and DMB Radio on Sirius XM even continued our tour for a few more weeks.

Ziggy Marley and company opens up Bob’s original, “Is This Love?”

Live music really is something special. Those back to back shows reminded me of what David Letterman said at the 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony when introducing Pearl Jam. He said, “Never take the opportunity for live music for granted. What a gift live music is.” Those words are hard to forget, on point and reminded me of another special venue that provides that almost lost opportunity to hear live music up close and personal — the Cape Cod Melody Tent.

Eddie Money and family taking us home tonight!

The Cape Cod Melody Tent is a seasonal nonprofit theater located in Hyannis, and a sister performing arts venue of South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA. Over the last few seasons, I’ve seen some entertaining shows at the Tent, including Ziggy Marley, Eddie Money, Doobie Brothers, Rusted Root, and Steve Miller Band. My parents never miss the Beach Boys performance and were tempted to not only see them twice, but twice in one day! (Instead they suggested that fine dinner at the nearby Old Yarmouth Inn.) We’ve also checked out comedy shows, including Bill Maher, and attended a food festival. As the shoulder season on the Cape becomes more popular for visitors, I expect (hope) the Tent to expand their season.

The Doobie Brothers says, “Listen to the Music.”

The stage of the 2,300 seat venue rotates slowly so there is not a bad seat in the house. The staff are good humored and helpful. The concession stands are reasonably priced, but you will stand for a bit. (The whimsical quote, “If you’re in a hurry, you don’t belong on Cape Cod,” comes to mind. At least you can read their wall of fame listing every performer the venue hosted while waiting.) The parking lot is a slight challenge as you line up behind the car in front of you, so you cannot leave until the performance ends. However, if you can handle a short walk, there are a number of nearby parking lots that provide a quick escape.

If only. This picture was taken at Great Woods, but Jimmy would blow the roof off the Tent!

For a modest $80 annual membership (via “Gold Circle”), you get “sneak peek” event announcements, first dibs on ticket sales, and a dedicated ticket/security entrance. The former is especially useful as some events are announced after their season starts, so you would need to check periodically for new event info if you are not on a mailing list. All in all, the Tent is a great summer venue to hear live music, catch a comedy show or enjoy some of the Cape’s finest chowder (fest)!

And just imagine how magical the evening should your favorite band or musician show up? Say, a Special Night with Dave Matthews Band at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. Wow-za.

When is the last time you visited the Cape Cod Melody Tent?