Cape Cod, MA

Chatham Grand Tour

Chatham is one of the prettiest towns on the Cape. The seaside village has a pretty main street, a beautiful beach and lighthouse, a shore road that makes for pleasant running with great views, and to the south, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge provides a vast habitat for migratory birds.

We’ve put together a ‘grand tour’, consisting of Chatham’s highlights: Main St., Shore Rd., a jaunt by Oyster Pond, and out to Morris Island (Monomoy Refuge).  Start on Main St. and enjoy its classic New England architecture, and many shops and restaurants. Take a left on Shore Rd., and follow for 1 mile. Great water views, and beautiful homes & inns, including the famous Chatham Bars Inn, with a sidewalk most of the way. At the Rt. 28 intersection, instead of doubling back, take a left on Old Harbor Rd. for about 1 mile, to get back to Chatham. Nice homes along here. At the Rt. 28 rotary, stay on the road, which turns into Stage Harbor Rd., for another mile. Left on Bridge St., crossing over Stage Harbor, and follow to the end. Chatham Lighthouse will be just ahead.

For the long run, head out to Morris Island by taking a right on Main St./Morris Island Rd. This goes about 1 mile onto the island and the Wildlife Refuge. At the end, turn back, returning to Chatham Center via Main St./Shore Rd.

Shorter Options: Eliminate the section out to Morris Island, which shaves 2 miles off the route. Or, if you don’t want to do the Stage Harbor Rd./Bridge St. loop, the main shore road is 2.8 miles between Rt. 28/Orleans Rd. to the north and the end of Morris Island Rd. to the south.

Note: 40 acres of the Refuge and the visitor center are located on Morris Island. The rest of the 7,600 acre Refuge consists of 2.5-mile stretch of North Monomoy and the 5-mile-long arm of South Monomoy.

Monomoy Refuge Information

 

Essentials
  • Full tour is 7.5 miles. Shave 2 miles by eliminating Morris Island section
  • 198 feet
  • Main St., Chatham
  • Parking in town

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Essentials
  • Full tour is 7.5 miles. Shave 2 miles by eliminating Morris Island section
  • 198 feet
  • Main St., Chatham
  • Parking in town