Among the true treasures of the Cape are the small towns that line King's Highway as it winds its way to Provincetown. Communities such as Eastham, Orleans, Truro and Wallfleet each have their own identity and history and offer their own brand of New England charm and hospitality.
Orleans is located at the elbow of the Cape. Incorporated in 1797, Orleans is a resort community whose European history begins in 1642 with the first permanent settlement established by Nicholas Snow and his family. The sea has influenced the economy of Orleans from the beginning to the present. Salt works were located on the bay and town cove shores. There were many domestic needs for salt and the fishing fleet's requirements were large for fish preservation. The fishing industry has waxed and waned through the years according to the supply. Today there is a large charter boat sports fishing fleet located in Rock Harbor, which has been the Orleans center of maritime commerce and history. The advent of the National Seashore Park in 1962 created the complete tourist economy of today. The charm and beauty of the town has created a large retirement population with a younger service population.
Incorporated in 1651, Eastham is known as "Cape Cod's little secret." Not only a quaint, historic New England township, Eastham is also a tranquilizing and exhilarating village to experience. Eastham is home to Cape Cod's oldest working windmill, built in the 1680s. Along with several historic buildings, sites, museums and districts, Eastham is proud of its many National Historic Register designations. Located on the outer Cape,
Eastham is a narrow strip of rural country with marshes, ponds, bogs, and forests that are unharmed by time. Eastham is one of the first pages in American history. First Encounter Beach is the site of the first meeting between the Pilgrims and the American Indians. Once home to whaling, fishing, salt works, and asparagus farming, Eastham is now best known for its beaches and conservation areas. As Gateway to the National Seashore Park protecting over 27,000 acres of the Outer Cape, and one third of the town of Eastham, both residents and visitors can revere in a land little changed since Thoreau wrote his masterpiece, 'Cape Cod', over one hundred years ago.
A small rural community, Truro is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Atlantic Ocean, its open beaches and the seclusion of the National Seashore. Incorporated in 1709, the town is home to numerous attractions including the Truro Historical Museum, the Highland Golf Links, the Highland Light, Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill, Payomet Theater, Pamet Harbor, bike trails and the North Truro Center for the Arts and the Environment.
Famous for its oysters, Wellfleet is one of Cape Cod's most appealing towns, full of fine galleries and fun restaurants and surrounded by inviting wildlife areas. Wellfleet features many miles of accessible, wide, white and sandy beaches, spectacular vistas, towering sand cliffs and crystal clear freshwater ponds. The harbor of Wellfleet is the safest, most protected on all of Cape Cod. It provides the ideal setting for every imaginable water and shore activity. Wellfleet has the finest seashore on the Atlantic coast within the National Seashore Park. This friendly artists' and fishing village features excellent art and antique galleries, bookshops, gift and clothing boutiques.
