Cape Cod Adventure

The Red Balloon travels to a new part of Cape Cod: Yarmouth.

In Yarmouth, you can find endless places to explore.

While staying in Yarmouth, the Hampton Inn and Suites are conveniently located on Route 28 which makes it easy to get to other places on Cape Cod and is literally minutes from Main Street in Hyannis.

The Hampton Inn and Suites offers complimentary breakfast. In addition to indoor breakfast, they offer a full breakfast over by the pool just in case you desire to eat with a view! Countless amenities are available at the Hampton Inn and Suites including an indoor and outdoor pool, gym, and a whirlpool. For those desiring the beach, this location is ideal. Within minutes of the hotel is Seagull Beach. Insider tip: continue walking further down the beach and you will find that there is plenty of space no matter how crowded it appears on first glance! Photo proof below!

                                    
                                        

While at the beach, be sure to tell the two brothers who do an impeccable job of making sure things run smoothly in the parking lot, that The Red Balloon sent you!

Within minutes of the hotel are great places to eat and see. There are plenty of options for miniature golf including Wild Animal Lagoon which offers endless photo opportunities while enjoying some rounds of mini golf.

If you find yourself visiting prior to Columbus Day, be sure to take part in the Yarmouth Sand Sculpture Trail. The Hampton Inn and Suites has their very own Sand Sculpture (as seen below) in this annual Yarmouth competition.                                   

                                                            

While exploring Yarmouth you are sure to see more sand sculptures. The one below was among a favorite contender.

                                      

While in Yarmouth, The Red Balloon highly recommends dining at DiParma Italian Table. The music and ambiance of the restaurant makes it a must-see. The food makes it a must visit on your next trip to Yarmouth.  The property is a hidden gem in Yarmouth. It truly feels like a bit of Tuscany right on Cape Cod! Insider tip: Be sure to make reservations. The restaurant opens at 4 pm nightly and without reservations you may need to wait for an hour or more to obtain a table. Note: Seating outside is limited but essential!

                                             

Pictured above, DiParma's outdoor seating. Take a seat and be transported to an Italian villa (no passport required!) Pictured below: DiParma's exquisite eggplant parmigiana. Trust The Red Balloon, patrons come back night after night to enjoy the food here. 

                                        

Where will The Red Balloon be next?

Stay tuned for the next stop.

                                                        

Provincetown: Photo Tour

The Red Balloon takes on Provincetown. Below take a photo tour of the art, monument, and history on the tip of Cape Cod. The best part: you don't have to leave your front door for this tour!

 Follow along and take a trip abroad as The Red Balloon takes over Europe: coming soon!

Best of Cape Cod: Hyannis Part II

The following was originally published as part of The Red Balloon's Cape Cod series. It is now part of the Best of Cape Cod series. Enjoy!

This is the second part in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod Series.

Hyannis has so much to see and do, including art, rich cultural and historical experiences as well as culinary wonders and shopping excursions, making it an ideal locale to visit on your next Cape Cod adventure.

If traveling from Boston the Capeflyer offers trains Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from South Station. Hop on board and avoid sitting in traffic! Snacks and drinks are available on board and you can even bring your bike. Insider tip: If bringing your bike you will need to place it in the very last car where all of the bicycles are stored.

First stop on the trip, once you have arrived, be sure to check out the artist shanties, which are conveniently located walking distance from Main Street, at Hyannis Harbor. In addition, you will find more artists and their craftsmanship directly across the street. The shanties are a venue in which local painters, sculptors, and photographers can showcase their best art. Artists who work in a wide variety of mediums can all be found here. The Hyannis Harbor is also the spot for people watching and catching a boat out to the islands of Nantucket and/or Martha's Vineyard.

For history buffs, the Hyannis Kennedy Legacy Trail is a must. The legacy trail is self-guided so you can continue at whatever pace you need to. The trail will bring you to the "Church of the Kennedy's" which is St. Francis Xiaver, located one block from Main Street. Also on South Street, you will find the Armory where on the day of November 9, 1960, JFK gave his Presidential acceptance speech. You could find yourself walking literally in the footsteps of a former President! 

While on the Legacy Trail you will find that Hyannis is a place with a past. Right on Main Street is a statue and plaque in tribute to the Wampanoag Chieftain, Sachem Iyanough who befriended and aided the early settlers. Fun fact: Hyannis bears a derivative of his name (something to impress your friends with when you return from Cape Cod.) In the photo below, you will see the statue of Wampanoag Chieftain. Behind the statue lies Hyannis Village Green where events are happening nightly. Recently the Boston Pops performed and there was a live performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Insider tip: Be sure to arrive early for events to get the best spot. 

 Conveniently located on Main Street is the JFK Museum. Be sure to devote some time to explore all the museum to its fullest extent. Insider tip: The museum closes at 4 pm each day and does not open until noon on Sunday. Be mindful of this when arranging this stop within your travel itinerary.

Stop #10 on the Hyannis Legacy Trail is Veterans Beach which is a must-see. Best to visit the beach in the morning or late afternoon as the beach does tend to become crowded during the peak season.

Insider tip: If you are without a bike, take the free trolley from the Hyannis Transportation Center. Although Hyannis is extremely walkable, the trolley will stop at all of the hot spots including Veterans Beach!

If you find yourself looking to travel to the beach, Kalmus beach is conveniently located close to Veterans Beach and is much quieter. To arrive at Kalmus beach simply go past the Hyannis Yacht Club which is at the end of Veterans Beach.

Looking for a quick lunch spot? Look no further than Palio Pizza at 435 Main Street. For a more formal lunch or dinner, you can travel one block from Main Street to 72 North Street where the Portside Tavern is a family-owned restaurant offering a variety of foods including seafood caught daily.

No trip to Hyannis is complete without a trip to Ben and Jerry's at 352 Main Street. A great place to have a sweet treat after shopping and seeing the sights on Main Street.

For now it is time to say "Good Night Cape Cod" but this isn't good bye for The Red Balloon's Cape Cod series continues so stay tuned for the next locale complete with insider tips coming soon!

Happy Trails from Hyannis!

Best of Cape Cod: Hyannis

The following was originally published as part of the Cape Cod series. It is now being featured as part of The Red Balloon's "Best of Cape Cod."

The first part in The Red Balloon's travel journey highlights Hyannis, perhaps most well known as being the home of the Kennedy compound at Hyannis Port.

While in Hyannis you may ask, "Where is there to begin?"

The Red Balloon offers some sage advice: It is always good to begin with breakfast. Hyannis has many breakfast options and one of the best is right at the very end of Main Street (the side closest to the Hyannis Transporation Center.) The eatery is named the Sunnyside Restaurant and sunny it surely is here! The restaurant offers a full breadth of brunch or breakfast options for even the most discerning of tastes. Pictured below the vegetarian omelet, hash browns, and toast. Serving sizes are abundant and prices here are reasonable.

Now that breakfast is done it is time to explore. While you are so very close to the Hyannis Transportation Center, may The Red Balloon suggest taking some time to explore the many transportation possibilities from this location including the Cape Cod Central Rail Train which offers dinner and wine trains. These trains offers scenic views but reservations are required. Should you find yourself looking for a Brunch Train, the Central Rail offers a Sunday Brunch on board.

                       

                                        

If ever in need of a place for some quiet relaxation and respite, the Michael K. Aselton Memorial Park is extremely close to Main Street and offers exceptional views of Hyannis Harbor.  

                                       

While at the Park, you may not believe your eyes but there are Duck Boats in Hyannis Harbor! You will surely see them as well as they bring tours along Main Street through both land and sea.

                                            

If the Duck Boat isn't your speed there are plenty of other options for traveling on the water at Hyannis Harbor including a Pirate ship.

                                       

Back on Main Street there is no shortage of artwork and this one below was captured inside a place where you may not have thought to look for artwork: inside the Ben and Jerry's on Main Street!

                                           

Stay tuned for more in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod series! 

Cape Cod Part II: Hyannis

This is the second part in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod Series.

Hyannis has so much to see and do, including art, rich cultural and historical experiences as well as culinary wonders and shopping excursions, making it an ideal locale to visit on your next Cape Cod adventure.

If traveling from Boston the Capeflyer offers trains Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from South Station. Hop on board and avoid sitting in traffic! Snacks and drinks are available on board and you can even bring your bike. Insider tip: If bringing your bike you will need to place it in the very last car where all of the bicycles are stored.

First stop on the trip, once you have arrived, be sure to check out the artist shanties, which are conveniently located walking distance from Main Street, at Hyannis Harbor. In addition, you will find more artists and their craftsmanship directly across the street. The shanties are a venue in which local painters, sculptors, and photographers can showcase their best art. Artists who work in a wide variety of mediums can all be found here. The Hyannis Harbor is also the spot for people watching and catching a boat out to the islands of Nantucket and/or Martha's Vineyard.

For history buffs, the Hyannis Kennedy Legacy Trail is a must. The legacy trail is self-guided so you can continue at whatever pace you need to. The trail will bring you to the "Church of the Kennedy's" which is St. Francis Xiaver, located one block from Main Street. Also on South Street, you will find the Armory where on the day of November 9, 1960, JFK gave his Presidential acceptance speech. You could find yourself walking literally in the footsteps of a former President! 

While on the Legacy Trail you will find that Hyannis is a place with a past. Right on Main Street is a statue and plaque in tribute to the Wampanoag Chieftain, Sachem Iyanough who befriended and aided the early settlers. Fun fact: Hyannis bears a derivative of his name (something to impress your friends with when you return from Cape Cod.) In the photo below, you will see the statue of Wampanoag Chieftain. Behind the statue lies Hyannis Village Green where events are happening nightly. Recently the Boston Pops performed and there was a live performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Insider tip: Be sure to arrive early for events to get the best spot. 

 Conveniently located on Main Street is the JFK Museum. Be sure to devote some time to explore all the museum to its fullest extent. Insider tip: The museum closes at 4 pm each day and does not open until noon on Sunday. Be mindful of this when arranging this stop within your travel itinerary.

Stop #10 on the Hyannis Legacy Trail is Veterans Beach which is a must-see. Best to visit the beach in the morning or late afternoon as the beach does tend to become crowded during the peak season.

Insider tip: If you are without a bike, take the free trolley from the Hyannis Transportation Center. Although Hyannis is extremely walkable, the trolley will stop at all of the hot spots including Veterans Beach!

If you find yourself looking to travel to the beach, Kalmus beach is conveniently located close to Veterans Beach and is much quieter. To arrive at Kalmus beach simply go past the Hyannis Yacht Club which is at the end of Veterans Beach.

Looking for a quick lunch spot? Look no further than Palio Pizza at 435 Main Street. For a more formal lunch or dinner, you can travel one block from Main Street to 72 North Street where the Portside Tavern is a family-owned restaurant offering a variety of foods including seafood caught daily.

No trip to Hyannis is complete without a trip to Ben and Jerry's at 352 Main Street. A great place to have a sweet treat after shopping and seeing the sights on Main Street.

For now it is time to say "Good Night Cape Cod" but this isn't good bye for The Red Balloon's Cape Cod series continues so stay tuned for the next locale complete with insider tips coming soon!

Happy Trails from Hyannis!

Cape Cod Part I: Hyannis

The first part in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod Series highlights Hyannis, perhaps most well known as being the home of the Kennedy compound at Hyannis Port.

While in Hyannis you may ask, "Where is there to begin?"

The Red Balloon offers some sage advice: It is always good to begin with breakfast. Hyannis has many breakfast options and one of the best is right at the very end of Main Street (the side closest to the Hyannis Transporation Center.) The eatery is named the Sunnyside Restaurant and sunny it surely is here! The restaurant offers a full breadth of brunch or breakfast options for even the most discerning of tastes. Pictured below the vegetarian omelet, hash browns, and toast. Serving sizes are abundant and prices here are reasonable.

Now that breakfast is done it is time to explore. While you are so very close to the Hyannis Transportation Center, may The Red Balloon suggest taking some time to explore the many transportation possibilities from this location including the Cape Cod Central Rail Train which offers dinner and wine trains. These trains offers scenic views but reservations are required. Should you find yourself looking for a Brunch Train, the Central Rail offers a Sunday Brunch on board.

                       

                                       

If ever in need of a place for some quiet relaxation and respite, the Michael K. Aselton Memorial Park is extremely close to Main Street and offers exceptional views of Hyannis Harbor.  

                                       

While at the Park, you may not believe your eyes but there are Duck Boats in Hyannis Harbor! You will surely see them as well as they bring tours along Main Street through both land and sea.

                                            

If the Duck Boat isn't your speed there are plenty of other options for traveling on the water at Hyannis Harbor including a Pirate ship.

                                       

Back on Main Street there is no shortage of artwork and this one below was captured inside a place where you may not have thought to look for artwork: inside the Ben and Jerry's on Main Street!

                                           

Stay tuned for more in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod series!