Hotels in Chatham

Elbow your way past the crowds at Chatham Lighthouse, where seals bask on sandbars with the nonchalance of locals who've found the perfect spot. The historic fishing pier showcases the day's catch being unloaded while gulls provide commentary. Cape Cod beaches stretch in both directions, with Lighthouse Beach and Ridgevale offering different flavors of coastal perfection. Village shops in centuries-old buildings sell maritime treasures that avoid being tacky. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge provides sanctuary for birds and solitude-seekers alike. Summer swells the population from 6,000 to 25,000, yet this place maintains its salty character. Come autumn, you'll have those beaches almost to yourself – just you and the seals eyeing each other curiously.