Dwell360 Guide: Welcome to Chatham
Another one of our favorite spots on Cape Cod is Chatham. Our own John Lynch loves to unwind with his family in this charming town. With high end shops and restaurants, and top notch beaches, Chatham is a popular spot for buyers and seasonal beachgoers.
A Brief History
Samuel de Champlain arrived on the shores of Chatham in October of 1606. Land was first purchased by the Nickerson family from the Monomoyick tribe in 1656 to create the first settlement. As the community grew in size, it gained township status on June 11, 1712, and was deemed Chatham by its residents. The population grew through the 1700s, and iIn the mid-1700s, more and more men began to take part in the fishing industry, trading with Europe and Asia. Huge barrels of sea water lined the bays of Chatham, as the water evaporated to get salt, which was needed to preserve the fish. Two lighthouses were constructed in 1808, and one was eventually rebuilt in 1926 and still stands today in Eastham. Chatham was not largely impacted by the Civil or two World Wars, but saw some development in the 20th century with the construction of a fire department, a police department, and a school. As more and more housing developments appeared between the 1950s and 1970s, both the year-round and tourist populations grew. Today, Chatham still has a lot of its historic charm.
Our Top 11 Spots in Chatham
The Chatham Squire: The Squire offers a menu with a wide selection of good eats, from stuffed quahog to the chef’s carbonara. They also have a gift shop to purchase a souvenir of your Chatham visit! Be sure to sit down to a meal at this cozy spot.
Wild Goose Tavern: Known as “The Goose” to the locals, this establishment offers a variety of seafood and other meals, so there’s something for everyone. As a Lynch family favorite, it sure is a place you won’t want to miss!
Chatham Orpheum Theatre: Offering movies both new and old, the Chatham Orpheum Theatre is the perfect place to spend an afternoon, or to close off a beach day in the evening. They serve up some delicious food to enjoy while watching your movie as well.
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge: A great way to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. Spend a couple hours strolling through the refuge, and enjoy the wildlife and natural beauty of Cape Cod. Perfect for the kids, too.
Bluefins Sushi & Sake Bar: If you’re looking for some of the best sushi around, you definitely have to try Bluefins. From shrimp tempura rolls to spicy scallop rolls, as well as a full non-sushi menu, your whole crew will find something to please their palette.
Lighthouse Beach: Lighthouse beach offers great swimming, but an even better scenic walk along the sand. Swimmers beware: seals and sharks are occasionally present at the beach, which is a fascinating sight, but also a dangerous one.
Chatham Cookware Café: Chatham Cookware offers a cozy atmosphere, and is the perfect spot to grab breakfast, pastries, and sandwiches. Whether you’re rushing to get to the beach or settling into a lazy Sunday, you’ll start the day off right.
Chatham Anglers Baseball: Catch a ballgame and support the local baseball team. The Anglers are part of the Cape Cod baseball league that plays throughout the summer. They also hold an annual event called First Night in Chatham to kick off the summer. Be sure to visit one of their games!
Chatham Pier Fish Market: Stop in for some of the best (and freshest) lobster rolls around! Every day the selection of fish is caught right before your eyes at their dock, so you’ll know that your fish is coming straight out of the ocean and onto your plate.
Chatham Bars Inn: One of the Cape’s most iconic and historic places to stay, the Chatham Bars Inn offers a luxurious and quaint experience that’s hard to beat. Stay in one of their many rooms, or make a reservation for a decadent oceanside dinner.
Ridgevale Beach: One of our favorites! Ridgevale offers both an ocean and bay side, for swimmers who enjoy both rougher and calmer waters. Ride the current in the bay, search for crabs, swim, or kayak.
You won’t want to miss this wonderful Cape town, so hit the road and tell us about the spots to check out!
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Sources
Historic Chatham. History of Chatham. Retrieved from https://www.historic-chatham.org/plaques300_1.html.
Chatham Seafarer. Cape Cod Dining Options in Chatham, Massachusetts. Retrieved from https://www.chathamseafarer.com/cape-cod-dining-options-chatham-massachusetts/.
Chatham Seafarer. Chatham Beaches. Retrieved from https://www.chathamseafarer.com/chatham-cape-cod-beaches/.
Tripadvisor. Things to do in Chatham. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g41499-Activities-Chatham_Cape_Cod_Massachusetts.html.
