We packed up our car and headed 5 hours up the coast to Cape Cod for what I knew was going to be a bittersweet end to our summer travels last year. My husband adjusted a few things on his schedule and we were lucky enough to squeeze in a stay at the Lighthouse Inn, a beautiful and grand historic lighthouse built in the 1800s along the Bass River in Massachusetts.
It was late August and the weather was warm and perfect, it felt like the beginning of a novel. One that I couldn’t wait to dive into and see what unfolded next.
As soon as we drove up, I fell in love with everything about this charming beachfront property. It had a nostalgic vibe that makes you feel comfy and right at home from the start. The Lighthouse Inn is in fact, a full-service resort that sits on a private beach with an outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, a fire pit, and a playground. There are also fun activities like shuffleboard, miniature golf, volleyball, a game room, and a lounge to enjoy a glass of wine or a cozy up with a cup of tea.
My daughter in particular really loved having all the fun amenities within a few feet of each other. She’s our little social butterfly and definitely the more adventurous of our two kids. The sense of family was so welcoming as we explored the property and that was certainly something we felt a connection to during our time at the Cape.
It’s rare to be able to stay at an oceanfront property that’s steps away from the sea yet it’s still affordable for a family getaway. The Lighthouse Inn offers an opportunity to really enjoy the most beautiful part of the Cape Cod lifestyle and that’s beach living at its best.
Our quaint little beach cottage had a gorgeous view of the ocean with two large rooms and two bathrooms. The roomy bedrooms were ideal for the kids to spread out and they both had their individual beds. I was really pleasantly surprised at how much space we had for a family of four in our cottage. It was incredibly comfy and did I mention the view?! Wow.
Breakfast at the Lighthouse Inn was also such a treat. Our stay included a large buffet-style breakfast with lots of yum options to start your day. There’s nothing like enjoying your breakfast al fresco in the outdoor patio with a dreamy ocean view.
Things To Do
While we were there we decided to take the ferry to explore the quintessential Nantucket lifestyle. It was everyone’s #1 suggestion and they were right! Although we didn’t get far from the port, there are tons of great shops and restaurants to choose from and so much more to take in within walking distance.
Nantucket is marked by unpainted cedar-shingled buildings, many surrounded by manicured privets. The wharves and cobblestoned streets of the Town of Nantucket are lined with high-end boutiques and steepled churches.ย
Honestly, while we were there, I didn’t take as many photos. I really wanted to be in the moment, especially since we only had a few hours to enjoy it before we boarded the ferry back to Hyannis.
A great dinner option a little closer to the Lighthouse Inn is The Swan River Restaurant and Fish Market right by… you guessed it, the Swan River. We popped in for dinner there with the kids on our first night and again the weather was incredible. We were seated just in time to watch the sunset on the horizon. It was a perfect local spot with a beachy family-friendly feel. Very easy breezy and casually comfortable.
As we started wrapping up our trip, we couldn’t leave without taking a tour of the historic lighthouse. We spent the entire time admiring it from outside and it was time to take a look all the way to the top.
My husband and I took the charming tour through the original part of the house and squeezed all the way up to the lighthouse windows at the very top. We felt like little kids heading into a secret hideaway on top of a tower and the panoramic view from the lighthouse windows was extraordinary. We love exploring places that have tons of history and charm and the Lighthouse Inn delivers effortlessly.
Thereโs a timeless beauty in the Lighthouse Inn experience: the history of the buildings as well as the excellent service we received as guestsโthe same warm-hearted hospitality that the Stone family has shown the Innโs visitors since 1938.
We loved soaking up the maritime grandeur of Cape Codโs south shore and sharing that experience with our family. We really can’t wait to visit again, explore more of the cape, and next time visit Martha’s Vineyard as well.
Many thanks to the entire Stone family and the lovely staff of the Lighthouse Inn for a gorgeous and memorable family getaway. We hope to visit again soon!
Where should we go next? Let me know in the comments below!
