Discovery Bicycle Tours Cape Cod, “Your next great adventure starts here.”

The Palmer House Inn has been affiliated with Discovery Bicycle Tours for four years. We always look forward to the arrival of the cyclists, it is our unofficial start to the summer season. This June they will come to stay with us for two nights starting on June 10th and then again June 24th. The complete tour includes two additional nights on Martha’s Vineyard. The total cost of the trip is $2,395.

During the days spent in Falmouth on Cape Cod, they follow beach roads and “The Shining Sea Bike Path“. These roads and paths weave through salt marshes, cranberry bogs, bird sanctuaries, barrier beaches and tidal flats. The sanctuaries are filled with geese, egrets, red winged black birds, osprey and  many species of ducks. For lunch you will dine at Dana’s kitchen, one of Falmouth’s best known eateries. The evening meals will be at The Quarterdeck Restaurant that is known for its outstanding seafood offerings., however, they have a complete menu of steaks chops and even vegetation dishes. On the second evening you will dine at Osteria la Civeta, a charming northern Italian restaurant located in Falmouth Village and just a seven minute stroll from the Palmer House Inn.

You begin your third day with a sumptuous breakfast in the Palmer House dining room. Then you ride to a scenic ferry that takes you to Martha’s Vineyard. While on the Vineyard you will visit the elegant town of Edgartown. It was a colonial seaport with rows of 18th century homes that are a reminder of the great prosperity of the early whaling era. The beautiful bicycle route that Discovery has chosen, takes you past the three-mile barrier beach of Katama and then on to West Tisbury. Then you will take short ferry ride to Chappaquiddick Island. Where you will bike around the island. Next is a visit to the town of Vineyard Haven, where you will ride past historic West Chop Light and bike “up island”to the legendary Aquinnah Cliffs. The next destination is the charming fishing village of Menemsha and lovely Menemsha beach. Menemsha is working village with its own fleet. Its claim to fame is that it is where the 1971’s motion picture “Jaws” was filmed.

You will also visit the town of Oak Bluffs where you will explore the famous labyrinthine streets that are lined with small rainbow colored, Victorian, gingerbread style cottages.  You will also see the nations oldest Flying Horses Carousel.

More information on Martha’s Vineyard

• Martha’s Vineyard Sightseeing Bus
• Martha’s Vineyard Daytrip (2009)
• Martha’s Vineyard’s Edgartown Lighthouse

In the nineteenth century, Oak Bluffs started as a place where religious revival meetings were held. There was a large tent in the center for the meetings, and smaller tents formed a circle around the large tent. As time passed, the central structure was made of iron and on the wooden tent platforms the little houses were constructed. As one would expect, a town formed around the harbor area close to the camp grounds. The town had hotels and taverns. This was not acceptable to the religious community who frowned upon the use of alcohol. As a result, a fence was built around the their community and the gates were closed and locked each evening.  Remnants of that fence can still be found to this day.

• The tour information may change. Please see event organizer for details. 

Discovery Bicycle Tours

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While all of our guestrooms have their own charm suitable for relaxation after the most wonderful day exploring Cape Cod’s history, we recommend the Harriet Beecher Stowe room, the Theodore Roosevelt room or the Emily Dickinson room. These rooms feature comfortable king beds, fireplaces, jetted tubs and a relaxing stay before and after your day.