As visitors from over the bridge often remind those of us who live here, we sometimes take a lot for granted in this little corner of New England. While we Cape Codders often poke fun at the stressed and high-strung mannerisms of our city brethren, we often pass over the spectacles and mysteries that inhabit our own backyard.

Add some color to your visit with one of our spectacular sunsets. 
Photo:  Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Though summer traffic might sometimes make us forget, we year-round residents are thankful for the friends and family who stop by and remind us how special Cape Cod really is. It's the sight of a half-dozen visitors scattered on the beach, silent as their faces glow in the gold and red hue of a sunset, that reawakens locals' appreciation for their beloved home. There is no place on earth like Cape Cod.

Oh, there are some "experts" who might argue about the degree of the earth's curvature and the impossibility of truly seeing the sun sink into a placid Cape Cod Bay. These are the same folks who would criticize Monet's impressionism as being "fuzzy." We invite you to judge for yourself.

The truth is that almost any point on the Cape is a fine vantage for a gorgeous sunset. Even when you move north along the east-facing beaches of the Lower Cape, you still are not far away from awe-inspiring sunsets. Perhaps one of the best venues to observe the phenomenon of sun meeting sea, though, is Skaket Beach in Orleans.

Witness the beauty for yourself at this and some of our other favorite spots.

Gray's Beach, Yarmouthport

Many also call this Bass Hole. Perhaps this less-complimentary-sounding name is just a clever way of disguising one of the Cape's great sunset spots. A long boardwalk, lots of sand, and a picnic area give Gray's Beach a wonderful bit of charm, but it's the sight of the sun disappearing into the horizon of Cape Cod Bay and the Upper Cape that makes this a special spot.

Chapin Memorial Beach, Dennis

Right across the town line from Gray's Beach, Chapin Beach also offers a great venue to admire the sunset. You have to bring your own blanket or beach chairs, as there are no picnic tables here.

Wychmere Harbor, Harwichport

Considered one of the prettiest harbors on the Cape, Wychmere can be a superb place for sunset watchers. The beach next to the harbor is part of the private Wychmere Harbor Beach Club, but the real view can be taken from a little observation area off Mass. Rt. 28. This pulloff is so popular, parking time is limited to 15 minutes. That's OK. Nick and Dick's ice cream parlor is just down the street. Now what could be better than grabbing an ice cream and crossing the street to see witness a lovely Cape sunset?

Skaket Beach, Orleans

Right in the crook of the Cape's elbow, Skaket offers a view that is distinctly Cape Cod. On a clear day, you can glimpse most of both the Upper and Lower Cape coastlines. In the evening, the sun dips into Cape Cod Bay, offering you that rare East Coast treat of seeing the sun set on water.

Great Island, Wellfleet

This secluded section of the National Seashore overlooks Cape Cod Bay to its west and Wellfleet Harbor to the east. This rather secluded area is a hiker's delight and an artist's dream at sunset.

Cape Cod Light, Truro

Take advantage of the boardwalk and benches that were built when the lighthouse was moved back from the cliff. Even though you are on the ocean side of the Cape, you are high enough to see the water and much of the setting sun on the bay side. It's simply a spectacular view from these Truro cliffs, where you have dunes, ocean, bay, Pilgrim Monument, and Cape Cod Light to frame your sunset.

Race Point, Provincetown

At any time of day, Race Point is a scene stealer. The knuckles on the fist of Cape Cod, Race Point sits on the very tip of the Cape, surrounding you with water on three sides.

At Sea

We've saved the best for last on this list. Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard are great vantage points for a sunset, but for a truly memorable sight, book your return trip from either island to catch the setting sun from the back of the ferry. How lovely is a Cape sunset from here? Well, on at least a few occasions, after the sun, sky, sea, and horizon have worked their magic, the crowd of 40 or so at the back of the ferry has been known to applaud spontaneously. Now that's tough to beat.