As a born and raised local, I am supposed to keep this secret buried underneath the sand that my summers have been so wonderfully spent on. But sometimes, the Cape is just too beautiful to keep quiet about. So if you pass through a summer without a few days spent on Cape, I’ll be the first to tell you you’re doing it wrong, and here's why.

1. The Seafood

Where else are you going to get cod this fresh and clam chowder this addictive? Fried, baked or broiled, Cape Cod knows how to do seafood, and we’ll get you hooked.

2. The National Seashore

Sunrise, sunset or anytime in between.

3. Route 6A

You have probably been sitting in traffic since you could see the top of the bridge, so I invite you to take the first exit off the highway you can and take the scenic route. It may take a little longer, but you're on Cape time now.

4. The Ice Cream

Homemade. Local. And it's everywhere.

5. ACK and MV Only a Ferry Away

Want to take on the islands for a day? We’ll see you when you get back to the mainland!

6. Wellfleet Drive-Ins

Step away from Netflix and into a scene from "Grease." Get all the proper snacks and blankets because it's a double feature, and we’re staying for both.

7. We love local, and we show it.

If you're coming for chain restaurants and stores, you’re in the wrong place. We love our old penny candy stores and fried clam shacks that have been there since our parents spent their summers here. We have created the Cape's version of just about everything because we've found that it's better when it's local.

8. The Sandwich Boardwalk

When you jump once, you’ll get it.

9. Provincetown

Welcoming to anyone and everyone, with an amazing local culture and a common pod of whales, many decide to take a whale-watching tour right off the coast.

10. Cape Cottages

We have this love for the simple and the relaxed. These are cottages that people have found a home in for so many years. On the Cape, you don't really need anything more than this.

11. But that doesn’t mean taking a drive through New Seabury isn’t worth it.

So there are some that prefer these over the cottages, and spending a day staring at these pieces of Cape beauty isn't the worst way to pass the time.

12. The Locals

So I had to give a shout-out the rest of my beautiful Cape Cod locals deserve. We sit through the traffic, the lines to our favorite restaurants, the full parking lots of our favorite beaches, but we still love our visitors. We know our home, and we're happy to share.

13. Preppy? We’ve got you covered.

Do you enjoy breaking out your finest navy stripes? What about that starfish button-up or bracelet of a whale? We welcome all of the nautical clothing, and our fancier dining will have you feeling like the Kennedys in no time.

14. Casual? The more the merrier.

You want to wear your swimsuit all day? Sand never really ever getting completely cleaned off your feet? This is the Cape. We thrive off of crazy saltwater, curly hair and sunburnt skin.

15. There is no better place to learn your place in the ocean.

Kayak? Stand up paddle board? What about surfing? Take your pick and don't forget the sunscreen!

16. Beach Bonfires

This is a local secret. It’s been leaked from time to time, but the Cape is perfect for sitting around a bonfire, whether you camp out or just watch the stars for a bit. The ocean breeze and the warm fire may have you wondering whether you ever want to leave.

17. The History

We have been here for quite a long time, and we sort of love that. Take a ride through the old Cape towns and you’ll find not a lot has changed. Go ahead—stop at that colonial landmark. We will only half judge you on that selfie you're about to take.

18. The Fourth

So if you happen to have your Cape getaway, or decide to spend your summer here, you can’t miss the Fourth. The Cape and the Fourth of July have this "sparks flying" kind of romance going, and we can’t see the day they’ll ever part ways.

19. Come for a sail or two.

Woods Hole, our countless marinas, sailing as second nature, you name it. Come spend the day sailing around the cape, maybe even see a few of those sharks everyone’s in a huff about.

20. The Atmosphere

May through September on Cape Cod has the most amazing atmosphere past those ever crowded bridges. As a Cape summer veteran, I can honestly say you will never get tired of. Fire up your grill, rent that cute little cottage, stop to smell the hydrangeas, feel the sea spray and fill your lungs with fresh ocean air. See you all in beach traffic real soon.