Keith's Guidebook

To get to the beach while walking down Main Street (about 15 minutes) Walk on Main Street and walk to the end of Main Street where it comes to a "T". Turn Right onto Main Street at this intersection and walk about 5 minutes to Andrew Hardings Lane. You can turn left onto Andrew Hardings Lane to go to this beautiful, more secluded beach. It is smaller than Lighthouse Beach, but if you continue walking to the right, Lighthouse Beach is connected to Andrew Hardings Beach. If you prefer Lighthouse Beach, which is a larger beach with spectacular views of sandbars and fishing boats arriving back from sea, continue down Main Street until you see the small parking area for Lighthouse Beach on your left. The parking limit is only 30 minutes for this area so you should either walk to Lighthouse Beach or park on Bridge Street. If you park on Bridge Street, you’ll need a beach parking permit during the summer months. We sometimes drop off our beach gear and then walk from the house to the beach.   To Walk to the Beach from the Harbor (about 15 minutes): Go down the stairway that goes down the bank to Little Mill Pond. Turn Left on the path and the path curves to the right, and take the neighborhood bridge over the tidal river area. Look for "Ellen’s Rail" on your left and walk up the hill using Ellen’s Rail to Chase Street. Walk down Chase Street and at the end of Chase Street, turn Left onto Sunset Street. Next turn Right onto School Street. Turn Left onto Hallet Street, and at the end of Hallet Street turn Right onto Main Street. Pass a couple of houses and you’ll see Andrew Hardings Lane on your left. You can turn left onto Andrew Hardings Lane to go to Andrew Hardings Beach which is a smaller, more secluded beach. Andrew Hardings Beach is connected to Lighthouse Beach if you keep walking towards the right. If you prefer Lighthouse Beach, which is a larger beach with spectacular views of sandbars and fishing boats arriving back from sea, continue down Main Street until you see the small parking area for Lighthouse Beach on your left. The parking limit is only 30 minutes for this area so you should either walk to Lighthouse Beach or park on Bridge Street. If you park on Bridge Street, you’ll need a beach parking permit during the summer months. We sometimes drop off our beach gear and then walk from the house to the beach 　 BEACH WARNINGS: Please be sure to pay careful attention to the signs at Lighthouse Beach. The Lighthouse Beach sea-scape is ever-changing. This beautiful expanse of sand offers nature walks out to southern Monomoy Island plus views of the daily migration routes of Chatham's many seals and fishing boats.　　　 Be aware of your surroundings while swimming and beach closures due to shark sightings. Do not swim if there are seals present. Don’t go out too deep and avoid swimming at dawn or dusk or during evening/nighttime hours.

The strength of the current at Lighthouse Beach is sometimes significant. It is most dangerous at the south tip of Lighthouse Beach which is closed to swimming. The beginning of the no swim area is marked by signs posted on the beach. Please read and pay attention to all signage. The signs are there to protect against unexpected currents.　

Lighthouse Beach is not always guarded by lifeguards. It is swim-at-your-own-risk and is open in most areas. The beach is monitored by beach/boat patrols. The patrols are there to assess the beach, educate the public, prevent and respond to emergencies. The beach/boat patrols are not there to guard you or your families in the water. 

A flagpole at the top of the stairs leading to the beach and a second flagpole on the beach below the parking lot warns the public of dangerous conditions. The red flag means swimming is PROHIBITED in all areas. The Lighthouse Beach patrols run from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm daily June 21 through Labor Day weekend.   Lighthouse Beach doesn’t have a parking lot.  During the Summer Season, Beach Parking Passes for the other beaches are available at: Town Beach Kiosks (located at Hardings Beach, Ridgevale Beach, Cockle Cove Beach, Daily, 9-4) Harbormaster Department (613 Stage Harbor Road, Daily, 8:30-5:30) Town Beach Permit Office (283 George Ryder Road, M-F, 8-12 1:30-4) Beach Stickers are not necessary during off season.

Within a few minutes walk from the house… Walk down Homestead Lane and explore Chatham Village! Many options for clothing stores, household items, unique gifts, jewelry, specialty shops and galleries! The Café at the end of the street serves breakfast and lunch, and makes bagel sandwiches, etc.  During the summer season plan on getting there early for breakfast to avoid the crowds. Some other close by favorites: Mermaids on Main, Monomoy Coffee Company and the alleyway on the left with the Snowy Owl Coffee Espresso bar/bakery situated next to the Lilly Pulitzer store and the BlueFins Sushi Is An Absolute Must! A favorite ice cream spot: Buffy’s ice cream (on the right as you walk down Main St), however, it is currently up for sale. Emack and Bolios is a great ice cream option—Usually they’re only open during the summer season. Within walking distance from the house: Cuvée at the Chatham Inn, the Chatham Squire, Bluefins Sushi (a must!), Impudent Oyster (great seafood), and the Orpheum Theater.

Open seasonally usually only during the summer…Huge sizes of Hawaiian shaved ice.

A fun place to walk or while taking a break from shopping and dining on Main Street

Beautiful and peaceful setting, overlooking the ocean, with great restaurants! Enjoy a drink or a snack in the Adirondack chairs overlooking the ocean.

On Depot Road in Chatham