Morris Island, actually a rocky promontory firmly attached to the mainland, is your launch pad for this hike down to the extreme tip of Cape Cod. Because the parking lot at the beach can be crowded in summer months, we suggest you leave your car at the Inn and walk from there to the Chatham Lighthouse. This walk will add about 20 minutes each way to your hike. From the Inn, walk left on Route 28 and turn right on Morris Island Road. Once at the lighthouse, take the stairs down to the beach. The refuge is the sandy beach that juts in the Atlantic Ocean at about 2 o’clock..

The Refuge is one of the most famous ornithological places on the Eastern seaboard, with many rare bird species stopping here along their migration paths. Seals can also be observed in colder months. It is also a spectacular place to hike, as you can easily feel being a very narrow band of sand thrusting into the ocean. If you walk down to the southern tip of Morris Island, the round-trip may be more than 4 hours, especially if you stop along the way to picnic or take an afternoon nap in the sun.

The Wayside Inn is one of several hotels at Chatham but it is conveniently located in the center of the town, just beside the Kate Gould Park. The Inn includes a restaurant that offers good fare and attentive service at reasonable prices. Many of the inn rooms are recent or have been refurbished recently and most exhibit a cleanliness and tasteful décor rarely encountered at that price level. The service is also quite good, which has made this place our favorite in Chatham.