Things to do on-site and nearby
On-site at Chatham Bars Inn you can relax on a quarter-mile private beach, swim in two heated outdoor pools (including a family zero-entry main pool and an adults-only spa pool), dine at several distinct restaurants, and book spa treatments and seasonal boat excursions. Nearby options include the Chatham Fish Pier, Chatham Railroad Museum, the Chatham Seaside Links golf course, and organized boat trips to seal colonies, Monomoy, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.
In this guide
Beach, pools, and oceanside facilities
Chatham Bars Inn maintains a quarter-mile private sandy beach with cabanas, lounge chairs and oceanside food and beverage service during the season. The main oceanfront pool is heated, zero-entry on one side, and includes splash fountains for kids.
The Spa pool and hot tub are heated and reserved for guests age 16 and up to provide a quieter adults-only area. Pool and beach amenities, cabana service and seasonal beach-side dining are operated by the resort.
- Private quarter-mile beach with cabanas and oceanside service
- Zero-entry oceanfront main pool (family-friendly) with splash fountains
- Adults-only Spa pool and hot tub (16+)
- Seasonal boat shuttle to North Beach Island (included with some room rates)
| Facility | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Main Pool (heated, zero-entry) | Families, all ages |
| Spa Pool & Hot Tub (heated) | Guests 16 and older |
| Private Beach | All guests (seasonal service) |
Dining and bars on property
Chatham Bars Inn operates several on-site restaurants and bars with different styles — from fine dining to casual beacheside meals. STARS is the oceanview fine-dining restaurant (breakfast daily; dinner Wed–Sat as listed by the property) and observes Resort Evening Attire for dinner.
Casual options include Beach House Grill on the sand for lunches, clambakes and seafood classics, The Sacred Cod Tavern for tavern-style fare and a children's menu, and open-air venues such as The Veranda and Bayview Terrace for light fare and seasonal live music.
- STARS — Contemporary American seafood; breakfast and dinner (reservation recommended for dinner)
- Beach House Grill — beachfront lunch and dinner; Cape Cod clambake option available
- The Sacred Cod — casual tavern with farm-fresh New England fare; first-come, first-served
- Bayview Terrace & The Veranda — seasonal al fresco light fare and pre-dinner drinks
- South Lounge Bar — greenhouse-style bar and afternoon tea
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| STARS | Breakfast & Dinner (oceanview, fine dining) |
| Beach House Grill | Lunch & Dinner (beachfront, casual) |
| Sacred Cod | Lunch & Dinner (tavern, family-friendly) |
The Spa and fitness offerings
The Spa at Chatham Bars Inn offers oversized treatment rooms, steam showers, a hydrotherapy tub, outdoor treatment cabanas, landscaped Japanese-style gardens and a therapeutic outdoor relaxation pool. The spa is open daily and provides signature treatments such as the Ocean Massage and the Tides Massage.
The fitness center is complimentary and open 24 hours with Echelon bikes, TRX, a HIIT rower, cardio equipment, free weights and dedicated stretching/yoga space. Private personal training and one-on-one yoga sessions are available on request.
- Spa hours listed as daily 9:00–20:00; spa requests guests arrive early to use amenities
- Signature treatments include the Ocean Massage and a 90-minute Healing Seaweed Body Wrap
- Spa facilities and spa pool access require guests to be age 16 or older
- Fitness Center: open 24 hours; bookings available for private training
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spa treatments | Open to guests and the public; 24-hour cancellation policy |
| Spa facilities | Spa pool and relaxation areas: 16+ only |
| Fitness center | Complimentary, open 24 hours |
Boating, wildlife cruises and island trips
Chatham Bars Inn runs seasonal boating programs from the property including whale-watching (May–October), seal-watching harbor cruises, sunset and champagne cruises, sailing lessons and offshore fishing charters. Some boat outings depart directly from the inn’s harbor or pier.
The resort also offers private charters to nearby islands such as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard and a seasonal boat shuttle to North Beach Island; these boats provide access to barrier beaches and seal colonies that are reachable only by water.
- Whale-watching cruises (May–October) — primarily humpback sightings
- Morning Harbor Seal Cruise aboard the Bar Tender
- Private charters: Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, sunset/champagne cruises
- Sailing instruction and Young Sailing program (children 7+)
| Excursion | Typical season or requirement |
|---|---|
| Whale-watching | May–October |
| Seal-watching harbor cruise | Seasonal; departs from the inn |
| Private island charter (Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard) | Pre-book with concierge |
Family activities and kids programs
Chatham Bars Inn offers a seasonal Kids Crew program for children ages 4 to 12 with morning sessions that are complimentary and optional evening supervised childcare for a surcharge. The main pool has family-friendly features including a zero-entry side and splash fountains.
There are family-oriented on-site activities such as sailing instruction for young guests and organized beach programming in season; the resort includes included amenities like bike rentals and select fitness and yoga classes that families can use together.
- Kids Crew: ages 4–12; morning sessions complimentary, evening sessions paid
- Young Sailing Instruction: children 7 and older
- Family-friendly pool features and summer programming
- Included amenities with room rate: bike rentals, seasonal Kids Crew sessions, select fitness classes
| Program | Age range |
|---|---|
| Kids Crew (morning) | 4–12 (complimentary mornings) |
| Evening supervised childcare | 4–12 (surcharge) |
| Young Sailing Instruction | 7+ |
Local sights and walkable attractions
On foot from the resort you can reach the Chatham Fish Pier for seal-watching and fresh seafood, the Chatham Railroad Museum and Mayo House. The municipal Chatham Seaside Links nine-hole golf course sits adjacent to the property and is listed as a short walk from the inn.
For nature and wildlife, the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and its barrier islands are accessible only by boat; the inn’s boating program offers excursions to nearby islands and seal colonies. The Cape Cod Rail Trail and other regional day-trip options are available via the resort’s transportation services.
- Chatham Fish Pier — watch seals and fishing boats; walkable from the inn
- Chatham Railroad Museum and Mayo House — local history within walking distance
- Chatham Seaside Links — nine-hole golf course adjacent to the inn
- Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge — best reached by boat or organized excursion
| Attraction | Access |
|---|---|
| Chatham Fish Pier | Walkable |
| Chatham Railroad Museum | Walkable |
| Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge | Boat access / organized excursions |
