Hi. Our family (three kids 8-13) has never been to this area before. We are considering renting a cottage (something nice but reasonable) for a week, but would appreciate some suggestions as to the best locations and things to do as we plan our trip.. Thank you..

Summer? Spring or Fall "shoulder season"? Price range?

You can do a week on the Cape and MV for anywhere from $1000 to $10,000, depending on when, where and how luxurious you need it to be.

I would definitely try to find something that is walkable to a village and a beach. Some of my favorite areas are Osterville, New Seabury, and Hyannis. Provincetown can be fun, but maybe not the best for kids. Beach there is really pretty. Ptown is also a far drive out. The other area I mentioned are more mid-cape, which is important when you consider traffic can be a bear on weekends getting on and off the cape.

Also I would say try to plan between Memorial Day and Labor Day for optimal beach weather. The cape has its appeal year round, so if you're looking for something off season to save $ you'll still find it a relaxing place to get away.

I'd pick Orleans, or a town on the National Seashore, such as Eastham or Wellfleet.

You really can't go wrong here. I think the biggest concern is, if you go to MV, you're basically going to be spending your time on an island (albeit a lovely one). The Cape itself has a lot of variety - Chatham, Provincetown, Wellfleet - it's win-win-win! -- so, I always prefer the Cape.

I usually think of the Cape as being divided into three sections for beaches. http://www.capeguide.com/beaches.htm The bayside has calm beaches. From Sandwich all the way up to Truro, the water is warm and the waves are waaaaay calmer than the oceanside. But then on the oceanside, from Falmouth to Harwich, the water is colder and waves are stronger but once you get beyond the elbow at Chatham you reach real open ocean where the water can be very cold and the waves quite powerful.

Same with the land mass. Bayside tends to be more peaceful along 6A. Rt 28 is the height of commercial activity and once beyond the elbow these two roads basically converge into Rt 6. Ptown has a stong gay contingent so if that affects your sensibilities . . . but the dunes along the National Seshore are fun. Riding bikes along the bike trail is fun. There are walking trails in Nickerson State park. Don't miss the kettle ponds. Mini golf is fun, and there are plenty of real golf courses. Artery clogging fried clams are delicious. You can go on a whale watch. You can go to a Cape League baseball game and see future mlb players. Ice cream is always a treat.

With a rental cottage, half the fun is just BBQ'ing after a day at the beach and playing wiffle ball in the backyard. Obviously being able to walk to the beach from your cottage is nice, but should not be a deal breaker. You may try multiple beaches. Learn a little about parking and permits. This knowledge can be esoteric like you can only pick up passes on weekdays at the Town Hall in some places.

I think there is more to do for kids on the Cape vs. MV or Nantucket but you can take a day trip to either to get the flavor.

Any suggestions for cottages on the cape. Something economical and close to the beach as three young kids. Nice down time, BBQ, beach fun... kids stuff. The bike trails sound great.

If we wanted to do a day trip over to Martha's Vineyard, is there parking on the cape. It seems like bike rentals are reasonable on MV and may make more sense than bring our own bikes on the ferry for a day trip.

Am looking on VRBO at Orleans, Chatham, Wellfleet... any suggestions for first trip. Some are on lakes... is it better to be near beach or do most drive to the better beaches anyhow... Are there lots of bike rental places around. We are coming from the west coast so wont have our bikes with us...

Some people like to swim in the ponds on the Cape. I've never done so. We like to beach hop, but with several young children, you will probably want to be fairly close to one appealing beach.

The beaches have parking fees, but a pass is often good at more than one public beach in the same town. The Cape Cod National Seashore pass is good at their six beaches.

You may be able to get a weekly pass at a discount for the town beaches in the town you're renting in. The National Seashore also has daily and seasonal passes.

Skaket Beach in Orleans, which is very pretty, is calm. It would be nice for young kids. For a bigger beach with bigger waves, you can also go to Nauset in the same town. (Parking pass is good at both.)

There are bike rentals on the Cape. I don't think you'll have any problem finding a shop.

http://bountifulcottage.com/ in S. Wellfleet on dead end road near water (bayside)

Sleeps 6, $2075/week High Season Summer 2014. Availability & More information here: www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p105947 (Bring your own sheets/towels, or rent for $150 additional)

About a mile off of Route 6.

Owner lives in house next door.

There are Bike/Kayak rental places on Rt 6.

Airports on Cape are Hyannis & Provincetown. AA will interline via Cape Air through to Providence Town (PVC) or Hyannis, and I think most of the other majors (DL,UA,...) will as well, not sure about WN, or if the price/schedule will suit you. You might have better luck with a car rental at Hyannis compare to PVC.