Choose Granite Countertops Near Me Chatham, MA for Elegance and Durability

More than 30 white shark sightings were confirmed off the coast of Massachusetts this week.

Most of the sightings occurred in the waters off Monomoy Island in Chatham and were logged by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy via its shark-tracking app, Sharktivity.

Twenty-five sharks were spotted near Monomoy Island, and the AWSC also logged a dead seal near Monomoy Point that appeared to have been preyed upon by a shark. On Thursday, an AWSC boat in that area photographed a white shark about 50 yards from shore.

The previous day, another white shark was photographed a few miles north.

In addition to the confirmed sightings, 11 sharks previously tagged by the AWSC were acoustically detected in the waters around Massachusetts. The majority of those came on Wednesday, when Gaby, Mueller, Groot, Ring Pop and Skellington were all detected off North Beach Island in Chatham.

More than 15 shark species reside in New England waters, according to the New England Aquarium. That local population includes the dusky shark, a 12-foot endangered species that researchers recently caught on camera eating seals off Nantucket.

While dusky sharks were historically believed to primarily target fish, the rebounding seal population has changed their feeding habits.

“Nobody knew they were capable of actively hunting for and preying on seals,” said Megan Winton, Ph.D., a senior scientist with the AWSC. “This was a really incredible discovery.”

To stay safe amid the growing presence of marine predators, experts say beachgoers need to exercise common sense. The New England Aquarium advises visitors to be “aware of sharks’ presence in shallow waters, avoiding areas where seals are present or schools of fish are visible, and staying close to shore where emergency responders can reach you if needed.”

Winton added an urgent warning for swimmers to avoid the animals’ primary food sources.

“You don’t want to swim with shark food,” Winton said. “If you see seals, as charming and as cute as you might think they are, you don’t want to be swimming with them. Realize they are prey for large sharks, including white sharks and, now we know, dusky sharks.”

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00

Veteran's Field

702 Main St

Chatham, MA 02633

Year Opened: 1923

Capacity: 8,500

The Right Angle

Chatham, Massachusetts is a town located at the “elbow” of Cape Cod. A resort town with a population of about 6,600 residents, the population swells to over 25,000 during the summer.

Teams representing the town of Chatham have played in the Cape League since its inception in 1923. The site of Veteran’s Field was the location of Chatham’s first high school, which was built in 1858. When a new consolidated school was built in 1924, it paved the way for the construction of the ball field.

Chatham’s squad was known as the A’s from 1960s to 2009, when several teams decided to stop sharing names with Major League squads. The team was rebranded as the Anglers. This allows for the team to continue to be informally called “The A’s,” while invoking a most appropriate nautical theme. The A’s/Anglers have won five titles in the Cape League’s “Modern Era”, most recently in 1998. Over 100 A’s/Anglers alumni have gone on to play in the Major Leagues.

The Snack Shack serves as Veteran’s Field’s snack bar. Located directly behind the first base dugout, standard ballpark fare, including hot dogs, burgers and pizza slices are featured here. Fans wanting their hot dog with a little more oomph can upgrade to Coach Schiffner’s famous Chili Dog. There’s a decent variety of snacks available here, including popcorn served in a souvenir Anglers cup, Cracker Jacks, assorted candy, Cape Cod Chips (of course) and Angler’s cookies decorated with a baseball theme. A selection of ice cream novelties are available.

Cans of Coca-Cola products are featured at Veteran’s Field. Since it can get very chilly here in Chatham at night, fans can also purchase coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

Chatham doesn’t feature the most extensive menu around, and their prices are a bit on the high side when compared to other Cape League ballparks. On the plus side, they grill their dogs and burgers to order. Fans looking for a bargain can wait until near the end of the game, when “dollar dogs” are announced. But be warned, quantities are limited, so be ready!

As is the case at all the Cape Cod League venues, teams in this league present their games in an “old-school” manner. Absent are silly between inning promotions and ear-shattering music played between innings. Fans looking for elaborate game-day productions will undoubtedly be disappointed with this simple approach, but baseball purists will enjoy every last second of it. PA announcements are limited to lineup changes and sponsor shout outs, and a simple scoreboard in left field displays basic game information.

There is a lot of room to roam at Veteran’s Field, both in the large berm that stretches from the right field foul pole to deep centerfield as well as the open grassy area on the first base side of the facility. There is a large playground located in this area, where kids can release some pent-up energy while their parents can still watch the ballgame.

Veteran’s Field is located just west of Chatham Center, a quaint neighborhood full of shops, cafés, and antique stores. Main Street is located a short walk from the ball field, and is a great spot to spend an afternoon before an Anglers game. Remember, a town this small and this popular is bound to get crowded, so if you are wishing to avoid the largest crowds and resulting traffic, visit the area in June, before schools let out for the summer and the tourists arrive en masse.

If you’re visiting Chatham and looking for a place to eat, you’ll have no problem finding a place. Among the choices here are Chatham Squire, Wild Goose Tavern, and Captain’s Table. Of course, seafood rules in a coastal town like Chatham, but there is something for everyone along Main Street. Likewise, there are plenty of lodging options here in town, but be prepared to pay premium prices during the baseball season. Chatham Tides, Chatham Wayside Inn and Greyfinch Chatham Inn are just some of the choices right in town.

During the summer, the Cape Cod Rail Trail, the Chatham Lighthouse, the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and The Chatham Railroad Museum (located just beyond the right field berm) are all popular destinations located within town limits. Other Cape Cod attractions are just a short drive away.

Chatham annually ranks at or near the top of the Cape League attendance rolls. Recent years have seen average crowds numbering over 2,000 per game. Tales are still told of the day the 1984 USA Olympic baseball team visited Chatham for a game against the A’s, with an estimated crowd of 10,000 in attendance.

Crowds at Veteran’s Field are similar to those elsewhere on the Cape, meaning that there is a strong presence from the locals, who often have a connection with the team as a booster, house parent, or volunteer. If not connected with the team officially, many of the fans present have been coming to see the Anglers play for years. Mixed in with the locals are tourists visiting the area and spending a relaxing night out at the ballpark. As one of the most complete “ballparks” in the Cape League, it’s a popular destination for ballpark travelers.

The town of Chatham is located at the elbow of Cape Cod, making it the furthest team to visit for any fans visiting from off-Cape (that’s anyone not living on Cape Cod, for those of us who don’t speak Cape-ese). Despite this, it’s relatively easy to find Veteran’s Field. It is located right on Route 28, which follows the southern coastline of the Cape. Fans utilizing public transportation can take Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority’s H20 bus route to a stop right at the Chatham Rotary.

Veteran’s Field itself is located in a natural bowl, with hills surrounding the playing surface. A grandstand behind home plate contains bleacher seating, along with plenty of room for standing room at the top and bottom of these stands. Additional bleachers are located down both foul lines. Netting obstructs views from all seating areas.

For many fans, the large outfield berm is the place to be. There is enough room out here for hundreds of fans on a busy night, or for kids to run around when it is less crowded. You will find many fans sitting on top of the berm along the Depot Road sidewalk or even in their vehicles, listening to the game on their radios.

Parking is available in a pair of small public lots adjacent to the ballpark or on the surrounding streets. This is most convenient for fans looking to spend their entire day in Chatham, as Main Street is a short walk from the ball field. Restrooms are located in a small building on the first base side of the facility. Be warned that not all areas surrounding Veterans Field are well lit or paved.

As is the case at all Cape Cod League ballparks, there is no charge to attend a Chatham Anglers game. The team will accept your donation, which they use to fund their operating costs. In return for your donation, the team will return the favor by giving you a program.

Parking is free in either of the two lots next to the field, or on any of the neighborhood streets. Just pay attention to the signs to make sure you are not in a restricted zone. Many fans bring their own coolers stocked with items to enjoy during the game, making a night out at the Anglers potentially free.

Displayed on the façade of the old-timey press box are four retired numbers for persons who were instrumental in the long history of Chatham baseball (John Schiffner, Ed Haird, Matt Fincher and Eddie Lyons).

Also be sure to check out the display of every Chatham A/Angler to play in the big leagues. It’s an enormous list with plenty of familiar names. A small plaque dedicated to former Chatham player Thurman Munson can also be found on the press box.

In 2025 over 400 Cape Cod alumni played in the Major Leagues. This factors out to one out of every six players to suit up in the majors last year. The Cape Cod League is without a doubt the premier summer collegiate league in the country. All ten teams in the circuit are located within an hour of each other, meaning you can spend a week seeing future Major Leaguers compete up close for free in one of the top tourist destinations in the nation. It’s an epic Stadium Journey.

A day in Chatham combines all the elements of a classic Cape Cod experience – nearby beaches, a quaint downtown with shops and excellent restaurants, and a nighttime ball game with virtually the entire town on hand. In a league full of unique parks and postcard-perfect towns, Chatham offers an experience that may top them all.

A truly stress-free weekend is less about what a town offers than about what it asks of you, which in the best cases is nothing at all. The towns that pull this off in Massachusetts tend to share a certain refusal to hurry: they set their pace by the tide, the ferry schedule, or the hour the fishing boats come in, and they expect visitors to fall into step rather than fill an itinerary. That is a harder quality to find than good scenery, and it is what separates a genuine reset from a busy weekend away. The eight towns here were chosen for exactly that, small enough to slow you down and self-contained enough that you never feel you are missing something elsewhere. Each makes a convincing case that doing very little is the whole point.

Where To Beat The Summer Rush In The Bay StateThis list includes Rockport, which guards the country's last working twin lighthouses above a quiet Cape Ann harbor.

Chatham

At the elbow of Cape Cod, Chatham runs at a noticeably gentler pace than the rest of the Cape's summer crowds, especially once you're a block off Main Street. A lot of that comes down to timing your day around the water: the fishing fleet returns to the Chatham Fish Pier most afternoons, and watching boats unload the day's catch, gulls wheeling overhead, does more for a racing mind than any wellness app. From the pier, it's an easy walk or short drive to Chatham Lighthouse, where the U.S. Coast Guard offers free public tours of the grounds. For something quieter still, the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge protects nearly 8,000 acres of barrier island, salt marsh, and dune just offshore, reachable by kayak or a short boat trip and largely free of the noise of the mainland. Evenings are made for Kate Gould Park, where a local band plays free summer concerts on Friday nights to a lawn full of picnic blankets.

Chatham's classic weekend-away address is the Chatham Bars Inn, a 1914 oceanfront resort with a private beach, full-service spa, and several restaurants overlooking Chatham Harbor. It is the kind of place built specifically around doing nothing productive for a couple of days.

Marblehead

Less than an hour from Boston, Marblehead markets itself almost bluntly as an antidote to city life, and the Harbor Light Inn, which pitches itself directly at burned-out commuters looking to trade a briefcase for a beach chair, is proof the town knows its audience. The appeal is straightforward: narrow colonial streets with 17th-century roots, a harbor full of sailboats, and none of Boston's traffic. Fort Sewall and Crocker Park, at either end of Front Street, both look out over Marblehead Harbor and make an easy pre-dinner walk. A short drive across the harbor, Chandler Hovey Park is the spot to see the Marblehead Light up close. The Old Town historic district rewards slow wandering, with boutiques, galleries, and the Marblehead Museum set into 18th-century houses along the way, and Devereux Beach offers a quieter stretch of sand than the town's more crowded harbor-front spots.

The Harbor Light Inn itself, a historic bed-and-breakfast in the center of Old Town, has an outdoor pool and rooms with fireplaces and jetted spa tubs, a five-minute walk from the harbor in either direction.

Edgartown

Edgartown trades the mainland's noise for the particular quiet of an island you can only reach by boat or small plane, and that barrier alone does a lot of the relaxing for you. Once you're off the ferry, white picket fences and a walkable harbor set the pace. Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse, especially near sunset, is worth the short walk from the village center, and a quick ferry ride over to Chappaquiddick brings you to the Mytoi Japanese Garden, a small, meditative pocket of the island maintained by The Trustees of Reservations. Back on the Edgartown side, the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary has miles of easy trails through salt marsh and woodland, and North Water Street is lined with galleries and bookshops built into old whaling-captain homes.

For lodging, the Hob Knob, a Gothic Revival boutique hotel that's welcomed guests for nearly a century, sits right in the village center and includes a farm-to-table breakfast, a short walk from the harbor, the lighthouse, and Main Street's shops.

Essex

Essex swaps postcard beaches for salt marsh, and it's arguably the more calming trade. The town sits on the edge of the Great Marsh, the largest continuous salt marsh in New England, and an Essex River Cruise through it at low tide, with little sound beyond birdsong and the occasional heron taking off, is about as far from a group chat as Massachusetts gets. Back on land, Essex has been nicknamed "America's Antiques Capital," and Main Street is lined with antique shops worth an unhurried afternoon of browsing. The Essex Shipbuilding Museum traces the town's shipbuilding history back to 1668, a trade that made Essex the source of more two-masted wooden fishing schooners than anywhere else in America. For a longer walk, the trails at the nearby Crane Wildlife Refuge wind through woods and along the marsh's edge.

More Laid-Back Escapes Across The StateTrade the metropolis for towns where the biggest decision is which gallery or beach comes first.

Sandwich

As the oldest town on Cape Cod, incorporated in 1639, Sandwich has had nearly four centuries to perfect an unhurried pace, and it sits at the quieter, more historic end of the Cape, away from the bigger beach-town crowds. The Sandwich Boardwalk is the town's signature stroll, leading out over the marsh to Town Neck Beach on Cape Cod Bay. Inland, Heritage Museums & Gardens spreads across 100 acres of gardens, walking trails, and a vintage car collection, while the Sandwich Glass Museum hosts live glassblowing demonstrations that trace the town's 19th-century glassmaking history. In the historic center, the Dexter Grist Mill, the oldest operating mill on Cape Cod, sits beside Shawme Lake, a pleasant spot for a slow lap around the water.

The Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa, in the middle of the historic district, has an on-site spa built specifically around rest and restoration, which makes it a rare case of a town's most central inn being its most relaxing one, too.

Stockbridge

Stockbridge is the Berkshires at their most unhurried, and the town that inspired Norman Rockwell's most famous paintings is, by most accounts, exactly as quiet as it looks in them. The Norman Rockwell Museum, on a 36-acre hilltop campus just outside downtown, holds the largest collection of the artist's original work anywhere, along with his relocated studio. A short drive away, Naumkeag, a Gilded Age estate maintained by The Trustees of Reservations, pairs a grand "cottage" with terraced gardens and mountain views that reward slow walking rather than a quick photo stop. The Berkshire Botanical Garden is another easy detour, and Laurel Hill, a small nature preserve within walking distance of Main Street, is a good way to close out an afternoon without getting back in the car.

The Red Lion Inn, operating continuously since 1773 and having hosted several U.S. presidents along the way, sits at the center of town with a year-round heated pool and porch rockers that see more use than the town's parking spaces.

Nantucket

An island 30 miles out to sea is about as literal as "getting away" gets. Nantucket has none of a mainland city's traffic. Most visitors walk or bike everywhere on the island's many cobblestone streets, and the loudest sound most mornings is the harbor itself. The Jethro Coffin House, maintained by the Nantucket Historical Association, is believed to be the island's oldest surviving home on its original site, built in 1686, and a short stop worth working into a longer walk downtown. For a quieter beach than the harbor-front crowds, Sconset on the east end and Madaket on the west are both an easy bike ride away. The Maria Mitchell Association, a science nonprofit founded in 1902, runs a natural science museum, an aquarium, and public stargazing nights at its Loines Observatory, a genuinely unusual way to spend an evening compared to most weekend trips.

The Nantucket Hotel & Resort, an 1891 property within walking distance of downtown, has two heated pools, a spa, and a full slate of yoga and fitness classes if "unplugging" for you still means starting the day with a workout.

Ashfield

Up in the hills of western Massachusetts, Ashfield is about as far from a city skyline as the state gets, and the loudest thing happening on a given Saturday is usually the farmers market on the town common. Ashfield Lake, right in the center of town, has a public beach and boat launch for swimming, canoeing, or just sitting with your feet in the water. For a longer outing, the Bear Swamp Reservation, a half-mile from downtown, offers three miles of trail leading past a beaver pond to views of hillside orchards and the distant Green Mountains. The Ashfield Historical Society keeps ten rooms of local memorabilia in an 1800s building on Main Street, and Double Edge Theatre, an outdoor ensemble company staged on a working farm, puts on performances that are as much about the setting as the show itself. For an overnight stay, Norton Hill Bed & Breakfast, built in 1795, is the town's classic option, historic and about as close as Ashfield gets to a commercial hotel.

A Dozen More Towns Made For Slowing DownFrom Berkshire mountain towns to North Shore ports, find your next two-day reset in the Bay State.

Picking Your Weekend

The choice mostly comes down to how far you want the water to be. Chatham, Sandwich, Edgartown, and Nantucket put you on or near the coast, where the pace is set by ferries and tides. Marblehead and Essex keep the harbor close while staying within easy reach of Boston. Stockbridge and Ashfield trade the shoreline for the Berkshire hills, quieter still and built around gardens, trails, and porches rather than beaches. Each town runs on its own clock, and the inbox will keep until Monday regardless of which one you pick.