We spent our time at an Airstream campground in Cape Cod, and we have no plans to leave.

One key lesson I've learned about travel in the past year is that you don’t always need to board a plane for memorable experiences. Skipping flights for 14 months has allowed my family to truly enjoy everything New England has to offer in a vacation-style way.

With the ski season behind us and flowers beginning to bloom, we kept our outdoor adventures going by renting a luxurious Airstream just an hour away. On April 1, the startup company AutoCamp launched its third Airstream park in Falmouth, Massachusetts—just a 15-minute drive from Cape Cod. Although my family often visits Falmouth, this was a completely unique vacation. Our usual spring break, where we leverage points and miles for lavish suite upgrades at upscale resorts, was set aside in favor of glamping.

Spoiler: We absolutely loved it.

The Airstream

My family has never camped together before, and I wouldn't exactly call myself a "camper." However, my husband thrives on rugged outdoor adventures. This made glamping the perfect choice for our family’s first camping experience—especially with luxurious Airstreams that featured high-end resort-style bathrooms, plush towels, linens, beds, and bathrobes. Plus, there was a kitchenette equipped with all the pots, pans, and utensils we could need.

The park boasts 88 Airstreams, 10 tiny houses (referred to as X Suites by the company), and 10 luxury tents.

We chose to stay in one of the Airstreams, which features a private bedroom with a memory foam mattress, a flat-screen TV, a sofa that converts into a double bed, a walk-in shower, and a kitchen complete with a sink, microwave, and minifridge. There’s even a Bluetooth connection for playing music. Plus, I must highlight that the eucalyptus bath products provided were exceptional.

If you believe camping means dealing with bugs buzzing around your head at night and sleeping on a hard surface, think again. While we were cozy together, we enjoyed the comforts of luxury—with heating and air conditioning.

The experience

While we spent our days exploring the surrounding area (more details on that below), our evenings were entirely focused on enjoying the park. This wasn't the kind of vacation for dining with a waterfront view and a seafood platter. Instead, we took advantage of the fire pit by our Airstream to prepare our own meals. We roasted hot dogs over the flames, cooked sweet potatoes on the metal grates, and hosted a full barbecue. We dined outside at the picnic tables, smelled like a campfire, and engaged in friendly conversations with our neighbors nearby.

Naturally, no camping trip is complete without roasting marshmallows. We kept the fire burning all night, even when it drizzled for a while. We shared spooky stories, held our own dance party, and truly immersed ourselves in the surrounding nature.

The morning was all about unwinding at the picnic tables with a hot cup of tea (provided in the Airstream) while listening to the birds chirp. Even though I was just an hour from home, it felt like a tranquil getaway.

Given that the park is relatively new and we're navigating COVID-19, there aren't many activities available at the moment. There is a spacious lawn with a large communal fire pit and morning yoga, but that's about it for now. However, I learned that lawn games will soon be set up around the property. If you visit in the summer, you'll likely find more activities during the day. The company is also working on an "Adventure Zone"—a cedar playground for kids—which will be a wonderful addition for families.

The Clubhouse—where check-in occurs—was a fantastic spot to relax and mingle with others. It features an indoor fireplace and an outdoor patio perfect for watching the sunset. There's also a small market offering drinks, snacks, and even meat and cheese, along with campfire essentials.

Discovering Cape Cod

AutoCamp is situated right along the Shining Sea Bikeway, giving us the chance to explore Falmouth by bike. While AutoCamp provides complimentary bikes for daily use, we brought our own since my little one can’t ride yet and prefers to ride in the back of daddy's bike.

This 10.7-mile bike path stretches from North Falmouth to Woods Hole, with the Airstream park located around mile marker 6. The picturesque route lets you take in views of cranberry bogs, rivers, and, of course, the ocean. From the park, you can head right and reach Chapoquoit Beach in just a few miles, or take a left to cycle to Falmouth Village and follow the coastline to Woods Hole, which is a longer 6-mile trek. Riding along the Shining Sea bike path is one of my favorite Cape activities, so enjoying the view from our fire pit was truly special.

During our stay, we explored in both directions, which allowed us to fully experience everything Falmouth has to offer. Our kids loved hopping on and off their bikes at different spots, especially when we reached the beaches at Oyster Pond and Trunk River on our way to Woods Hole. The playgrounds in town (across from the Falmouth library), Goodwill Park, and Woods Hole (Taft's Playground) added extra fun along our route.

During our visit to the Cape in the off-peak season, we seized the chance to discover other areas without the hassle of heavy traffic. While there are plenty of activities to enjoy in Cape Cod, we chose to head to Chatham—a charming town known for its excellent restaurants and stunning beaches. Although we bundled up in winter jackets for part of the day, we still managed to dip our toes in the water at Lighthouse Beach, savor ice cream in town, and "hike" through Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. My kids had an absolute blast experiencing something entirely different for the day.

For a laid-back, order-at-the-counter lobster roll—or any seafood platter—The Chatham Pier Fish Market is a must-visit. With picnic-style outdoor seating, we enjoyed a COVID-friendly lunch while my kids took in the sights of the pier and watched fishermen unloading their daily catch. If you’re lucky, you might even spot seals swimming nearby.

Final thoughts

While we could have used points for a stay in the Cape during spring break, our two-day experience at AutoCamp Cape Cod far surpassed any other option. Our daughter even declared this trip much better than our last pre-COVID-19 vacation to Cancun and is eager to return.

Honestly, I didn't mind smelling like a campfire all weekend long either.