Cape Cod National Seashore.

Serving as the year-round gateway to 40 miles of protected coastline, the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham is an essential first stop for exploring the Cape’s outer reaches. The building itself is a striking piece of 1965 Mission 66 modernist architecture, designed to blend midcentury efficiency with classic Cape Cod vernacular. Inside, a museum traces the region's human history from the Wampanoag to early lifesavers and lighthouse keepers, while an onsite theater screens orientation films. What makes this spot truly special is its location: the floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Salt Pond and Nauset Marsh, and the doors open directly onto the Nauset Marsh Trail and the accessible Buttonbush Trail. It is a rare hub where park logistics, history, and raw coastal beauty converge.