My son is the 5th generation to stay at Pilgrim Village. That should tell you a lot- an ideal and affordable setting for a family vacation located within easy walking or biking distance to a number of beautiful beaches, the town of Chatham, shopping and restaurants.
Chatham is one of the last bastions of civilization. The town is beautiful, the people friendly, and everybody seems ecstatic to be there. The 4th of July parade is a real slice of Americana- a gesture back to a simpler time. I've travelled to almost every state and a long list of countries, but Chatham and Pilgrim Village top the list of places that make my blood pressure drop and a smile to my face.
My 7 yr old son has a blast, and I feel comfortable that he is always safe riding his bike by himself through the community, meeting a bunch of kids his age, going to the playground or shuffleboard court. We never worry about him, and when we leave the community we don't even think about locking our cabin. The tranquil beach on White Pond has the cleanest water I've ever seen, is full of fish, rowboats are provided, and just sitting by it lowers your blood pressure by 30 points.
If you want a 5-star hotel with mints on your pillow every night, this is not the place. But if you like a mildly rustic, relaxed atmosphere, a place where you can bring an entire family for a week for less than a thousand bucks a week, want the option to cook in your cabin rather than bear the expense of eating 3 meals a day at restaurants, this is the place for you.
The Swenson family has run the place forever, are infinitely helpful, and really care about the beautiful grounds. Their daughter, son-in-law and son are taking over, and bringing new ideas to the mix like wifi, Sunday s'mores cookouts and 4th of July fireworks at the beach.
One other reviewer spoke of the "draconian rules". I don't know what he was up to, but I've never experienced anything like that.
If you are single, a couple, or a family, I highly recommend Pilgrim Village. Most of the visitors have made it a tradition. Many, like me, have been coming here for decades. We stay for 2 weeks each year. At this price, an extended stay is totally doable. Try staying at the Chatham Bars for that long. You'll have to take out a 2nd mortgage! ENJOY! read more