Parenting Guru: Why we fell in love with Cape Cod, MA

In a few short weeks we'll be taking our fourth annual trip to Cape Cod with the boys. We like to stay mid-Cape (particularly Orleans) because there's something magical about Skaket Beach at low tide that brings us back year after year. You can walk for hours and discover new warm tidal pools filled with hermit crabs. All you need is a bucket and a net and you're set for the day.

As much as we like to discover new places to eat, we find ourselves returning to our favorites time and time again. So if you're heading to the Cape, be sure to check out a few of the places we love:

Arnold's: Don't be intimidated by the long line to get into Arnold's. It's worth the wait for what we think are the best lobster rolls on the Cape. Our favorite thing to do is play a round a mini golf late in the morning so we're finished just in time for Arnold's to open at 11:30.

We're also big fans of The Lobster Claw, where I got the best fried clam strip sandwich of my life and my seafood-fearing sons declared the best chicken fingers on the Cape.

If you're looking for BBQ, you can't beat Russ and Marie's Marconi Beach it-il-do BBQ. The giant smoker is visible from Route 6A and the ribs are out of this world. Last year we went there twice during our week-long stay.

If you're looking for a great cup of fancy coffee, tea or the best hot chocolate around, be sure to check out Hot Chocolate Sparrow. I look forward to their mint hot chocolate all year--it's like drinking a warm cup of Thin Mints. The Hot Chocolate Sparrow is also a candy and dessert shop with a full ice cream bar, so the kids love it too. We've sampled just about everything on the menu and we highly recommend the cheesecake, M&M cookies, carrot cake, and whoopie pie.

When we're not busy eating, we're on a mission of relaxation, with a few fun excursions mixed in. Last year we went deep sea fishing on the Capt'n Kid and the boys LOVED it! They caught more than a dozen fish and the staff was wonderful about making sure that every kid felt special (they even get to steer the boat)! Be sure to call in advance though because the trips book quickly.

While you're on the Cape, stop by the Wellfleet drive in movie theater for a double feature. The first movie is always kid-friendly and there are no previews or commercials. Be sure to bring cash because the Wellfleet doesn't accept credit or debit cards, which might be inconvenient but fits quite nicely with the 50's vibe.

Another gem on the Cape is the Brewster Store, a former church that was converted to a general store in 1866 and has continued to serve the needs of the local residents and visitors for more than 140 years. The store is lost in time, and you can find everything from t-shirts to spare lamp parts to penny candy. The boys spent a lot of time at the comic book rack and my husband and I enjoyed Cokes on the front porch (glass bottles, of course).

There's so much to see and do that even after three concecutive years visiting the Cape, we can't wait to go back to discover new adventures. Trust me when I say we're counting the days!

What's your favorite family vacation spot?

Melissa (a.k.a.@FitsNGiggleson Twitter) is a Shine Parenting Guru and a member of the Yahoo! Motherboard. She shares more stories about her boys, and most recently, her quest to lose 40 lbs., on her blog,Fits "N" Giggles.