They may share a common history, but Orleans and Eastham certainly offer different summer vibes. Originally known as Nauset in the 1600s, the name changed to Eastham by the mid-century mark. At that time, Orleans was simply a part of Eastham, which was sometimes called the South Precinct or the South Parish. It wasn’t until the late 1700s that Orleans became its own town, named after France’s Duke of Orleans. While today both towns have vacation and seasonal rentals, they feel quite different. While Eastham is a bit more rural with not much of a downtown to speak of, Orleans has some fun shops to explore. Eastham holds the distinction of being the very first place Native Americans and Pilgrims encountered each other. These days, people still visit historic First Encounter Beach for its views, its warm water and its expansive flats during low tide. The Eastham of today is commonly referred to as the gateway to the Cape Cod National Seashore. Even during the busy summer season, however, Eastham stays relatively quiet. Unlike other parts of Cape Cod, Eastham does not have a busy Main Street. This gives it an entirely different vibe than nearby Orleans. The downtown business part of Orleans is more of a shopping destination. The town also has plenty of places for people to get out on the water for things like paddle boarding, kayaking and sailing. The Town of Orleans enjoys access to Cape Cod Bay, Pleasant Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Marsh. As for its beaches, Nauset Beach in Orleans is a good choice for surfing, swimming and fishing. Orleans also still has some history of its own. The French Cable Station is where the government communicated with France during WWI. The good news, of course, is that Orleans and Eastham are close enough that you can thoroughly enjoy the best of both worlds this summer.