Cape Cod is made up of several small towns, Fifteen in fact. All of them have great saltwater and freshwater beaches, museums, boating, fishing, whale watching, and craft and antique fairs. There are beautiful bike trails that run through all the towns. There are quaint hotels and bed and breakfasts and great restaurants of all kinds. Something to please everyone. Each town has something special and unique to offer.
Orleans
Orleans is called the gateway to the Outer Cape. It is the home of Pops in The Park. Outdoor concerts by the world-famous Boston Pops Orchestra. There are events all summer long, including arts and crafts fairs, antique shows, and walking tours. In August, there is the All-American Band Field Show and many other concerts.
Brewster
Like to golf? Visit Captain’s Golf Course, a beautiful 36-hole course with a driving range and club rentals, and it is open year-round. You can go on a charter fishing boat or go whale watching. And there are four parks for camping, fishing, hiking, and bike riding.
Chatham
Every Friday evening, from Jun 30 to Sept 1 at 8:00 pm, there is a band concert in the park. You can take the time to see the baseball stars of the future when you go to see the Chatham A’s, a team in the Cape Cod League, an NCAA-sanctioned summer league. Visit one or all of the 5 museums. How about going fishing for striped bass, bluefish, or tuna?
Dennis
If you love swimming, come to Dennis. There is a total of 18 beaches. Come on Labor Day Weekend for the Dennis Festival Days and enjoy the many activities, including kite flying, Beer Races, and an Antique Car Parade. You can also come for golf, tennis, fishing, boating, and whale watching. There are open-air band concerts all summer long.
Eastham
Come the weekend after Labor Day for windmill Weekend. There are a lot of activities, including a tricycle race, sand sculpture, live performances, and a parade. Come at the end of Sept and compete in a golf tournament and win prizes. And afterward, enjoy the Cape Cod Clambake.
Falmouth
From May 6 to Dec 24, you can come and enjoy the Cape Cod Winery Wine Tasting. There are musical events all year long, and in Dec, you can end the year with the Falmouth Christmas Parade.
Hyannis
Hyannis is the home of the John F. Kenney Museum. It is open all year long, but hours vary. They have a great July 4th celebration, Boston Pops Concerts, and other concerts and garden tours all summer long.
Martha’s Vinyard
Martha’s Vineyard is an island by itself, yet it is crammed with all types of activities. Like horses? There are three stables to choose from. There are three golf courses, two regular and one mini. Nature walks through wildlife sanctuaries and at least 10 places that will take you on a guided tour.
This is just a small sample of the events and activities that await you in Cape Cod. Boating and fishing are big here, but there are hundreds of activities going on all year long. A Cape Cod Vacation is a family vacation. You can get accommodations at one of the hotels or bed and breakfasts that dot the Cape or one of the many campgrounds if that is your style. You can also rent a private house on a secluded beach.
Cape Cod Autumn Getaway
Cape Cod, known for its beaches and family-friendly atmosphere, turns from high energy summer to a more serene calm autumn after Labor Day. It’s true after Labor Day, many establishments close until next year, but there’s still plenty to do, see, and eat on the sandbar. Now’s the time to set the wheels in motion; take a trip across the Sagamore Bridge to the Cape Cod autumn getaway.
The romance of the Cape is never more apparent than in the fall when children go back to school, family vacations have come and gone, and now the ocean whispers soft nuances of enchantment. Sit on a beach, sip wine, and be the only couple there with ocean breezes tousling your hair and encouraging you to snuggle with your mate. The beaches are open year-round, and after Labor Day, they’re free. Many that may have had chains keeping everyone out after a certain time are open and available. Plan an autumn getaway to Cape Cod around a meteor shower. Getting up at 2 am to wander down to the beach with blankets and hot cocoa to watch the dazzling spectacle of the sky to the music of the ocean is unforgettable. The meteors reflect in the ocean creating a site that you’ll relate to family and friends over and over. Autumn 2006 dates for meteor showers are Oct 21 – Orionids and Nov 17 – Leonids. Finding places to stay will not be much of a problem if watching the night sky display of beauty lures you to Cape Cod.
Spend three hours dining and viewing the Cape Cod landscape on the Cape Cod Dinner Express. You’ll want to wear elegant attire for an evening of fine dining as your traverse from Hyannis, cross what was once the longest railroad lift, and find yourself in Buzzards Bay. The train will carry you back to Hyannis as you wine and dine in a unique atmosphere. This is an adults-only dining experience, and advance reservations are required, so call early if you’re interested. Besides the sophisticated dinner, the Cape Cod Central Railroad offers brunches, luncheons, and family suppers, as well as special events through autumn.
Great Island, once an actual island before nature built up sandbars connecting it to Great Beach Hill and the mainland, is one of those off-the-beaten-path places that allows you to ponder the beauty that is Cape Cod. Rise early on a brisk autumn morning, put on your walking shoes, and hike around the peninsula that juts out into Cape Cod Bay. One of the few uninhabited locations on the Cape, Great Island affords you a moderate hike that explores an area once claimed as a whale hunting hub. If you look carefully, you may come across the ruins of an old Inn that served the whalers. If you’re lucky, from the outermost point, you might see whales spouting. Take a backpack carrying your lunches and drinks. You’ll find secluded places with grand views that allow you to dream of days gone by and spend intimate moments. Great Island lies within Wellfleet.
If I were to choose one place I’d go to eat while staying on Cape Cod, it would be the Brewster Inn and Chowder House in, of course, Brewster. The food is wonderful, and the ambiance is old and welcoming. It’s not the most romantic restaurant, but the charm and food are both top-notch. Try the lobster pie for something a little different. Sandwich is home to the Dan’l Webster Inn. Choose from fine dining in the Webster room or conservatory or a more casual dining experience in the Old Tavern. Either choice is a good one. You’ll find the food delicious and the atmosphere gracious. The Dan’l Webster Inn offers “hot deals”…check them out. Alberto’s Ristorante sits on Main Street Hyannis, looking elegant and inviting year-round. Northern Italian fare offers up delectable delights in a romantic setting. After dinner, take a walk down the streets of Hyannis, crossing through the garden that leads to the harbor, a lovely way to end an autumn evening.
Bed & Breakfasts, like the charming Carriage House Inn in Chatham, MA, still have vacancies for September and October. The posh and elegant Chatham’s Bar Inn offers year-round availability with personal service and so many amenities you’ll feel pampered and rested but never ready to leave. The Inn offers a private beach and miles of ocean view as well as an afternoon tea. Head towards the outer Cape and find yourself in Provincetown. The Crown Point Inn is both a historical and a spa that sits atop a hill overlooking Provincetown, one of the most colorful places on Cape Cod. Crown Pointe offers charming extras such as rose petals on your bed, fresh flowers in your room, and more. Wake up before dawn to watch the sunrise from one of the sandy beaches nearby. Walk the streets of P’town and amble into art galleries and shops. Visit Cape Cod community website for more info.
An autumn getaway to Cape Cod offers so much more than you could imagine. With the high season out of the way, prices are usually lower. Many inns and bed & breakfasts have created specials of all kinds to entice couples to experience Cape Cod after the chaos of summer has fallen away like the tinted leaves on the trees of New England. With some research and time, you could find yourself in a romantic tryst on Cape Cod in the fall.