Winning Winter on Cape Cod

Stunning coastal winter sunrise. Photo credit: Agway of Cape Cod website.

by Jeff Shaw

Don’t sleep on Cape Cod’s winter season. I’ve written extensively on the holiday season and there is certainly no shortage of fun to be had around the holidays (anywhere really).

I’m referring to the cold and gray core winter season, from ‘dry’ January through the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, early March.

As a seasonal destination, Cape Cod (and other seasonal areas) had/s a reputation of ‘being closed for business’ for the winter. Not that long ago, the inside joke was the only buildings open in winter were the post office, grocery store and library. (Probably not too far off.) Similarly, shoulder season marketing is still in its infancy. 

It is also hard to blame any business or merchant from giving themselves extended time off during the slowest time of year. The core summer season hustle looks torturous at times. 

See, Chatham is open all year long! Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

But the world is different in 2025, though winter is still winter. Winter on Cape Cod remains quiet. Traffic, practically non-existent, yet there are more people around thanks to a combination of remote work and a growing (albeit at a snail’s pace) year-round population.

Equally noticeable is the landscape. The natural world has transformed into muted tones of brown, gray and dark blue, a vivid contrast to the green of budding bushes or bright colors of annual and perennial plantings. [I intentionally omitted those pesticide infused green lawns…Cape Cod lawns only! If we poison the natural environment that makes Cape Cod so special, what are we left with?]

This is the time to get lost along the fire roads of the Outer Cape. Winter is the time to visit new-to-you beaches for combing, photography or quiet contemplation. Parking is free this time of year. You can probably even bring your dog onto most beaches. 

In case you didn’t believe it earlier. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

The cold season is an excuse to try new-to-you coffee shops, bakeries or similar delights in all 15 Cape Cod towns. Find those delights.

Sure winter is cold, dreary, and maybe too quiet for comfort. So layer up, wear a hood and push through like our core summer season hustlers. Trust me, it won’t be nearly as torturous. 

March 13, 2025

[Almost] Everything in Downtown Dennis Port

A captivating mural garners attention in this little known pocket park in downtown Dennis Port. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

Almost everything you may want or need is located in downtown Dennis Port. The only problem; downtown Dennis Port is another case of hidden in plain sight.

Many well-known downtowns on Cape Cod are long, bustling and often traffic snarled (Chatham Harwich Port, Hyannis, Falmouth, Ptown). Dennis Port’s downtown, on the other hand, is short [like one block, short] with both people and traffic flowing like a gentle off shore breeze. [Okay, okay, they’re probably moving briskly, especially in season.]

The Dennis Public Library cannot be seen from Route 28, but it is tucked away in downtown Dennis Port. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

It begins on the Harwich-Dennis town line at the aptly named, Division Street. Bare left at the fork into a cozy little downtown [don’t blink, or you may miss it] and grab a parking space on the street. None available; no problem, turn left onto Hall Street, where plenty of plaza and on street parking exist.

One of the newer, perhaps safer [rubber flooring], playgrounds on Cape Cod. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

From either parking area and in just a one block radius, you will find (in no particular order): a coffee shop, pet store, restaurant, home goods store, pizzeria, barber shop, ice cream shop, an arts and crafts store, as well as pocket park featuring local artwork and plantings (to enjoy that coffee or ice cream outside). 

Look a little closer, you will find a village green, new-ish playground, town library, seafood market and another beautiful painted maritime mural on a brick building wall. 

A hidden maritime mural off Hall Street in downtown Dennis Port. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

And if you are up for wandering up to two blocks, you’ll also find Cape Cod Theater Company/Harwich Junior Theater.

Now I wouldn’t suggest spending all day in downtown Dennis, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to hear if you did.

February 3, 2025

Go Yard[Arm] in Orleans

by Jeff Shaw

“Good drink, good food, good conversation,” pretty much sums up the year-round Orleans establishment named The Yardarm Restaurant. Half pub, half restaurant, “we pride ourselves as being the go-to meeting spot for locals in Orleans.” But outsiders – even those with young kids – are welcome, too. 

Since 1972, the Yardarm Restaurant has been serving a mix of entrees, blue plate specials, sandwiches, gumbo, fried seafood baskets and of course, the prime rib special on select days (Thursdays and Sundays).

A Sunday visit did not disappoint. Prime rib, steak tips and the biggest hot dog we’d ever seen.

The restaurant is divided into sections, aptly named, the Channel, the Bullpen, the Pool Room. The décor of license plates and patches of first responders provides a festive and welcoming vibe. 

So next time you’re cruising Route 28 through Orleans, or better yet, eyeing a Firebirds game [Eldredge Park is 0.5 miles from the restaurant], go Yard[arm]!

Offseason note: The Yardarm is closed on Sundays.

January 1, 2025

Catch the Holiday Spirit on Cape Cod

The lobster trap Christmas Tree in Provincetown. Photo credit: Ptown Tourism.

by Jeff Shaw

The holiday season is upon us! And Cape Cod is a wonderful place to experience authentic Christmas cheer, “where modern amenities and Victorian charm casually coexist.” (Boston Magazine)

So in an effort to spread some Christmas cheer, check out these holiday events on Cape Cod. You may just catch the holiday spirit!

Christmas by the Sea, Chatham

Christmas by the Sea weekend, December 13th – 15th, is full of events that have leapt right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The celebration kicks off on Friday night with a children’s light parade that escorts Santa down Main Street on a fire truck to the tree lighting ceremony at Sears Park (intersection of Seaview and Main Streets). 

Activities continue in shops up and down Main Street as well as free horse & carriage rides and visits with Santa in the Chamber Information booth (next to Yankee Ingenuity gift shop). Saturday brings plenty more events in the businesses around town, including a special movie screening for the little ones at the Chatham Orpheum Theater and Breakfast with Santa.

Christmas Parades, Falmouth, Hyannis & Mashpee

Christmas Carolers in Falmouth. Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

Falmouth has one of the state’s largest Christmas parades (Sunday, December 8), featuring floats, costumed characters, marching bands, Clydesdales and plenty of Christmas cheer. 

Also that weekend is Hyannis’ highly anticipated harbor lighting and illuminated boat procession through Hyannis Harbor (December 7). 

Also, Mashpee’s Christmas “Season of Illumination” Parade on Saturday, December 14th is sure to dazzle as the Cape’s only nighttime walking parade featuring colorfully lit floats.

Gardens Aglow, Heritage Museum and Gardens, Sandwich

Gardens aglow! Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich celebrates the season with over nine miles of holiday lights. Stroll through the illuminated grounds, while also taking time to pose with Santa in a 1914 Ford Model T, take a ride on a vintage carousel, roast marshmallows, and participate in a reindeer scavenger hunt. 

Drive through Sandwich and try to spot all of The Giants, over two dozen illuminated sculptures along 6A.

Polar Express, Cape Cod Central Railroad, Bourne & Hyannis

One of Santa’s little helpers. Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

All aboard! Magic is in the air on the Cape Cod Central Railroad’s Polar Express, where passengers will sing carol over cookies and hot cocoa. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a festive trip to meet Santa. 

Trains depart out of the Buzzards Bay depot from late November through December.

Lobster Pot [Christmas] Tree, Provincetown

There is quite possibly nothing more quintessential New England than a Christmas Tree made entirely out of lobster traps. Provincetown’s Lobster Pot Tree is made using over 100 of them – all borrowed from local lobstermen – and is accentuated by 3,000+ LED lights and colorful buoys. Visit Provincetown’s Lopes Square anytime during the holiday season.

The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce also has their picks of ways to catch the holiday spirit on Cape Cod!

What is your favorite holiday event or activity on Cape Cod?

December 2, 2024

Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry Yarmouthport

The coolest coffee run image ever. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

Hungry and in a hurry? Desperate for a shot of [fresh] caffeine? Need a little nautical inspiration? In search of a cutesy gift for your weekend lodging host? All of these – and more – can be found at the Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry.

The caesar and Cape Codder salads were excellent.
Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Yes, the Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry in Yarmouthport has it all. The menu may be a tad limited, but the taste more than makes up for it. Scones, muffins, croissants in the morning; Caesar and Cape Codder salads in the afternoon.

Fun fact: the breakfast sandwiches are made on a stone griddle [and often sell out].

Pro tip: for lunch, opt for a salad; those crotons [at least in the Caesar salad] are nothing short of heavenly.

Stay to admire the tall ships artwork. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

The drip coffee ranges from light, dark and decaf, with the usually expresso, latte, mochas in cold or hot versions.

As for the vibe; it is inviting. Sit and sip in a private booth or stretch out in the gallery of tall ships on the high seas artwork.

A cozy booth to sip and sit. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Finally, as you might find in a rural General Store, there are plenty of jarred goodies, pre-packaged desserts, dish towels and other small trinkets that line the front facing windows looking out to Route 6A.

Word of caution, parking in the back lot is tight to say the least. Opt for parking along 6A in the parking spaces before the café. 

November 8, 2024