As local and seasonal residents can attest, the “shoulder seasons” on Cape Cod are less crowded, slower-paced and weather still cooperative for outdoor activities. The first shoulder season is the winter/spring change-over around March through Memorial Day, followed by the summer/fall change-over in September and October. Many restaurants remain open through November, some even dropping prices, and almost every community hosts an annual festival or celebration (Exs: Cape Cod Canal Day, Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival, Falmouth hosts the Cape Cod Marathon, Truro Treasures, Wellfleet’s Oysterfest, etc). But the fun doesn’t stop there; many towns and their business community have embraced the winter months to attract visitors with holiday strolls, historic inn tours, and “First Day/Night” Celebrations on New Year’s Eve/Day. It may seem hard to believe, but a winter shoulder season is in the mix too. So come on down, up or over to Cape Cod next shoulder season!
Living in the northeast puts Cape Cod in comfortable driving distance from any location as far south as New Jersey and as far north as Maine. In the shoulder seasons, you rarely have to fight traffic on Route 3, I-495 or even at the bridges. The weekend train, the Cape Cod Flyer does not run past Labor Day, but this only applies if you are coming from Boston. There are no fees to park at town beaches and you will not back up traffic should you need to make a left turn on Routes 28 or 6A.
From the famous pilgrim landing on Plymouth Rock to the invention of the wireless telegraph by Guglielmo Marconi to a premier amateur baseball league to the maritime trades, Cape Cod is loaded with traditions and history. I won’t pretend to be a Cape Cod historian, but know there are many historians that want to share their knowledge as well as direct you to the many historical sites in each town. The shoulder season is a great time to visit art and cultural attractions, especially on cooler autumn days. Too often the rush to the beach, bike trail or clam shack become the priority of the day, but there are plenty of historical sites and charming offerings across the peninsula.
Whether seared seafood, piping hot clam chowder, hearty baked stuffed lobster, locally roasted coffee, or the simplicity of soft serve ice cream, many popular restaurants remain open through November. Though, if you have your heart set at dining at a specific restaurant, call ahead! I still remember a comical morning over Martin Luther King Jr holiday weekend in 2012 where we drove from Chatham to Yarmouth to have brunch at the Optimist Cafe only to find the restaurant closed. What to do? We continued to drive down 6A to the next open breakfast spot, which happened to be the 6A Cafe….in Sandwich!
While I’m hanging onto my mid-30s, I still get giddy when thinking about the simple joy that comes from playing a round of mini golf, catching a fish, riding a wave on a boogie board, taking in an evening band concerts or baseball games, even playing Uno or attempting to complete a puzzle on a rainy day. While the baseball and band seasons end in early August and Labor Day Weekend, respectively, there are plenty of other activities to fill an afternoon. And if you enjoy shopping, most stores will have sales on most of their merchandise to make room for next season’s line.
Cape Cod is a special place to many. The protected national seashore, quaint set of seaside villages, maritime culture, fresh seafood, commitment to preservation and roots in early American history. There are iconic restaurants, beaches, drive-in theaters, main streets, historical sites and people. Families and adults have plenty to do. One of the popular radio stations still features radio ad jingles. There is an understandable resistance to big box stores, chain restaurants and over development which threatens the natural landscape that gives Cape Cod its identity. While real challenges exist – increasing beach erosion, warming waters, over fishing, compounding pollution, opioid use, affordable housing and plentiful job opportunities to name a few – the Cape has a lot to offer – to a lot of people – all year long.
While most people tend to keep to themselves, their friends/family or their phones (ugh!), a cup of coffee and conversation with a local can be a memorable one. Just last month, I met an artist, Vanessa Piche, at the Chatham Festival of the Arts, who’s coastal painting scenes were memorizing. She also screen prints her designs onto t-shirts, sweatshirts and kitchenware. I had to have the t-shirt that captured a perfect day on the Cape Cod Canal with the Bourne Bridge in the distance and totally forgot about my bike ride. Of course, these types of interactions can’t be planned, so just stay on alert. Locals live here, news travels fast, and they know what’s what.
“Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you got to do is call, and [the Cape] will be there, you got a friend.” James Taylor’s words are appropriate when it comes to Cape Cod’s sunrises, sunsets and scenery. With many beaches facing east, sunrises are a particularly good view if you don’t mind getting up early!
While other coastal, jungle, mountainous, desert and remote parts of the world compete for our attention, our time and our hard earned dollars, you can always count on that infamous sign along Route 25, Welcome to Cape Cod! Massachusetts 2018 Cape Cod and Islands, like an old friend guiding you back home.