Cape Cod, Massachusetts may be one of the best places in America. It’s a great place to visit at any time of the year, but the peninsula really comes alive in the summer.
Amy Squeglia, owner of Peace, Love, Sup, says summer on the Cape is “beautiful beaches with amazing views, cool air, seafood, lots of entertainment and town concerts, outdoor movies, and Cape Cod Baseball League games.” . . .” Squeglia, who has lived on Cape Cod for more than twenty years, adds that the diversity of the 15 towns of the Cape, together with the shopping of interesting things, makes it a place worth seeing, along with “all the amazing things you can do in the air, on land. , and the sea.” Cape Cod’s climates fall into three main categories:
- High Season: July and August
- Shoulder Season: May to June and September to October
- Low Season: November to April
One thing to keep in mind when planning a trip to Cape Cod this summer is that there are very few places, and hotels tend to book up quickly. But as long as you’re prepared to plan ahead, you’ll have a summer vacation to remember. Here are some things you need to know to plan your trip to Cape Cod.
Related: T+L’s Guide to Cape Cod
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Best Times to Visit Cape Cod for Small People
The shoulder seasons – especially June and September – are the best times to experience Cape Cod with fewer people. In June, temperatures hover in the low 70s, making for beautiful beach days without the heat or groups of families heading to the water for summer vacations. Visitors to the Cape in September can expect similar temperatures, and again, miss out on the family crowds as school resumes.
Best Times to Visit Cape Cod for Good Weather
Cape Cod’s shoulders and long seasons come with good weather, so you can plan a trip from the beginning of June to the end of October and be able to enjoy all the activities that the area has to offer.
In the summer, Squeglia encourages visitors to “go fat biking with Knockabout Travel on Brewster Flats. It’s the largest surf break in North America, and when the waves are slow, they reach nine miles along the shore.” lake between Brewster and Eastham.” Squeglia offers that tour (starting at $80 for adults), as well as stand-up paddleboarding lessons for all ages.
When the weather is nice, visitors can also visit Truro Vineyards, a waterfront winery, catch a great game of the Cape Cod Baseball League, or just relax on the Cape Cod National Seashore.
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Best Times to Visit Cape Cod at Cheap Prices
The best time to visit Cape Cod for low prices on flights, hotel rooms, and cruises is its shoulders and seasons. However, many places, including hotels and restaurants, close during the winter months due to low demand.
If you don’t want to give up the sunny weather, there are other ways to save on a Cape Cod vacation. For example, the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) offers low-cost buses between 15 communities, including one-day rides for $6 for adults. Also, if you visit on a Friday, CCRTA offers free rides.
Visitors can also reserve major attractions, including the entrance to the Cape Cod National Seashore. Day passes range from $20 to $25, but if you’re planning to visit for more than two days, it’s best to buy an annual pass, which sells for $60. You can also plan to visit one of its free entry days, including Aug. 4, which honors The Great American Outdoors Act, and Sept. 23, to celebrate National Public Lands Day. And remember, active duty military, veterans, and Gold Star families can get in for free, as can 4th graders who complete one activity on the Every Kid Outdoors website.
Best Times to Visit Cape Cod for the Holidays
Cape Cod hosts several spectacular festivals worth planning an entire trip, including the famous Wellfleet OysterFest, held in October. The annual festival, which began in 2001, celebrates all things bivalve, with an oyster shucking contest, cooking demos, and plenty of food.
Film buffs will also love the Cape’s many film festivals, including the Woods Hole Film Festival, which runs from late July to early August. But those who visit (or live on the Cape) in the winter months can still get into the magic of movies by checking out the Woods Hole Dinner & A Movie Film Series, a bi-monthly screening of independent films that runs from January to January. June. There is also the Provincetown International Film Festival in early June, which shows independent films from emerging directors and talent.
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Worst Times to Visit Cape Cod
There is never a “bad” time to visit Cape Cod because of the year-round events and attractions, including beautiful museums such as the Sandwich Glass Museum, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, which hosts special events throughout the year. . Again, it’s important to remember that many businesses and hotels close or offer limited hours during the winter months, but seeing empty beaches and snow can be very beautiful.