Cape Cod is an Underrated Winter Destination and Here’s Why

I visit Cape Cod every summer and, some years, I visit during the winter. My dad lives here and he and his friends are certainly in the know of everything going on. While Cape Cod travel is most popular during the summer months, you may not know that it's like a hidden gem during the winter months. I'll show you why Cape Cod is an underrated winter destination in Massachusetts, and maybe you'll plan a cozy winter getaway!

Cape Cod is quiet in the winter.

The peninsula receives nearly 5.5 million visitors during the summer months alone. Needless to say, restaurants, beaches, and roads are very crowded during that time of the year. But it's the exact opposite experience in the winter. With a population of 220,000 people, there's little-to-no traffic in the winter, you can go to the beach or for a hike and barely see a soul, and you most likely won't need to make a reservation at the most popular restaurants. And yes, a lot of stores and restaurants are seasonal and, therefore, closed during the winter, but you will find plenty that are open year-round.

It celebrates Christmas in its own special way.

Christmas is a bit different on the Cape. For one, you'll find a lighted and decorated Christmas "tree" made of lobster traps in Provincetown. This sight fills my heart with joy every year I get to see it! There's also the Gardens Aglow event on select nights at Heritage Museum & Gardens in Sandwich, The Cape Cod Christmas Market at Mashpee Commons, numerous local events held in nearly every town, and main streets all decorated for the holidays, especially in Falmouth and Chatham. Cape Cod is quite a festive place for locals this time of year.

Beachcombing

I love taking walks along Cape Cod beaches during the winter not just for the peace and quiet but for beachcombing. With winter storms along the coast, you never know what treasures you'll find on the beaches. If you love beachcombing, you may find all sorts of gorgeous shells like North Atlantic Moon Snail and whelk shells as well as colorful beach glass.

Hiking

I love hiking on the Cape in winter. Sure it's cold and can be windy but it's quiet aside from the crashing waves and the occasional bird. Also, there are no insects like mosquitos or greenheads to bother me like they do in the summer. Among my favorite Cape Cod hikes in the winter are Race Point Dunes Trail in Provincetown, Great Island Trail in Wellfleet, Fort Hill in Eastham, and just about any beach.

Take advantage off-season hotel and vacation rental rates.

With a lack of tourists, the demand for hotel and vacation rental stays goes down and, therefore, you can get off-season rates. With potentially hundreds of dollars to save on a vacation, winter may be the best time to visit Cape Cod! Places like Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, The Mansion at Ocean Edge, and Sea Crest Beach Resort all have wonderful amenities and are located in towns with plenty to do, even in the winter. If you prefer a cozy rental, there's a lakefront home with a hot tub in Dennis or a charming cottage in Provincetown's West End that would be perfect for a getaway on Cape Cod in the winter.

There's still plenty of things to do in the winter on Cape Cod.

Sure the drive-in movie theater in Wellfleet may be closed, there are no farmers' markets open, and you won't be able to go mini-golfing but I assure you, there are still plenty of activities you can enjoy when visiting Cape Cod in the winter. You can catch a flick at a local movie theater like Waters Edge Cinema in Provincetown or the historic Chatham Orpheum Theater in Chatham, check out a performance at The Cape Playhouse or Cotuit Center of the Arts, or enjoy live music at a pub or local brewery. Many museums are also open this time of year and you can even enjoy bowling and BBQ at one of my favorite spots, Alley Bowling and BBQ in Orleans. Honestly, I am always surprised at how much there is to do in winter on the Cape!

Will there be any Cape Cod travel for you this winter? I'm telling you, it's a great place to be in the winter months! Just make sure you dress accordingly and have the appropriate winter gear and clothing to keep you safe and warm.