Although Cape Cod is often seen as a seasonal tourist destination, there are plenty of residents who call the Cape home year round. There is certainly charm to be found in any season on the Cape, and its proximity to the big city lights of Boston is just another reason that Cape Cod is a great place to call home.
Fall Delights
With autumn upon us, it's easy to see why visitors and residents alike enjoy the colors of the Cape in the fall. As the long summer days give way to crisp autumn weather and fall's bounty of fruits and vegetables appear in storefronts and nurseries, it's time to slow down the pace and take time for apple picking and pumpkin carving.
As the beach grasses turn to gold, leisurely beach strolls see wanderers bundled in sweaters and taking advantage of the waning crowds. And after such a stroll, with evening descending, nothing tastes better than a hearty fish or seafood chowder.
Another of the Cape's unique delights is the fall cranberry harvest, when growers flood the cranberry bogs and visitors can catch sight of the wet harvest. Cranberries are the staple at many a modern Thanksgiving feast, and since New England is the cradle of Thanksgiving history, there's nowhere better to spend this festive, family-centered holiday.
And fall is a perfect time to take advantage of the lessened crowds, if only to take a scenic drive along the less-crowded Route 6A for a glimpse of sea captain's houses and a gourmet nibble at a roadside grocery.
Winter Wonders
Envision cozy inns and restaurants with blazing fires, curls of smoke trailing from chimney tops, and a pristine blanket of new-fallen snow. Winter is an idyllic time to explore quintessential New England hamlets so picturesque that they look like they have been lifted straight from a painting.
There's a reason Christmas Tree Shops originated in the Cape Cod town of Yarmouthport. If it's shopping you love, the Cape is brimming with antique stores, local galleries, and other specialty shops that are perfect for browsing during a winter afternoon. And no one does Christmas like the Cape. From spectacular harbor lights displays to caroling on the town green to holiday fairs and seasonal concerts, there's no lack of ways to celebrate the season.
Nature lovers will enjoy the winter wildlife to be sighted on Cape Cod National Seashore. And outdoor winter pursuits abound, from winter hiking to snowshoeing to ice skating on an outdoor pond.
Magical Springtime
With the weather warming and signs of greenery returning to the Cape, spring is the time to take advantage of the longer days before the snarl of heavy bridge traffic returns. By April, ferries start to return to summer schedules and whale watching enjoys a surge. While it might not be time to hit the waves just yet, the improving weather expands outdoor opportunities and residents begin to emerge from the snowy cocoon of winter.
As recreational opportunities increase, there are always a few unseasonably warm days during which residents and visitors can participate in activities reminiscent of the summertime – but without the crowds. It's a great time to check out the Cape's many historic and quaint lighthouses. Bike trails reopen for those looking to get a little exercise. And it's also time to get back out enjoy the beaches even if it is a little to chilly to take a dip.
With Cape Cod's natural beauty a year-round draw, it's easy to see why so many people opt to live full-time on the Cape.
