1. Home
›
2. Cape Cod in Winter

Cape Cod in Winter

When you think of Cape Cod in winter, what comes to mind? 

Some people picture scenes straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Others imagine a place where nearly everything is closed, and the locals just bide their time until spring. 

As with many things in life, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.  

So if you’re thinking about a winter visit to the Cape, here’s what it’s really like on this side of the bridge in the off-off-season.

What’s Still Open in the Winter?

There's an all-too-common misconception that everything comes to a screeching halt on the Cape after the Holidays are over.

No question about it, the winter months are quiet. But that doesn't mean everything is shut down.

The reality is that as our population of year-round residents — and Cape-curious visitors — increases each year, so do the numbers of shops, restaurants and attractions that are opting to stay open through the winter months to serve them.

Some do cut back to an off-season schedule, reducing their open days/hours during the week, then ramping back up on weekends.

Others take a longer break in January or February to give their staff a much-needed rest.

Even so, you'll still find plenty of places to stay, eat and play if you come to the Cape in winter.

What's the Weather Like?

The best way I can describe it is: unpredictable. Some winters are relatively mild. Others, not so much. 

When we do get snow, it’s usually pretty manageable — four or five inches of the white stuff, then we get a warm or rainy day and the snow disappears.

That said, every few years Mother Nature hits Cape Cod with a major storm that dumps a foot or more of snow on us.

This is the Canal after an 18+ inch snowfall. In recent years, storms like this have been few and far between. (Hope I didn’t just jinx us!)

How cold does it get here in winter? Thanks to the warm-ish ocean waters surrounding the Cape, we're usually 5 or more degrees warmer than the mainland.

But that varies from year to year, too.

A few winters ago we had the worst cold snap I ever remember. Three straight days of single-digit temps — and one of those nights our outdoor thermometer hit -19° F. 

Mercifully, that kind of deep freeze is exceedingly rare!

On the flip side, we often have some surprisingly mild winter days that feel like early spring.

A sunny winter day is made for a game of beach bocce.

I’ve even seen golfers out playing a round in mid-winter. Those days are a real bonus!

Where to Stay in Winter

It’s actually pretty easy to find a place to stay on Cape Cod in the winter months.

Many of the Cape’s inns, full-service resorts, boutique hotels, and B&Bs stay open year-round. National chain hotels do, too. Vacation rentals are a handy option if you want extra space and more flexibility to choose your home base location. 

Plus, lodging rates are generally a lot lower at this time of year, and last-minute bookings are far easier to come by. 

Speaking of location ...

In winter, different parts of the Cape feel different. The Outer Cape is very quiet this time of year, while the Upper, Mid and Lower Cape towns feel more active, with more things staying open day to day and a nice mix of lodgings to choose from.

An upside of winter is that traffic is rarely an issue. Wherever you base yourself, it’s easy to drive to another town if you’re looking for more options on a given day.

What is There to Do in Winter?

Staying busy this time of year is easier than you might think. The key is to take each day as it comes (a/k/a "wing it). 

If you wake up to a calm, sunny day, that's a perfect time to head out for a beach walk, poke around a few towns, or get an up-close look at a lighthouse or two without the summer crowds.

Bonus points if there's snow on the ground!

If the weather goes downhill, there's more than enough indoor stuff to keep you busy for the day.

Check out some museums or art galleries. Pop into a few boutiques or antique shops. See a movie, or head to a bowling alley and roll a few frames. (FYI: If you've never tried candlepin bowling, give it a try. It's a hoot!)

Candlepin bowling at The Alley Bowl & BBQ in Orleans in February. (They serve some seriously good barbecue, too.)

For casual evenings, you might go for burgers and beers at a pub. Or for a special date, an early dinner and a live theater performance.

A winter evening at O'Shea's Olde Inne in West Dennis.

Curious about what else is going on this time of year? My Cape Cod events calendars highlight more things going on each month.

1. Home
›
2. Cape Cod in Winter

SAVE THIS INFO TO PINTEREST