Cape Cod daydreams often include long sunny days at the beach, strolling on the sand, frolicking in the water and eating plenty of seafood. In reality, this idyllic picture only exists a fraction of the year – primarily in July and August, the only months with consistently warm weather and sunny skies.
Fortunately, the remaining months have their own appeal, such as fewer people and lower prices, and each season presents delightfully different dressings, from fall foliage to winter holiday festivities to spring blooms. Even better? Seafood is in season year-round.
Whether you’re coming for a summer beach holiday or an offseason getaway, here are the best times to visit Cape Cod.
Shoulder season is the best time for blooms and birds (April to June)
Cape Cod is delightful in the spring. The weather starts to warm up, and the gardens and greenery burst into bloom. There’s plenty of rain, but there’s also plenty of sunshine.
Temperatures are ideal for hiking, biking, birding and beach walking. Lodging is much more affordable than in summer, and there are no traffic jams (with the exception of Memorial Day weekend).
High season is for trips to the beach (July & August)
Sunny skies and consistently hot weather make July and August the best time for a traditional beach holiday with sunning, swimming and sand-digging. The summer months are also best for whale watching, as humpback, minke and fin whales all spend their summers off the coast of Massachusetts.
The tradeoff, of course, is that July and August are the months everyone goes to the Cape. Traffic clogs the streets, beach parking lots fill up, it’s hard to find a spot on the sand for your towel and the cost of lodging and flights are at their peak.
Avoid the crowds and enjoy mild temps in fall shoulder (September & October)
High season’s official end is Labor Day, after which Cape Cod is left to the locals and the seals. The fall shoulder season is the most pleasant time on Cape Cod, with mild sunny weather and fewer people. Some local establishments close for the season, but popular activities like whale-watching cruises and dune tours run through October.
September and October are excellent for wildlife watching on Cape Cod. The seals head…
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