Discovering Ways to Enjoy Winter on Cape Cod
When most people plan a visit to Cape Cod they envision sunbathing and swimming at the beach, sailing on Vineyard Sound, playing miniature golf, eating ice cream, or hosting a backyard barbecue with friends. While these activities are accessible in warmer months, visitors and Cape Codders alike have to get a little more creative (and hardier) to plan activities in colder weather. Read on to learn about some fun ways you can make winter on Cape Cod more enjoyable!
Dining in the Winter Months
Although your favorite waterfront restaurant may be closed during the winter months, there are plenty of restaurants and bars offering delicious food with cozy atmospheres.
- The Quarterdeck Restaurant on Main Street Falmouth is a local’s favorite that has served steaks and seafood to customers for over 40 years. The interior is designed with wood salvaged from boats, which gives the dining room and bar a historic, nautical atmosphere. Patrons feel as if they are below the deck of a sailboat!
- The Silver Lounge Restaurant, located in North Falmouth, is another favorite of locals. Enjoy steaks, seafood, and sandwiches in a casual setting. Kids will be thrilled to sit in the caboose located off the side of the restaurant with booths reached by climbing a ladder!
- Osteria La Civetta and La Cucina Sul Mare, both located on Main Street in Falmouth, offer cozy candlelight ambiance, perfect for a dinner with your special someone!
- Quicks Hole Tavern, located in Woods Hole, will reopen for guests on January 26. The cozy downstairs tavern is great for food and conversation, while looking out at the twinkling lights on the departing ferry.
Winter Special Events
While there aren’t a lot of special events on Cape Cod after the holiday season, there are several opportunities for both visitors and locals to enjoy arts and theatre.
- The Falmouth Theatre Guild is a community center for the performing arts located near downtown Falmouth. The upcoming performance of “Godspell” will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday from January 21-30.
- Falmouth Art Center hosts month-long exhibitions, each with a different theme. In January, members of the public can visit “A Room with a View”, artwork about interiors and exteriors, both physical and emotional. In February, visitors can enjoy “The Golden Hour”, a collection that includes works inspired by the light and colors of the golden hour.
- The Cotuit Center for the Arts offers art exhibits, live theatre, concerts, classes and more.
Outdoor Activities in Winter
While the chilly winter air may deter some visitors to the Cape during winter, there are actually plenty of activities that can be enjoyed as long as you bring along your hat, mittens and a scarf!!
- Many locals enjoy long walks on the beach in the winter. The peace and solitude during the winter months can’t be as easily found during summer.
- If the invigorating January ocean air doesn’t sound that enjoyable to you, find protection from the wind and elements hiking a quiet path in Beebe Woods or choose from one of the extensive number of trails throughout the wooded areas of the 300 Committee Land Trust. Locals who have lived here for years may discover a few beautiful spots they never even knew existed in town!
- Lace up your skates! Once the weather gets cold enough, many residents enjoy ice skating or playing hockey on the local cranberry bogs, which due to their shallowness freeze over easier than Falmouth’s larger ponds.
- Visitors will be surprised to learn that golf can be played on the Cape for the majority of the year. A number of golf courses remain open and green fees are a fraction of what they are during the summer months.
Life on Cape Cod in the winter is quite a bit different than during the hustle and bustle of high season. For many though, winter is a time to find peace and solitude outdoors, enjoy a delicious meal at a cozy restaurant, or even discover the thriving arts community on the Cape. So whether you’re a visitor to the Cape or a local trying to beat the winter blues, take advantage of all the Cape has to offer during the winter months!
