You came to Cape Cod this fall for fun, a four-seasons climate with beautiful fall colors, and a wide and varied array of activities only available in Cape Cod. There are a variety of things to do and places to see to make your fall retreat one to remember for a lifetime! Make sure to add all, or as many as possible, of the activities to make the ultimate fall itinerary for you Cape Cod fall getaway.
First Encounter Beach
Fall on Cape Cod isn’t the most ideal time for beach activities, but you won’t want to miss visiting the Eastham beach that’s reported to be the site of the Pilgrims’ first encounter with the Nauset Native Americans upon arriving in the New World. The Pilgrims arrived in the spot after leaving Provincetown and before arriving in Plymouth. For those willing to brave the cool, but mostly calm waters of the area can also make use of the bathhouse and other facilities, then prepare for a day on the sand or in the water with their favorite beach activities.
There is handicap parking, boardwalk access to the sand, and more. Daily parking fee is $15 on weekdays and $18 on weekends but may vary.
Sightseeing Tours
When you go on your own tour, there’s no limit to where you can go. There are a variety of historic and other significant sights scattered across Cape Cod. You may be able to book a sightseeing tour so everyone can relax, but many operate seasonally. The knowledgeable Cape Cod guides will take you to all the places you want to go and fill you in on local history and events. Select a specialty tour that includes activities like food or wine tastings, sunset tours, or even night tours that offer a different perspective from a traditional daytime tour.
John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
The museum is devoted to the life and legacy of America’s 35th president, also known as JFK. It includes exhibits like a remembrance of the fateful 1963 day when President Kennedy was shot, as well as the presidential summer home, and personal belongings like his rocking chair – known as a Kennedy Rocker – on loan due to the renovation of The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria. Fall hours are typically Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets and admission prices are available on the museum website.
Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Established in 1875, the aquarium is the oldest public aquarium in the country. It hosts approximately 80 species of marine animals native to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. waters. The museum is designed for self-guided tours of the main exhibits or get a behind-the-scenes look at aquarium operations. There is also a seal enclosure hosting several residents.
Current operating hours for the seal enclosure as well as the indoor aquarium are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The aquarium and seal enclosure are closed weekends and all federal holidays. Fall hours are not yet available.
Spa Day
Enjoy complete relaxation this fall. Pamper yourself with a well-deserved spa day this this fall. Choose one of the many day spas and relax and unwind. Create the perfect relaxation package for yourself and include services like a mani/pedi, facial, body wrap or scrub, massages, and more. Select spas even offer packages just for men that cater to their specific needs, so everyone can enjoy a day of relaxation. Contact your spa of choice to confirm fall hours of operation.
Cape Cod National Seashore
Much of the seashore is accessed by the town of Wellfleet. In fact, over half of the designated land is there! The CCNS was created in August of 1961 by 35th President John F. Kennedy. It includes areas with ponds, woods, and beachfront along the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion.
The CCNS is nearly 40 miles of seashore along the Atlantic-facing eastern shore of Cape Cod, and stretches through the towns of Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans, and Chatham.
Truro Vineyards
Set aside some adults-only time this fall and make time for some good wine! Wine tastings are offered by the glass daily. There is also a pavilion with walk-up bar. Grapes are grown right on the five-acre vineyard and include Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Choose from a variety of reds and whites or try something from the “Lighthouse Wine Series” or “Limited Release Wines.” The vineyard also offers a selection of spirits, including whiskey, gin, rum, and amaro. The vineyards are open year-round, and hours vary throughout the year.
Fishing
Anglers on an outdoor adventure during Cape Cod fall won’t be able to resist casting a line. The region is ripe with great fishing spots, including great places for shore fishing, freshwater fishing, and even canal fishing. You’ll hook catches like striped bass, flounder, bluefish, flatfish, smallmouth and largemouth bath, and others. Check out shore fishing hot spots like Cape Cod Bay or Brewster Flats. Freshwater locales include Nickerson State Park, Long Pond, and Black Pond.
Deep Sea Fishing
Heading out to the depths of the Atlantic can be a thrilling way to catch your next big fish story this fall. Headboats, or “party boats” offer a variety of trips, from short, fun trips where you can catch your next meal, to longer trips like full day or overnight fishing treks.
Try your luck at hooking fluke, cod, haddock, mahi, swordfish, wahoo, tuna, and many others. For a different thrill during your deep sea excursion, ask about shark fishing!
Cape Cod Rail Trail
The over 25 miles of paved paths offer challenges for serious bikers as well as more tame routes for adventure-seeking families this fall. The trail stretches through seven Cape towns: Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet. The trail gets its name from its location: it sits atop a former railroad line. The trail cuts through national parks, past breathtaking bodies of water, and a unique variety of ecosystems.
You’ll be joined by plenty of bikers, as well as walkers, joggers, runners, rollerbladers, and horseback riders. The trail is open daily dawn to dusk, and there are eight different entry points along the trail, each with a convenient parking area.
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is not only the perfect place for wildlife to while away the time, but human visitors, too. The federal refuge on Monomoy Island was established in 1944 to provide a safe habitat for migratory birds. These habitats combine to provide a safe harbor for over 25 species of seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and other visitors.
The refuge itself is situated on an eight-mile stretch of sandy beaches in Chatham and boasts over 7,600 acres of beaches, trail systems, and a variety of habitats and ecosystems. Its waterways include parts of the Atlantic Ocean, salt and freshwater marshes, and freshwater ponds. You won’t want to forget to check out the dunes, too. Activities available in the refuge include birding, fishing, hiking, shellfishing, photography, and more. Hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
The marine sanctuary is situated between Cape Cod and Cape Ann and consists of nearly 900-square-miles of area. It is historically important as a fishing ground in the area. Currently, the sanctuary is New England’s only national marine sanctuary, and is a premier destination for whale watching. It also continues to support commercial and recreational fishing activities. Take a whale-watching tour, go on a diving excursion in search of shipwrecks, or stay above water for birding and other activities.
There are no land areas associated with the sanctuary, it is only accessible by vessel. Small watercraft may not be able to handle the wind and waves, so book a tour or make sure to obtain a vessel that can handle the waters.
Shining Sea Bikeway
Head to Falmouth for another beautiful biking experience. The 10+ mile long trail starts at the Steamship Authority Ferry Terminal, snakes through breathtaking lands, and ends at Woods Hole in North Falmouth.
The paved path’s name hearkens from a line in the song America the Beautiful “From sea to shining sea…” The bikeway runs along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline and offers a glimpse of the shining sea it speaks of. It winds along the Vineyard South Shoreline, past Woods Hole, through cranberry bogs, and more as it overlooks Chapoquoit Beach.
Mayflower Beach
The Pilgrims sailed to the New World aboard the Mayflower, and a beach in Dennis bears the name of the famous ship. The beach stretches along the shores of Cape Cod Bay. Enjoy the day at the beach, with activities including a boardwalk from the parking area to the beach, volleyball, and more. During the season there is a lifeguard on duty, as well as concessions and restrooms. You fall trip may be a bit cool for beach activities, but the historic area is a must-see. In-season parking is $15/day.
Lighthouses
There are a number of lighthouses to find and see during your Cape Cod fall trip. Make a list that includes Nobska Point, Chatham, Nauset, Highland, the Three Sisters Lighthouses, Wood End, and more. Ask us about other must-see lighthouses. The areas around the lighthouses are often open 24 hours a day, year-round, but the lighthouses themselves are only open for touring during the summer season.
Golf
Challenge yourself to one of the many golf courses in the area this fall before the snow and cold closes them. Contact the course of your choice and book a tee time. If your clubs and other golf gear don’t make the packing list, ask about rentals or the best place to purchase what you need.
Uncle Tim’s Bridge & Hamblen Island
The combo is one of the best hikes and outdoor adventures in Cape Cod for fall. Located in Wellfleet, it’s one of the most photographed places in the whole region! Established in 1783, its original name was “The New Bridge.” It spans Duck Creek to connect Hamblen Island to the mainland and central village of Wellfleet. “Uncle Tim” is Timothy E. Daniels, a retail shop owner in the 1800s whose shop was across from the bridge. Walk the bridge to the island and enjoy outdoor activities like beaches, walking trails, Wellfleet Harbor, and more.
The bridge is on the State Historic Register.
Dunes
Part of Cape Cod’s beauty is its natural sand dunes, which are part of the Cape Cod National Seashore along the coast of Provincetown. You may be able to take a tour of the dunes with a knowledgeable tour guide who provides information on local flora and fauna, as well as the history of the Dune Shacks, life-saving stations, and more. You can explore on your own, too.
Sandwich Fish Hatchery
While there are hundreds of species of fish in the sea – the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Cape Cod to be exact, the State of Massachusetts gives its freshwater species a little boost when it comes to its population. There are a total of five hatcheries across the state, including one in Cape Cod. Between the five, over 500,00 brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout are stocked into state waterways during spring and fall stocking seasons.
Visit the hatchery this fall to view the fish at their different stages of growth, and before they’re released into the waterways. Visits are self-guided, so take as much time as you with to learn and explore. There is parking available onsite, and year-round hours are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Crosby Mansion
Built in 1888 in Brewster by Albert and Matilda Crosby, the mansion was nicknamed “Tawasentha,” based on an excerpt from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha” poem. The Colonial Revival-style home also incorporated design elements of French, Asian, and a number of other influences. It included indoor plumbing and gas lights and is the first home on Cape Cod to incorporate the features. Tours are offered of the three-story home in the summer and fall, and a $6 donation to the restoration effort is appreciated.
Ultimate Fall Accommodations
When planning your ultimate fall trip to Cape Cod, make sure you choose a home base provided by Pretty Picky Properties. We offer two-bedroom units for a smaller family all the way up to a 10-bedroom mansion to house all of Mom’s loved ones for an ultimate accommodation and activity experience.
Prepare a delicious home-cooked meal in the fully equipped kitchen. Lounge inside in beautiful living spaces or enjoy the view from the private balcony or patio or spend some time near the pool at select rentals.
