Clamming in Pleasant Bay during the fall.

Cape Cod might be known as a summer vacation destination, but our coastal peninsula still has much to offer in the fall season. The autumn months bring cooler temperatures and less crowded roads, meaning you can get out and explore the areas you may avoid from Memorial Day through Labor Day!

EVENTS

Sandwich Arts & Crafts Shows (September 22 and October 5, Sandwich)

Shop for art, jewelry, pottery, photography, and more at the Sandwich Arts & Crafts Shows held at the Sandwich Public Library. When you’re done, spend the afternoon exploring Sandwich – it’s one of our favorite towns on the Cape! 

Robin Smith-Johnson Discussion and Book Signing (September 27, Chatham)

Hear from local author Robin Smith-Johnson talk about her books Cape Cod Curiosities and Legends and Lore of Cape Cod at 9:30am on Thursday, September 27 at the Chatham Orpheum Theater. You’ll learn about the history and mystery of Cape Cod and get a chance to have Smith-Johnson sign copies of her books.

Live Jazz Concert with Antonia Bennett (September 27, South Yarmouth)

Antonia Bennett will perform jazz favorites alongside the Wayne Naus Jazz Ensemble at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod from 8:00-10:00pm on September 27. If you’re a fan of live music, this is an event you surely shouldn’t miss!

Cape Cod Brew Fest (October 13, Falmouth)

Are you a beer lover? If so, mark your calendars and head to the Cape Cod Brew Fest at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in Falmouth. More than 100 breweries will be offering samples of their brews and there will be live music, food vendors, and retailers on site to give attendees a day they won’t forget!

 Oyster Fest (October 13-14, Wellfleet)

Some of the best oysters in the area hail from Wellfleet, a quaint town situated 30 minutes from Brewster by the Sea Inn. Every October, thousands of oyster-lovers head to the town to attend OysterFest. The two-day festival is home to local artisans and retailers, amazing food, ice cold drinks, and, you guessed it, oysters!

THINGS TO DO

Head to the beach

One of the best parts about fall on Cape Cod is how quiet the beaches get. You no longer need to pay for parking or have a permit to visit some of the Cape’s best beaches and you’ll have much more room to yourself. The average high temperature on the Cape in September is 70 degrees, meaning there are still plenty of days left to soak up the sun or go for a walk on the region’s best beaches.

Go for a walk

The Cape is best-known for its miles of coastline, but it also has beautiful hiking and walking trails through the dunes and in the deep woods. Explore a new corner of the Cape this fall and take in all that the region’s ecosystems have to offer. Our favorite: Nickerson State Park in Brewster, located just 10 minutes down the road from Brewster by the Sea Inn. 

Tour a cranberry bog

Cranberries require a very particular environment in order to grow. Luckily for us, Cape Cod is one place where this fruit thrives. Book a tour in Harwich at the Cape’s largest organic cranberry bog. You’ll learn what it takes to grow cranberries and manage the bog. 

Make the trip to Provincetown

One of our favorite things to do on Cape Cod is spend the day in Provincetown. Known for its restaurants, arts, and shops, the town is the perfect place to enjoy a fall day on the Cape. And, there’s still time to enjoy outdoor activities like a whale watch or trek up to the top of Pilgrim Monument.