Since starting my travels it has been on my mind to spend a fall season in New England. From what I have both read and seen online, it truly doesn’t seem like a better destination exists for this time of year.
Last year I enjoyed fall in Colorado, or what was commonly called Fallorado. The aspen leaves were an incredible sight to see but, been there done that, right?
It was only right that I set off for the remainder of my 2024 travels in the New England area.
Kicking off my tour I decided to spend the month of September exploring Cape Cod. Another part of the county that I didn’t think I would be making it to any time soon, but not only would I be visiting the peninsula, I would be living there during arguably one of the best months of the year.
I decided to stay on the cape versus Boston solely for the reason of loving a coastal city.
Cape Cod consists of 15 different towns, each with several villages within them. I choose to stay in the town of Barnstable, in the village of Centerville. I chose this area because it seemed fairly centrally located, it is considered to be mid-cape which was perfect and it was well within my budget! I was also only 3 miles from the closest beach and within close proximity to many destinations on the cape that I wanted to explore.
After leaving Michigan, I found myself in another state that I had never been to and knew not much else about other than it being the place where the Pilgrims first landed, where Jaws was filmed and was home to a city I have been dying to visit, Salem.
The month of September seemed like of of the more perfect months to live on the cape. From the research that I did prior to the move, this month offered ideal weather, mid 60s to the mid 70s, and was also the beginning of the off season. Which meant both prices and visitors were lowering. While it was a bit too chilly to go swimming in the Atlantic ocean, I did enjoy a weekend of 80 degree weather in which I got to enjoy the beach as I had done many times in my last destination.
Except these beaches had shark warning signs, that was a bit different.
Cape Cod does have public transit, called the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority. They offer daily bus services Monday through Saturday servicing the greater area of the cape. One way fare is $2 and an unlimited day pass is $6. Pretty reasonable if this is your only mode of transportation, however, I feel that the best way to get around and to see the majority of the cape is by car.
Do note that because this is a peninsula, there is only one highway that serves the entire cape, Route 6. Which means that during popular travel times throughout the day or year, it can get pretty congested. To go from the mainland side to the cape there are two automobile bridges and one railway bridge. With that being said, know that if you are traveling during peak times, the traffic will be reflective of that. I did not experience any issues during my travels but have seen videos showing miles of traffic just to get onto the cape itself.
If you are visiting the cape during its peak season, it is not unusual for beach parking to be rather expensive, some lots costing $25-30 a day and can fill up rather quickly. Luckily traveling here during the off season both granted me access to every beach on the cape for free and also almost guaranteed empty parking lot.
Again, a win is a win.
Cape Cod is home to many day trip destinations, keeping up with my travel traditions. The furthest that I traveled was an hour and a half and that was to a whole other state! Some of my favorite day trip destinations were to Provincetown, Newport, RI, Martha's Vineyard and Chatham.
While you might be flustered seeing that a destination is only 15 miles away, it might take you 25 minutes to get there because there is only that one highway that services the entire peninsula. Be patient and know that you will get to your destination, it might just take a little longer.
Being 60 miles into the ocean guarantees some of the best and freshest seafood, right?
Right.
Almost any menu that you see on the cape will feature a lobster roll, one of the most well known food items in this area. You will have to determine if you prefer them hot or cold, I like mine cold, but you should absolutely try them prepared both ways. Be prepared to spend $30-40 per roll, pricy, but an absolute must when visiting the cape. Two of my favorite places for a lobster roll were at The Canteen in Provincetown and Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Yarmouth.
Besides lobster, Cape Cod is also well known for their oysters and New England clam chowder. Both of which I think you should try should you ever find yourself in the area.
I used to be intimidated by oysters, but the more that I have tried them, I have actually grown to love them! You know you are eating a good and fresh oyster when it tastes nothing more than fresh and a little salty, like the ocean.
If you aren’t a fan of seafood, I fear that you might be out of luck in this area. There are other options on the menus at restaurants but most of the time, these restaurants are most well known for their seafood dishes.
When I think about Cape Cod, I immediately envision everything that I saw in Chatham. The white fences, cedar shakes and beautiful, expensive oceanfront homes, with the price tags to match.
The amount of wealth that I saw in this area was both impressive and a bit shocking. Much like Charleston, the amount of wealth that this area draws can be intimidating but it helped that most of those people had gone off cape and back to their other homes.
Due to the time of year that I was spending in this region, I was mostly encountering the locals while I went out and dined or explored. Many locals explained that the month of September was considered to be their summer month in which they could freely enjoy their home without the gobs of tourists.
Something growing up in a smaller beach community similarly taught me.
The folks I encountered were kind, and were more than happy to give me recommendations. I met the loveliest couple while on my whale watching tour, we exchanged stories and insights. They were so welcoming and were happy to hear that I was loving the cape just as much as they have.
Off cape, you will more than likely experience people that come across quite brash. Now take this with a grain of salt, they aren’t being rude to be mean, being rude is just a part of life here.
I was genuinely worried about not fitting in during my stay here, however the people I met along the way helped me feel right at home.
After talking with the locals and learning more about the area, the off seasons sound a lot like what we had growing up. The population decreases tremendously, local business shut down mid-October and there really isn’t much in the way of happenings going on until the following spring.
I think it is both safe to assume and to say that I feel my best and the most at home when I am near the ocean. This stay didn’t feel any different. I was in awe of the marine life that you can encounter on an almost daily basis. I loved the nautical theme that carried itself through each and every shop, restaurant and establishment that you came across.
Is this a place that I could see myself living for the rest of my life? I doubt it.
Is this a place that I could happily spend my summers? Absolutely.
I feel like I say this after leaving every place that I visit, but Cape Cod, you were incredible. You were everything that I expected you to be and a little bit more.
I will proudly sport my Cuffy’s sweatshirt and tell everything that I was fortunate enough to not only visit, but live, on Cape Cod.
