Cape Cod -- when does the peak season start?
Jul 13th, 2007, 02:58 PM
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Cape Cod -- when does the peak season start?
We want to tour Cape Cod next year. I usually prefer May, but, according to the Weather Channel, the average highs for the area are only in the mid-60s and the lows are only in the mid-40s in May. We live in Southern CA, so we prefer warmer.
If we wait until early June, when it probably will be a few degrees warmer, will the roads, restaurants, etc. be a lot more crowded than in May?
On the other hand, are there a lot more restaurants, tourist attractions, stores, etc., open in June than in May?
If we wait until early June, when it probably will be a few degrees warmer, will the roads, restaurants, etc. be a lot more crowded than in May?
On the other hand, are there a lot more restaurants, tourist attractions, stores, etc., open in June than in May?
Jul 13th, 2007, 03:22 PM
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I am a chowdahead from "the Cape" who now lives in northeast Florida. We always go back in June, any time before the 3rd week when the schools let out up north. Hotels, and attractions really get a lot more crowded and expensive after that week, it seems. This year we were there from 6/3-6/15 (to see our son graduate from college) and the weather ranged from 60s in early am to high 70s. Bring some long sleeves for cooler evenings and mornings. Yes it is more "off season" in May, which means cooler temps, although they do vary from year to year, and there are much less busy roads to get around then. As far as attractions go, most everything seasonal opens after April school vacation with only a few now opening after Memorial Day. (outside restaurant areas, etc). I highly recommend a drive up the historical Old Kings Highway (Route 6A) and along the route, follow a map to take a quick left turn down to any beach. Avoid tourist "traps" if possible. Hope to see you there!
Jul 13th, 2007, 03:38 PM
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I live on Cape Cod year round and I can tell you that May is cool, probably more cool than a CA person would like. We are surrounded on 3 sides by cold ocean, it controls our temperature to some degree. In May the ocean is usually in the 50s. June is a bit warmer, most things are open. June can be very rainy as well -for days. Our weather, especially in May/Jun/July changes by the minute. This spring we really didn't get warm until about 10 days ago except for 3 days in early June. August/September may be a better choice weatherwise.... unless we have a hurricane. Come visit anyway.
Jul 13th, 2007, 04:45 PM
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June is busier than May, but not crowded or mobbed like July and August. All the seasonal places (restaurants, shops, etc.) open Memorial Day weekend. At many places, you'll receive off season rates in June as well as May (some raise rates for June, just shop around).
It's true that May can be chilly and June may be rainy.
Just after Labor Day is more preferable to us than May or June.
It's true that May can be chilly and June may be rainy.
Just after Labor Day is more preferable to us than May or June.
Jul 13th, 2007, 05:02 PM
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I live in MA and the only way I would go to the Cape in May or June is at the last minute, when I knew the probable weather forecast. When we were MA newbies, we booked a pre-paid hotel in Falmouth for the 2nd wknd in June. The temp was about 55 and there was driving non-stop rain that came down sideways. In the intervening years, I have marvelled at how many times the weather has repeated that performance on the same week-end!
Jul 13th, 2007, 05:07 PM
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Again, my laptop w/a mind of its own, posted before I was done. June, or May for that matter, can also be gorgeous. You just cannot count on it and there is not a lot to do--just my opinion--when the weather is cold and rainy.
Jul 13th, 2007, 06:30 PM
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Most restaurants, even seasonal ones, are open by mid-May or certainly Memorial Day and stay open until about Columbus Day weekend.
Weather on end of Cape (Provincetown area) is most likely to be wet and cool in late spring than closer to Cape Cod Canal (Sandwich, etc). Anytime we have relied on visible weather Memorial Day and headed towards end of Cape we arrive to fog and mist.
Weather on end of Cape (Provincetown area) is most likely to be wet and cool in late spring than closer to Cape Cod Canal (Sandwich, etc). Anytime we have relied on visible weather Memorial Day and headed towards end of Cape we arrive to fog and mist.
Jul 13th, 2007, 06:51 PM
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We too are in Southern CA. Cape Cod in May and early June is kind of like SoCal mid-winter. Far better is after Labor Day when things have calmed down, and the ocean temps are near peak. September is pretty nice.
Jul 14th, 2007, 04:53 AM
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Would like to clarify that most seasonal restaurants open by May BUT there are many restaurants and activities open all year round - IMHO the really good ones are open all year. There are over 250,000 folks living on Cape Cod year round - we like to go out to eat, to the symphony, theater, etc. all year.
