Cape Cod - November - Suggestions/Advice
Jun 11th, 2012, 01:52 PM
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Cape Cod - November - Suggestions/Advice
Finally have some concrete plans for our trip in November (main objective: seeing the Patriots play the Bills on the 11th). We'll fly in to Logan on November 8 and will rent a car. My son would like to see TD Garden - I'm checking to see whether they offer tours if nothing is planned for that day/night. We will not be staying in Boston, but instead heading to the Cape. First question ....should we find a place to stay (Plymouth?) along the way or just head straight to the Cape? And once we reach the Cape - where should we stay? We are not interested in staying in an inn or B&B - national hotel chains are fine with us. We are solely there for the beautiful scenery/beaches/ocean. We will have one full day there (Friday, 9th) and sometime Saturday (10th) will be headed towards Foxboro to find a place to stay for the night. This trip is mainly about the football game for my son (who is a huge Patriots fan) and I'm just tacking on the Cape because I'm not traveling that far and not seeing it! I would appreciate any suggestions/advice on any part of my trip (if you have an opinion - please speak up!). THANKS!
Jun 11th, 2012, 02:39 PM
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I'm so glad you found tickets!
I would blow off the new Garden. Although there is some interesting memorabilia in the halls of the 5th and 6th floors, I don't think it is a destination collection and will cut into valuable time.
Unless you want to visit Plimouth Plantation, I would just head to the cape. Since it is off season, I would consider Falmouth area, Hyannis as a central base commercial area to sleep or go for broke and head to Provincetown. Chatham is also a great town that has year round charm.
Make your Foxboro reservations now. Most hotels block Patriot game dates and mark up considerably. I just checked out kayak.com. Four Points Sheraton is showing $123 a night and is only a few miles away and has a decent restaurant. Otherwise there are lots of places, including suite type lodgings that might be more comfortable. Consider Mansfield/Foxboro/Sharon/Norwood hotels as the most accessable to the stadium in regards to traffic. And of course, there are some back road routes to the stadium to avoid the worst traffic.
On game day, head out early and check out the Bass Shops and take a stroll behind them around a cranberry bog.
I would blow off the new Garden. Although there is some interesting memorabilia in the halls of the 5th and 6th floors, I don't think it is a destination collection and will cut into valuable time.
Unless you want to visit Plimouth Plantation, I would just head to the cape. Since it is off season, I would consider Falmouth area, Hyannis as a central base commercial area to sleep or go for broke and head to Provincetown. Chatham is also a great town that has year round charm.
Make your Foxboro reservations now. Most hotels block Patriot game dates and mark up considerably. I just checked out kayak.com. Four Points Sheraton is showing $123 a night and is only a few miles away and has a decent restaurant. Otherwise there are lots of places, including suite type lodgings that might be more comfortable. Consider Mansfield/Foxboro/Sharon/Norwood hotels as the most accessable to the stadium in regards to traffic. And of course, there are some back road routes to the stadium to avoid the worst traffic.
On game day, head out early and check out the Bass Shops and take a stroll behind them around a cranberry bog.
Jun 11th, 2012, 03:43 PM
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Um are you really sure you will want to see the Cape in Nov. It can be very cold - esp by the ocean and some places will have closed for the season. I guess if you have already see everything in boston it makes sense - but otherwise why do a beach resort at that time of year.
Jun 11th, 2012, 04:45 PM
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Lookin_Glass - thanks for all the great information! I think we're going to splurge for one night (Sunday) and stay at the Renaissance at Patriot Place, but will be looking nearby for Saturday night so thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have to talk to the son about TD Garden....I think he just wants to see where the Celtics play (not sure he even knows about the memorabilia there).
nytraveler - we don't travel often and so we're taking this chance to see the Cape regardless of weather. We can't justify flying all the way there and not seeing it. And we're coming from South Dakota, so weather is not a deterrent for us! And crazy as it sounds, we aren't interested in spending any time in Boston - I'd rather see the ocean!
nytraveler - we don't travel often and so we're taking this chance to see the Cape regardless of weather. We can't justify flying all the way there and not seeing it. And we're coming from South Dakota, so weather is not a deterrent for us! And crazy as it sounds, we aren't interested in spending any time in Boston - I'd rather see the ocean!
Jun 11th, 2012, 04:51 PM
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You can spend a night in Boston (I assure you, it's worth seeing) and then head to the Cape. The Cape in November is a desolate place indeed. If you just want to see the sea, then you can stay off Cape in Plymouth or Onset.
Or, if you're determined, get on Cape and drive up to Eastham and stay at the Sheraton 4 Points on route 6. From there you can visit cute Chatham, the Coast Guard Beach in the National Seashore in Eastham, and take a drive up to Provincetown...one of the most interesting places in United States, in my opinion. Bundle up, folks. It'll be blowing a gale in early November!
Or, if you're determined, get on Cape and drive up to Eastham and stay at the Sheraton 4 Points on route 6. From there you can visit cute Chatham, the Coast Guard Beach in the National Seashore in Eastham, and take a drive up to Provincetown...one of the most interesting places in United States, in my opinion. Bundle up, folks. It'll be blowing a gale in early November!
Jun 11th, 2012, 05:39 PM
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Hey buffy,
I just had a conversation with my husband about your plans. Although he thinks that if your son is a big celtic fan the TD would be interesting, he concurs that it would deviate from your plans.
We also discussed your splurge. After debating we think you are better off splurging on Saturday. You are more likely to check in early or timely and have the night to explore the stadium and surrounding area. On gameday you are less likely to check in early so will only park and likely not see your room until after the game. The shops all close at 7pm on Sundays.
So, our thoughts after the debate are that you should consider taking it all in Sat/Sun with no traffic nightmares and then head out to a place like the one in Norwood I suggested for after the game.
But that's just our opinion. Feel free to email me from my profile page
I just had a conversation with my husband about your plans. Although he thinks that if your son is a big celtic fan the TD would be interesting, he concurs that it would deviate from your plans.
We also discussed your splurge. After debating we think you are better off splurging on Saturday. You are more likely to check in early or timely and have the night to explore the stadium and surrounding area. On gameday you are less likely to check in early so will only park and likely not see your room until after the game. The shops all close at 7pm on Sundays.
So, our thoughts after the debate are that you should consider taking it all in Sat/Sun with no traffic nightmares and then head out to a place like the one in Norwood I suggested for after the game.
But that's just our opinion. Feel free to email me from my profile page
Jun 11th, 2012, 05:39 PM
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I agree with Bowsprit, either spend the night in Boston or head to the Sheraton in Eastham. It is close to the National Seashore and there is a VC there. You can check out Provincetown too.
Not a lot is open at that time of year, but the locals do eat, shop etc.. so you won't starve. I prefer it then to the mobs of summer.
Not a lot is open at that time of year, but the locals do eat, shop etc.. so you won't starve. I prefer it then to the mobs of summer.
Jun 12th, 2012, 12:55 AM
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There are two parts to the Cape that will be worth your time in November.
One is the outer cape, from perhaps Wellfleet to Chatham: wild beaches, interesting, quirky towns. Eastham would make a good base for this.
The other is the communities along Route 6A between Sandwich and Brewster. This is the old KIng's Highway and is pretty well a bastion of quaint, rather than quirky. Lots of antique shops, village centers, etc. Get a good map and be sure to take the side roads down to the water.
If you have the time, the back roads from Bourne to Woods Hole are also very interesting, but you absolutely must have good maps because even "Shore Road" is far enough from the real shore in places like Pocasset that you will wonder what the fuss is about.
I think your son would like Woods Hole. The Harbor is almost completely enclosed, the various oceanographic institutions are right there (with a small museum) there is the bustle of the Martha's Vineyard ferry arriving and departing and so forth.
So you can probably do two of these areas on a Friday.
Skip almost everything along the south shore of the Cape. There are good places there, but you won't have time to find them.
One is the outer cape, from perhaps Wellfleet to Chatham: wild beaches, interesting, quirky towns. Eastham would make a good base for this.
The other is the communities along Route 6A between Sandwich and Brewster. This is the old KIng's Highway and is pretty well a bastion of quaint, rather than quirky. Lots of antique shops, village centers, etc. Get a good map and be sure to take the side roads down to the water.
If you have the time, the back roads from Bourne to Woods Hole are also very interesting, but you absolutely must have good maps because even "Shore Road" is far enough from the real shore in places like Pocasset that you will wonder what the fuss is about.
I think your son would like Woods Hole. The Harbor is almost completely enclosed, the various oceanographic institutions are right there (with a small museum) there is the bustle of the Martha's Vineyard ferry arriving and departing and so forth.
So you can probably do two of these areas on a Friday.
Skip almost everything along the south shore of the Cape. There are good places there, but you won't have time to find them.
Jun 12th, 2012, 05:07 AM
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Thanks everyone! This gives me a great start - I definitely need a better map than I have and need to start doing some internet research. 
Bowsprit - unfortunately we're working around game day and we could only get tickets for the 11th. Believe me, I'm certainly not eager to travel in November myself (our weather in South Dakota can be unpredictable as well) but the main purpose of the trip is the game, so I have to work around it.
Bowsprit - unfortunately we're working around game day and we could only get tickets for the 11th. Believe me, I'm certainly not eager to travel in November myself (our weather in South Dakota can be unpredictable as well) but the main purpose of the trip is the game, so I have to work around it.
Jun 12th, 2012, 06:19 AM
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Only you can decide if the detour to the TD Garden is worth it, but here is the website for the Sports Museum there: http://www.sportsmuseum.org/
Maybe you could go on your way back to the airport?
Maybe you could go on your way back to the airport?
Jun 12th, 2012, 08:22 AM
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This place is open off season and will let you really embrace the ocean experience when you're not out exploring..
http://www.caperesort.com/
http://www.caperesort.com/
Jun 12th, 2012, 08:26 AM
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You might find some useful information on this recent thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...short-time.cfm
(I know a number of the posters here contributed to it, and I gave some suggestions too.)
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...short-time.cfm
(I know a number of the posters here contributed to it, and I gave some suggestions too.)
Jun 12th, 2012, 12:05 PM
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Sometimes in travel, less is more. Some like a highway view, and others prefer an ocean view, watching the sunset, while bundled up with a in a blanket with a glass of wine, or sipping morning coffee watching the birds and tide change, before heading out for the days exploration.
Jun 12th, 2012, 12:56 PM
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Of course the view is better but the location, for this short visit, just sucks.
For the best of both worlds, (view and location) blast the budget and stay at Chatham Bars Inn on Shore Road. If you're lucky you'll be able to get a travelzoo discount as they offered rooms for $144.00 a night off-season last year.
For the best of both worlds, (view and location) blast the budget and stay at Chatham Bars Inn on Shore Road. If you're lucky you'll be able to get a travelzoo discount as they offered rooms for $144.00 a night off-season last year.
Jan 9th, 2013, 06:18 AM
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First off, I want to apologize for the lateness of this trip report, but better late than never! Keep in mind while reading this trip report that November was the only time we could go and this trip was 100% about my son seeing a Patriots game in Foxborough. My husband and I will definitely be visiting the Cape again...what we did see, we absolutely loved! Here goes - we arrived in Boston on November 8 and the weather was a little drizzly and overcast. We got our rental car and headed to TD Garden. My son was happy to see where the Celtics played, but my husband and I agreed we could have skipped it (but again, this trip was not about us). Next up was Fenway and bought tickets for the 4 p.m. tour. Wow - what an excellent tour!!! We are not baseball people at all, but the tour guides did a great job and we all loved it. Everyone was very friendly and we had a great conversation with a guy who worked in the Pro Shop. Weather was cold, drizzly and icky, but we had brought our winter weather gear with us. Unfortunately, the tour ended around 5 so we had to contend with the traffic leaving Boston. Regarding driving in Boston, even with the GPS, it was tricky. The set up of the roads and aggressive drivers threw us for a loop. We definitely weren't big fans of driving there, but we managed. We drove to Falmouth, as I had reservations at the Sea Crest. They upgraded our room at no additional cost - very much appreciated. We were starving so the desk clerk recommended The Quarterdeck in Falmouth. Great food, great service, loved the atmosphere - it was all wonderful! If this trip been just the hubby and I, we would have walked the main street and looked in the shop windows (even though it was late and everything was closed), but my son was coming down with a cold and wanted to get back to the room and rest. Friday morning we got up and saw there was a little damage outside to the pool area from Hurricane Sandy. The weather was windy and cold, but the sun was trying to make an appearance. You could see more of the effects of Hurricane Sandy in the daylight on the beach, but didn't look like it did any major damage. We went to Betsy's Diner for breakfast. Again, very friendly people and great food. Being from the Midwest where no one has an accent (at least that's what we tell ourselves!), we absolutely loved listening to the locals talk in the diner. After breakfast, we drove around the area and somehow found our way to the Nobska Lighthouse. We got back onto the main road and headed up the Cape and stopped to see the Nauset Light (I have a thing for lighthouses) and went to the beach as well. We drove to Provincetown and had lunch at Bayside Betsy's (my son's first clam chowder) and walked up and down Commercial Street. We went to Race Point Beach and also to the Highland Light. We were running out of daylight at this point, so we needed to head back. Friday night we stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Mansfield/Foxborough. There wasn't much in the area - so even though it wasn't our initial plan, we ended up going to Patriot Place that night and having dinner at Red Robin and my son got his first look at the Stadium and we browsed in the Pro Shop. The look on his face when he first saw the Stadium was priceless....I will never forget it and that kid was so darn happy. Warms my heart just thinking of it! Saturday morning we headed back to Patriot Place and went to The Hall -- what a great place! All the memorabilia and the interactive stuff for kids. They had a great video presentation as well. Dropped a few bucks in the Pro Shop and had lunch at Toby Keith's restaurant. We went to the Bass Pro Shop and walked the cranberry bog. It was a beautiful day. Sunday we checked out of the Courtyard and headed towards Patriot Place about 9 and already the traffic was backed up and tailgaters everywhere! I had some great advice from a fellow Fodorite about heading out early on game day and it was much appreciated – otherwise, we definitely would have been stuck in traffic longer. We had no trouble getting to the Renaissance and our room was ready so we were able to check in about 10 which was great. We definitely have never stayed in a place that swanky! We had lunch at 5 Guys Burgers & Fries, walked around and checked out all the fans and tailgaters, and then it was time for the boys to head to the game and I went back to the room. We had a room facing the Stadium so I was able to open the window a bit, hit mute on the TV and watch the game, but listen to the cheering fans. There was a delay between the TV and game, so that was fun to hear the cheering before anything was shown on TV. As expected, my son absolutely loved the game, loved the experience - everything! He had no complaints. He felt like he was with his "people". haha He definitely was a tad jealous of all the season ticket holders and the people that get to do this every home game. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes Massachusetts his home someday. Checkout on Monday wasn't until noon, so we slept in, took our time getting ready to leave, and the husband and I walked around a bit more. We weren't sure about the traffic heading back to Boston and we needed to return the rental car by 1, so we left Foxborough about 11:30. Traffic wasn't bad and we made it back with plenty of time to spare. Security lines at the airport were pretty long though, so I was glad we got there early. A very successful trip all around and I can’t wait to go back someday with just the hubby. Thanks again everyone!!
After breakfast, we drove around the area and somehow found our way to the Nobska Lighthouse. We got back onto the main road and headed up the Cape and stopped to see the Nauset Light (I have a thing for lighthouses) and went to the beach as well. We drove to Provincetown and had lunch at Bayside Betsy's (my son's first clam chowder) and walked up and down Commercial Street. We went to Race Point Beach and also to the Highland Light. We were running out of daylight at this point, so we needed to head back. Friday night we stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Mansfield/Foxborough. There wasn't much in the area - so even though it wasn't our initial plan, we ended up going to Patriot Place that night and having dinner at Red Robin and my son got his first look at the Stadium and we browsed in the Pro Shop. The look on his face when he first saw the Stadium was priceless....I will never forget it and that kid was so darn happy. Warms my heart just thinking of it! Saturday morning we headed back to Patriot Place and went to The Hall -- what a great place! All the memorabilia and the interactive stuff for kids. They had a great video presentation as well. Dropped a few bucks in the Pro Shop and had lunch at Toby Keith's restaurant. We went to the Bass Pro Shop and walked the cranberry bog. It was a beautiful day. Sunday we checked out of the Courtyard and headed towards Patriot Place about 9 and already the traffic was backed up and tailgaters everywhere! I had some great advice from a fellow Fodorite about heading out early on game day and it was much appreciated – otherwise, we definitely would have been stuck in traffic longer. We had no trouble getting to the Renaissance and our room was ready so we were able to check in about 10 which was great. We definitely have never stayed in a place that swanky! We had lunch at 5 Guys Burgers & Fries, walked around and checked out all the fans and tailgaters, and then it was time for the boys to head to the game and I went back to the room. We had a room facing the Stadium so I was able to open the window a bit, hit mute on the TV and watch the game, but listen to the cheering fans. There was a delay between the TV and game, so that was fun to hear the cheering before anything was shown on TV. As expected, my son absolutely loved the game, loved the experience - everything! He had no complaints. He felt like he was with his "people". haha He definitely was a tad jealous of all the season ticket holders and the people that get to do this every home game. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes Massachusetts his home someday. Checkout on Monday wasn't until noon, so we slept in, took our time getting ready to leave, and the husband and I walked around a bit more. We weren't sure about the traffic heading back to Boston and we needed to return the rental car by 1, so we left Foxborough about 11:30. Traffic wasn't bad and we made it back with plenty of time to spare. Security lines at the airport were pretty long though, so I was glad we got there early. A very successful trip all around and I can’t wait to go back someday with just the hubby. Thanks again everyone!!
