Rainy Day Fun

Rainy Day Fun

You can count on plenty of wonderful things on Cape Cod: stunning beaches, fresh lobster, distinguished art galleries. Great weather, however, isn't always a sure thing. The Cape averages 3 to 4 inches of rain per month, and extended periods of inclement weather are not unheard of, no matter the season. Rain does not, however, have to put a damper on your vacation fun. If you look around a bit, you can find plenty to keep you busy in these parts, from a day at the spa to an umbrella-covered stroll along the beach.

Here are 15 engaging activities for rainy days on the Cape:

1. Have a bowl of chowder. Nothing takes the nip off a rainy day better than a steaming hot bowl of clam chowder, and the Cape has more than a few outstanding restaurants specializing in this longtime favorite. Top picks include the Lobster Pot (Provincetown), the Chatham Squire (Chatham), and Mill Way Fish and Lobster (Barnstable).

2. Go storm-watching. If it's a windy, exciting storm, grab lunch at a waterfront restaurant and enjoy watching the dramatically crashing surf outside your window. Some excellent choices for this activity include Fanizzi's by the Sea in Provincetown, Brax Landing in Harwich, and Fishmonger's Café in Woods Hole.

3. Visit the Cape Cod Children's Museum. Filled with interactive exhibits and games, plus a 30-foot play pirate ship, this Mashpee wonderland is geared mostly to kids around eight and younger.

4. Curl up with a book in front of the fire. You may think it odd to book a room with a fireplace on Cape Cod, since you'll be out beachcombing and strolling all day long. But on rainy days—even in summer—a fireplace can be a real treasure, and quite a few inns and vacation rentals have in-room fireplaces.

5. Sample some fine wines. In East Falmouth, Cape Cod Winery produces six well-respected wines, some of which have won medals in prestigious competitions.

6. See a performance at the Cape Playhouse. This famous 26-acre compound comprises the main theater, the Cape Museum of Fine Arts, and the Cape Cinema; there's children's theater on Friday mornings in July and August.

7. Visit the Sandwich Glass Museum. On artsy Cape Cod, you can always pass time on a rainy day by visiting local art galleries, but for a truly memorable art encounter, drop by this museum that traces the history of the prestigious glassmaking company. Glassblowing demonstrations are held throughout the summer.

8. Take a whale-watching trip. You're every bit as likely to see whales when it rains as when it's sunny, and two well-known Provincetown whale-watching tour operators—Dolphin Fleet and Portuguese Princess—offer these trips rain or shine, as does Hyannis's Whale Watcher Cruises. If you're prone to seasickness, however, beware of the stormy seas.

9. Work up a sweat at the gym. Willy's Gym in North Eastham and Orleans, the Mid Cape Racquet Club in South Yarmouth, and Falmouth Sports Center in Woods Hole all have indoor racquetball, squash, tennis, and basketball courts, plus indoor heated pools and all the usual workout amenities.

10. Head to a Christmas Tree Shops —you'll find them in Sagamore, Yarmouthport, Orleans, Falmouth, West Yarmouth, West Dennis, and Hyannis (the largest of the bunch). These massive, rambling shops are loaded with bargain-priced goods, from kitschy treasures to discontinued bulk items. If you're a bargain hunter, you could lose yourself here for hours.

11. Book a spa treatment. Several Cape hotels have opened full-service spas (open to guests and nonguests) in recent years: the Crowne Pointe Inn in Provincetown, the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis, and Dan'l Webster Inn in Sandwich. There's also a full-service spa, Kembali, at both Willy's Gym locations, in Eastham and Orleans. You don't have to travel far for a relaxing deep-tissue massage or algae wrap.

12. Go for a walk on the beach. Don't assume that the beach is worth a visit only when it's sunny outside—a rainy stroll can also be highly enjoyable. You won't encounter big crowds, and you may see some interesting wildlife. Plus, once you've gotten a little wet, you may forget about the showers and enjoy the brooding ocean and bay views more.

13. Take some pictures. As long as you have an umbrella and proper attire in which to stow your camera and protect it from the elements, consider a day of photo touring. Cape Cod offers plenty of intriguing photo-ops in the rain, from windswept sand dunes at Cape Cod National Seashore to dramatic street scenes in Provincetown and Dennis.

14. Head to the library. Each town on the Cape has a public library, and many sponsor children's programs, lectures, storytelling, art installations, and author readings.

15. Attend a matinee at the movies. Movie theaters large and small can be found throughout the Cape, and although they get crowded when it rains, most offer lower-priced tickets early in the day. The famed Wellfleet Drive-In presents movies rain or shine.