Cape Cod
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. I want to go in the off season. Is it best to go before high season, like early May? Or after high season, Mid to late September?

Both are good times but if swimming is a priority, September is definitely better with the warmer water.

September is a wonderful month here on the Cape. Nice weather (usually) and crowds are gone. May can sometimes be cool and windy. This is true of MV and Nantucket, also.

Either one is fine. If you go with May, the later the better. In either season you can get very warm weather or very cool weather. Odds are it will be nice in both, however. I don't think you can really go wrong with either choice.. a coin toss, in my opinion. I have done both many, many times.

We were there in September and it was great.We stayed in Wood's hole.there's a ferry to Martha's vineyard.Paul

We have spent time on the Cape during May and September and both were great. Last year we spent a week at the National Seashore and visited the Cape from end to end. We stayed at Fort Hill B+B and the the views of the marsh and ocean were spectacular..the air was warm but kind of crisp and there were enough people so that it felt lively without being crowded. In May the flowers are coming out so if you are interested in gardens then it might be a better time for you. The beaches are wonderful at both times of the year but the water is warmer in September. Some places do not lower their rates in the fall until after Columbus Day weekend so you might get a better rate in May before Memorial Day Weekend.

Hope you're not planning to swim in the ocean. There might be a polar bear or two. I have lived on the Cape all my life. Hotel/motel/lodging rates are as seasonal as anywhere else, and I would think that April would still be low- or maybe mid-rate. Restaurants and stores seem to keep the same prices year-round. Years ago, a lot of restaurants would close for the winter, maybe Labor Day to April 1st. Some still do, but not as many. If you go to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, be sure to carefully check lodging rates. I know it can get very expensive, but again, April is definitely off-season. A day-trip to the islands might be a consideration. Be prepared to pay a little more (sometimes a lot more) for everything on the islands, there is a legitimate premium for having everything delivered by ferry. If you get to Martha's Vineyard, don't miss the Camp Meeting Association. Formerly a Methodist(?) retreat area, now unique gingerbread cottages well worth a walk-through. http://www.mvcma.org/

If you are spending time in any specific area, please reply and I'll be glad to go into more detail, or e-mail direct [email protected]

Yours, Bill Johnson Falmouth, MA