Cape Cod in November?
 

We'll be on holiday in the USA (from England) in early November. After 9 nights in Las Vegas/Boston, my wife and I are looking to stay somewhere for 4 days not too far from Boston. Is Cape Cod a silly suggestion at this time of the year? I was thinking of somewhere romantic - a beach house where we could make love to the sunrise perhaps! But would the rest of our time there be very cold with few places to visit during the day? What about alternatives? Rhode Island or Connecticut perhaps? We've been to the north and west of Boston and are looking to go south this time. Thanks. Steve

I wouldn;t really reco any of those areas. You're past leaf-peeping season and into early winter. Esp on Cape Cod some places will be closed for the winter - and others may have shorter hours. Expect it to be colder than England at that time of year - and quite damp.

And you're too early for skiing.

It's really better to stay in a city - unless you just want an inn that you don;t really leave much.

I spent a few days on the Cape last November for a wedding. It wasn't so bad. It was cold, and it snowed lightly a couple of times, and there would often be frost on the ground in the morning, but most of the time it was fine. We got outside and went hiking and walked along a few beaches. As long as you dress warm, you'll be fine.

It's true that many things will be closed, but you also won't have any traffic or long waits in restaurants.

My mother actually rented a cute cottage that I think would be great for a romantic getaway, but she said there was a sewage smell coming from somewhere, so I couldn't recommend it.

I think you would do all right on the Cape in November. I would suggest not staying too far out. How about a nice, cosy B&B in the Chatham area? Yes, there are some that stay open all year, and you would probably get a nice rate in the off-season. I can just imagine sitting in front of a fireplace after spending a couple of hours strolling along the beach...You could take a day trip to Provincetown, another day poke around Hyannis. True, a lot of places will be closed, but there is a healthy year-round population out there, so the Cape can't shut down for the winter! (Anywhere in the Northeast is likely to be pretty cold that time of year!)

I think you would be fine, too. The Cape's not like it used to be. Many businesses used to close shortly after Labor Day and not open unitl Memorial Day weekend. Not anymore. Sure, a few places still close, especially those that are contingent on the weather like minigolf and other outdoor activities, and stores geared primarily toward tourists. But many of those places don't close until after Christmas. Most restaurants are also open year round.

As far as a cottage...many beach cottages aren't heated, but I'm sure if you do your research, you'll find some that are. As allisonm said, a B&B might be nice. Most are open all year. I know the ones in Sandwich (where I grew up) were, but you may want to stay somewhere more central on the Cape. I second allisonm's opinion on not staying any farther down Cape than Chatham. Chatham, Dennis or Yarmouth (area along 6A), would all be great choices.

Oh, btw, if you've done your research on Boston, (and now I remember that you've been here before) you'll know that you never can tell what kind of weather you'll encounter in New England. Early November on the Cape could mean 60 degrees or 20 degrees, F not celcius, but usually somewhere in between. The weather will likely be cooperative that you'll be able to take some nice, quiet walks on the beach. October is actually my very favorite month on the Cape, and you'll be there not long after...

novemeber here isnt too bad most businesses close in december and yes the rates will be at the lowest point in november Chatham is still busy especially over thanksgiving week lots of people come her e for thanksgiving if theres any thing i can doo to help let me know

HI--there is a place where we have stayed called Beachside Village in Falmouth. These are condo-hotel type units done in traditional Cape Cod style. Two of the 1BR units have direct ocean views w/a porch-deck off the LR and a covered deck off the BR. These are the only units I can heartily recommend, as the views are wonderful and the porch/deck has glass doors that close off the weather but not the view. There is a gas fireplace in the BR. These function as time shares, but in Nov, there *could* be availability. Falmouth has many places that stay open year round, and Woods Hole--actually part of Falmouth, has some great local color places--Fishmonger's and Cap'n Kidd--also open year round. The ferry to Martha's Vineyard goes from Woods Hole, giving you a great day trip option. Hope you enjoy New England--BTW, we really loved *old* England!!

Thank you all so much for your replies. Looks like we'll be concentrating on finding a place in either Chatham, Dennis, Yarmouth or Falmouth.

Hi you are very welcome. Please post back after your trip and let us know what you thought of the Cape. (I fear it will pale compared to St Ives, altho, of course, that is apples and oranges, so to speak...) We just had a GTG at our house last week that included some Europeans. I noticed you are going to LV. It is our experience that almost all the Eurpeans we have met over the course of many years (DH has many European colleagues) have gone to Death Valley, whereas we know virtually no Americans who have been. Just curious if you were planning to see that when in the US?

Hi Socialworker. I know some people who plan to see Death Valley (probably just because of the name and reputation), but although my wife and I have been to Las Vegas and California several times we've never had the urge to see DV. Two years ago we visited most of the natural wonders of the Utah/Nevada area (Monument Valley, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Arches NP etc.,) but to be honest we travelled too far (we ended up in Santa Barbara) and were glad for a rest. We tried to see too much in one go and drove 2,500 miles in 2 weeks. I like Las Vegas rather more than my wife, who can take-it-or-leave-it. But I think of all the places we've visited in the USA we both love California the most. New England was great too.

I think you'll find the weather on the cape a bit dreary in November - could vary, but that's the most likely. If you like beach resorts in the cold and grey - and some do, they have a lonely and melancholy feel to them - it will work. But otherwise I'd steer clear.

As a Cape resident, I'd opt for either Chatham or Provincetown -- you'll get proximity to the ocean and some livelier downtown areas to stroll through and walk around, without the crowds. These towns have much more of a year-round sense to them; there will still be plenty of things open (don't forget all these places want to lure the Christmas shoppers) ... Chatham is closer to Boston, surely -- no offense to you all there, but this town has a high-brow, somewhat preppy and more proper feel to it. Provincetown is all frivolity and a bit more lighthearted. Early November could be cold or it could be clear and sharp and refreshing with the ocean a deep, deep blue. I like Provincetown because the ocean is as much a part of the downtown as are the smells of garlic and wood fires ... tons of really nice B&Bs and excellent restaurants in Ptown. That's where I'd go ... spent my wedding night there. You could divide it up too -- a couple of nights in Chatham and the others in Provincetown, just to get two very different Cape Cod personalities.