Cape Cod in the off season
 

Grew up in Mass, but never really visited the Cape. Which town would be best to visit for 2-3 in the off season with 4 and 5 year old boys? They love to hike, be outdoors, go to museums, and eat! We may also have my inlaws, but they just enjoy being with the kids.

What do you mean by off season? October or February? I am not being snarky; it makes a terrific difference.

I agree, and you don't want to go to the Cape in winter. I am hoping you mean Sept. Or Oct., although it will be too cold to swim in Oct.

Labor Day-Presidents' day is nice; April/May - more likely to be cold, misty, foggy. After mid-October, not as many things to do - although when our kids were little we once did a winter weekend at a hotel with a pool - relaxing for everyone, but not very active.

Cape Cod Rail bike trail is also good for walking - not as familiar with true hikes. I love the beach in the winter, but obviously swimming and sand digging is more iffy off-season. Also, be aware that there will be no lifeguards.

I know nothing of you and your in-laws, but alert signals went off in my mind when you said "they just enjoy being with the kids" - we thought the same thing for a trip to the Cape so memorable in an unpleasant way that it comes to mind 20+ years later since they sat and stared at the kids while I played chef and maid for everyone.

Hyannis, Falmouth, Provincetown have more life to them off-season than some of the smaller towns.

I'm thinking October...around President's Day. Inlaws are coming from NJ, so I may just have us all meet at the Cape instead of in NH.

And Gail, you are right. They are not helpful. They prefer dining and shopping but will do stuff with the boys that doesn't involve nature. Once we head outdoors, they aren't interested. But she can shop while we explore.

As for swimming, we don't care. We have a beach house in NH so the boys get plenty of that.

I think you all mean Columbus Day since Presidents Day is February Vacation here in New England!

Try to get a couple of Thornton W Burgess books to read to the boys before you come. His house is likely still to be open in Sandwich. There is an antique car museum in Sandwich and a working water mill.

Edward Gorey's house is open in Yarmouthport, and the Woods Hole scientific complex has an aquarium (not like a commercial aquarium) with lots of local fish etc.

Most kids enjoy any of the ports where charter and commercial fishing boats unload, Hyannis and Provincetown are both good. You could do a fishing charter of your own if the weather is good.

October is glorious!

October is fabulous I agree. Provincetown has lots open through Columbus Day.

You are correct - I confused Mr. Columbus with Mr Washington and Lincoln. Don't go to the Cape in February - it is miserable.

And a word about Provincetown - which would be a fun town to visit for a day as there are many nice little unique shops and restaurants. It is a traditional spot for gay tourists and residents - although everyone is welcome and feels comfortable. Your kids may not notice, but depending on their philosophy, you might want to warn the grandparents.

Ha ha, yes!! As I was typing President's Day I knew something was wrong! Know what makes it worse? My son was due on President's Day and we named him Grant after Ulysses. I should have known!

We'll save Provincetown for a trip without the grandparents. They aren't very open minded.

I'll look into the Woods Hole aquarium...and the car museum. The boys AND the grandparents (at least grandfather) would enjoy both.

Ptown in October is full of lots of grey-hairs, getting off the tourist buses and walking and shopping around for a few hours. If you go during the week, you'll see gay-friendly signs and merchandise in the stores, but very likely not see anything else that will bother them. Just don't take them on weekends.

Well since the grandparents are not very open minded, it is important to know that Columbus day in P'town is often a pretty big weekend for the LGBT set and overlaps into Women's Week.

Falmouth might be a nice home base to explore dine and shop a bit. Woods Hole, the light house, the bike path.

Chatham would be more central and again offers some cute shops and good dining and nice lodging.

Of course, staying in the Truro Wellfleet area and taking in P'town while the grandparents babysit could be a comfortable compromise.

Good luck with your plans.

Would your boys be interested in visiting a lighthouse? Some of the ones on the Cape are fun for kids.

I second the suggestion for Woods Hole aquarium.

Here are some other ideas:
http://www.capecodrainyday.info/Barn...-rainy-day.htm

My favorite Provincetown experience - when our daughter was around 4 and preferred clothing that was as bright and flashy as possible she was selecting a feather boa to wear to preschool. Two shoppers, a very nice male couple, after asking our permission, assisted her with her selection and gave her some tips on how to wrap and wear a boa for maximal effect.

Somehow I doubt the grandparents would value such an experience. Maybe stick to the aquarium. There is also a Mass Audobon Society nature center someplace mid-Cape - will post link when I get a chance.

MassAudobon.org - I was surprised how much they have on the Cape. Hiking and walking trails, birds, some events.

Capecodchips.com - Cape Cod potato chip factory tour in Hyannis. Takes only about 15 minutes, but my kids loved it, it is free, and you get a free sample at the end. You get to actually watch them making the chips. Open year round.

Do take the kids to the National Seashore VC in Eastham and look for whales and seals from the deck. Most of the beaches don't require a sticker at that time of year so go to a couple and walk along the shore looking for shells and other things that wash up.

We were able to take a whale watch from Provincetown in October last year and saw lots of whales.

At that age my sons favorite Cape Cod activity was exploring all the animals, etc. left behind at low tide on the mud flats in Provincetown. They couldn't get enough of it.

Also, they liked renting bikes to ride on the bike trails in the Nat'l Seashore..

My kids would LOVE boas...they'd pick pink and purple.... :)

And I forgot about Cape Cod Chips!