Help PLEASE! X-mas in Cape Cod
 

Hey all, I was given the opportunity to spend Christmas in Cape Cod- West Yarmouth, to be exact. I figured its better than staying home- which was the original plan. I know Cape Cod is primarily a summer town- so we are a little worried. Can we get advice on what to do while we are there for a week. Where to eat (esp. on Christmas) and other activites. Any advice will help- from places that serve brunch to cool museums. I am going with my husband, mom and 1 year old son. Thank you so much!!!!

What are your exact dates?

Here are some suggestions. There is a scenic train that leaves from Hyannis and goes to the Cape Cod Canal. If you get a reserved seat, ask for forward facing on the left side of the train. I think the reserved seating is just for the dinner or brunch train. It's ranked in the top three dinner trains in the US. I have not had the brunch but dinner was excellent. www.capetrain.com

On the train theme, in Carver is the Edaville Railroad. Lots of lights at C-mas. It's about 45 minutes away. www.edaville.com

Heritage Plantation in Sandwich (20 min from W. Yarmouth) has a "spectacle of lights" and a great antique car museum and antique merry-go-round in the art musuem. www.heritagemusuemsandgardens.org

If you like potato chips you can tour the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory. www.capecodchips.com

The weather here at C-mas could be 60 degrees or wicked and minus 20 windchill (that was unusual). We usually don't have snow and it's about 40 something during the day. But it is New England and we do stick out in the ocean so anything is possible!

I will come back w/more sugggestions.

Thanks gomiki- those are some great ideas- we can definitely try all of those! Thanks for the weather update- that was good to know. We will be there from sunday the 23 to sunday the 30. Let me know of anything else you think of (any restaurants).
THANKS!!

Are you staying in a house or a hotel? My sugggestions might be different. Have you considered a day trip to Nantucket? It's lovely at C-mas. You can fly on Cape Cod Air (15 min) or take the fast ferry www.hy-linecruises.com (55 min) That puts you right in downtown. The plane would entail a cab ride.

We are staying at Cove at Yarmouth Resort/Condo/Hotel. Not sure about Nantucket though- sounds a little complicated. Plane might be costly and chaotic with a 1 year old. Ferry might be too bumpy for me- I'll be 4.5 months pregnant then. Is it really worth it?
thanks again!

Congratulations! Taking the ferry is a piece of cake. As far as a bumpy ride, it's a luxury catamoran and really smooth. $69 adult round trip. There is enough to do on the Cape. I just suggested Nantucket as an option.

I have not been inside the Cove in several years. When I saw it last it was very nice. There is an indoor pool and a restaurant. The Calucci Brothers run the restaurant and have a very good diner for breakfast in Hyannis.

Have you been to the Cape before? Would you drive up to Provincetown? If so, you can see some of the National Seashore Beaches on the way up. Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, Marconi in Wellfleet and Race Point in P-town. Many shops will be closed in P-town but the Pilgrim Monument (built in 1910 and tallest granite structure in the US) www.pilgrim-monument.org will be covered with strings of lights.

I went to the cape as a child- and do not remember anything- so I guess it really doesn't count. We have no idea what we will be doing- I need to create an itinerary. Do you have like a top 5 list of suggestions? I researched the other info- don't think cape train is running- but i will double check-Edaville sounds fun and so does the Pilgrim monument and the heritage museum. Thanks so much for your tips! Have any more?

I just called the Cape Train office and they will not be running when you are here. Bummer. I will give some thought to other suggestions and restaurants and post later.

If you like a scenic drive, Route 6A is the longest designated historical highway in the US. It is lined with antique homes. Some have art galleries and antique shops in them. It starts in Sandwich and goes to Orleans. The houses must stick to certain standards and exterior colors.

Chatham is an interesting town for a day trip. A movie was filmed there this spring and will be released soon. The town has interesting shops, the fish pier and good restaurants.

Try contacting the Salt Pond Visitors Center at the Cape Cod National Seashore in Eastham. They usually have special programs running during school vacation weeks.
I'm not sure their web site is up to date but you can take a look at it at www.nps.gov/caco You might ask if there is a tour of the Captain Penniman House while you are there...interesting architecture and whaling history.

The Brewster Museum of Natural History and the Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary also have exhibits and programs that might interest you.

Stop into the Hot Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans for some sweets and coffee or hot chocolate. yum! And check the local libraries for special events.

Wequassett Resort
www.wequassett.com

FYI Gomiki - the monument celebrated the laying of the cornerstone and it's 100th this Summer.... it will be lit up like a tree for the season and Ptown may be worth a late afternoon trip and early dinner. I'll check out what may be open this weekend.

Really- great! thanks for all your advise thus far! keep it coming!! any recommendations on where to have dinner on x-mas eve (nice but not extraordinarily expensive)?

We stayed at the Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster..
we had a nice 2 bedroom villa.

oceanedge.com

Thanks but I already have a place to stay.

Unfortunately, I don't have a restaurant rec for you, but I'm posting to second (or third) the day trip to Nantucket. I wouldn't recommend the plane with the little one, but the ferry is very enjoyable. There is the high-speed catamaran and a less-expensive, slower option. Both have indoor seating, the catamaran more comfortable than the slow ferry. Taking the ferry is all part of the experience - you really feel like you're getting away. Nantucket will be magical around Christmas, and fairly quiet.

Eat at Chillingsworth (sp?)

thanks- is it family friendly?

hmmm. 1 yr. old son. Better call them and/or eat early. Its a great restaurant.

ok- thanks sobster