My husband and I will be spending 5 days on Cape Cod (in the "elbow") to visit his extended family during the holidas...does anyone have suggestions for fun things we can do in the winter, and also for New Years Eve? There are no kids, only adults. I know the Cape pretty much shuts down then (and his family usually just stays in and enjoys their drinks) however we live in the warm south and want some fun outdoor winter-y things to do, for us as a couple and for the extended family. Any ideas?

You can hike on the beach, then retire for hot chocolate and rum drinks.

You can visit the National Seashore and the visitors centers (like Marconi station). They're always open, except for national holidays.

You can go ice skating on a pond somewhere -- or find an ice rink (which would likely have rental skates available).

Cross-country skiing or snowshowing on the bike trail? Don't know if its possible, but you could ask around. An outfitter type store (like EMS) could rent you the equipment.

A few years ago we drove to the beach on New Years night and shouted Happy New Years! into the ocean. Bring a flashlight and bundle up against the wind.

Go carolling. Make some small song books (lyrics only), and some candles with mitten-guards, then visit the relatives and their neighbors. They are obliged to invite you in for figgy pudding.

More:

You can cross-country ski on the Cape Cod rail trail (weather permitting), and also in Nickerson State park.

There is an Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) store in Hyannis. My local EMS will rent ski, showshoe, and camping equipment by the week or weekend -- this one might also.

chris
I do believe you are reffering to Chatham.
Which has fireworks New Years Eve @ Oyster Pond within walking distance from downtown.
Chatham also has a Christmas Stroll Week and is catered to winter visitors.
They offer specials and cider and hot chocolate and such for stroller.( I believe you buy a button for these treats wich allowes you to taste all of the "stroll" offerings for a small Button Fee

As for Ice Skating there are 2 Ice skating Rinks on lower Cape
Charles moore Arena in Orleans
Tony Kent Arena in Dennis

Skating is a blast
if reminds you of how long its been since you last skated.......(or atleast for me)

The beaches are empty and great to explore Just Bundle UP!!

the main streets and 6a are decorated to the gills for the holiday season ,,,,driving around looking at christmas lights should be fun too !

if i can offer any more suggestions please let me know !
Cheriberry

We've spent a bit of time in the "elbow" of the Cape during New Year's/winter and would second most of the suggestions you've gotten. Here are some things that we do/have done:

Skating at Moore Arena in Orleans
Bowling at Orleans Bowling Center (a GREAT equalizer of talents!)
A brisk walk at Fort Hill in Eastham--a view to die for.
Our New Year's new tradition:
Go down to Chatham around 5 p.m. to enjoy their first night festivities (fun music, ice sculptures, etc.). Go over the Chatham Bars Inn for a drink by their fireplace and a viewing of their gingerbread houses. Have dinner in their tavern room (no reservations but you can play board games by the fire while waiting). Go home to drink champagne at midnight.
Definitely like the idea of going to the beach at midnight....may need to try that one.

Other good off season restaurants--
Joe's Beach Grill in Orleans and Sparkfish in Brewster. Both have rooms with fireplaces and are very cozy.

Just some thoughts.

Christmas Eve - A Fantasy


Whether we like it or not, our children grow up. Thankfully, at Christmas, we get to be Mom and Dad again....if only for a moment. Last Christmas eve, my husband and I had just come in from the Cape where we had been visiting my in-laws. It was late and we were waiting for our son and daughter to come home from their busy lives. We were meeting there at midnight.....at our home.......to do the Christmas thing...........to carry on our tradition we had established without realizing it.

Somewhere in time.....near 1977......I would stand at the bottom of the stairs and jingle a fistful of bells The giggling in the bedroom would STOP and a hush would fall.
"Quick!!...I hear Santa!!!" I would say..........whispered murmurs and then....the quiet........the best of the best........two angels fast asleep..........

For myself, the drive through the Cape tonight was mystical...........a deadening lull
from the hysterics of summer......no traffic......no ice cream honky tonk
stands.......no hustle and bustle.......

WAIT!!!......don't these people know it's CHRISTMAS!???!!! Where is everybody???? The muted shadows on too many homes gave the answer...."We've gone South". It was like eavesdropping on a private conversation. The capeworld was asleep for the
winter..........a few diehards lit a few lonely candles.....

As I headed west to the highway from mid-Cape........I felt an overwhelming
urge to turn the car around and hightail it out to Wellfleet. The road would
be mine.......and mine alone.......a jolly sleigh ride........a winter
wonderland.......

Who else would brave the wilds of Newcomb Hollow Road on a night like this????
Up and up to the very top of the bluff.......I'm there!!!!....it's
CHRISTMAS!!!!!!......



I'd stand on the dune and listen to the breakers.....and the darkness would be awesome.....in the true sense of the word awesome. I can already feel the
wind.......a startling, unforgiving wind.......a wind that would tell each
cell in my body that I am alive!!! I'd test myself with fear........all the while searching the sky for a sign.

What better place to look for the Star of the East?????

At a distance I would see the dim of Highland Light and then the strange twinkling from afar.

SANTA!!!
I could scream it into the wind!!!

I..........SEE ..........SANTA!!!

Who could doubt me?? If ever I were to see Santa...it would be
here..........where ghostly giggles rise from the summer sands.........and time stands still for those who dare.........on a night like this.

So...I'm headed west after all........no trip to the bluff tonight.
I've got some unfinished business...........some stockings to
stuff.........and babes to tuck in........

Maybe next year.............meet me there!!!


Christine Inman

Nonnie Grace- it's a tradtion to toast friends and family New Years Eve at Newcomb Hollow-no matter what the weather, at midnight you will find us and those with whom we are celebrating. Meet you there!

Read "The Outermost House" before you go.