This post is about the best things to do on Cape Cod during the fall season [updated 2025].
Visiting Cape Cod in the fall is one of the best ways to enjoy the harvest season. Fewer people, sunny days, and moderate temperatures make for the perfect fall day; ultimately making Cape Cod the perfect destination for outdoor activities like visiting a pumpkin patch or riding bikes on the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Please enjoy this list of my favorite things to do during the fall months on Cape Cod.
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When to Visit Cape Cod in the Fall
The best months to visit Cape Cod during Autumn are September, October and November.
September
Commonly referred to as the “second summer,” September is a great time to visit Cape Cod to experience smaller crowds while still having great weather. Most of the month will have Summer-like temperatures and be great for swimming and beach activities. This is also typically the time of year when the Atlantic Ocean is the warmest making it a great time to go swimming at the beach.
October
October is the perfect time to visit for fall activities and cooler temperatures. There are even less people in October and hotels are usually cheaper during this time.
November
Since November can be chilly at times it is one of the least frequented months to visit Cape Cod. This means there should be no crowds and the weather won’t be freezing yet, so its perfect for cozy fall outfits with layers.
Where to Stay on Cape Cod
Budget
Spring Garden Inn
Spring Garden Inn is a no frills motel located about 15 minutes from the Cape Cod beaches and downtown. With comfortable beds, free wifi, friendly staff and beautiful landscape, this is a great option for those on a budget only looking for a good place to sleep at night. Their motel rooms also have gorgeous large windows with views of the countryside.
Click here to book.
Moderate
Freebird Motor Lodge – Cape Cod
Freebird Motor Lodge is a cute art deco motel in West Yarmouth. Here there is a bar, restaurant, two pools and comfortable beds. The motel is in a great location just five minutes from Cape Cod beaches. Not to mention the design of the motel is adorable!
Click here to book.
Luxury
Sea Crest Beach Resort
Sea Crest Beach Resort places you just steps from the sea located on their own private beach. There are beach umbrellas, sun loungers and a beachside bar. Keep in mind some amenities aren’t available in the off season. Sea Crest also has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool along with two restaurants.
Click here to book.
What To Pack For a Cape Cod Autumn Trip
- Warm clothes and layers. While early fall is still pleasant weather, late fall brings cooler temperatures and more rain. Its always best to pack and dress with layers during this time of year so you’re prepared and comfortable!
- A Camera. Cape Cod is photogenic any time of year so be sure to bring a camera to capture the gorgeous scenery and document your travels.
- Fall boots. A nice pair of cute boots or hiking boots would come in handy on a trip such as this.
- Sunscreen. Just because it’s the shoulder season doesn’t mean the sun isn’t out! Be sure to bring sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.
- Bathing suit + other beach items. Especially if you’re visiting in early fall, a bathing suit and other beach items is recommended. Its usually still warm enough to sit on the beach in September and the water is typically warmer during this time of year.
Grab this printable packing list – perfect if you’re road tripping!
Ten Best Things to do on Cape Cod during Fall
1. Cape Cod National Seashore
Spending some time on the beach is essential when visiting Cape Cod. During the fall you will experience pleasant temperatures along with less crowds! We highly recommend catching the sunset or sunrise on the beach as either offer beautiful views of the ocean cast in a warm golden light. Don’t forget to do some seashell hunting! Off-season is the best time to do beachcombing and find some gems.
2. Whale watching tour
A whale watching tour is a must do if you’ve never done one before! We recommend checking out Whale Watch Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown to book your tour. This company was New England’s first established whale watching tour business.
Tours typically take 3-4 hours and tend to be cold in the fall out on the water so be sure to dress appropriately! October is the last month that tours are offered so keep that in mind when deciding which month to visit Cape Cod in the fall.
Be sure to arrive early to your tour to find parking and book tickets in advance.
3. Truro Vineyards
Truro is a gorgeous winery located on Shore Road in Truro between the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay. For wine tastings reservations are highly recommended. There is also a walk up bar where you can order wine and cocktails. During the week at 11am they offer free vineyard tours and recommend scheduling an 11:45 table reservation for a wine tasting after the tour. They are dog friendly and have food trucks every day as well as a gift shop offering cheeses and other wine pairings.
4. Tour a Cranberry Bog
There’s a couple different places you can get a tour of cranberry bogs and they’re all great! One place I would recommend is Annie’s Crannies.
Annie’s Crannies isn’t just a fun name. They have some of the best cranberries in Massachusetts! Started by her grandfather, the farm is run by Annie Walker who usually hosts the bog tours.
The tours take place in October and November which is also the same time her wonderful gift shop is open. Email info@anniescrannies.com to schedule a tour! You can also check out their website here for more information about their history and pictures.
5. Visit a Lighthouse
On the outer cape there are several different lighthouses you can visit and even get a tour of. It can be windy and chilly on the coast but touring the inside of a lighthouse makes for a great rainy day activity in the fall. This is a must do even if you visit without doing a tour.
These Include:
- Highland Light, Truro: Tours are available from early May to late October.
- Nauset Light, Eastham: Typically open Sundays and Mondays but can vary depending on weather. Check out their website before visiting to see exact times and dates. They also do special events sometimes like the Full Moon tour!
- Three Sisters Lights, Eastham: May through September tours are available every Monday at 11am.
Historic Nauset Lighthouse
6. Harvest Weekend at Coonamessett Farm
Coonamessett Farm is a twenty acre farm located in the heart of Falmouth. They are open every day from 9am to 5pm and offer a killer harvest weekend during the fall season!
At the farm you can do some pumpkin picking and take a hayride. You can also harvest autumn vegetables like beets, leeks, carrots, and winter squash. In September you can harvest blackberries as well. At this farm you are also allowed to pick your own apples.
There is a bakery onsite named Peck O’ Dirt offering a wide variety of delicious baked goods and even vegan and gluten free options.
7. Get an Apple Cider Donut at Cape Cod Donuts
Cape Cod Donuts is a food truck located in Sandwich, MA. They are a cute little truck with a big taste! Get the Apple Cider Donut but don’t be afraid to try their other selections as well. Cranberry Cider is another fall fave. The donuts are cooked fresh while you wait. Be sure to check their hours before visiting as they are usually only open in the morning before noon.
8. Martha’s Vineyard
The summer months typically have high priced hotels for Martha’s Vineyard but since you’re visiting in the fall I highly recommend staying a night or two on the island. Hotels are much cheaper and you can score some awesome deals. A lot of places close down in November so I recommend doing this in October or September.
Its really a treat exploring these areas with fewer crowds compared to the summer season. Restaurants and shops are still open making autumn a prime time to visit the island. Check out Morning Glory farm for pumpkin and gourds along with other seasonal vegetables, fruits and flowers at the farm. There is also a farm store offering several different artisanal products and baked goods.
Visit Edgartown to see the Edgartown Harbor Light and browse the unique gift shops downtown and local restaurants.
9. Fall Foliage Tour
Don’t book your Cape Cod trip in the fall in hopes of seeing some incredible fall foliage everywhere you go, for that’s just simply not the case here. While Cape Cod foliage is minimal, there are still some beautiful locations to check out during the autumn months. Late September to early October is usually the best time to see the fall colors. The Great Island Trail is one of many nature trails great for an autumn hike. The John Wing Trail is another great option that’s a shorter distance.
10. Ghost Tour
What better way to experience the fall season than a haunting tour? In Provincetown, you can get a ghost tour exploring the history sites of P-town and spooky happenings. Tours are 90 minutes long and cost $20. The tour guides are full of knowledge and interesting facts; keeping their tours spooky but also telling you real information (no fiction!) about the area. Find more information on their website and book a reservation.
Conclusion
As you read, Cape Cod is the perfect place to spend your fall vacation this year. As the weather cools and mother nature turns the tree’s leaves into reds, oranges and browns, a Cape Cod fall getaway is a unique opportunity compared to the rest of New England. The different towns and delicious food make Cape Cod a great place to visit any time of year.
