Cape Cod Off-Season

A blue lobster at the Woods Hole Aquarium

If you want to visit the Cape but want to save some cash, think about going off-season.  Most people think of lounging at the beach, eating ice cream, and playing mini-golf and while those are some of my favorite activities as well, there are some fun things to do year-round.  Whether you want to take a day trip to the Cape or enjoy a long, relaxing weekend, there's always something to do.

You can get fantastic deals on accommodations during the off-season.  Different places have different definitions of "off-season."  We've gotten off-season rates as late as mid-June, because some places don't consider it peak season until school gets out, but if you have small kids or just want to get away for the weekend, that could be a good option.  You can find house rental deals, but we actually like to stay at a hotel when we visit the Cape off-season because a lot of the hotels have indoor pools.  This makes it way more fun for my son when he can swim no matter the weather! 

You might be wondering what there is to do on the Cape in the off-season.  Yes, there are a lot of things that close for the winter, but there are also some great things open year round.

Here are some of my favorites Cape attractions that are open year-round:

• Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory.   This quick, free, self-guided tour is a fun treat for the entire family.  Plus, free chips at the end!
• While you're in Hyannis, check out Cape Cod Beer.   Beer samples for the grown-ups and a train table for the kiddos!
• Cape Cod Museum of Natural History.  It's closed from December 30-February 14, but is otherwise open year-round.  The museum is small but has tons of fun, interesting artifacts from the Cape, including a small aquarium area.   If the weather is nice, they have some truly awesome trails.  Even if it's chilly, bundle up and explore.
• If hiking and nature walks are your thing, hit up one of the Mass Audubon locations on the Cape.  The Wellfleet  location is a particularly good choice because they have a robust visitor's center so even if the weather isn't great your kids can enjoy the visitor's center.
• Visit some lighthouses.  Lighthouses are picturesque no matter the season.  Some offer tours year round.
• Enjoy bowling in Orleans, or at a Ryan's Family Amusements location.
• Visit the Woods Hole Aquarium.  This free (donation requested) aquarium is fun for adults and kids of all ages!
• After visiting the aquarium, head a few blocks down to Pie in the Sky.   Warm up with some hot drinks and enjoy lunch or one of their well-known bear claws!
• No visit to the Cape is complete without some fresh fish!  One seafood restaurant open off-season (closed January-mid February) is Wellfleet Oyster.  Their menu includes a raw bar, fried platters, and a kids menu featuring fare such as spaghetti, fried fish, and chicken fingers.
• Pick up a pie at Marion's in Chatham.   Really amazing pie!  My husband recommends the bumbleberry.
• Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.  Here are a bunch of locations for a scenic day spent in the snow!

Lots of places on the Cape are open from April until October, but peak season is usually June through September, so you could get good deals on hotels or house rentals in the spring or fall, but still have access to all the fun Cape stuff - and maybe some warm weather!

This was originally posted on January 16, 2014. 

Summer Bucket List

Summer officially arrived this weekend and we couldn't be more excited!   Last year I created a summer bucket list and we did almost everything on the list, so I've decided to do it again.

• Salem Willows.  A great place for summer fun!  A historic merry-go-round, mini golf, arcade games, ice cream, right on the water.  Everything is inexpensive and it's a great beachy outing.  
• Look Park.  I'd love to head out to Amherst for a day trip and spend some time at Look Park.  There's playgrounds, paddle boats, mini golf, a little zoo, and spray parks.  I went there once before I had Isaac and I've been wanting to take him since last summer, but we never got a chance.  
• Seacoast Science Center in Rye, NH.  A friend posted some pictures of her family at the Seacoast Science Center and it looked like so much fun that I'm looking forward to taking Isaac!  It's only $7 for adults and $3 for kids.  
• Frog Pond.  We can't get enough of wading in the Frog Pond!  I can't wait to spend an entire day at Boston Common this summer.
• Blueberry picking.  We had a great time strawberry picking at Ward's Berry Farm last week but next month we plan to pick blueberries at Tougas Farm.  
• Camping at the Cape.  The best way to do a Cape trip on a budget during the summer is to CAMP!  Last year we enjoyed Sweetwater Forest in Brewster. 
• York, ME.  We usually try to go to York once a year, but last year the summer just went way too fast!  Fun-O-Rama is always a good time with some bowling and skeeball and ice cream or candy at The Goldenrod is a real treat!  And you can't get much more New England than the picturesque Nubble Light.
• Walden Pond.  GO EARLY!   The parking lot fills up fast on nice days and it's also shaded in the morning.  
• Visit a new Mass Audubon location.  I'd like to visit a location where we've never been before!  
• Picnic and play at Artesani Park in Brighton.  The wading pool is wonderful on a warm day!  
• Boating.  I'm on the lookout for some inexpensive boating options.  Charles River Canoe and Kayak is expensive.  Stay tuned for cheaper alternatives...

What's on your summer bucket list?

Ten Free Things to Do in Boston

Wading in the Frog Pond is fun AND free!

Discounts are awesome, but obviously free is even better!  There are some really fun things to do within Boston city limits without spending money.

 Here are ten free things to do in Boston.

1.  Take your kids wading in the Frog Pond in the summer - it's totally free.  Pack a picnic, walk around Boston Common, and cool off in the pond.   In the summer, the Swan Boats and carousel are also super cheap.

2.  Climb the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown.  There are 294 steps to get to the top, so make sure you and your kids are up for the hike!   But the view will make it worthwhile.

3.  Visit Castle Island in Southie.  Play in the sand, walk around the fort, have fun at the playground, and enjoy a picnic.  I love to go to Castle Island in the spring and fall to avoid the crowds.

4.  Visit the Observatory at BU.  They offer open nights on most Wednesday evenings year-round, weather permitting.   Starting times are 7:30 pm in the fall and winter, and at 8:30pm during the spring and summer. The program lasts about an hour.  The telescopes are outside, so be sure to dress appropriately.

5.  Check out free events at the Hatch Shell.  There are free concerts including Earthfest, free movies, and of course, the 4th of July fireworks!

6.  Tour the USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat!  Learn about naval history on this free tour.

7.  Visit a free festival.  There are free festivals all throughout the year, but here are a few that stick out in my mind:  North End Feasts which happen all summer long, the Dragon Boat Festival in June, the Chinese New Year Parade, and more.

8.  Explore the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain.  There is no admission, but they do request donations.  They even have Discovery Packs for kids to make the experience most educational!

9.  Take a walk along the Charles River.  There's always lots to see.  End your walk at Artesani Park, where there's a playground and a fun wading/splash pool available in the summer.

10.  Play tourist and explore Faneuil Hall.  There are all kinds of street performers, such as musicians, jugglers, etc.  After that, head over the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park to enjoy the spray park and playground!  And, while not free, I recommend you head over to the North End for pastries.  :-)