Wicked Summer Fun Guide

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Don’t look now, but…Here comes summer! Memorial Day weekend is the official unofficial start to the summer and Cape Cod is all about the summer. If you are heading down for the holiday weekend, or making your vacation plans, it’s always good to have plan B, as in beach isn’t an option. Hey, it happens, especially on Memorial Day weekend. It’s often chilly and unpredictable. So, here’s your plan B, 9 fun things to do on Cape Cod when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

I’ve been going to the Cape my whole life. I even lived there year-round for about 4 years. I’m well versed in backup plans. Yes, some of these will be obvious, but sometimes you just need a reminder. Like, “hey, I forgot about that option.” Sure, bring the bathing suit for good luck, but always bring the rain coat, umbrella and extra outerwear to keep you warm for outdoor activities in not ideal weather.

Imperfect weather can make for memorable times. Hello Taylor Swift fans. “Meet me in the pouring rain” was a theme at one of her recent Gillette Stadium shows. Those who were there, as well as Ms. Swift, will never forget it! It was special. So get ready to make some special memories on the Cape, finding alternative fun to sun and surf and sand. Take a look at these 9 fun things to do on Cape Cod when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

  • 1. Mini golf

    I know, this one is painfully obvious. But not for most people, if it’s raining or chilly. But it isomething you can do in the rain. Or light rain, anyway, as long as the mini golf establishment is open. Test your skills at holding an umbrella with one hand and putting with the other. There are many great mini golf places all over the Cape. Trip Advisor shared their 5 best, HERE.

    Cape Escape is one of my favorites, located near the rotary in Orleans, MA.

    cape escape adventure golf

    Bring the whole family to escape to the sights and sounds of cape cod. 18 holes of award winning mini golf in a nautical setting with authentic fishing boats, a live Koi fish pond and putt through beautiful waterfalls.

  • 2. Shop a main street you've never been to

    Downtown Hyannis, P-Town, Chatham and Sandwich are popular favorites. But try mixing it up on inclement weather days. Visit the charming little town of Wellfleet, or enjoy a shoppers delight at Mashpee and the Mashpee Commons. Downtown Harwich Port was named by Country Living Magazine as one of the best Main Streets in America. You won’t find national stores here. But you will find quaint shops, unique stores and plenty to see and shop.

    Harwich Chamber of Commerce - Cape Cod Travel | Cape Cod Vacation | Harwich Cape Cod Chamber

    Hello, my name is Jonathan Pratt, and I am the founder of Cape Life Brand Company ( www.capelifebrand.com); which is a lifestyle and apparel brand created and based on the unique culture and experience of Cape Cod. I recently became a member of the Harwich Chamber of Commerce, and I am very excited to be a part of this organization and business community.

  • 3. See a Movie

    I realize you likely watch plenty of movies in your home. But going out to the movie theaters is a different experience. It’s more social, there’s endless popcorn and there’s nothing like seeing a great movie, and everyone claps in the end. Or laughing alongside strangers, because the story moved you to do so. Here are some movie theaters on the Cape to check out:

    Cape Cod Guide to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Islands

    Cape Cod Movie Theaters on Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard

     

  • 4. Take a hike

    A little rain or cold never stopped a true adventurer! Just dress properly. There are so many beautiful hiking and walking trails to discover on the Cape. I love the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail in Welfleet. It’s next to Marconi Beach, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. swamp aread of the trail can get mucky, but there is a wood boardwalk for most of your hike. Keep in mind, no pets are allowed here. Fort Hill in Eastham is a beautiful, shorter hike (about a mile) with spectacular views, forests, boardwalks and fields. 

    For plenty more walking/hiking trails and areas, check this out:

    Spring Hikes on Cape Cod | Locations & Trail Details

    The last of the snow flurries are likely behind us, and spring crocuses, daffodils and tulips will soon be unfurling their showy blooms. When springtime arrives on Cape Cod, it's the perfect time to lace up your sneakers and explore the region's stunning natural beauty along wooded paths, salt marshes and beach dunes.

  • 5. Bowling

    There are quite a few fun places to have a ball, or roll a ball down a lane, on Cape Cod. Some even serve adult beverages. We love The Alley Bowling and BBQ in Orleans. But any of these places are fun. Just make sure you plan ahead and try to get a reservation.

    Five Places to Go Bowling on Cape Cod | Kinlin Grover Compass

    When you're overdue for a night out with your family, hitting some of the Cape's bowling alleys is a good idea. You'll have a variety of options available, with some offering full-service restaurants and others being limited to just a few lanes.

  • 6. Go-Karts

    Go-karts are perfect on cloudy, cooler days. Bud’s Go- Karts in Harwich Port has been a family favorite since I was a kid. It’s fun and afforadable. And, bonus: the old- timey A&W Root Beer is across the street. There are a few other go-kart places on the Cape, here:

    4 Best Go-Kart Tracks in Cape Cod | GoKartGuide

    Cape Cod is home to some pretty great karting locations if you're a fan of racing outdoors. This is especially true if you have a family that you wish to spend an entire day hanging out with, or simply want to hang out with a group of friends.

  • 7. Breweries

    Sometimes, you just need cold one, even when it’s colder out. Over the past decade or so, breweries have been hopping (pardon the pun) on the Cape. It seems like a new one pops up every year. Hog Island in Orleans will often feature live music. Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis was the first (since 2004) and it’s hugely popular. Also featuring live music, games, food trucks and more. Need more, here you go:

    12 Excellent Cape Cod Brewery Taprooms & Tours

    "Relaxation" is a word that comes to mind when most people think of a Cape Cod getaway. And, one relaxing activity that's one of the best things to do on Cape Cod is enjoying a craft brew at a local Cape Cod brewery. Locally made beers are featured in lounges, bars, and restaurants in every town.

     

  • 8. Ice Cream

    When the weather on Cape Cod makes you scream. Just scream for ice cream! There is certainly no shortage of it. Homemade is always the best, and the best for me is Nauset Ice Cream in Eastham. There is something about that homemade coffee heath bar that keeps me coming back. Last year, boston.com shared their readers’favorite ice cream places on the Cape. See if you agree:

    Where to get the best ice cream on Cape Cod

    Readers Say There's nothing quite like getting an ice cream cone while taking a walk along the beach. Whether you live on Cape Cod or you're just visiting, you know that it's a destination for seafood shacks, strolls along the shore, and yes, good scoops.

  • 9. Museums

    Whether it’s sharks, pirates, or history you are searching for, there’s a museum for it on the Cape. The Whydah Pirate Museum is open year round. And it’s not just for kids. It’s an interactive science and history museum that has a display of what is left of the shipwrecked pirate ship, the Whydah. It was shipwrecked in 1717 after a horrible storm, off the coast of Welfleet. The former slave shipped was stolen by pirate captain Sam Bellamy, and the remains were discovered in the 1980s. 

    Here are 9 other museums you may want to explore:

    The Top 10 Museums on Cape Cod

    When people think about Cape Cod, they tend to think of the beaches, the boats, the sharks, the ice cream, the mini-golf, the light houses, the quaint streets and the fried clams. Less in the forefront of the mind is that Cape Cod is a historical and cultural center.

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