Sweet September: A great month on Cape Cod
Some say the best month to visit Cape Cod is September, so we took a trip around the peninsula to find out why.
Eric Williams, Cape Cod Times
Something magical happens on Cape Cod in September. The big summer show has been shipped out of town, but you know what? It’s still summer!
Suddenly there’s plenty of space on the beach, on the streets, and in the clam shacks. September on Cape Cod offers spectacular and deserted pleasures: warm days, cool nights, and perhaps the best swimming of the year.
The simple truth might be that almost everything is better on the Cape in September. You might even be so inspired that you suddenly find yourself quoting the poems of Ralph Waldo Emerson, uttering lines like, “Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the healing power of the wild air.”
Or at least you’ll have a lot of fun exploring this beautiful peninsula. Here are some of our favorite things to do on Cape Cod in September.
Take a swimming safari
Before Labor Day, we’re all bound by the pesky rules of beach stickers and entrance fees. But in September, those rules go away at most beaches on the Cape. That means you can visit those exotic beaches in other cities you’ve heard so much about for the ridiculously low price of free!
Experience the delights of Buzzards Bay at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth or splash around in Wellfleet’s impressive dead ice holes, including Great Pond, Gull Pond and Long Pond. Or try your hand at boogie boarding at epic seaside spots like Nauset Beach in Orleans or Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro.
Try a long hike on Cape Cod
The slightly cooler days of September provide perfect conditions for a longer-than-usual hiking adventure. You can either plan your hike yourself, perhaps taking long sections of the Cape Cod Rail Trail or the beaches of Cape Cod National Seashore, or you can opt for a more organized option.
It’s the perfect time of year to tackle the coast’s Great Island Trail in Wellfleet, perhaps the most well-known long hike on Cape Cod. Depending on how much of the trail you tackle, a round-trip hike can be about eight miles. Cooler temperatures are also conducive to the legendary hike through the Province Lands in Provincetown, which begins at the intersection of Snail Road and Route 6—you’ll see people parking on the side of the road.
Marsh Appreciation Month
The green and gold glow of the Cape swamps is a sight to behold in September. Even non-artists may pick up a palette and easel and create an outdoor masterpiece. And a trip to the swamps also puts the spotlight on wildlife and other natural beauty.
At low tide, take a stroll along the Bass Hole Boardwalk in Yarmouth Port, which really brings you into the picture. Or stroll to the Marsh Trail at Sandy Neck Beach Park in Barnstable. And there are also great marsh views at Mass Audubon’s Barnstable Great Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Find the best festival
September is the perfect time to go to a great festival, make new friends, discover local crafts, snack on something tasty and enjoy some music. And there are tons of cool events to choose from!
September highlights include: Eastham Windmill Weekend on September 6, 7 and 8, 2024, with events in town and at the Windmill Green on Route 6, the Cape Cod Wildlife Festival on September 14 at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Cummaquid, and the Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival on September 14 and 15 at the Harwich Community Center Field (100 Oak Street).
Let the fun continue with Truro Treasures on September 20, 21 and 22, with events throughout town including the famous Grape Stomp at Truro Vineyards & South Hollow Spirits on Sunday afternoon, Cape Cod Brew Fest on September 21 at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth and Love Local Fest on September 29 at Aselton Park in Hyannis.
Eric Williams writes about different ways to enjoy the Cape, weather, wildlife and other topics. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X: @capecast.
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