Your Complete Guide to a Cape Cod Romantic Getaway

Your Complete Guide to a Cape Cod Romantic Getaway

“Honey, let’s get away for a while. Just me and you.”

When it’s time to escape reality and seek fun, rest, adventure, and – most of all – a deeper connection, you will find romance and once-in-a-lifetime moments and memories here on the Cape.

With seemingly endless things to do and experience together, let us help you plan a romantic and restorative getaway.

The Best Time to Visit Cape Cod

There is truly no bad time to visit the Cape.

But, for the sake of specifics, May, June, September or October are months that locals and vacationers absolutely rave about. The temperatures seem to be more pleasant; the crowds tend to be smaller; and you can take advantage of lower room rates.

July and August are the best months to come if the beaches are a top priority for you and your significant other.

During the winter months of December through March, you could have the beautiful Cape to yourself. Depending on what you want to do, though, some shops, restaurants, and other spots may be closed during these offseason months.

If you desire to experience the magic of the Cape in the snowy months – which we absolutely recommend – we suggest checking to see if the spots you want to visit will be open during your stay.

Average Cape Cod Weather (°F)

January	February	March	April	May	June
Hi 37, Low 23	Hi 27, Low 23	Hi 44, Low 29	Hi 52, Low 37	Hi 62, Low 48	Hi 72, Low 56

July	August	September	October	November	December
Hi 79, Low 63	Hi 77, Low 62	Hi 70, Low 55	Hi 60, Low 45	Hi 51, Low 38	Hi 43, Low 28

Romantic Cape Cod Events

If you’re still unsure when to book your Cape Cod for couples trip, take a look at these romantic (and fun!) events from around the Cape:

• May – The Nantucket Wine & Food Festival
• June – Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF); the Nantucket Comedy Festival
• June through August – Cape Cod Jazz Festival
• July – The Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival
• September – The Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music festival
• October – The Yarmouth Seaside Festival; Wellfleet Oysterfest
• Late November through December – Gardens Aglow Lights Festival

Cape Cod Weekend Getaway

There is so much love and laughter you can pack into a romantic Cape Cod weekend getaway; and while weekends always seem to come and go too fast, there is a certain kind of magic you can find on the Cape – an old-world charm that seems to make time slow down a bit.

What’s your ideal romantic weekend getaway look like?

Want to get active? Eat delectable food together? Wander sandy, dune-lined beaches at sunset hand-in-hand? Set sail together? Stroll along store fronts and shop at one-of-a-kind boutiques? Visit Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket for a romantic adventure?

With something for every couple spread across four diverse regions – the Upper Cape, Mid Cape, Lower Cape and Outer Cape – there’s so much to marvel at together.

Romantic Things to Do in Cape Cod

Whale Watch

With a variety of different whales migrating to the Cape every year, whale watching off the coast of the Cape is a remarkable experience to cherish with your loved one. You’ll probably also get to see seals, dolphins, turtles, waterfowl, crabs, and much more.

Catch a Fishing Charter or take a tour of the Elizabeth Islands

You and your loved one don’t have to be experienced fishermen to enjoy a day on the water catching big fish in some of Massachusetts’ best fishing areas. Fishing charters all around the Cape are full of fun and new experiences. We also have a tour company right in Woods Hole that would love to take you on a private tour of the Elizabeth Islands.

Go on a Guided Kayaking Tour

Take your loved one to see the Cape from a whole new perspective, like in the waters from a kayak. With guided tours, solo rentals, group outings, and kayak lessons, you can find a kayak option for you and your loved one – like riding ocean surf, navigating rivers, or slowly exploring secluded creeks. Kayaking is the best way to see parts of the Cape that no one can see from land.

Take a Boat Tour of the Cape Cod National Seashore

Along the way, you may get to see one of Cape Cod’s great treasures: herds of seals. They stay year-round, and since the summer waters are usually packed with boats, fall is the best time to get a good look at them enjoying the water or laying out on shores.

Go Crabbing

With millions of blue crabs in the waters off Cape Cod, there are certain spots where you can catch them on your own with the right gear. During this unforgettable experience, you’ll love spending quality time in the water with your loved one and soaking in the beautiful scenery around you.

Rent Some Bikes and Ride the Shining Sea Bikeway

If you and your loved one like to get active and see true scenic beauty, consider renting some bikes (or bringing your own) and biking the 10.7-mile paved route. The bikeway travels from Woods Hole to North Falmouth and back, and with the majority of the bikeway hugging the shoreline, winding along the Vineyard Sound coast and providing views of Buzzards Bay, this is one bike route you must experience. You and your loved one can also run, walk or skate on the path, too.

Ride or Walk the Cape Cod Rail Trail

Another incredibly beautiful and popular biking trail, the Cape Cod Rail Trail is a 25-mile paved pathway from South Dennis to Wellfleet. Along the way on either route, you’ll get to marvel at scenic outlooks and historical sites.

Visit the Cranberry Bog (Fall Time)

Cranberries are an important commercial crop found across the Cape, and Harwich, MA, is home to the Cranberry Festival and the Cape Farm & Cranberry Company. This company offers fun and educational guided experiences to learn about the tools and machines used to keep the bogs flourishing year-round.

Catch a Tee Time

If you and your loved one are golf lovers, head for the greens and catch a desired tee time. The Cape is home to more than two dozen public golf courses.

Go Bird Watching

Do you and your loved one have a passion for bird watching? Cape Cod fosters some must-visit spots that have incredible potential to add a species to your life list.

When you’re looking for calm, sunshine, and the perfect spot for memory making with your loved one, the Cape has some of the most magnificent beaches to check out. Here are just a few that should top your list:

Nobska Beach

A white-sand crescent, nestled in the rocky shoreline and under the shadow of the scenic Nobska Lighthouse, this iconic Cape Cod beach looks out over the Vineyard Sound. The crystal-clear water laps the soft sand, anchored by rocky outcroppings at either end.

The Knob

A true hidden gem on the lower part of the Cape, the Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob) is located in the small, historic Village of Quissett. If your goal is to unwind with your loved one on a secreted beach, you should head to the Knob. You’ll be within a nature area that overlooks Buzzards Bay and has beaches where you can swim, bird- and boat-watch, and simply relax.

Race Point Beach

Race Point Beach has a wide band of sand stretching far off into the distance. Behind the beach are beautiful dunes and bike trails. Surfing is even allowed past the protected areas. This is also a remarkable beach for sunbathers because of its northern location – the sun shines directly on the sand all day.

Herring Cove Beach

Another extremely gorgeous beach with spectacular views and pretty rocks, Herring Cove Beach stretches as far as the eye can see. The sunsets are stunning and strolls on this beach are unforgettable.

The Woods Hole Science Aquarium

Free to the public and home to 140 species of Northeast and Middle Atlantic marine animals, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium is the country’s oldest marine aquarium. (Check before you go – as the Aquarium is currently closed due to Covid)

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

The WHOI is packed with history and education – like learning about the Titanic’s location, the discovery of a large debris field from Air France Flight 447 and more.

Pilgrim Monument/Provincetown Museum

The Pilgrim Monument is the first thing you see when you approach Provincetown. Standing at 252 feet, the Monument commemorates the history of the Mayflower Pilgrims and more. It’s the tallest all-granite structure in the United States.

There are so many more museums and landmarks spread across Cape Cod that you and your loved one can check out.

Do you and your loved one love to window shop and pop into unique stores? Walk along the beach? Lighthouse hop? Wander nature trails? Anywhere you go on the Cape is ideal for slowing down and walking hand-in-hand.

Extended Getaways in Cape Cod

Romantic Things To Do on Your Honeymoon or for a Weekend Day Trip

Go on a Cape Cod Sailing Excursion

Departing from Falmouth Harbor, you can catch a sailboat ride from one of Cape Cod’s finest vessels. While each excursion is dependent on the wind and tide that day, the boat tries to head west to see the Nobska Lighthouse and other homes and landmarks that can only be seen from the water. The sail will usually also deliver views of the Elizabeth Islands and much more.

Take the Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard

After a short 45-minute ferry ride from Woods Hole, you can set foot on Martha’s Vineyard and get to exploring all that this incredible island has to offer. With brightly painted gingerbread cottages and unique harbor towns, lighthouses, pristine beaches and beautiful farmland, there is so much to do and fall in love with.

Visit Nantucket

If you want to island hop, catch another ferry from Martha’s Vineyard to Nantucket Island. While on the island, be sure to reserve a little time to visit the Nantucket Whaling Museum (along with the island’s many other historical spots), browse the many shops and boutiques, and – of course – eat at a few of the island’s delectable seafood restaurants.

Romantic Places to Eat in Cape Cod

From a simple coffee date to a full-fledged romantic dinner rendezvous, the opportunities to share a bite in a breathtaking environment makes every meal on the Cape an amazing experience. In Woods Hole there are many amazing restaurants within a short walk, and even more up the road in Falmouth.

Captain Kidd Restaurant and Bar

Home to stunning waterfront dining with docks over Eel Pond – the ambience is amazing. The Kidd has a romantic side….when Bill Crowley visited the Captain Kidd on his first date with his future wife, he told her that he wanted to buy the place someday…and eleven years later, he did just that. The restaurant is still owned by the same family, and they look forward to making your night out special.

Landfall Restaurant

When discussing romantic ambiance that typifies the beauty of Cape Cod, Landfall Restaurant is an ideal example. From the seaside bar seats to the spectacular ocean front dining, the atmosphere at this Cape Cod classic is an ideal location to spend an evening with the one you love while enjoying some of the finest seafood on the east coast.

Quicks Hole Tavern

Quicks Hole Tavern is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset over Woods Hole’s Great Harbor. Sitting across from the bustling Woods Hole Ferry Terminal – this unique spot has amazing views and the freshest quality food and inspired menus. The Tavern was named New England’s “best gastropub” by Yankee Magazine.

Water Street Kitchen

With its commitment to making beautiful food, this quaint Cape Cod kitchen is focused on providing its guests with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients that are presented with love. Stop by and share a few plates with your loved one to help set the mood while enjoying some amazing food.

C Salt Wine Bar and Grill

This trendy Falmouth restaurant and wine bar works to blend American Cuisine with French and Asian influences. The atmosphere is perfect for a planned date night where you can partake in various wine and food pairings that accommodate all varieties of tastes and budgets.

Getting Around Cape Cod

The best way to get around the Cape is by car, especially if you and your loved one want to explore a multitude of areas across the Cape.

Route 28 and Route 6A run far and wide across the Cape and make traveling to different towns fairly easy.

Experiencing Cape Cod by bike is also extremely popular – if you want to travel shorter distances – thanks to the Cape’s various bike trails.

• If you’re driving your car in, you can easily cross the Cape Cod Canal from Boston off of Route 3 or from Providence from Interstate 195.
• If you’re flying in, the Cape’s main carrier, Cape Air, offers shuttles from Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) to Barnstable Municipal Airport (HYA) in Hyannis.

Forget-Me-Not Cape Cod Packing List

Depending on the month you visit, you’ve got the seasonal staples covered. But no matter when you’re here and the duration of your trip, don’t forget to pack these essentials:

• A camera
• A beach bag or oversized purse
• A beach towel to sit and watch the sunset in the evenings
• A reusable water bottle
• Sandals (for warm months)
• Close-toed shoes (for any month if you plan on doing a lot of biking or walking)

Cape Cod for Couples: Stay in Your Private Quarters at the Sands of Time Inn and Harbor House

Complete with a Private Balcony or Patio Overlooking the Vineyard Sound

Without question, the entire Cape is packed with amazing sights, experiences and places to stay. Some of the best kept secrets; however, when it comes to Cape Cod lodging are Woods Hole hotels.

They’re close to a lot of signature Cape Cod must-dos and they’re just outside of all the hustle and bustle of other – more populated and crowded – towns.

At the Sands of Time Inn and Harbor House – located in the heart of Woods Hole – you’ll be in the mix of excellent restaurants, exquisite beaches, interesting shops, a charming public garden, just a short drive away from other Cape Cod destinations, and so much more.

The Sands of Time offers two distinct styles of accommodations that overlook gardens and the blue waters of the harbor and Vineyard Sound.

Above all, we cater to your vacation and stay preferences, and work to make your stay as comfortable and romantic as possible.

If you’re ready to book your stay at the Sands of Time Inn and Harbor House, you can quickly and easily complete your reservation online today: