20 things to do during the cold months

Travel

From museums to restaurants to breweries, there’s plenty of things to do during the winter months on the Cape.

By Kristi Palma

February 13, 2026 | 3:20 PM

4 minutes to read

Cape Cod, comprised of 15 towns, is a well-known summer destination, but there are plenty of things to see and do during the less-crowded winter months too.

“Cape Cod’s enchantment extends far beyond summer only,” said Bill DeSousa-Mauk, publicist for the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. “In fact, its allure extends throughout all the seasons.”

“You really get to see what small town life on Cape Cod is like, which is really neat,” said Tom Boland, co-owner of Far Land Provisions in Provincetown, about winter activities on the Cape.

Ahead, check out 20 spots great for a winter visit recommended by Cape Cod experts and Boston.com staffers.

Museums

The Sandwich Glass Museum details the history of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company, which opened in 1825. The museum features its extensive glass collection as well as exhibitions by current glass blowing artists. (129 Main St., Sandwich)

The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum details the life of the 35th president of the United States and his connection to Cape Cod. The Hyannis Kennedy Compound was purchased by the Kennedys in 1928. Hyannis visitors can also walk the Hyannis Kennedy Legacy Trail in Hyannis, a self-guided 1.6-mile walking tour of 10 sites significant to the Kennedy family. (397 Main St., Hyannis)

The Cape Cod Museum of Art, founded in 1981, preserves the work of Cape Cod artists, and includes seven galleries, a museum shop, a film screening room, and a Sculpture Garden. Guests can attend various creative workshops and also pottery classes. (60 Hope Lane, Dennis)

Learn about real pirates and view authentic treasure at the Wydah Pirate Museum, which houses the largest collection of pirate artifacts recovered from a single shipwreck in the world. Guests spend time in the exhibits, bell theatre room, SeaLab and Learning Center, and a walk-through partial replica of the Whydah Gally. (674 MA-28, West Yarmouth)

Outdoors

Enjoy a winter walk on the beach. Cape Cod has some of the most beautiful beaches in the nation. Beaches recommended by town officials include Herring Cove Beach, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore; Nauset Beach in Orleans; Crosby Landing Beach in Brewster; and South Cape Beach State Park in Mashpee. (Various locations)

Bundle up and get outside on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a 25-mile former railroad track that cuts through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet. There are many spots where trail users can park for free. (3488 Main St., Brewster)

Hike 11 year-round trails at the Cape Cod National Seashore, including the scenic Great Island Trail in Wellfleet or the Fort Hill Trail in Eastham. (Various locations)

Go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at the 1900-acre Nickerson State Park in Brewster, which includes miles of trails around ponds such as Cliff Pond and Flax Pond. (3488 Main St., Brewster)

Restaurants / Cafes

At Bamboo Chinese Cuisine, which famously delivers food to Nantucket via Cape Air, diners enjoy Asian cuisine and a sushi bar. Check out the restaurants’s Sunday lunch or dinner buffet. (574 Iyannough Rd., Hyannis)

For scratch cooking in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Italian restaurant Leonessa delivers. (43 Main St., Yarmouth Port)

Grab a sweet treat at Beth’s Bakery & Cafe, established in 2007 in historic downtown Sandwich. Everything is baked fresh at the cafe, from scones to muffins to breads. Soup, salad, and breakfast items are also available. (16 Jarves St., Sandwich)

Grab an award-winning sandwich from Far Land Provisions, a corner store and deli in Provincetown that has been feeding Cape Cod for 22 years. (150 Bradford St., Provincetown)

Breweries / Vineyards / Wine bars

There’s always something going on at Devil’s Purse Brewing Company in South Dennis, including a weekly winter giveaway throughout the month of February. (120 Great Western Rd., South Dennis)

Grab a beer and a slice at Tree House Brewing Company, known for its New England-style IPAs. The award-winning craft brewery with a cult-like following operates a taproom and brewery in the charming and historic town of Sandwich. (98 Town Neck Rd., Sandwich)

Pour yourself a glass a wine at UVA Wine Bar, the state’s only self-pour wine bar. The bar offers 48 different wines and hosts open mic nights and craft nights. (4 Market St., Mashpee)

Settle in for a wine tasting at Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod, which offers tastings and wine by the glass inside its gift shop and outdoor and enclosed pavilion bar. Visitors can grab food from Red River BBQ on Saturdays during the winter months. (11 Shore Rd. Route 6A, North Truro)

Catch a show at Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre, a multi-generational theater in its 75th season. The theater also hosts winter classes for both kids and adults. (105 Division St., West Harwich)

Browse the wares of Atlantic Spice Company, which stocks more than 250 herbs, spices, and baking items, as well as dried fruits, nuts, coffee, tea, kitchen gadgets, and cookbooks. (2 Shore Rd., North Truro)

Find your next read at Parnassus Book Service, which has kept Cape Cod reading since 1956. The family-run, independent shop is housed in a three-story 19th century building, offers new, used, and rare titles, and is known for its outdoor book stall. (220 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port)

Shop Main Street in Hyannis, full of boutiques, restaurants, museums, and more, all year long. In February, the businesses are part of a Cupid’s Scavenger Hunt where guests can shop, dine, and find Cupid for a prize. (Main Street, Hyannis)

Kristi Palma

Travel writer

 

Kristi Palma is the travel writer for Boston.com, focusing on the six New England states. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.