Christmastime and winter bring shimmering lights, fine dining, and gorgeous strolls to Cape Cod

By Mary Lhowe

At first blush, it may sound a little surprising, but a getaway to Cape Cod in the winter – especially at the Christmas holiday season – is pure joy.

Set aside, for a moment, the summer images of people cavorting on Cape Cod beaches (but note that most people are lounging – not in the water.)

Replace that with mental pictures of cozy parlors and bedrooms of small inns or hotels: candlelight and open fireplaces, deep chairs, warm drinks – from cocoa to cognac – delicious meals, good conversation, even a touch of Scrabble of backgammon.

Feeling a little sleepy? Then pile on your warm outerwear, pull up some fleece-lined boots, and head to the uncrowded beaches, where the dazzling morning and evening light washes the scene with fairyland colors as you trudge past bending dune grasses and whispering waves. When you get chilled around the edges, return to the previous indoor scene, and repeat.

Even though the pretty towns of Cape Cod are not crowded in winter – a big advantage during this year of social distancing — they are very much alive, with year-round people, hoteliers, chefs and shop keepers prepared to show you the most luxurious and restful time ever. Enjoy favorite places like the illuminated Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, the Gardens Aglow celebration at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, little downtowns dripping with holiday greens and festoons of lights.

The 2020 Cape Cod Travel Guide gives you all the resources you could possibly need, from lodging to dining to fun shopping.