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Cape Cod in October

by Melissa
(Peoria, IL, USA)

Early October Day at Nauset Beach

Early October Day at Nauset Beach

Question: Hi. We are thinking of visiting Cape Cod the week of October 6th and would like to know what to expect regarding the weather, what type of clothing to bring and whether we will see fall colors?

Dee's Reply: Hi Melissa - Early October is a beautiful time to visit Cape Cod!

Our October days are usually quite mild and nights are crisp - much like your weather at home, I imagine. Low to mid-60s during the day and low 50s at night. It's that "sweater weather" time of year we northerners cherish.

What type of clothing to bring? I'm not sure if you mean weather-wise or dress code-wise, so I'll give you some insights on both.

Weather-wise: You might want to bring shorts in case we're blessed with Indian Summer weather while you're here. (You won't need to pack the swimsuits unless you'll be staying at a hotel that has an indoor pool ;-)

A sweater, medium-weight jacket and jeans should be enough to keep you comfy while you're out and about. If you have a windbreaker, throw that in, too. You'll be happy to have it for bike rides and beach walks on a breezy day!

Dress code-wise: No need to pack anything too fancy. The Cape is a laid-back, "do your own thing" kind of place when it comes to wardrobe.

At the swankiest restaurants on Cape Cod, the dress code is probably best described as "smart casual". When my hubby and I go to an upscale restaurant, he'll wear a collared shirt, creased pants, and maybe a sport coat or blazer. I'll go with dressy slacks and a nice top.

Other than that, pretty much anything goes when it comes to attire.

Now, on to your question about fall colors ...

It's mid-September now, and northern New England is already beginning to see some color. Here on the southern coastline we're still seeing green, and it's likely to stay that way for another couple weeks.

By early October, we'll have splashes of reds and golds. But the most vibrant fall colors will be farther inland. If you're driving here from Illinois, I expect you'll see spectacular foliage along the way!

That said, the timing of your trip couldn't be better for some of the other scenery that makes this time of year on the Cape so special. Beaches and nature trails lined with bright orange rose hips and late-season wildflowers. Bogs filled with plump, red cranberries ready for harvest. And the gorgeous colors of an autumn sunset reflecting off the water. I've posted a few photos at the top of this page, just to give you a little taste of Cape Cod in October.

I hope this info helps to make your getaway planning a little easier. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask!

Best Regards,

Dee

P.S. That's my mom in the Nauset Beach photo. The day I took this pic there was a chilly wind blowing in off the Atlantic Ocean, but the sun and sand were nice and warm. Can you see mom's bare feet? That's how we dress for an October beach outing - layers and flip flops. :-)

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