couple holding hands on a path in the fall

See Autumn in All of its Golden Glory

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It’s an understatement to say the Cape is beautiful in the fall. The truth is, it’s gorgeous in every season. But if we aim to embrace the seasons as they come, autumn might be the ideal time to find your way into the path of changing leaves, harvest festivals, and craft beer tastings to wash it all down with a few sips of a crisp local brew. Thirsty yet? September is here to be toured and tasted!

Once the kids are back in school and families are back to the daily grind, Cape Cod tends to see far fewer crowds making walking on the beach or in the woods even more relaxing and refreshing. So get out there and experience the privilege of having the island to yourself. Some of our favorite places to explore include the following:

Nickerson State Park in Brewster covers 1,900 acres of maintained parkland, with plenty of wooded trails and ponds to explore. Some are stocked year-round with trout for the fisherwomen and men in the family, and for the bikers in your group, there is an 8-mile path that connects to the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail, a paved trail winding through six picturesque Cape Cod towns.

Beebe Woods in Falmouth surrounds Highfield Hall & Gardens and covers 383 acres of forest with hiking trails. Named after the Beebe Family that created the Highfield estate, Beebe Woods hosts an extensive network of walking trails that cover miles of wooded ridges and steep-sided hollows all encircling a picturesque pond know as the “Punch Bowl” that lies deep within the Woods. Highfield Hall and Gardens boasts a beautifully restored Victorian estate surrounded by 400 acres of conservation land, peaceful walking trails and an interactive musical garden.

Taylor Bray Farm in Yarmouth Port is an historic, working farm with a beautifully maintained boardwalk winding through Black Flats Marsh and the dunes of Chapin Beach. Visit the more than 350-year-old farm house, the friendly farm animals, and the bees, after an easy stroll along the wooded Don McIntyre trail. Hayrides are offered in October.

Journey into the heart of a tranquil and inspiring wood on the Beech Forest Trail in Provincetown. The mile-long path that surrounds a wetland preserve and passes by the reflective Beech Forest Pond and dunes is perfect for all ages and abilities. Enjoy great bird watching opportunities all along the way, especially in the fall.

Once you’ve walked the trails and worked up a thirst, make your way to the fairgrounds in East Falmouth to toast to fall at the Cape Cod Brew Fest. There, in its 10th year, more than 300 beers will be on tap from more than 50 regional breweries. These include Mighty Squirrel, Devil’s Purse, Naukabout, Whalers, Tröegs, Untold Brewing, and more. Of course, food vendors will be on parade, too, so you can eat while you sip, plus enjoy hours of live music on the main stage. It all happens between 2:00 and 5:30 pm on September 24th. Beverage samples are included with your ticket price and so is the custom glass that you’ll be handed as you leave.

Ok, we’ve got one more treat for you. If you like theatrical performances, the Tennessee Williams Theater Festival will be held this month at a handful of venues around Provincetown, the same weekend as the Cape Cod Brew Fest. Raising the curtain for the first time since 2006, Tutti Frutti Tennessee Williams will deliver the artist’s best Broadways hits and radical writing from every decade between the 1930s and 1980s. What’s more, you’ll get to experience “the strange, the crazed, and the queer” on stage and afterwards, take a “soundwalk” by popping in your headphones and ambling along a choose-your-own-adventure style sensory walk around Provincetown. It’s all happening this month on the Cape! Don’t delay in booking your stay at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club so you can enjoy early autumn’s finest offerings by the water.