F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall” and I can’t help but embrace this sentiment. While I love a Cape Cod summer, I find myself leaning into this season of change, especially living in New England. I love taking out those cozy cardigans and getting ready for all things pumpkin for a Cape Cod fall. This year I am a mom to a kindergartner and a preschooler, both in new school settings. With these changes also comes a tide of uncertainty and after long summer days together a little bit of letting go. Our fall traditions serve as an anchor and represent continuity in our family life each year. I hope you can share in some of our traditions and that they inspire you to create your own. Cape Cod and its surrounding area have so much to offer this season.
Our favorite fall traditions include:
Apple Picking at Sweet Berry Farm, Middletown Rhode Island
This is a little bit of a drive but worth it. Tucked away behind Newport Vineyards, Sweet Berry Farm has an idyllic farmhouse with a cobblestone fireplace. Inside you will taste the best apple cider donuts around, great coffee and artisan sandwiches. There is a sunflower field and pumpkin patch, which make beautiful backdrops for family photos. This outing is great to pair with the vineyard or the Newport cliff walk.
Heritage Halloween, Sandwich
One Friday and Saturday night in October (this year October 27th, 28th) Heritage Museum & Gardens hosts a Halloween event. The gardens are aglow with Halloween lights. Kids dress in costume and enjoy a variety of treats including marshmallow toasting, a DJ dance party, crafts, photo opts in the vintage car museum and a ride on their carousel, which is from 1908.
Play at Cape Cod Theatre Company, Harwich
This multi-generational theatre is a gem and preforms many shows geared toward a child audience. The plays are usually an hour to an hour and a half with an intermission. They have a red carpet after each show where guests can take photos with the cast. Last year they performed The Addams Family but this October they will be showing Young Frankenstein. There is a pg-13 rating for this play so this may be a mom’s night out for me but would be a great activity to do with teens.
Pumpkin People in the Park, Chatham
October 14th-31st Kate Gould Park and the bandstand on Main Street Chatham come to life with pumpkin people, creatively crafted by local business and community members. My kids love to explore the various creations. We sometimes pair this activity with a walk/fall picnic on Chatham Lighthouse Beach.
Trip to Captain Bakers Donuts, Dennis
This donut shop is in an antique purple barn adjacent to a historic sea captain’s home. Their donuts are made to order and the fall flavors are beyond. Think maple bacon! They also have really fun Halloween options. *Bonus: They are allergen friendly with gluten free and vegan donuts available.
Glow Lights at Nova Trampoline Park, Plymouth MA
Buckle up for Nova Trampoline Park, a 50,000 square foot indoor kids paradise featuring in indoor playground, foam pits, trampoline dodge ball and so much more. There is a separate toddler area with a large ball pit and a trampoline space for the littles. I love that you can do any combination of hours. Every night from 6pm until close the lights go out and the whole place is illuminated with glow lights.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Rhode Island
Walk down a path illuminated by thousands of creatively carved pumpkins. I am enchanted by the artistry that goes into the collection. This year’s theme is pumpkins around the world. You can visit September 28th –October 31st.
Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown
The annual lighting of the Pilgrim Monument takes place November 11th at 6:00 pm and commemorates the Pilgrim’s first landing in Provincetown in 1620. It doesn’t get any more quintessential New England than this. There is something just magical about gazing at those seemingly endless strands of twinkling light and the backdrop of the Provincetown seascapes. It is also a great time to pop into the shops on Commercial Street and pick up some early holiday gifts.
I’d love to know, what are your favorite fall traditions?
Great stuff Leah, great ideas for nana and papa too😎!