Holiday Season is Great Time to Visit Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket

Nantucket Christmas Stroll (photo by Emily Elisabeth)

Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket – After two very challenging years, people are dreaming more than ever of sharing an authentic holiday experience with loved ones. Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island offer a coastal respite where they can do just that – recapture the true essence of the season in a destination where modern amenities and Victorian charm casually coexist.

This holiday season, many traditional and much beloved celebrations will return to the Cape and Islands with an emphasis on safety for attendees, participants and locals.

On Cape Cod, Christmas on Cape Cod festivities will run through New Year’s Day, with each of the Cape’s 15 towns putting their own special stamp on the season. Savor such quintessential holiday experiences as the illuminated Pilgrim Monument, festively decorated village centers, and Heritage Museums and Gardens’ twinkling Garden Aglow. Spot all of The Giants, local glass artist Michael Magyar’s oversized illuminated whimsical figures, dotted along Route 6A in Sandwich and Dennis. A vibrant arts community and picturesque Main Streets offer a boatload of unique treasures and hand-crafted items for holiday shopping.

On Martha’s Vineyard, the month of December is a wonderful time to enjoy Vineyard Holidays, where you’ll find all the fun activities, delicious dining and lodging options or check out our Vineyard inspired gift guides for truly one-of-a-kind treasures. If you’re looking for a bit of holiday magic, come to the 40^th annual  Christmas in Edgartown the weekend of December 9-12, with fun for family, couples or a quick get away with your best pal.  Be certain to take a selfie at the stunningly illuminated Edgartown Light and treat yourself to the wide variety of super fresh chowder recipes!

On Nantucket, the two-year delayed and beloved 47^th Annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll (Stroll program guide here) will kick off on Friday, December 3 and run through Sunday, December 5, including the arrival of Santa on Stroll Saturday, with live entertainment, a visit with Santa, community caroling on Main Street with Victorian Carolers, storefront and Christmas tree decorating contests, the Christmas Market and its popular and exciting Red Ticket drawing on December 24 (winners must be present to win!).

All details of holiday events happening on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are spotlighted here for convenience in having everything in one place.

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Heritage Museums & Gardens on Cape Cod Creates Special Activities for Safe Viewing of Partial Solar Eclipse Aug. 21

The enchanting gardens at Heritage Museums & Gardens in historic Sandwich, MA on Cape Cod, which offers an amazing range of experiences including flying on a zip-line through trees, seeing classic and antique cars, riding a historic carousel © 2017 Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

(Sandwich, MA)—On August 21, all across the United States, a solar eclipse will be viewed by millions; those on Cape Cod will experience a dramatic partial solar eclipse that won’t be visible again in the U.S. until 2024. To celebrate this national event, Heritage Museum & Gardens, in historic Sandwich on Cape Cod, is offering a special day of activities.

Visitors will receive a free pair of safe eclipse viewing glasses (while supplies last), make their own pinhole projector, talk with astronomy expert Gil Newton, eat moon- and sun-themed food, and participate in other eclipse-related activities.

“This celestial event presents a great opportunity to come to Heritage for a day of fun and learning together about the natural world,” says Ellen Spear, president and CEO. “We encourage visitors to come for the day, spread a blanket on the Parade Field in the afternoon, make a pinhole projector, and view the solar eclipse together. ‘Moon Day’ at Heritage will be great fun!”

The event takes place between 1-4 pm, with the ultimate expression of the eclipse at about 2:30 pm.

Family Fun Fridays

Heritage Museums & Gardens—a premier cultural attraction on Cape Cod and a magnet for families— is hosting two more Family Fun Friday Events this season.  The events, sponsored by the Arbella Insurance Foundation, are free with admission and feature a live performance and activities throughout the day that appeal to kids and adults of all ages: outdoor games, crafts, scavenger hunt challenges, story times, nature exploration, and outdoor discovery.

“This year’s line-up of Family Fun Friday performances and activities has some old favorites and some great new talent. Heritage is a treasured place where families can truly be together for relaxing, quality time together,” said Ellen Spear, Heritage president and CEO. “Family Fun Fridays add to the fun, and are a place where families can make memories that will last a lifetime.”

The upcoming Family Fun Friday performances, which begin at 11 am, are:

August 11: Karen K & the Jitterbugs An unforgettable, theatrical, crowd-engaging musical adventure

August 18: Airborne Comedians An amazing and entertaining show featuring six- and seven-foot high unicycles and lawn chair juggling

Children and families enjoy playing in Hidden Hollow™, an enchanting, two-acre outdoor discovery and exploration area that includes a giant treehouse© 2017 Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

New this year, families can enjoy the Premium Heritage Experience, which gives behind-the-scenes access, inside information, and fun, interactive experiences with Heritage’s collections, gardens, and exhibits. Children and families will also enjoy playing in Hidden Hollow™, an enchanting, two-acre outdoor discovery and exploration area that includes a giant treehouse; exploring 100 acres of nature trails, woodlands, and gardens; and riding on a vintage carousel.

Set on 100 stunning acres of gardens, nature trails, and open spaces, Heritage Museums & Gardens is the only place where you can browse through rare works of art, fly through the trees on a zip line, and see iconic antique automobiles all in one day. Explore Hidden Hollow™, an interactive outdoor discovery area for kids of all ages. Take a ride on the vintage carousel. And find your own special spot on Cape Cod.

Heritage Museums & Gardens is open daily through October 9, 10 am-5 pm. For information or to purchase tickets, visit heritagemuseums.org.

 

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WeNeedaVacation Expert Reports Cape Cod, Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard Rental Price Hike, Offers Tips

Vacationers booking their vacation homes on the Cape and Islands may or may not have noticed a small price increase for the weekly costs from last summer to this one. On average, listing prices have gone up 3-4%, according to Jeff Talmadge of WeNeedaVacation.com. Talmadge and his site specialize in advertising vacation rentals on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.

“There’s no science dictating how homeowners price their rentals,” Talmadge says, “and it’s important for vacationers to do plenty of research before putting down a deposit.”

Although renters begin booking their Cape and Islands vacation rentals as early as Christmastime or before, Talmadge says there are still plenty of properties available and deals to be had. “Even this late in the bookings season, I predict we’ll be getting about 150 new homes on WeNeedaVacation.com from listers who have just bought or renovated a home or whose current advertisements aren’t getting the job done,” Talmadge says. “They are able to list with us just 2 or 3 months to fill any remaining vacancies.” To get a great deal, he says, it’s important to use vacation search engines like WeNeedaVacation to sort by price and even such amenities as “Walk to beach” or “Waterviews” – and check back frequently. He discusses the matter in further detail in his appearance on FOX 25 Boston.

Here are more tips from Talmadge:

• A week’s rental on Cape Cod, on average, costs $2,737, Martha’s Vineyard is at $3,636, and a rental on Nantucket, the most expensive, will run about $4,800.
• If you want to get a good deal, the closer you get to summer when booking a rental, the fewer amenities you should insist on.
• Cost-conscious vacationers should be sure to check for any Last-minute Availability Alerts or Owner Specials.
• Though renters may not want to hear it, the price increase is a good thing for the local economy – it means it’s finally recovering from the recession.
• Before putting down a deposit, it’s important to speak with the homeowner by phone if at all possible. And always use a lease for protection.

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