In Chatham, for example, a lively Main Street beckons shoppers and diners.

Prices tend to be lower in the fall, too.

Don’t miss theProvincetown Film Festivalin June and Wellfleet OysterFest in October.

Provincetown, Cape Cod

Credit: Getty Images

Your best bet is to begin (and end) your stay on a weekday.

(For reference, it takes about an hour and a half to drive from Provincetown to Bourne.)

Visit Cape Cod Commission for real-time traffic updates.

AWOL Hotel lobby in Cape Cod

Courtesy of AWOL

Temperatures, much like traffic, vary wildly on the Cape.

It’s also fairly mild in the winter the salt air tends to minimize huge snowstorms.

A word to the wise?

Outdoor bar at Canteen in Cape Cod

Christine Hochkeppel/Courtesy of Canteen

There’s constantly bumper-to-bumper traffic in the summertime, especially on weekends.

So, if you’re driving, factor in another hour into your travel time to be safe.

There’s the option to catch a short flight from Boston or Providence into Hyannis or Provincetown.

Cape Cod National Seashore

Thomas Roche/Getty Images

Tickets start at $22 one-way and $40 round-trip, and cover a two-hour scenic ride into Hyannis.

(As an added bonus, kids 11 and under ride free when accompanied by a paying adult.)

For a day in the woods, Nickerson State Park is just down the road.

Provincetown, Cape Cod

Loop Images/Getty Images

Each one comes with its own private outdoor space, not to mention Lather bath products.

Outside, there’s a pool, three fire pits, and an open-air bar.

Rooms are bright, airy, and comfortable, and all but one feature king-size beds.

Downstairs, soft piano music lends a glorious atmosphere to the church-like Bistro.

The weathered-shingle restaurant, formerly a blacksmith shop, is tucked on a back road in Truro.

In the back, there’s a glass-walled dining area overlooking a lush garden.

Located near the town’s pier, the beloved seafood spot is understated, yet sophisticated.

Whitewashed walls and straightforward dishes such as cracker-crusted bluefish add to the austere appeal of the place.

They revamped the inside of a 200-year-old farmhouse, then created an unfussy menu that changes with the seasons.

Live glass-blowing demonstrations round out a sparkling visit.

Keep an eye out for exhibit openings they’re free and open to the public.

The views atop it are unparalleled, displaying the dramatic curve of the Cape.

It’s a bit of a workout to get there.

It’s not so hard to catch your breath when you’re overlooking the Atlantic.

Cape Cod Rail Trail

This 22-mile-long bike trail traverses a huge section of the Cape.

Downtown Chatham

The downtown area of Chatham appeals to upscale shoppers.

Downtown Hyannis

Strolling Main Street Hyannis can feel like stepping back in time.

Cuffy’s

Address: Multiple LocationsWebsite

Cuffy’s is Cape Cod’s most iconic outfitter.

Chatham:As one of the Cape’s tonier towns, Chatham has a lot to offer.

Visitors here will find great shopping, luxurious hotels, and some of the area’s most pristine beaches.

Stopping to stroll down Main Street makes for an afternoon well spent.

Weather

Flocks of beachgoers descend upon Cape Cod between June and August.

July is the peninsula’s hottest month, with an average high of 78F (25C).

Come wintertime, most towns are quiet.

January and December are the Cape’s coldest months, with an average high of 40F (4C).

Average temperatures according to theU.S.