1. SANDY NECK BEACH PARK:
   I was delighted this year to discover and explore Barnstable’s Sandy Neck Beach Park which is only a 15 minute ride from Main Street in Hyannis. This is a barrier island full of rugged seaside scenery and natural life. The walking paths are in a sheltered area behind the beach and dunes, thus making it a warm and protected area to explore. During my time there I saw a juvenile osprey spread its impressive wings and I got some lovely photos of the dunes.

   What’s more is that a few minutes from the nature preserve is the beach. Located on Cape Cod Bay, the beach’s gentle waters are crystal clear and great for skimming stones with your kids at this time of year. From a parents’ viewpoint, you can’t beat the easy access to the beach, which is only a few stairs away from the parking lot, yet hidden by dunes.

2. CAPE COD BASEBALL LEAGUE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM AND JOHN F. KENNEDY MUSEUM:Let’s play ball! Cape Cod is a haven for up and coming professional baseball players who frequent The Cape each summer as a part of the Cape Cod Baseball League. While the league’s games are held in the summer, throughout the year you and your kids can enjoy the boys of summer via the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame and Museum on Main Street in Hyannis. Here you’ll see memorabilia of the Cape Cod Baseball League along with impressive statistics regarding the many league players who went on to be drafted for professional teams.

   The John F. Kennedy Museum is located in the same building. This quaint museum documents in photos the idyllic moments President Kennedy spent with his family here in Hyannis. Featuring plenty of photos of JFK sailing, walking the area’s beaches and playing football at the Kennedy’s Hyannis Port compound, there is a very personal atmosphere to the museum. This feel and tone greatly differs from the monumental and presidential JFK Library in Boston.

3. BEACH TIME:
   The fall and spring are some of the best times to enjoy Cape Cod’s scenic beaches. Gone are the full parking lots and gone is the need to haul a beach umbrella with you. Instead the beaches are wide open to frolic with ease.

   My children, nieces and nephews love dipping their toes in the off-season water and playing a rousing game of football or Frisbee on the beaches without concern for hitting someone with their ball or Frisbee.

   They also love climbing on the lifeguard chairs which, during the fall, winter and spring, stand like empty sentinels to the summer season. I love snapping photos of my extended family in the lifeguard chairs high atop the beach and surf.

4. INDOOR WATER PARK:
   What kid doesn’t enjoy water slides? And what parent doesn’t relish an indoor water park that can be enjoyed day and night year round? Hyannis’ indoor water park is located at the Cape Codder Resort in a large dedicated building that houses two water slides, a wave pool, mushroom water fountain and huge soothing soaking tub for adults. I find the beach scene murals that adorn all the walls so very atmospheric of Cape Cod.
5. CAPE COD MALL:
   While one can visit a mall anywhere, what my family likes about this mall is its versatility for all ages. The Cape Cod Mall is also a great option if the weather turns inclement.

   My 10-year-old son enjoys the carousel immensely which is located in the food court. The carousel is very family friendly since I can comfortably enjoy a snack or lunch while keeping a close eye on him.

   My teen daughter enjoys many of the shops which range from Forever 21 to Aeropostale, Sunglass Hut and American Eagle Outfitters.  She and her teens cousins also frequent fun eateries such as Candy Crossing and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

   I am a huge fan of Starbucks’ chai lattes so I get my fill at the Barnes & Noble located in the mall.

After time at the Cape Cod Mall, we enjoy recuperating with the many non-mall
activities offered at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa which is just a few minutes away. From the heated outdoor pool to the indoor water park, hot tub and sauna, we end the day in Hyannis collectively saying “ahhhh!.”

So when the going got rough I chose to go to the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod.  Surprisingly I had just spent a whirlwind week on Cape Cod in a rental home with my kids and extended family. My friends and family were wondering why I was driving from New Jersey to Cape Cod AGAIN.

There are many reasons but the most alluring is that Cape Cod makes me whole again. And while it is the epitome of the perfect family destination, I needed to get away to have time for me.

The following details all the mom-time ways I enjoyed the Cape Codder on my own. While I spread out the following activities over a three-night stay, for simplicity’s sake I am grouping them together.

STARTING THE MORNING OFF GENTLY
At home I usually jump out of bed – even on the weekends – because there is always some kind of parental, business or household duty to attend to. However I so relished starting my day out slowly at the Cape Codder Resort. Three mornings a week in the summer complimentary yoga is offered by Rainbow Falls outdoor pool. Comparatively, most cruise ships these days offer yoga for a fee; Cape Codder’s free yoga classes were appreciated value added. The best part was the salubrious sounds of the cascading waterfalls from Rainbow Falls pool. The entire atmosphere was very much in sync with yoga.

After the class, I took advantage of the fact that Rainbow Falls – which is a heated, year-round, outdoor, salt water pool — is for adults only from 8 to 10 a.m. and also 8 to 10 p.m. I love swimming laps and thoroughly enjoyed having the space to do so in the early morning.

Feeling fully refreshed, I headed back to my room in the Residence Club Section. These vast, upscale multi-room residences are available for non-owners to stay in when not occupied by their owners. I especially love this area of the resort with its Cape Cod scenes painted on the hallways and the special touches in the rooms.  The bathrooms are extremely luxurious. The heated floor tiles were a first for me and the multiple water jets aimed at one’s back are very therapeutic! With a push of the button steam can be added
for a real spa-style shower too.

SPA….AHHHH!
For the full treatment, the Cape Codder has the Beach Plum Spa and Med-Spa. This full service spa features a full line of treatments as well as specialty med-spa services. These range from medical peels to acne treatments, Botox, low light laser machine to lose inches and more. I enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere of the spa and treated myself to a much needed pedicure.

There are also complimentary spa options at Cape Codder including the two whirlpools on site. One is next to Rainbow Falls outdoor pool while the other is a soothing pool for 24 people, located next to the indoor wave pool and the two tube slides. Also right by the indoor whirlpool is a sauna.

WINE AND DINE
When one travels with children there is the potentiality for “whine” instead of “wine.” On my mom’s getaway thankfully there was none of the former. Instead the Cape Codder Resort has the Grand Cru Wine Bar & Grill for drinks, appetizers and dessert. The locale has a lovely atmosphere and even live musical entertainment on weekends year round.

The other Cape Codder eateries include the Hearth ‘n Kettle which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. I really loved The Deck which is outside overlooking a courtyard that is lined with profuse flowers. On The Deck, breakfast and lunch are from the Hearth ‘n Kettle menu while dinner is from the Grand Cru menu. The grounds of the Cape Codder are beautifully landscaped and The Deck is a perfect spot to chill and take time to “smell the roses.”

DAYTIME PASTIMES
During my stay I actually got a chance to relax by a pool and read magazines….a rarity when I’m with my kids! Once again the sound of the cascading waterfall was very conducive to relaxing.

The Cape Codder is close to lovely beaches and indoor activities too in Hyannis. Some of my favorite include: cocktails at Baxter’s Restaurant right on the Hyannis pier where you can watch the sailboats and ferries come and go; a visit to the John F. Kennedy Museum which chronicles in touching photographs his love for Cape Cod; and Sandy Neck preserve and beach which is really unique. I walked along the trails, admired the dunes and even spotted an osprey in a nest! Then after working up a sweat, I went to the beach for a swim since it was just a few minutes’ walk away. The gentle waters of Cape Cod bay were perfect for more swimming of laps which I usually love.

But actually, since I had already had two nights of unwinding at the Cape Codder,
I didn’t feel the need to push myself to be active in the water as I usually do. Instead I floated on my back, exhaled deeply and was very grateful for this mini-mom getaway!

These are our Top 10 favorites this summer. We want to know what YOU think! Take our quick survey and rate the Top 10 Things to do at the Cape Codder! Click here to take the survey. We’ll let you know the results soon.

10.   Nightly Bonfires – grab your sticks and marshmallows at the H ‘n K and join us in the beach sand area for a spectacular summer tradition!

9.    The Deck – relaxed dining on the deck surrounded by our lush courtyard….you’ll feel like you’re on a tropical island. And, Hazy, Hot & Humid plays every Tuesday, Friday & Saturday!

8.    Rainbow Falls Outdoor Pool – our elegant new outdoor oasis is now open featuring waterfall, Jacuzzi and nightly light show

7.    Grand Cru Wine Bar – not only will you enjoy savory regional fare, but we feature fabulous live jazz and popular music every Friday and Saturday from 8pm; restaurant open nightly from 5pm

6.    Mikey Maestro – entertaining the kids and kids at heart with fun balloon creations and livening up the courtyard with his kid-friendly dance party Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7pm

5.    Hearth ‘n Kettle – regroup with the family at our H ‘n K – featuring wholesome food,  thoughtfully prepared…it’s H ‘n K Approved! Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily from 7am

4.    Beach Plum Spa – relax your mind, body and soul in our full-service spa; pampering Women, Men and Children!

3.    Kids’ Activities – from field games, volleyball and pirate portraits to bingo, arts & crafts and Peek-a-Zoo show, there’s something for every child!

2.    Entertainment Galore! – our Calendar of Events is chock full of excitement with Cape Cod Baseball Day on August 1, Jon Stetson’s Ladies Only Psychic Party through August, Poolside Yoga and more! Check it out!

and the #1 thing to do at the Cape Codder, of course the…

1.    Indoor Wave Pool – 2-foot waves, 80- and 50-foot water slides (great for racing!), waterfalls, water umbrella, oversized adult Jacuzzi, saunas….need we say more?

So, what are you waiting for? Get to the  today and see how many of the Top 10 you can fit in! And, if you find anything else (we’re sure there’s more!) – be sure to like us on Facebook and post it so everyone can see!

With years of family vacations on Cape Cod, some of my fondest memories are of the times we spent there during the June and September shoulder seasons. During those months, all the plusses of summertime Cape Cod are there – magnificent sunshine, warm beaches, excellent seafood restaurants and quaint towns to explore. However, fellow summer tourists are not there yet which means you have the beaches virtually to yourself.

Here are the top five reasons why it’s easy to love family getaways in June before the summer July 4^th rush:

1. Great deals
Frankly, the reason we checked out Cape Cod in the shoulder season all those years ago was because of the fantastic rates at hotels, resorts and beach house rentals. That still is the case today in Cape Cod as well as other seasonal spots in the Northeast.

One such money-saving offer is at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis on Cape Cod. This family-friendly resort is home to an indoor water park and outdoor heated pool. It’s also conveniently located near the Kennedy Museum, quaint downtown and is a short drive from beaches. If you visit the Cape Codder prior to June 21, the resort’s Family and Friends package offers 30% off the second room reserved by your family and/or friends and 20% off the resort’s full-service spa.

2. Perfect weather
How many times here in the Northeast have you thought on a temperate, sunny June or September day: “This must be one of the 10 best days of the year”? We tend to get them much more often in June or September than July or August when humidity and heat can really zap one’s energy, even at the beach.

Throughout my decades of vacations in Cape Cod and the Islands, my family coined a phrase “this is a Cape Cod Day” meaning, this is as good as it gets in regards to perfect weather. To this day, so often in June or September my sisters, mother or I will call the other just to say, “Is this Cape Cod day or what?” As in, get out there and enjoy the beautiful day!

3. No waiting at restaurants
Who likes to wait in line at restaurants with whiny kids? Don’t all raise your hands at once!

No parent enjoys waiting in a restaurant for a table with hungry, tired children. When you vacation at a beach spot during shoulder or off-season, the likelihood of that happening diminishes greatly.

Also, you’ll encounter less traffic and less likelihood of getting boxed out of parking at one of the beach parking spots in June or September.

4. Feeling more like a “native”
When you visit a beach destination off-season or shoulder season, there’s a different feel to it. Suddenly you don’t feel like a tourist but rather like a “native” who lives there year round. It’s easier to explore off the beaten path because you now have easier access to the hidden gems since less folks are around.

Additionally, the beach feels like it’s all yours. There’s plenty of room for the kids to play ball or other active games when there are less folks around for your children to potentially hit with an errant ball! Experiencing the beach off-season or shoulder season evokes the same “cool” feeling that we enjoy when we go to the beach in the evening in July and August and the kids can hang out in the lifeguard chair. We feel like we have the beach all to ourselves to run around and play rousing games of football or Frisbee.

5. Now’s the time!
Don’t let the crystal clear days of late spring/early summer pass you by this year while you sit in front of your computer! Get out there and celebrate the warm sand under your toes and the salubrious sound of the water lapping on the shore or by the pool.

First and most importantly, we needed someplace that would sleep 6 adults and 4 children ages 4 to 10. In addition to that, I wanted to stay someplace where I could have some serious fun with my children – I felt like I had been working so much, I really wanted to reconnect with my kids. My sister-in-law wanted a little time for herself to escape the chaos. My husband didn’t want to have to eat out every night, he wanted to be able to cook dinner a few times during our vacation. His brother, however, wanted to be somewhere really nice that would pamper us – he didn’t want to rent a whole house that he would have to take care of the whole time and his wife wanted to stay somewhere close to the attractions and shopping in the area.

Well, I thought this task was next to impossible until I discovered a gold mine at the Cape Codder Residence Club! I can’t believe I actually found a place that would make each one of us happy. The luxurious condo-like accommodations were amazing – there were 3 bedrooms – 2 with king beds and 1 with 2 queens, plus the living room had a pull-out sofa. The kids all slept in the room with the two beds and each couple got a little privacy in their own space. My husband loved the beautiful kitchen and took it upon himself to make us all dinner a few times. I need to get him to make his Chicken Tortellini at home sometime! But, when he didn’t cook, there were two restaurants (Hearth ‘n Kettle and Grand Cru) right at the resort, and they were both delicious.

There was fun to be had wherever we turned at the resort. We all had a blast in the indoor wave pool – I loved racing the kids down the water slides! They even enjoyed relaxing in the sauna with me (there was one for adults and kids). My favorite was the gorgeous outdoor pool. It was a little chilly out, but the pool was nice and toasty. And, it was salt-water purified – very nice!

My sister-in-law cherished every moment of her time in the spa. She had what she called “the best massage ever” and she even took her daughter back with her to get mother-daughter manis and pedis!

When we eventually did get out and explore, we found that we were in the heart of it all on Cape Cod. We were just down the street from the Cape Cod Mall and several other shopping areas, a few minutes from the quaint Main Street of Hyannis and Hyannis Harbor where we went on a wonderful Hy-line Harbor Cruise and there were beaches whichever way we turned. The location was simply perfect.

All of us adults loved the unique decorating touches in the condo and the fact that we didn’t have to clean. Our wonderful housekeeper came every day to tidy up and make the beds. Oh, and I almost forgot, my children did run low on clean clothes, but I didn’t need to worry – we had a washer and dryer right in our condo. So convenient!

Needless to say, we had the time of our lives. It is certainly more expensive than a regular hotel room, but it was worth every penny. Plus, split between the three families, it wasn’t too bad. I would highly recommend the Cape Codder Residence Club option to anyone needing more than just a simple hotel room on Cape Cod!

Why? Because family travel is the stuff out of which family traditions are created. While one rarely looks back fondly at all the hours we or our parents worked while at home, it’s a natural to go to the happy places when we reminisce. And for most of us, our fondest childhood memories are from family vacations.

The Importance of Family Lore
As one matures, the importance of family memories becomes more evident especially once we hit retirement age and have more time to look back over our life. However, family stories are equally as important to children and young adults as they are to older adults. Family lore creates an anchor for children, teenagers and parents aike. Even when families separate due to divorce, relocation, or death, the positive family stories still remain alive in everyone’s mind.

I have found that my family tradition – both from my childhood as well as that of my children today – centers greatly around family vacations. I can still go to Edgartown
Harbor in Martha’s Vineyard and immediately conjure up a comical family scene from my
youth. This particular one story involves my Dad uncharacteristically throwing the bathing suit bag impulsively to my sister, who missed it. Instead it fell into the water by the pier and his bathing suit started sinking. Next thing we knew there was a whole crowd around trying to fish my Dad’s bathing suit out of the busy harbor, to no avail!

This penchant for family stories evolving around travel is also true for my children Alexandra and Ethan. The majority of their stories center around our annual two week family vacations in Cape Cod. My kids and their cousins who vacation at the same time as us on Cape Cod love to reminisce about the times they had mock “sumo wrestling” competitions on the beach when crowds thinned out. What they loved best was that one of the parents got involved in the competition much to their surprise! It was all good fun and will live on in their minds forever.

How to Nurture it in Your Family
I can’t urge you enough to get out of town – even if it’s for a day – with your children to create family lore. While travel budgets vary per family, day hikes or trips to local amusement parks are a good first step in connecting with your children without the daily pressures of home and work life. For it’s when everyone is relaxed and having fun, that family stories are created.

Obviously, the longer you can go away, the better for nurturing family lore. Last summer we went to Cape Cod two days prior to the commencement of our home rental and enjoyed the Cape Codder Resort & Spa. Even though my children spent two action-packed weeks after that on Cape Cod, my 10-year-old son Ethan’s first comment whenever I mention Cape Cod is, “Are we going to the Cape Codder again?” He loved the indoor water park, outdoor heated pool, and many family activities held throughout the day.

But even more, Ethan and I sensed the family atmosphere of the resort. Because of the safe and comfortable atmosphere, I allowed Ethan and his 12- and 14-year-old cousins a bit of freedom while at the Cape Codder to independently enjoy non-water activities. In fact, this brief experience provided Ethan with the next step of family memories: lore revolving around what he and his cousins did independently of adults. This is a funny photo they asked someone to take while making their own family memories at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa.

How to Keep it Alive
Verbal communication is the best way to nurture and keep family reminiscences alive. It’s through re-telling the stories over and over again, that they take on a life of their own. They almost become larger than life because admittedly, many of us like to exaggerate stories when we tell them verbally. Before you know it, a fun recounting of something that happened to your family while traveling has turned into a captivating tall tale!

In this day of digital and social media communication, many of the younger generation especially like to keep family stories alive via photographs and posting them on social media sites. I encourage this since looking through old photos (be they in print or on your computer) is a great way to get the “remember when” juices flowing.

The more positive excitement your kids generate from recounting family vacation lore, the easier it will be for you to get them to agree to your next family trip choice. So while your children’s repetitiveness of key family stories might illicit from you some thoughts such as, “Oh, no, not this story again,” they are actually helping you sell them on your next family trip.

Whether it’s a day trip or longer getaways, the most important part is to hit the road with your kids this summer. Before you know it, you’ll be back home hearing your kids fondly creating family lore which starts, “Remember when…”

What are some of your favorite stories created during family trips?

In order to ensure your family travel experience is a win-win situation for all involved there are a few things to consider when planning your trip. While price is often at the top of the list, cost is a very personal matter and thus I will not address it in this article.

Instead I’ll focus on important nuances which are more critical when planning a family vacation with your kids than when planning an adults-only trip. This is because families generally come with a variety of ages and interests.

But have no fear – with some forethought, you can easily find, organize and book a family vacation that will make everyone happy.

1. Length:
Seven days is optimum when traveling with kids in tow. Other than the fact that this length fits nicely into most people’s work schedules, week-long trips afford enough time for you to really get into the slower vacation pace yet aren’t too long that your kids will get bored.

Younger children especially take time to acclimate to new surroundings and teens sometime need time to warm up to spending so much time with their family on a daily basis. However, any time away with family is perfect for helping you connect with your kids and teens in a relaxed setting.

2. If babies and teens aren’t happy, no one is happy:
After hundreds of trips with my children, I’ve found that it’s best to consider the likes, dislikes and needs of the baby, tot or the teenager in your family since they tend to be the most demanding.

For example, when my children were tots, we generally avoided prolonged city sightseeing trips because the pace was a bit challenging with a little one in a carriage. Instead we focused on
beach vacations at resorts or cruises, whereby it was easy for one parent to stay with the baby during nap time while the other continued to explore with the older child. My kids’ favorite family destination – when they were toddlers, grade-school children and teens – was and still is Cape Cod, MA.

3. Pace desired:
What kind of pace does your family operate at? Mine is pretty active so I take this into consideration when planning our family vacation. For example, our stay at Cape Codder Resort in Cape Cod last summer was a great fit – we got to relax on beautiful Cape Cod beaches which were minutes away yet also participated in fun, lively activities at this family-oriented resort. This included an indoor water park, outdoor pool, family-oriented D.J./deck party at night, bonfire, family movies and more.

For those families who prefer not to have any itinerary whe traveling, beach stays are a great option. If your family would like a mix of chill time and action, family cruises fit the bill.

4. Mode of transportation:
While transportation is dependent on your budget and the location of where you’d like to travel with your kids, if you do have an option, there are a few things to think about before making your decision:

• Do your kids fight a lot? If so, long family car
  rides might be a recipe for disaster.
• Can your kids sit quietly? If so, plane rides or
  road trips should work well.
• Do your children get motion sickness easily? If
  so, cruises might not be a great idea.

5. Age Appropriateness of Activities:
So your toddler wants to go to Sesame Place, PA to see Big Bird and your teen wants to go white water rafting. Obviously neither is a great choice for BOTH the tot and tween age group, so as the official trip planner, you have to come up with a solution that all ages will enjoy.

As mentioned in point two above, it’s best to cater most to tots and teens. Some of the favored spots that little ones and teens both enjoy are beaches and theme parks. Just make sure the theme/amusement park has kiddie rides for your toddler and that the beach has water sports available for your teen. These will help dispel any potential tears or “baditude” on behalf of your tot or teen, respectively.

Plus….if you can pull yourself away, a few things close-by too!

10.     Stuffed Animal Workshop – Kids can bring their very own cuddly pal to life! They get to select the animal, stuff it and dress it (additional charge). Available 2/18 – 2/25, times vary.

9.       The Fun Zone – A giant game room, full of fun and excitement! A small moon walk for children and tons of video games and even a prize counter! (additional charges for video games). Available 2/18 – 2/25, 9am – 11pm.

8.       Crafts & Face Painting – Get creative and make a something special to bring home. 2/18 – 2/25, 1pm-3pm

7.       Magic Dave Dinner Theater – His show is full of high energy, witty comedy and mind-blowing miracles! We are offering a special children’s dinner theater rate of $25 (adults $59.99 each). Or, opt to come for just the show — $15 for children, $25 for adults. 2/17 at 7:30pm

6.       Peek-a-Zoo Show – Meet some her exotic animals friends from the ZooQuarium. A 45-minute interactive presentation. 2/19, 2/21 and 2/23, 6pm-6:45pm

5.       Nightly Bonfires – Grab your sticks and marshmallows at the H ‘n K and join us in the beach sand area for a cozy (weather permitting). 7:30pm-10pm

4.       Marcus the Magician and the Amazing Richard – A laugh-packed show full of amazing magic, wonderful audience interaction, visual humor, and magical surprises. 2/20, 2/22 and 2/24 at 7pm

3.       The Secret World of Bubbles – From encasing a dinosaur and then a kid in a bubble to crafting a glistening fog-filled Eiffel Tower, this show will have kids and adults alike in awe! 2/21 at 7pm

2.       Daily/Nightly Movies – slip into your jammies and join us for a family-friendly movie. 2pm, 7pm and 8:30pm

1.       Mikey Maestro’s Dance Party – entertaining kids and kids at heart with his family-friendly dance party. 2/19 and 2/23, 7pm-9:30pm

Top 5 Resort Amenities for Families

5.       Rainbow Falls Heated Outdoor Pool – our gorgeous new outdoor pool features waterfall, Jacuzzi and nightly light show…the weather may be cold, but the pool is HEATED!

4.       Hearth ‘n Kettle – regroup with the family at our H ‘n K – featuring wholesome food, thoughtfully prepared…it’s H ‘n K Approved! Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily from 7am

3.       Dinner Theater –
2/18 – Psychic Mindblowing Comedy Show with Jon Stetson – Jon’s gifts as mentalist, mindreader and humorist will mesmerize you!

2/25 – Comedy on the Road – featuring hilarious stand-up comedians to keep you laughing all night long!

2.       Beach Plum Spa – relax your mind, body and soul in our full-service spa; pampering Women, Men and Children! Bring in your little one for a Strawberry Ice Cream Manicure, Chocolate Milkshake Pedicure and more!

and the #1 thing to do at the Cape Codder, of course the…

1.       Indoor Wave Pool – 2-foot waves, 80- and 50-foot water slides (great for racing!), waterfalls, water umbrella, oversized adult Jacuzzi, saunas….need we say more?

And, if you can pull yourself away from ALL there is to do right at the resort, there’s even more going on close by such as:

1. Cape Cod Children’s Museum in Mashpee is featuring a Celestial Cosmic Quest all week long
2. The Cape Cod Maritime Museum in Hyannis is offer some special kid’s activities including Pirate Navigation Kit, Racing Yacht Extravaganza, Fishing Fun, Scrimshaw and Shell Sailor’s Valentines and more.
3. Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Cummaquid has some exciting interactive nature events such as the Which Nest is Best? and What Makes a Snake?

So, what are you waiting for? Get to the Cape Codder Resort & Spa today and see how many of the Tops you can fit in! And, if you find anything else (we’re sure there’s more!) – be sure to like us on Facebook and post it so everyone can see!

Winter on Cape Cod can be notoriously hum-drum for us year-round residents – after the Holidays, it’s tempting to hunker down at home and lay low until the daylight hours once again outlast the average work day.  That used to be just fine with me, but now that we have a baby in the family ‘veging’ out at home every night isn’t going to cut it.

This winter we gladly welcomed out-of-town family members anxious to share in Baby’s first birthday. It was going to be far too crowded in our little ‘salt box’ house, so naturally we offered to reserve hotel rooms for our visitors.  It would have been easy to book a local hotel/motel near our home in Falmouth, but the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis seemed like an ideal option.

As Cape residents, we are certainly familiar with the Cape Codder – we attended a wedding there; have been to a few business luncheons and dinner events in the Ballroom; I’ve been to the Beach Plum Spa a few times; most recently I went with some girlfriends to see Jon Stetson there, and brought the baby to see Santa and the Enchanted Village, but we had never stayed overnight.  So we decided to reserve a room for ourselves as well as our family members and make a little get-away out of it!

While checking online for room rates, we noticed that there happened to be a “Not-So-Polar Plunge” package…this first-time event was a fundraiser for Housing Assistance Corporation on Cape Cod and involved a plunge into the Cape Codder’s new heated outdoor pool. Bonus!

We were very impressed with the cleanliness and quality of every part of our stay.  The rooms are super spacious with plenty of room for a port-a-crib, and the in-room refrigerator was so convenient for traveling with a little one.  The staff in the Hearth & Kettle were extremely accommodating of our 1 year-old and even sang their own rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ to him and my Aunt at dinner on Saturday – complete with a cupcake!  After dinner, we stopped in the Grand Cru for a few minutes to check out the live band – the place was hoppin’!  Turns out lots of other Cape Codders already know about this great place and all it has to offer in the winter months.

On Sunday morning, we went down to the outdoor pool for the Not-So-Polar Plunge. What a fun event!  A few of the plungers were even dressed up in silly costumes.  The pool, which is actually salt water, was about 85 degrees and felt fantastic – I didn’t want to get out! As if that isn’t awesome enough, there is also a hot tub…ahhhh! It felt great to take a dip outside in January and to know we were helping support such a great local organization.

The Not=so Polar Plunge

All in all, it really did feel like we had a weekend get-away even though we only live a couple of towns away.  Next year we’re thinking of inviting more friends and family and having Baby’s 2^nd birthday party at the Cape Codder Resort!  As for the rest of this winter, we’ll be sure to catch a Dinner Theater show (World Gone Crazy Comedy Band!) and maybe even stay another night for just the two of us.

LIGHTS, LIGHTS and MORE LIGHTS!

Gardens Aglow
Heritage Museums & Gardens, Sandwich
Through December 19, 5-9pm
Tis the season to be jolly! Don’t miss Heritage Museums & Gardens annual celebration of lights that illuminates the grounds and makes the buildings sparkle with festive lights. Stroll the grounds, toast marshmallows at Magnolia Cafe, take a spin on the carousel, and enjoy holiday music and performances. Old St. Nick will also be visiting for pictures in a Ford Model T. For more info: www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org

10^th Annual Cape Cod Enchanted Village
Cape Codder Resort & Spa, Hyannis
Through January 2, 2012
Each night at dusk the courtyard at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa is illuminated by the glow of more than 100,000 lights. Topiary animals and snowmen greet visitors as they make their way past Santa’s Reindeer stall to Santa’s Village– all reminiscent of an old fashioned Enchanted Village. Musical Christmas trees keep the beat as children toast marshmallows by the bonfire. On Friday, Saturdays and Sunday evenings strolling carolers walk among the visitors, spreading holiday spirit through song while Santa takes some time out of his busy schedule to hear children’s holiday wishes. Guests to the Enchanted Village are encouraged to bring NEW, unwrapped gifts or Gift Cards to place under the tree. All donations will be given to Independence House in Hyannis.
For more info: http://www.capecodderresort.com/enchanted-village.php

Festival of Lights (a little off-Cape but worth the trip!)
Edaville Railroad, Carver
Dec. 1st-4th, 7th-11^th; Dec.14th-January 1st
(Closed Christmas Day) Weekdays 4pm-9pm; Weekends 2pm-9pm
During the Christmas season, Edaville is transformed into a winter wonderland. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages can enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of their indoor play areas.
For more info: www.Edaville.com

HOLIDAY THEATER & DANCE

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
The Academy of Performing Arts, Orleans
November 18 – December 11; Thurs.-Sat. 8pm • Sunday 2pm
December 21 & 22 8pm
Box Office: 508-255-1963
For more info: www.apacape.org

Nutcracker Gala 2011
Barnstable High School Performing Arts Center, Hyannis
December 10 & 11 at 2pm
The Atlantic Coast Academy of Dance performs this holiday classic
Box Office: 508-362-1411
For more info: www.nutcrackergala.org

Madeline’s Christmas, The Musical
Harwich Junior Theater, Harwich
December 2-31 (no performance Dec. 24 or 25).
Fridays 7:30 pm; Saturdays & Sundays 2pm
Based on the popular children’s book by Ludwig Bemelmans.
Box Office: 508-432-2002
For more info: www.hjtcapecod.org

A Winter’s Solstice Celebration
Cotuit Center For The Arts
December 1-18, Thursday-Saturday 7pm; Sunday 1pm.
Short medieval plays, madrigals, carols and dance set the tone for this unique family-oriented theater production. The audience is encouraged to bring their own dinner. The cast will supply mulled cider and sweets.
Box Office: 508-428-0669
www.ArtOnTheCape.org

PARADES & More

Falmouth Christmas Parade
Beginning at Falmouth Mall and following to Route 28 and then Main Street.
Sunday, December 10, Noon
Considered by some to be the largest holiday parade in southeastern New England drawing between 10,000 and 20,000 people per year. What you’ll see: bands, clowns, live animals, floats and people in costume. The theme this year celebrates the town’s 325^th anniversary.
Info: 508-548-8500
www.falmouthchamber.com

First Night Chatham
Now in its 20^th year, this is one of the best family-friendly events you can find. It’s loaded with teen and kids’ activities, a noise parade (this year led by American Idol finalist Siobhan Magnus), concerts and spectacular fireworks!
For full list of activities, visit www.firstnightchatham.com

What a way to end 2011 and to welcome 2012!