5 Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Cape Town
Visitors to Cape Town, South Africa, often forget that the sun doesn’t shine 365 days of the year. So you won’t always be able to pass the time getting a perfect tan on one of the city’s many idyllic beaches. Here are 5 things to do in Cape Town on a rainy day.
1. Visit Rhodes Memorial – the restaurant behind this well known landmark on the slopes of Table Mountain has a cheerful fireplace and decent light meals. After coffee and dessert, take a gap between showers to stroll around the monument, pet a giant lion sculpture and enjoy the view of Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs and beyond, if it’s not too misty.
2. Get your culture on. The National Gallery and South Africa Museum are both set in the historic Company Gardens. Soak up some local art with a little ancient history on the side to pass the time, then grab a delicious cappuccino or latte at one of the city’s many coffee shops (Vida e Caffé in Kloof Street or off Greenmarket Square are popular and vibey)
3. Don’t whine about the weather - rather indulge in some excellent local wine. Take a drive an hour out of the city and explore the lush Cape Winelands. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are both good choices, and the beautifully restored historic Cape Dutch Wine Estates make the perfect backdrops for a romantic day cuddling over delectable South African wine.
4. Bundle up and head for Kalk Bay – an artsy fishing village in False Bay with a picturesque harbour, plenty of fascinating shops to trawl, and a wide selection of places to eat and drink. The Brass Bell is a Cape Town institution, with excellent food served right on the water’s edge. In fact when the tide comes in you need to duck to mind the waves! If that’s too chilly, Polana at the harbour is the best place in Cape Town for late afternoon drinks or Sunday evening Afro-Jazz – fireplaces make it cozy while the waves crash on rocks just beyond the floor to ceiling windows.
5. Trawl the malls. OK it’s not a uniquely Cape Town thing to do but this city has some great shopping centres and when better to visit them than when it’s wet outside? Top 3 Cape Town malls – Canal Walk, Cavendish Square and De Waterkant. Or of course there’s the V&A Waterfront, a world of shopping, entertainment and dining out all situated at an international port.
Cape Cod Beaches in the Fall – Which One Has Your Name on It?
As the cooler weather approaches and summer comes to a close, Cape Cod transitions to a more relaxed atmosphere.
The Cape’s fall coast takes on more of a subdued, restful atmosphere with unrivaled natural beauty, where once the beaches were packed with sun-worshiping families and waters roiled with frolicking youngsters.
Rest And Relax
Fall, at some Cape Cod beaches, is all about enjoying a beautiful natural environment. From seal watching to birding, enjoying peaceful golden sunsets to surfside walks, Cape Cod beaches in the fall offer visitors rest and relaxation.
Of course, not all beaches are the perfect setting for every vacationer. The best Cape Cod beaches in the fall will depend on what you’re looking for.
Which Beach Has Your Name On It?
Have a look to see which Cape Cod beach would be perfect for you.
Best Seal Sightseeing – Monomy Island is a great place to spot seals as they make their way to the Cape’s shores for the winter and the beaches of the area offer visitors a unique opportunity to view these magnificent creatures up close.
Best Birding – South Beach in Chatham becomes a restful spot for all manner of migratory sea and shore birds during the fall. From gulls to terns to waterfowl there is always something to thrill the birding enthusiast at this Cape Cod beach.
Best Long Walk – Race Point Beach in Provincetown offers fall vacationers plenty of walking space and an almost spiritual experience. The feeling of being surrounded by water and standing on what might seem like the tip of the world as you look out at the vast expanse of cool blue water.
Best Sunset – Rock Harbor Beach in Orleans is one of the few beaches where visitors can watch the sunset into the water. This west facing beach provides visitors with great views of the sun setting into the bay and during the fall you will often feel s if you are the only one, or two, in the world witnessing it.
Hyannis MA Summer Vacation Destination
Hyannis has become known as the Cape Cod town where the Kennedy family has its summer home, but there is much more to this old New England coastal town than its famous part-time residents. One of Barnstable’s seven villages, Hyannis offers great, sandy beaches; golf courses; many restaurants; historic homes; a long history; and plenty of family-oriented recreation to fill your summer vacation.
Hyannis Beaches
While you are never very far from a nice beach when you stay on Cape Cod, lodging in Hyannis will put you close to some of the most popular. On Nantucket Sound, Craigville Beach is the largest and most popular beach in Hyannis. You can windsurf at Kalmus Beach; and Veterans Beach, Orrin Keyes and Sea Street Beach are open to locals and visitors. Some Hyannis homes available for rent even have their own private beaches.
Shopping in Hyannis
Historic waterfront Main Street is the center of shopping in Hyannis, although there is also the Cape Cod Mall. Hyannis sports all manner of shops, from antiques to art galleries and clothing to boating equipment. Other shopping destinations include Cape Town Plaza, Southwind Plaza, and Festival at Hyannis.
Hyannis Dining
The main culinary attraction, of course, is fresh seafood. In Hyannis you will find an excellent bowl of steamy clam chowder, fresh lobster, excellent scallops and certainly a special catch of the day. With an active harbor, there is plenty of fresh seafood coming into the restaurants and seafood shops each day. But if seafood’s not your thing, Hyannis has plenty more to choose from, including your standard fast food chains, and cuisines representing tastes from Asia to the Mediterranean.
As far as restaurants with ambiance, you will find waterfront restaurants with views of yachts and the sunset, as well as historic sea captains’ homes that have been converted to serve your palate. Hyannis is very busy during the summer, so it is a good idea to call ahead and place a reservation if there is a restaurant you really want to try. Most restaurants are casual though some of the finer spots may require a jacket or tie. You should also note that the town’s restaurants and bars are all smoke free.
Festivals and cultural events in Hyannis
During the prime summer months, Hyannis is a Cape Cod destination for music and other festivals. Every Thursday night there is a street festival on Main Street, which hosts performers, craft vendors and activities for children. The Cape Cod Melody Tent hosts major national touring performers all summer, from jazz greats to rock legends. The Cape Cod Performing Arts Center also hosts national touring musicians as well as plays, musicals and other entertainment. There are also fun sporting events held in Hyannis, such as Cape Cod Baseball League games and Cape Cod Crusaders soccer matches.
Other Things to Do in Hyannis
There’s still so much to do when you make Hyannis your base for a Cape Cod vacation. On the water, you can go for a harbor cruise, charter a fishing boat, or take a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. There are movie theaters for those rainy days or if there is a summer blockbuster you just can’t miss. You can go whale watching or take a tour to catch a glimpse of the Kennedy Compound. On the matter of all things Kennedy, you can also visit the chamber of commerce’s John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, which sheds light on Kennedy’s time spent in Hyannis. Among other fun activities are kite flying, surf casting and deep-water saltwater fishing, bowling, tennis, golf and mini golf.
Hyannis Accommodations and Lodging
There are many types of places to stay in Hyannis, from historic bed and breakfasts to motels, and hotels to Hyannis vacation homes. No matter which type of accommodation you choose, one thing is highly recommended – plan ahead. Many lodging choices will book early for summer, some starting in January. Among your best options for comfort and privacy are Hyannis MA vacation rentals.