You might think of Woods Hole, MA, as a summertime destination, and you wouldn’t be wrong. This village at the southwest end of Falmouth has a wonderful vibe in the summer, and visitors flock to the community’s restaurants while exploring its harbor and beaches.

However, you don’t have to avoid Woods Hole in the winter because there are some activities in the village and its surrounding areas. Booking a vacation rental in Woods Hole and using it as a home base while getting to know the colder side of Cape Cod is an excellent choice that you won’t regret.

There are plenty of reasons to visit the Cape in the off-season. Here’s a look at some winter activities you’ll find in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Sampling the Restaurants

Many restaurants all over Cape Cod close for the season in the fall and winter, but you’ll find some options in Woods Hole no matter when you visit.

Water Street Kitchen, which is known for its seafood and fried chicken, is open nearly year-round, closing for a few weeks in January and February to give staff a vacation. This venue has chicken specials every Wednesday between October and May and dinner events in the days leading up to Christmas, giving you more than enough reason to check them out.

Pie in the Sky is another restaurant in Woods Hole open throughout the year. This popular eatery serves breakfast and lunch daily, and you can even stop by for an early dinner if you’re into a sandwich, soup, or salad. The food here is excellent and ensures you’ll always have options when visiting this village in the winter.

Doing Some Ice Skating

There isn’t much in the way of outdoor ice skating on Cape Cod, although some locals skate on the ponds as they freeze over. However, you’ll want to be sure it has been cold for long enough before venturing onto these ponds because thin ice can be hazardous.

A safer option involves heading to nearby East Falmouth, home of the Falmouth Ice Arena. This venue features an NHL-sized rink and has public skating multiple times per week. You can also book the rink for a private rental if you want to skate alone.

Bring your skates to the Cape this winter to ensure you can get on the ice during your time here.

Hiking the Trails

Although it’s more of a summertime activity, you can do some hiking on Cape Cod in the winter. In Woods Hole, the Shining Sea Bikeway is a great option because it begins just off Woods Hole Road in the village’s downtown area.

The path takes you along the waterfront for a short distance, passing Falmouth Beach before heading north toward downtown Falmouth. It also takes you through some wooded areas, and if you visit at the right time of day, there’s a good chance you’ll have the entire path to yourself to enjoy the peace and quiet that only winter on Cape Cod can provide.

It’s also possible to hike to The Knob on the far side of Quisset Harbor. The path to The Knob goes through some heavy tree cover but comes out at a clearing overlooking Buzzards Bay. The hike is easy, assuming there isn’t too much snow on the ground, but the view is incredible once you get there.

Heading to Martha’s Vineyard

Another great thing about using Woods Hole as your base is that you can jump on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard at any time. Taking your vehicle over to Vineyard Haven makes the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest easily accessible, and experiencing it will become one of the highlights of your vacation.

The reason is that the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest features some of the region’s best cross-country skiing. This 5,343-acre park has 14 miles of bike paths that make for excellent skiing once the snow falls, or, if there isn’t any snow in the area, you can hike through the forest and get to know the local ecosystem.

Checking out Martha’s Vineyard for the day adds another element to your vacation, and booking a vacation rental in Woods Hole makes it possible.

Visiting Woods Hole This Winter

You could certainly do worse than vacationing in Woods Hole in the winter because the community, while quiet, has enough to keep you occupied. You’re also minutes from downtown Falmouth while remaining close to Hyannis and Bourne, ensuring you never run out of things to do during your time on the Cape.

Cape Cod isn’t typically viewed as a wintertime vacation destination, but one trip to Woods Hole, and you’ll see why those who enjoy the Cape in the colder months return year after year.