In the picturesque mid-Cape, this set of seven villages constitutes the largest community on Cape Cod.

In the north lies the charming Village of Barnstable, offering views across the harbor to the dunes of the barrier beach, Sandy Neck.

To the south facing Nantucket Sound is Hyannis, a bustling area that serves as Cape Cod’s downtown, featuring a lively harbor, ferry terminal, and diverse dining options. As anticipated, New England-style seafood plays a central role in the dining experience here.

Hyannis has been the residence of the Kennedy Compound since the 1920s, and visitors can explore a museum that provides insightful information about John F. Kennedy’s summers on Cape Cod.

1. John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum

The Kennedy family has spent summers in Hyannis for a century, maintaining their residence in Hyannis Port.

This location served as JFK’s weekend and summer retreat during his presidency, warranting a museum dedicated to the 35th President on Main Street.

The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum occupies the former Town Hall and includes artifacts and interactive displays that delve into the life of JFK, his family, his legacy, and his fondness for Cape Cod.

Visitors can experience elements of the Kennedy Compound, listen to Jackie Kennedy’s reflections on Cape Cod, learn about JFK’s summer activities, uncover his love for sailing and the ocean, and track his presidency through a timeline of significant global events.

2. Main Street Hyannis

The JFK Museum is situated in the heart of Cape Cod’s largest commercial district. Main Street serves as the core, extending for almost a mile, populated with charming gift shops, upscale boutiques, galleries, and a diverse selection of eateries, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

At the eastern end, visitors can venture right towards the harbor, where a scenic dockside trail offers picturesque views from the plaza at Michael K. Aselton Memorial Park.

Next door, Hyannis Village Green hosts outdoor community events, including concerts and movie screenings.

Along South Street, visitors will pass St. Francis Xavier Church, a Federal-style Roman Catholic church that has been frequented by the Kennedys since the 1920s.

This is also the site where Maria Shriver, a member of the Kennedy family, married Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1986.

3. Veterans Park Beach – Kalmus Beach

Located adjacent to a memorial park, this beach in Hyannis faces east, presenting stunning views across Lewis Bay. One of the advantages of this location is its closeness to Hyannis’s center, just moments away from various local shops and restaurants.

For those contemplating a day of relaxation on the sand, picnicking, or hosting a family barbecue, Veterans Park Beach is a fitting choice, although the water depth in the swimming area is more suited for paddling than for serious swimming.

Heading south will lead visitors to Kalmus Beach, another public property with a distinctive setting on either side of the sandy spit that borders the bay’s western edge.

This beach offers a broad expanse of sand, providing ample space for beachgoers, while steady ocean breezes attract windsurfers and kiteboarders.

4. New England Seafood

Unless restricted by dietary, religious, or cultural considerations, it is highly recommended to sample seafood during a visit to Cape Cod, sourced directly from the Atlantic Ocean.

This includes cherished New England culinary staples such as lobster rolls, clam chowder, clam bakes, clam cakes, fish and chips, and a variety of steamed or fried seafood platters.

In Hyannis alone, it is possible to visit a different seafood restaurant every day for two weeks and still encounter remarkable options.

Some notable establishments include Spanky’s Clam Shack (138 Ocean St), Black Cat Tavern (165 Ocean St), Baxter’s Boathouse (177 Pleasant St), and The Naked Oyster Bistro & Raw Bar (410 Main St).

In Barnstable, there are also Mattakeese Wharf Seafood Restaurant (273 Millway), Osterville Fish Too (275 Millway), and Dolphin Restaurant (3250 Main St).

5. Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary

This location features breathtaking coastal scenery, comprising woodlands, marshes, vernal pools, meadows, and a small beach with a view of Barnstable Harbor.

The sanctuary contains 2.5 miles of trails bordered by mature oaks, holly, red maple, and tupelo, providing stunning vistas over the harbor to Sandy Neck dunes.

The trail system at Long Pasture includes a segment of the Barnstable Great Marsh and features a boardwalk with interpretive signage detailing the salt marsh habitat. Depending on the tide, visitors can also explore the flats, observing crustaceans and gastropods.

6. Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises

Cape Cod is synonymous with whale watching, as numerous whales frequent Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary to feed on the abundant marine life.

This region hosts a variety of species, including finback, humpback, and minke whales, alongside many dolphins. The Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises operates The Whale Watcher vessel, custom-designed for whale viewing in New England.

This vessel features no external propellers, ensuring the safety of the whales, and provides 650 feet of rail space for optimal viewing. Interior cabins are climate-controlled and equipped with flatscreen monitors, while a full-service snack bar offers refreshments, including soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

7. Craigville Beach

Situated between Hyannis and Osterville, Craigville Beach is another public beach within the mid-Cape region.

This stretch of soft, golden sand is located on the west side of Centerville Harbor, adjacent to the private Covell’s Beach.

Craigville Beach benefits from lifeguards on duty throughout the summer season and offers facilities such as showers, restrooms, and a snack bar. The calm surf is advantageous for families with young children, and by early July, the water temperature is pleasantly warm.

8. Cahoon Museum of American Art

Located in the village of Cotuit, this museum showcases a collection of American fine art and folk art spanning from the 18th century to the present.

Its name honors local artists Ralph Cahoon (1910-1982) and Martha Cahoon (1905-1999), who acquired this historic property in 1945 to serve as their gallery and studio. The building dates back to the 1770s and previously functioned as both a residence and tavern.

Since its opening in 1986, the museum has featured works by both artists, alongside an extensive collection of 19th-century landscapes and seascapes created by Alvan Fisher, James Butterworth, Ralph Blakelock, and Levi Wells Prentice, among others.

Recently, a captivating temporary exhibit focusing on scrimshaw displayed over 200 examples of this unique art form.

9. Cape Cod Central Railroad

From spring to fall, visitors can board this heritage train for a scenic two-hour journey through the beautiful Cape Cod landscape.

The primary offering of the Cape Cod Central Railroad is a two-hour, 50-mile round trip to Buzzards Bay that traverses woodlands, salt marshes, coastal dunes, and cranberry bogs.

This route follows a section of the old Cape Cod Railroad, which dates back to 1846, with trains pulled by diesel locomotives from the mid-20th century. For those seeking a more luxurious experience, there are options for brunch, lunch, or dinner aboard vintage dining cars from the early 1940s.

10. Cape Cod Maritime Museum

The term “Cape Cod” evokes various maritime associations, including fishing, whaling, boatbuilding, and shipwrecks. Visitors can explore these subjects and more at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum.

This museum features artifact-rich exhibits on a wide array of topics, such as cod fishing, early navigation, shellfishing, the severe Portland Gale of 1898, the historic Hyannis Port Railroad Wharf, and the whaling era in Provincetown.

Notably, the museum houses the Elizabeth and William Graham Scrimshaw Collection, which is the most extensive publicly displayed collection in the region, showcasing pieces carved from bone, ivory, baleen, whale teeth, and other materials obtained during lengthy voyages.

11. Cape Cod Beer

Based in Hyannis, this craft beer brand has been established since 2004 and expanded its production capacity in 2016. At the time of this writing, approximately 350 bars and restaurants within a 50-mile radius served Cape Cod Beer.

The brewery features a taproom with about 20 different beers on tap, including a mix of year-round, seasonal, and specialty brews. The flagship offerings include Narrow Lands (NEIPA), Porter, Red, IPA, and Beach Blonde (Blonde Ale).

The taproom and adjoining beer garden host live music performances, while brewery tours are conducted on Saturdays. Cape Cod Beer collaborates with the award-winning JP’s Twisted BBQ, which operates a food truck on-site.

12. John F. Kennedy Memorial

Among the monuments in the memorial park behind Veterans Beach stands this homage to John F. Kennedy, established in 1966. The location is significant, positioned on a small rise overlooking Lewis Bay, where JFK spent considerable time sailing.

The memorial comprises a stone wall featuring medallions on either side. Facing the bay is a bust profile of President Kennedy, while the landward side displays the Great Seal of the United States.

To the east, a reflecting pool and fountain inscribed with the words, “I believe it is important that this country sail and not lie still in the harbor,” serves as a poignant reminder. This quote originates from Kennedy’s Radio and Television Report to the American People on the State of the National Economy delivered on August 13, 1962.

13. Toad Hall Classic Sports Car Museum

This unique private museum showcases the personal car collection of Bill Putnam, located in a shed behind the Simmons Homestead Inn in Hyannis.

Putnam has a distinct preference, as the majority of his fleet, exceeding 50 vehicles, consists of British-made sports cars, including Lotuses, MGs, Triumphs, TVRs, Jaguars, and a Morgan.

Here, visitors may also encounter an AC, Ferrari, Daimler, Mazda, and a Sunbeam. Moreover, a distinctive feature of the Toad Hall Classic Sports Car Museum is that every exhibited vehicle is painted red.

14. Coast Guard Heritage Museum

For additional maritime history, there is a museum in the village of Barnstable dedicated to the role of the United States Coast Guard on Cape Cod. This institution is housed in the historical U.S. Customs House, constructed in 1856.

Visitors can learn about the various services that consolidated to form the Coast Guard, including the United States Lighthouse Service and the Revenue Cutter Service, as well as the modern roles of the Coast Guard, such as rescuing mariners, intercepting illegal drugs, and enforcing fishing laws.

The museum exhibits numerous ship models, maritime flags, historical rescue equipment, uniforms, weapons, medals, and much more.

15. Steamship Authority

Hyannis serves as the principal port for ferries connecting Cape Cod to Nantucket, and it also provides service to Martha’s Vineyard.

The Steamship Authority operates the most frequent daily service, offering two options for traveling from Hyannis to Nantucket.

For those with limited time, the M/V Ianough is a high-speed ferry that completes the crossing in just one hour. Conversely, a traditional ferry experience takes approximately two hours and 15 minutes.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available on all Steamship Authority vessels and at the ferry terminals. Upon arrival in Nantucket, visitors will find convenient access to public transport, bike rentals, car rentals, and taxis.