Hyannis to Chatham Drive – Along Route 28

Mainland to Hyannis via Sagamore Bridge: Take Route 6 across Sagamore Bridge

Mainland to Hyannis via Bourne Bridge: Cross the Bourne Bridge via Route 28 South; at the traffic circle, take the 5th exit onto N303 leading to Sandwich Road; turn right at Mid-Cape Connector; take ramp onto Route 6 East.

See Map of Hyannis-to-Chatham Drive

Driving Directions from Route 6 to Hyannis Inner Harbor: From Route 6, take Exit 6 to Route 132 and bear right off the exit ramp. Continue 3 miles on Route 132 through 7 traffic lights to Airport Rotary. Enter the rotary and take the second exit onto Barnstable Road. Continue for approximately 1 mile until you reach Main Street. After crossing Main Street, the name changes from Barnstable Road to Ocean Street. Cross Main Street, travel 1 block, and turn right onto South Street. You are at Aselton Memorial Park and Hyannis Inner Harbor.

Hyannis Inner Harbor

Ocean and South streets

Hyannis Inner Harbor is a good starting point for a tour of Hyannis, an easily walkable town. The inner harbor, also known as the Gateway, is the location of Aselton Memorial Park and the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, both on South Street; and Hy-Line Cruises on Ocean Street, which offers a harbor tour, deep-sea fishing, and ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket islands. The Steamship Authority, also on the harbor, is just two blocks east of Aselton Memorial Park, at the end of School Street. It offers ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. See Map

Cape Cod Maritime Museum

135 South Street
Hyannis

This small but good museum offers a good starting point for both adults and children to learn about the maritime life and history of Cape Cod. Exhibits include historic vessels, model ships, and maritime art. Fun maritime activities for younger children. In the warm weather, the museum offers chartered sails within the harbor on the Sarah, a 19-foot replica of an 1886 catboat, a small boat used for fishing and recreation. The museum grounds are is the location of a two-day Cape Cod Maritime Festival in June. Museum open mid-March to mid-December.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children
Time to Visit: Less than an hour
Admission: Adults, $5; students and seniors, $4; children under age 7, free.
Information: Cape Cod Maritime Museum or call 508-775-1723

Driving Directions: When moving around downtown Hyannis, keep in mind that South Street is one-way eastbound and Main Street is one-way westbound. To drive even a short distance against the one-way direction, it might be necessary to take an extra loop around the block, as needed. Travel on foot downtown can be more direct.

Hyannis Harbor Tour
with Hy-Line Cruises

138 Ocean Street
Hyannis

This one-hour cruise of Hyannis harbor on the M/V Prudence, a 1911 Maine coastal steamer, is a fun and not overlong way to get a seal’s eye view of Hyannis and enjoy a bit of time on the water. The cruise guide offers a continuous, informative, and entertaining commentary about Hyannis’s natural and social history, with lots of information on the Kennedy family. The view from the boat is one of the very few ways to get a look at the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport, which is not accessible to the public by land.
See Map
Audience: Anyone who enjoys boating
Time to Visit: Cruise is 1 hour.
Fee: Adults, $16; children age 3-11, $8.
Information: Hyannis Harbor Cruises or call 800- 492-8082

Spanky’s Clam Shack

138 Ocean Street
Hyannis

Spanky’s Clam Shack, across Ocean Street from the Hy-Line Cruises, is a great place to tuck into some fresh, traditional Cape Cod seafood. It is on the beaten path, and everyone who goes through Hyannis stops here. Selections include fried clams, scallops and shrimp; clam chowder; fish and chips; and New England lobster dinner. Seafood is locally caught and harvested. This place is fun, family-friendly, and affordable.
See Map
Audience: Hungry people seeking fresh seafood; atmosphere is casual
Time to Visit: Service is quick
Information: Spanky's Clam Shack or call 508-771-2770

John F. Kennedy Memorial

Ocean Street near Veterans Memorial Park
Hyannis

Leaving Spanky’s or the Hy-Line Cruises, drive south on Ocean Street to see the John F. Kennedy Memorial, on your left, just past Veterans Memorial Park. Both face Lewis Bay (which is just outside Hyannis Harbor) to the east. The memorial is a simple stone structure with seating and walking area all around.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children
Time to Visit: As long as you wish to spend; there are no formal activities

Kaymus Park Beach

End of Ocean Street
Hyannis

A very short distance down Ocean Street past the Kennedy Memorial is Kalmus Park Beach, also on Hyannis Harbor in Lewis Bay. This beach, operated by the Town of Barnstable, is known as one of the best locations for windsurfing on Cape Cod. Life guards, bathhouse, picnic area, snack bar, volleyball area, wheelchair access. The fee for a non-resident parking sticker is $15 a day and permits may be purchased at the beach. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children, people looking for beach sun, windsurfers Time: According to taste
Information: 508-790-6345

Driving Directions to JFK Museum: Starting at Aselton Park at South and Ocean Streets, drive east on South Street (it is one-way eastbound); turn left (northward) onto Pleasant Street; turn left onto Main Street (it is one-way westbound). If walking, you are not inhibited by one-way streets. Just walk north (away from the harbor) on Ocean Street and turn left onto Main Street.

John F. Kennedy Museum

397 Main Street
Hyannis

John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum is a multimedia exhibit about days JFK spent on Cape Cod relaxing with his family, football with PT109 buddies, and sailing on the ocean. The exhibit features more than 80 photographs spanning the years 1934 to 1963. In addition to photography, a video narrated by Walter Cronkite depicts the president’s experiences on the Cape. Several themed areas include oral histories of JFK’s friends.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children interested in the history of the Kennedy years
Time to Visit: One hour or more
Admission: Adults, $5; children age 10 to 17, $2.50
Information: John F. Kennedy Museum or call 508-790-3077

The Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame

John F. Kennedy Museum, lower level
397 Main Street
Hyannis

For a lighter piece of Cape Cod history, stop at the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame on the lower level of the Kennedy Museum. The league’s motto is “Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight.” During the past century, the Cape Cod Baseball League has been a launching pad for future major league players, including several who have performed for the Boston Red Sox. The first recorded Cape League player to perform for the Red Sox was Jumpin’ Joe Dugan, a friend and teammate of Babe Ruth.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children interested in baseball
Time to Visit: An hour or less
Information: Cape Cod baseball

Walking and Shopping on Main Street

Hyannis

Hyannis is one of Cape Cod’s most walkable towns, and Main Street, the spine of the downtown, is full of fun browsing and shopping. A good place to rest and rendezvous with members of your group is the Village Green, catty-corner to the northwest of Aselton Memorial Park and bounded on the north and south by Main Street and South Street, and on the west and east by Pearl Street and Ocean Street. So park for awhile, if you wish, and browse on foot. The Main Street is packed with boutiques of every description. See Map

Driving Directions to Toad Hall: Take Main Street west to the rotary. Exit the rotary at the third right, onto Scudder Avenue. Follow to 288 Scudder Avenue.

Toad Hall Classic Sports Car Museum

288 Scudder Avenue
Hyannis Port

This oddly named museum boasts a collection of more than 50 classic sports cars, including Lotuses, MGs, Triumphs and Jaguars, Austin Healeys, TVRs, Datsuns, and Ferrari, Mazda, Morgan, AC, Sunbeam, Mini. All of them are red. Why? The theme comes from the 1908 children’s classic, “The Wind in the Willows. The leading character was Toad, Lord of Toad Hall, who was fascinated by the new motorcar. And, all of Toad's cars were red too. This same fascination is carried forward today by Bill Putman, owner of the collection.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children who love classic cars
Time to Visit: Under 1 hour Admission: Adults, $8; children age 10-16, $4.
Information: www.toadhallcars.com or call 508-778-4934 Toad Hall Classic Sports Car Museum

Driving Directions: To continue this self-guided tour, reverse direction on Scudder Avenue and backtrack toward the center of town. Enter the rotary and turn right at the second right out of the rotary, onto North Street. Follow North Street; turn right on Ocean Street; and turn right on Main Street. Follow to Cape Cod Duckmobiles.

Cape Cod Duckmobiles Land and Sea Tour

437 Main Street
Hyannis

Although this is a driving tour, you may want to park in Hyannis for awhile and jump aboard the Cape Cod Duckmobiles. Ride the streets of Hyannis on an authentic military amphibious vehicle and see locations of Kennedy family history. Learn about the early settlers and were they worked and played. See a Cape Cod light house, some of Cape Cod’s best beaches, and waterfront properties. Trips last about 45 minutes, with half on land and half on sea. Many departures throughout the day during from spring to fall.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children
Time to Visit: The entire tour is 45 minutes
Fee: Adults, $17; children, seniors, and students, $14; children age 5 and younger, $5.
Information: Cape Cod Duckmobiles or call 508-790-2111

Driving Directions via Route 28 to Yarmouth, Dennis, and Chatham: From Main Street, turn left onto any side street and travel one block to South Street. Turn left and head east on South Street. At Lewis Bay Road, turn left and travel to Main Street. Turn right on Main Street and proceed to Route 28 East. Route 28 is heavily commercial, packed with retail, dining, and attractions of every description. Pace can be slow in busy months.

Zooquarium

674 Route 28
West Yarmouth

Since 1969, ZooQuarium has provided a fun-filled family adventure to explore and discover the marvelous creatures that live on Cape Cod. Exhibits include a petting zoo with farm animals, llamas, goats, and deer; an aquarium where visitors can learn about the environment that surrounds Cape Cod; a tide touch pool with crabs, mussels, sea stars, urchins, clams, and more; an outdoor theater and a Children’s Discovery Center.
See Map
Audience: Adult and children of all ages
Time to Visit: 1 to 2 hours Admission: Ages 10 and older, $10.75; children age 2-9, $7.75; under 2 years old, free.
Information: Zooquarium or call 508-775-8883

Harwich Antiques Center

10 Main Street (Route 28)
West Harwich

Harwich Antiques Center, built in the 1960s, has been newly renovated to create a light, bright and controlled environment. More than 140 dealers offer a tremendous variety of quality antiques and collectables from on and off Cape. Merchandise runs the gamut of furniture, lighting, antique decoys, jewelry, majolica, tools, toys, and trains. There is an 1880 barn on the property.
See Map
Audience: Antique shoppers
Time to Visit: According to taste
Information:Harwich Antiques Center or call 508-432-4220

Driving Directions to Cape Cod Lavender Farm: The next stop will take you onto a side-trip off Route 28 and into the center of Harwich. Travel east on Route 28 and then turn left of Sisson Road (Routes 39 and 124). Follow to Main Street (Route 39) in the center of Harwich and enjoy this lovely downtown. Cross Main Street and continue northbound on Route 124, now named Pleasant Lake Avenue. After a short distance, turn left on Weston Woods Road and see signs for the Cape Cod Lavender Farm.

Cape Cod Lavender Farm

Weston Woods Road
Harwich

This is, indeed, a farm, which bursts into full bloom in July but is also a pleasure to visit in other seasons. Lavender plants, fresh and dried, are sold. The farmers also operate a shop with lavender products of all kinds, include skin care, soaps, mists, and lavender chocolate. The 2010 season brings an expansion of the Enchanted Garden, which is fun for young children. Plantings surround a miniature stone replica of a medieval castle in this small shade garden.
See Map
Audience: Adult gardeners and shoppers; young children for garden exploration.
Time to Visit: Less than 1 hour
Information: Cape Cod Lavender Farm or call 508-432-8397

Driving Directions to Chatham: Leaving Cape Cod Lavender Farm and headed to Chatham, return southbound on Route 124, across Harwich Main Street, and continue south on Route 124 and Route 39 to Route 128. Turn left and continue eastward on Route 128. Approaching West Chatham, turn right on Barn Hill Road and turn right again on Hardings Beach Road.

Stage Harbor Lighthouse

Off Hardings Beach Road
West Chatham

Drive to the parking lot at Hardings Beach, park, and walk the footpath to Stage Harbor Lighthouse. It is a glorious walk through the dunes, with expansive views of Nantucket Sound. The light house is privately owned and the public cannot enter it.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children old enough to walk a 1-mile dune path
Time to Visit: 1 hour or less
Information: Stage Harbor Light

Driving Directions: Backtrack to Route 28 via Hardings Beach Road and Barn Hill Road. At Route 28, turn left for Larry’s PX Restaurant or turn right to go to the center of Chatham.

Larry's PX Restaurant

1591 Main Street (Route 128)
West Chatham

Larry’s PX is the place to go in Chatham for a casual breakfast or lunch of robust diner-style food. The front of the establishment is a mini-mart with newspapers, groceries, and take-out food. The back is a seated restaurant with fast service, an ATM machine, and a seaside mural covering one wall. If you arrive for breakfast between 5 and 6 a.m., you will be in the company of men getting ready to head out to sea for a catch that you could easily find on your dinner plate the same night.
See Map
Audience: All hungry people; atmosphere is casual
Time to Visit: Under and hour to eat; longer to linger
Information: 508-945-3964

Driving Directions: Turn right from Larry’s PX and take Route 28 into downtown Chatham. This is one of the prettiest and most walkable towns on the Cape. Park and enjoy strolling and visiting local shops.
To reach the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge [next stop on the drive], take Route 28 to the rotary in the center of Chatham. From the rotary take Main Street, up the hill to a T-intersection. Turn right and drive past the Chatham Lighthouse and Coast Guard Station. Bear left after the lighthouse onto Morris Island Road, then take the first right. Follow Morris Island Road to signs for the refuge on the left.

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Wikis Way, Morris Island
Chatham

The Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the world's most diverse collection of lands and waters set aside for the conservation and management of wildlife resources. Activities at the refuge include walking, sport fishing, wildlife observation, and photography. The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset. The visitor center is open intermittently in winter and Monday through Saturday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in summer.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children
Time to Visit: From minutes to hours
Information: Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge or call 508- 945-0594

Driving Directions: Retrace your route back along Morris Island Road to Main Street toward town. On the way, notice:

Chatham Lighthouse

This lighthouse is an active Coast Guard Station and the public is not allowed on the grounds except during Open House, which is conducted once a month. See lighthouse website for schedule of Open Houses.
Information: Chatham Lighthouse

Driving Directions: After driving from Morris Island Road to Main Street, continue straight ahead on Shore Road, passing the intersection where Main Street turns left and returns to downtown. A little distance ahead, see signs for Chatham Fish Pier.

Chatham Fish Pier

Shore Road
Chatham

At this pier, fishing boats depart in the mornings and return at the end of the day with a catch that you might find represented on your dinner plate that night. The sights are best between noon and 3 p.m., when the fishing fleet is returning with its daily catch. Sometimes fishermen toss fish to trailing seals. Climb the stairs on the left side of the building and watch the activity from the observation deck. In the distance, you can see the beach houses on Nauset and North Beaches.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children and photographers
Time to Visit: According to taste
Information: Chatham Fish Pier

Driving Directions: Backtrack southbound along Shore Road and turn right onto Main Street, toward downtown. Drive along Main Street until it intersects with Route 28 at Old Harbor Road. Turn right onto Route 28. Take your first left onto Depot Road.

Chatham Railroad Museum

153 Depot Road
Chatham

Even if you're not a railroad fanatic, it's worth visiting this beautiful 1887 depot to imagine the sights that would greet a Victorian visitor. To begin, the building itself is a Railroad Gothic work of wooden art, topped by a tapering turret. Volunteers explain the many displays. The museum's major holding is a walk-through 1918 New York caboose. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
See Map
Audience: Adults and children who love trains
Time to Visit: 1 hour or less
Admission: Free.

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Outer Cape Cod Drive
– Orleans to Provincetown

This drive follows Route 6 and 6A, along with several side trips, from Orleans to Provincetown, with many stops in the Cape Cod National Seashore and the towns of Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown. Drive is roughly 25 miles from start to finish.

Directions to Church of the Transfiguration: Once you are on Cape Cod, take Route 6 to Exit 12 and turn right off the ramp. At the second set of lights turn left onto Main Street. Continue down Main Street to the stop sign at Rock Harbor. Turn left, and see a wide green lawn on your left. Take an immediate left into the gravel driveway.

Church of the Transfiguration

5 Bay View Drive
Orleans
508-255-1094

The incomparable Church of the Transfiguration is home to the Community of Jesus, a monastic Order that follows the Rule of St. Benedict. The Community welcomes all people to visit every day except Wednesdays. The church, built in 2000, is a modern structure whose centerpiece is a floor and apse lined with magnificent mosaics crafted in Italy. Frescos, stone carvings, glass art, and statuary throughout the church represent biblical images and the story of Christ. Liturgy of the Hours, including Vespers at 5:30 p.m. daily, is sung in Gregorian chant. In the tower are 10 bells rung after Vespers and Sunday services by bell ringers pulling ropes in sequence. The church has a gift shop with books, music, food, and handmade crafts. See Map

Audience: Adults and children who appreciate wonderful sculpture and mosaics in a prayerful setting
Time to Visit: One hour. Open daily except Wednesdays.
Information: Church of the Transfiguration

Driving Directions to Nauset Beach: From the Church of the Transfiguration, turn right on Rock harbor Road and backtrack toward the center of Orleans. Rock Harbor Road turns into Main Street. Continue along Main Street through town, following signs for Nauset Beach. Main Street turns into Beach Road. Follow to the beach

Nauset Beach

250 Beach Road
508-240-3780
Orleans

This is one of the best beaches anywhere. Get there early on warm sunny days but always bring a cover-up. If the wind is from the north or east it can be cool and possibly foggy by late afternoon. This is a life-guard protected beach with very capable staff. This beach is in the Cape Cod National Seashore, but it is managed by the Town of Orleans. Parking costs $15 a day. Next to the beach is Liam’s, a clam shack known as the Lord of the (Onion) Rings. See Map

Audience: Adults and children
Time to Visit: All day, if you like
Information: Nauset Beach


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