Cape Cod & the Islands have a wonderful variety of fine museums & galleries

Massachusetts > Cape Cod & The Islands > Indoor Activities > Museums and Galleries

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

869 Main Street (Route 6A) Brewster, MA, 02631 Phone: 508-896-3867

Eighty-acre site abutted by 300 acres of conservation land; nature trails, exhibits, films, guided walks, lectures, and family activities. This museum features exhibits on the local flora and fauna, and nature trails. Events, classes and walks are scheduled throughout the year. Lots of opportunities for visitors of all ages to observe and learn about nature, including a Butterfly House & Pollinator Path, KidSummer Day Program, and Sunday Guided Family Field Walks. The museum building sits next to 400 acres of museum-owned land, including Wing's Island, the salt marsh, and the beach along Cape Cod Bay between Quivett and Paine's Creeks. This is land that the museum protects and uses as an our outdoor classroom and teaching tool.
Hours: Late April to May 31, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 1 to August 31, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission:Age 13 and older, $10; age 3-12, $5.

Gingerbread Cottages and Cottage Museum of Martha's Vineyard

1 Trinity Park Oak Bluffs, on Martha's Vineyard, MA Phone:

Thirty-five acres of brightly painted cottage dating back to mid 1800s; tour a gingerbread home; performances at the tabernacle. Visitors to the Cottage Museum can view the interior of a typical Campground cottage, complete with period furnishings of the 1800s. Also on display are vintage photographs and other documents relating to the history of the Campground. The Cottage Museum and Museum Shop is a good place to learn about the cottages and the history of the Campground, and to find a nice memento of your visit.
Hours: Summer months, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $2; children age 3-12, 50 cents.

Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum

158 Polpis Road Nantucket, MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-2505

The Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum features permanent and changing exhibitions about the history of Nantucket lifesaving, famous shipwrecks and rescues, life-saving equipment, the daily routine at a lifesaving station, and the workings of the United States Coast Guard in modern day. Come see period surfboats, beach carts,; vintage photographs, and a Fresnel lens from Brant Point Lighthouse and Great Point Lighthouse.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $10; seniors and college students, $7; youth age 6-17: $5

Sandwich Glass Museum

129 Main Street Sandwich, MA, 02563 Phone: 508-888-0251

Sandwich was home to a glass factory throughout much of the 19th century. This museum features exhibits of glassware made from 1825 to 1888, along with changing exhibits of contemporary glassmaking art. Glass artwork for sale. Glassblowing demonstations held daily.
Hours: April 1-December 30, daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Closesd during January. February and March, Wednesday hrough Sunday, 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $12; Age 65 and older, $11; children age 6-14; group rates available.

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French Cable Station Museum

41 South Orleans Road Orleans, MA, 02653 Phone: 508-240-1735

One of the most significant developments of the 19th century was the transatlantic cable connecting North America to Europe by telephone. This museum houses the original equipment used to lay that cable.
Hours: July and August, Thursday through Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; June and September, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. ; Admission: Free; donations welcome.

Provincetown Art Association and Museum of Art

460 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA, 02657 Phone: 508-487-1750

Since 1914, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum has served as a collecting museum and a professional artists association. PAAM houses five galleries, two sculpture gardens, more than 2,000 works by more than 500 artists, and a museum school run by professional artists. Year-round programs include a concert series, a film series, auctions, galas, readings, lectures, and Friday night exhibition openings.
Hours: October-May, Thursday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Memorial Day-September, Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Over age 12, $7; free Friday evenings.

Heritage Museums and Gardens - Sandwich, MA - Photo Credit MOTT

Heritage Museums & Gardens

67 Grove Street Sandwich, MA, 02563 Phone: 508-888-3300

Heritage Museums & Gardens celebrates American culture amid gorgeous gardens of spectacular rhododendron and azalea bushes. Three gallery buildings house beautifully restored automobiles, a notable collection of American folk art, historical artifacts, a colorful vintage carousel that has been delighting children (and adults) for years, and a wide variety of special exhibitions. Hidden Hollow, an interactive family-friendly area, allows for exploration of the natural world and learning about the environment. Open late April through mid October.

Aptucxet Trading Post Museum

24 Aptucxet Road Bourne, MA, 02532 Phone: 508-759-9487

This museum is set in a replica of a 17th century trading post. Exhibits feature a windmill, gardens and artifacts from the period. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.This museum is set in a replica of a 17th century trading post. Exhibits feature a windmill, gardens and artifacts from the period. Open seasonally. There is an admission fee.

Cape Cod Children's Museum

577 Great Neck Road South Mashpee, MA, 02659 Phone: 508-539-8788

Children will find much to learn and do here. Hands-on exhibits, pirate ship, indoor planetarium; puppet theater, toddler play area, and daily programs.
Hours: During the summer Monday to Friday 9am – 3pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm ; During the winter Tuesday to Friday 9am - 1pm, Saturday 10am – 3pm.

Highland House Museum

6 Highland Light Road Truro, MA, 02666 Phone: 508-487-3397

The Highland House Museum is located in the former Highland House, a hotel built on the Highlands in 1907. Also near the Highland Lighthouse in North Truro, it is a classic example of a turn-of-the-century summer resort hotel. The museum displays artifacts and information about early European settlers and the Native Americans that preceded them.
Dates & Hours: June 1 to September 30, Monday-Saturday 10am - 4:30pm.

Cape Cod Museum of Art

60 Hope Lane Dennis, MA, 02638 Phone: 508-385-4477

Paintings, graphics, and sculpture by Cape Cod artists. Sculpture garden.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults. $9; seniors age 62 and older, $8; youth age 13-18, $5.

Harbor View - Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum - Provincetown, MA

Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum

1 High Pole Hill Road Provincetown, MA Phone: 508-487-1310

The Pilgrim Monument, a granite obelisk dedicated in 1910, is adjacent to the Provincetown Museum on a hill above the town. The Provincetown Museum describes the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the town’s maritime history, the early days of American theater in Provincetown. See a reproduction of a sea captain’s home and his quarters at sea. Last Monument climb is 30 minutes before closing.

John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum

397 Main Street Hyannis, MA, 02601 Phone: 508-790-3077

This museum focuses on Kennedy's life and activities during the times he vacationed in Hyannis.
Hours: Mid-April through Memorial Day, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Memorial Day through October 31, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; November, Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; closed December and January; mid-February through March 31, Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults age 18 and older, $8; children age 10-17, $3; seniors over age 65, $4.

Orleans Historical Society and Museum

3 River Road Orleans, MA, 02653 Phone: 508-240-1329

This Greek Revival structure is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is used for special exhibits and cultural programs. The Society has a collection covering genealogical information, diaries, deeds, 19th- and 20th-century photos, artwork by local artists, about Orleans families and people, ships' logs, Native American artifacts, and other items relating to the history of Orleans. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-noon or by appointment. Admission free, suggested donation.

Martha’s Vineyard Museum

151 Lagoon Pond Road Vineyard Haven, MA Phone:

The museum includes 30,000 items like tools, archaeological material, paintings, prints and sculpture, baskets, coins, costumes, decoys, hunting and fishing and shell fishing tools, guns and swords, furniture and household equipment, medical and scientific tools and equipment, musical instruments, fossils, maritime tools, scrimshaw, ship models, Wampanoag tools, woodworking tools, toys, a whaleboat, wagon, sleigh, fire engine and an 1854 Fresnel Lens used in the Gay Head Aquinnah lighthouse.
Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed major holidays. Last admission tickets are sold one half hour before scheduled closing time.
Admission: Adults, $12; age 17 and younger, free.

Chatham Railroad Museum

Depot Road Chatham, MA, 02633 Phone:

Paradise for railroad enthusiasts features thousands of train models, restored train depots, railroad artifacts and a 1910 caboose.
Hours: Second and fourth Sundays of the month, 2-4 p.m., except holidays. ; Admission: Free.

Cahoon Museum of American Art

4676 Falmouth Road Cotuit, MA, 02635 Phone: 508-428-7581

Located in the beautiful seaside village of Cotuit, Cape Cod, the Cahoon Museum of Art welcomes visitors of all ages to learn about art and history, to enjoy fun, family friendly activities, and to experience dynamic contemporary art exhibitions of local and regional art. The Cahoon Museum showcases its collection of American art from the 18th century to the present in a historic home with a modern gallery addition. Open March through December.
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: General, $10; seniors and students, $8; children under age 12, free.

Nantucket Whaling Museum

13 Broad Street Nantucket, MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-1894

The museum features a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, a restored 1847 spermaceti candle factory, exhibition space, and an observation deck. The candle factory, built following Nantucket’s Great Fire in 1846, still has its original whale-oil beam press. Visitors can learn about the whale hunt and see the whale skeleton, a rigged whaleboat, a collection of whaling tools, and portraits of whaling captains. Other galleries include scrimshaw, lightship baskets, an 1850 Fresnel lens, and the 1881 town clock. Children’s activities allow lots of hands-on exploration and fun. Concerts of traditional music take place all summer.
Hours: April 30–October 8, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; October 9–December 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: Adult, $17; seniors (over age 64), $15; students, $15; youth (age 6-17), $8.

African Meeting House in Nantucket

29 York Street Nantucket, MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-4058

The Museum of Afro-American History on Nantucket features two historic sites, the African Meeting House and the Florence Higginbotham House. These buildings were at the center of a thriving nineteenth-century African American community on the island. The Museum presents cultural programs and interpretive exhibits on the history of African Americans on Nantucket.
Hours: January to May: Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 2pm, or by appointment. Tickets available on the website.

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