10 Must-Visit Small Towns in Cape Cod

Hyannis is a town on the southern coast of the Cape Cod Peninsula. Situated on Lewis Bay, it’s known as a popular summer vacation destination in Massachusetts. There are plenty of things to do in Hyannis, including shopping, whale watching, boating, and walking on the beach.

Main Street is the longest walkable shopping street on the peninsula. This lively place hosts many local boutique stores and restaurants. For those interested in history and culture, the town has 3 museums to visit, including the popular John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. Hyannis is also the departure point for ferries to Nantucket and Oak Bluffs.

Chatham is one of the prettiest and quaintest towns to visit in Cape Cod. Located on the far south-eastern end of the peninsula, it has an old-world charm with a vibrant dining scene. Many farm-to-table cafes and seafood bars string along Main Street. In summer, it’s particularly bustling, with live music taking place on several street corners in the evenings.

There are also a few attractions in and around the town. Standing tall above Lighthouse Beach is the Chatham Lighthouse – it’s the oldest of its kind on the peninsula. The wide sandy beach is popular for a stroll and watching the seal population.

Wellfleet is one of the underrated towns in Cape Cod. The small and secluded spot is between Truro and Eastham on the northern stretch of the peninsula. It’s known for its delicious and fresh seafood, served in quaint restaurants in the small town center.

Wellfleet is a great base to explore some of the surrounding natural attractions. On either side of the town, you have several great beaches, including Mayo Beach, Cahoon Hollow Beach, and Duck Harbor Beach. The Great Island Trail, which runs nearby the town, is a great way to take in the scenery on foot.

Provincetown is a town on the northern tip of Cape Cod. It was built on the location of the Mayflower’s landing in 1620, which is commemorated by the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum. For years, it has always attracted artists and writers, with art galleries and quaint boutique shops on the main shopping strip, Commercial Street.

It’s also more recently become well known for its large LGBTQI community. The town is a very inclusive place with plenty of fun nightclubs, bars, and restaurants. Day trips from the town can include the surrounding beaches and lighthouses, especially at Race Point on the northern coastline.

Orleans is a town based around Orleans Cove toward the eastern end of the Cape Cod peninsula. The quaint town is known for its art scene, with many art galleries along the main street. However, foodies can find vibrant markets and health food stores selling local produce.

You can also find some incredible seafood restaurants, some of which overlook the harbor and Orleans Cove. Within a short drive over to the west, you can explore many beaches on the coast, including Skaket Beach, Rock Harbor Beach and Crosby Landing Beach.

Yarmouth is a quiet residential town in mid-Cape Cod. It’s often overlooked, so you’ll find it a much quieter alternate to most towns within the region. However, it does have some interesting attractions, such as the quirky Edward Gorey House Museum and Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth.

Yarmouth is a great town to visit for those wanting to get active. You can jump on the nearby Cape Cod Rail Trail or stroll the boardwalk to the viewpoint of Grey’s Beach, just north of town. While there’s limited accommodations compared to other towns, you can find a few traditional inns in Yarmouth.

Falmouth is a beautiful town on the southwestern coast of Cape Cod. It’s one of the most accessible towns, being at the start of the peninsula. It’s particularly known for its incredible beaches nearby, including Falmouth Beach, Surf Drive Beach and Falmouth Heights Beach.

However, the town itself is also a vibrant place to wander, with the main street filled with cute shops, diners, and cafes. There are also a few attractions to take the whole family, including Highfield Hall and Gardens, Nobska Lighthouse, and the Woods Hole Science Aquarium.

Sandwich is a small but beautiful town at the start of Cape Cod. It’s known as a gateway town to the peninsula, situated just over the Sagamore Bridge. Close to the coast, there’s a long stretch of sandy beaches to choose from during summer. You’ll find a wonderful boardwalk that runs from the edge of town to Town Neck Beach.

If you're looking for a bit of history and culture, Sandwich is home to several museums. You can explore the Hoxie House Museum, Sandwich Glass Museum and other historical landmarks scattered around the streets. The Heritage Museums and Gardens, located just outside of Sandwich, has landscaped gardens you can wander through.

Eastham is a sprawling town on the northern arm of Cape Cod. The town is spread out along the State Highway passing through the middle, with plenty of attractions across both sides of the coast. There are a lot of historical buildings in Eastham, with a history dating back hundreds of years to the Pilgrims.

However, Eastham is most well-known for being home to Coast Guard Beach on the east coast. This is often considered one of the best beaches in the whole country. You’ll also find plenty of quieter beaches around the town, including Thumpertown Beach and Campground Beach.

Bourne is the first town on Massachusetts’ Cape Cod. It’s located on the edge of the canal and Buzzards Bay on the western side of the cape. The town is connected to the other side of the canal by the Cape Cod Railroad Bridge, which is one of the major features of the town. It’s a popular vacation destination for families, being much closer to the cities than the other towns.

There is a 7-mile-long footpath that runs along the Cape Cod Canal. Bourne is also surrounded by the marshland of the Bourne Back River nature preserve which has walking trails, a campground, and Monument Beach to the south.