What to do and see in Cape Cod, Cape Cod: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day

September 17, 2021 Etsuko Causey

The Atlantic crashes on a coastline strewn with quaint harbors, windswept beaches, glorious dunes and blinking lighthouses. Explore Cape Cod National Seashore, bike past cranberry bogs on the Rail Trail or saunter around Sandwich, the Cape's oldest town. Many areas are architectural and culinary gems - full of weathered shingles, whaling captains' mansions, chowder shacks and upscale dining delights. Don't miss Woods Hole Oceanquest, famed Martha's Vineyard or charmingly upbeat Provincetown.
Restaurants in Cape Cod

1. Atwood Museum

347 Stage Harbor Rd, Chatham, MA 02633-2229 +1 508-945-2493 [email protected] http://www.chathamhistoricalsociety.org
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 151 reviews

Atwood Museum

Exhibit hours and days vary throughout the year. For details please visit our website. **Advance reservations are required during the pandemic.** Most, but not all exhibits may be open at this time. ** New exhibits this year include: - An outdoor Wetu (Wampanoag dwelling), - The Turning Point - Mayflower Exhibit, - WWII Commemoration, and - Honoring the Suffrage Movement. Explore Cape Cod of centuries past with 12 galleries in 14 exhibits, starting with a tour of a historical dwelling built circa 1752. Discover Cape Cod's captivating history, art, and culture at the Chatham Historical Society's Atwood House Museum. In addition to the 18th century Atwood House, Museum highlights include: a Mural Barn with works by Alice Stallknecht, the Nickerson North Beach Camp, a fishing gallery, Double Take Then and Now photo exhibit, Main Street Cape Cod, stories of the Pendleton and other shipwrecks, several rotating exhibits, a research facility, a popular gift shop and more.

Reviewed By EllieR33 - Leeds, United Kingdom

We visited last week, on a very wet day in Chatham, as we were looking for something indoors to do, and most things were closed as it was the end of September. This place was a lucky find, we must have spent a good couple of hours there and could have taken longer. The tour of the original old house that forms part of the site, the beach cabin out back, the displays of clothing, shells and war history were all fascinating. We especially enjoyed learning about the story of the rescue of the crew members from the Pendleton shipwreck. The staff here are friendly, and informative, thoroughly recommended if you're in Chatham

2. Cahoon Museum of American Art

4676 Falmouth Rd Rte. 28, near Rte. 130, Barnstable, MA 02635-2521 +1 508-428-7581 http://www.cahoonmuseum.org/
Excellent
76%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 42 reviews

Cahoon Museum of American Art

Reviewed By 950maryjanel

A small but beautiful museum....Sailors Valentines were on display when we were there....beautifully displayed and a wonderful exhibition...if you get the chance see this display and learn the history of these Sailors Valentines. While you’re there...I hope the blue tree installation is still going on.....spectacularly painted trees ...live trees...with blue trunks....beautiful....

3. Church of the Transfiguration

5 Bay View Dr, Orleans, MA 02653-2206 +1 508-255-1094 [email protected] http://www.churchofthetransfiguration.org/
Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 76 reviews

Church of the Transfiguration

The Church of the Transfiguration is the center of Community of Jesus - an ecumenical Benedictine monastic community located at Rock Harbor on the shores of Cape Cod Bay. The Community follows a daily rhythm of prayer including Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours (sung in Gregorian chant). Designed by William Rawn Associates of Boston, the Church of the Transfiguration is a contemporary expression of an ancient 4th century style of architecture, and recounts the story of salvation through hand-crafted mosaic and fresco images, bronze, glass, and stone sculpture. The organ is a restoration and expansion of pipework from twelve organs built by the E.M. Skinner Organ Company in the early 20th century. As of 3/15/2020 the Church is CLOSED until further notice. Please check back in a few weeks for updated information.

Reviewed By ChathamMass - Chatham, United States

A visit to the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans - this building rivals some of the most impressive cathedrals in the world (in my opinion) and quietly blends into the peaceful community of Rock Harbor, Orleans, Ma. From the waterfall of gold on glass, to the electrifying frescos and meticulous detail throughout the building and community, this amazing place is well worth a visit. Their gift shop offers a variety of locally crafted goods and helps complete your experience.

4. Sandwich Glass Museum

129 Main St, Sandwich, MA 02563-2233 +1 508-888-0251 http://www.sandwichglassmuseum.org/
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 740 reviews

Sandwich Glass Museum

The museum details the history of the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company.

Reviewed By HKonowitz3 - Dover, United States

Don't miss this place. It is a factory and an outstanding museum offers hundreds of glass items featuring the work of Cape Cod and national artisans, as well as their own studio

5. Public library Hyannis

401 Main St, Hyannis, MA 02601-3903 +1 508-775-2280
Excellent
82%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Public library Hyannis

6. Hoxie House

18 Water St, Sandwich, MA 02563-2310 +1 508-888-1173 http://capecodmuseumtrail.com/museum-directory/hoxie-house/
Excellent
72%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 178 reviews

Hoxie House

Built in 1637, this is believed to be the oldest house on Cape Cod.

7. Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen

6 Discovery Hill Rd, East Sandwich, Sandwich, MA 02537-1316 +1 508-888-6870 http://www.thorntonburgess.org/GreenBriarNatureCenter.htm
Excellent
57%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 124 reviews

Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen

This unique spot boasts beautiful gardens and nature trails, as well as a jam-making kitchen.

Reviewed By 152irenew

We have been to Green Briar a couple of times now since we have been visiting in Sandwich. It is a cozy little center with beautiful wild flower gardens and a great early 20th kitchen which was utilized for making home-made jams to sell to the public. Nowadays you can sign up for a class and make various jams depending on which fruits are in season. My husband and I took the class and enjoyed it very much. Emmalee was the teacher and she is very organized and patient. By the end of class we each had five 4 ounce jars of jam to take home with us. Check out Green Briar the next time you are in the area and see what it has to offer you.

8. Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

869 Main Street Route 6A, Brewster, MA 02631 +1 508-896-3867 [email protected] http://www.ccmnh.org
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 289 reviews

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

The mission of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History is to inspire appreciation, understanding and stewardship of our natural environment through discovery and learning. The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History integrates the three strands of its organizational identity - as museum of natural history, nature education center, and steward of conservation land. As a small museum of natural history, we will preserve, exhibit, and interpret our own collections of natural history artifacts and display relevant traveling and loan exhibits. We may also collaborate with local and regional organizations on co-sponsored exhibits. As a nature education center, we will engage children and adults in high-quality programs, classes, lectures, panel discussions, workshops, films, walks, field trips, traditions and interactive exhibits that reveal the many facets of the natural world and the reciprocal impacts that humans and nature exert on each other. As befits a nature education center, we will explore our potential as a center for citizen scientists and amateur naturalists, and as a forum for informed discussion of important issues related to the natural world, especially on Cape Cod. As a steward of 400-plus acres of museum-owned land in Stony Brook Valley and Brewster conservation land adjacent to the museum, including Wing's Island, the salt marsh, and the beach along Cape Cod Bay between Quivett and Paine's Creeks, we will monitor and protect the land and focus our programming on its varied habitats - our outdoor classroom and teaching tool. Programs may also take place elsewhere on Cape Cod and in New England when appropriate.

Reviewed By manthonyb - Philadelphia, United States

This is a wonderful small museum with a great feel for the Cape and its sea denizens. Excellent for children of all ages and thoughtful displays which are readily accessible and understandable. A serious and friendly staff which reflects a real commitment to marine education and environmental responsibility.

9. Provincetown Art Association and Museum

460 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657-2415 +1 508-487-1750 [email protected] http://www.paam.org
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 116 reviews

Provincetown Art Association and Museum

The Provincetown Art Association and Museum is a nationally recognized, year-round cultural institution that fuses the creative energy of America’s oldest active art colony with the natural beauty of outer Cape Cod that has inspired artists for generations. PAAM was established in 1914 by a group of artists and townspeople to build a permanent collection of works by artists of outer Cape Cod, and to exhibit art that would allow for unification within the community. In 2014, PAAM celebrated its Centennial year, with programming and exhibitions that highlighted significant artists, artwork, and events that contributed to PAAM becoming the vital cultural institution it is today. Integral to the community comprising the Provincetown Art Colony, PAAM embodies the qualities that make Provincetown an enduring American center for the arts, and serves as Cape Cod’s most widely-attended art museum.

Reviewed By 812jeffreyk - Needham, United States

this is a small museum. you can generally see everything in around an hour to 1 1/2 hrs. nevertheless, it is a gem with interesting exhibits and comfortable space. staff are friendly and helpful. lighting and organization are fine. museum is fully compliant on fighting COVID, so you should register for an entry in advance and be prepared for a lecture on precautions. in the past, they had a nice little bookstore, but that is unfortunately closed with the virus. you can order items online.

10. Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Museum

Snake Pond Road Main Street or Route 130, Mashpee, MA 02649 +1 508-477-0208 http://mashpeewampanoagtribe.com/
Excellent
74%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Museum

Reviewed By 77mic - Eugene, United States

Our docent was a tribal member descended from early members of the Wampanoag tribe and very familiar with the history and willing to share her family and tribe's legacy. The museum is a little jewel, with a dugout canoe and wigwam in the back. There's a lot to learn and our host was generous in sharing the tribe's history up to the present day.

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