Best Museums to tour on cape cod
Cape Cod is as rich with art and history as it is with natural beauty. If you're looking for a definitive list of museums to tour on Cape Cod, look no further! Consider visiting one, or a few of these special places, on your way to your Cape Cod vacation, or on the way home. The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn, located in West Harwich, is the perfect ‘home base’ to return to after an exciting day of museum touring. With a gourmet breakfast included, and a central location to access all of Cape Cod, what are you waiting for? Plan and book your Cape escape today!
The Cape Cod Military Museum
Address: 30 Keene St, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Website: https://capecodmilitarymuseum.org/
Phone Number: (508) 888-0633
Hours on season: Monday – Tuesday, 9AM-2:30PM; Wednesday, 6:30-8:30PM
Hours off season: N/A
When are tours available: N/A
Additional information: The Cape Cod Military Museum is dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of the contributions of Americans in the conflicts of the 20th century. The Museum emphasizes the unique role of southeastern Massachusetts.
Heritage Museum & Gardens
Address: 67 Grove St, Sandwich, MA 02563
Website: https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/
Phone Number: (508) 888-3300
Hours on season: 10AM – 5PM every day, opening April 24th
Hours off season:
When are tours available: Information available: https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/adult-guided-tour-options/
Additional information: Heritage Museums and Gardens, formerly the Heritage Plantation of Sandwich, celebrates American culture. Enjoy touring the largest public garden in Southern New England, which is located on 100 acres of grounds of Shawme Pond in Historic Sandwich.
Sandwich Glass Museum
Address: 129 Main St, Sandwich, MA 02563
Website: https://sandwichglassmuseum.org/
Phone Number: (508) 888-0251
Hours on season: 9:30AM – 5PM every day
Hours off season: Feb-March, 9:30AM-4PM
When are tours available: N/A
Additional information: Sandwich Glass Museum is a glass museum in Sandwich featuring a wide range of rare glass. Dedicated to the art of glassblowing and education through live demonstrations. Check out the Events calendar and stay up to date.
Historical Society of Santuit & Cotuit
Address: 1148 Main St, Cotuit, MA 02635
Website: https://www.cotuithistoricalsociety.org/
Phone Number: (508) 428-0461
Hours on season: Fri Sat Sun 10AM-4PM, reopening May 28th
Hours off season: N/A
When are tours available: To be announced:, https://www.cotuithistoricalsociety.org/historical-walking-tours.html
Additional information: Since 1955, the Historical Society of Santuit & Cotuit (HSSC) has worked to preserve Cotuit’s heritage. The museum’s mission is to acquire, preserve, interpret, and exhibit collections of historical interest to Cotuit and Santuit. The spirit and traditions of the community have been preserved, from the 1800s to modern times. A special exhibit is displayed every season to display Cotuit’s history.
Cahoon Museum Of American Art
Address: 4676 Falmouth Rd, Cotuit, MA 02635
Website: https://cahoonmuseum.org/
Phone Number: (508) 428-7581
Hours on season: Thursdays – Saturdays, 10AM-4PM; pre-registration is highly recommended
Hours off season: N/A
When are tours available:
Additional information: The Cahoon Museum of American Art features American art from the 1800s through the present. Built out of a colonial manor, the museum includes annually updating exhibitions, tours, artist’s talks and workshops, and more. It features fine art, folk art and American art from the 1800s through the present. Public programs include a series of annual changing exhibitions, tours, artist’s talks and workshops, and family activities.
US Coast Guard Heritage Museum
Address: 3353 Main St, Barnstable, MA 02630
Website: https://coastguardheritagemuseum.org/
Phone Number: (508) 362-8521
Hours on season: Thursday- Saturday 10AM-3 PM, opening May 1st
Hours off season: N/A
When are tours available: Admission includes a handheld audio device to enhance touring
Additional information: The US Coast Guard Heritage Museum shares the Coast Guard story from a Cape Cod perspective. As one of the only two free-standing museums in the country dedicated to the history of the US Coast Guard, this is a destination that shouldn’t be skipped. The Coast Guard was formed in Massachusetts, and the service’s legacy on Cape Cod is rich.
Zion Union Heritage Museum
Address: 276 North St, Hyannis, MA 02601
Website: http://www.zionunionheritagemuseum.org/
Phone Number: (508) 790-9466
Hours on season: Thursday through Saturday, 11AM-5PM
Hours off season: November and December, Thursday through Saturday, 10AM-4AM; closed January; February through April, Thursday through Saturday, 11AM-5PM
When are tours available: N/A
Additional information: The Zion Union Heritage Museum is dedicated to African-American and Cape Verdean American history. This Museum explores the rich diversity of the Town of Barnstable and Cape Cod. The displayed artifacts relate to the arts, sciences, religions, history, and more.
John F Kennedy Hyannis Museum
Address: 397 Main St, Hyannis, MA 02601
Website: https://jfkhyannismuseum.org
Phone Number: (508) 790-3077
Hours on season: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm through October 3rd. Closed for the season Oct 12th
Hours off season: N/A
When are tours available: Regular business hours
Additional information: The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum is a historical museum which includes a thematic panorama of photographs, archival films, artifacts, text panels, and oral histories of former President John F. Kennedy and his family. The legacy comes alive with interactive exhibits and community involvement.
Cape Cod Maritime Museum
Address: 135 South St, Hyannis, MA 02601
Website: https://www.capecodmaritimemuseum.org/
Phone Number: (508) 775-1723
Hours on season: Wednesday-Friday: 12 PM – 3 PM
Hours off season: N/A
When are tours available: Regular business hours
Additional information: Cape Cod Maritime Museum is a maritime museum with a focus on Cape Cod’s maritime history, boat building, yachting, and nautical art. Audiences of all ages can understand and delight in the rich maritime culture through exhibits, collections, educational programs, and public events.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Address: 869 Main Street/Route 6A, Brewster, MA 02631
Website: http://www.ccmnh.org/
Phone Number: (508) 896-3867
Hours on season: Monday – Tuesday, 9AM-2:30PM; Wednesday, 6:30-8:30PM
Hours off season: N/A
When are tours available: N/A
Additional information: The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History is a small museum in Brewster focusing on natural history and archeology. Dedicated to conservation and education about the environment, the museum is a steward of over 400 acres of conservation land that offers outdoor classes and programs. Enjoy collections-based exhibits with features on whales and birds, live marine science exhibits, educational and environmental educational programs for all ages, and more.
Edward Gorey House
Address: 8 Strawberry Ln, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
Website: https://edwardgoreyhouse.org/
Phone Number: (508) 362-3909
Hours on season:April through December: Fri-Sat 11AM-4PM, Sun 12-4PM
Hours off season: Closed
When are tours available: Check website for exact guided tour times
Additional information: The Edward Gorey House, also known as the Elephant House, is the home on Cape Cod in which Edward Gorey—author, illustrator, puppeteer, and playwright—lived and worked from 1986 until his death in 2000. It now serves to celebrate his talents and his legacy, and also raises awareness about local and national animal welfare issues.
Whydah Pirate Museum
Address: 674 MA-28, West Yarmouth, MA 02673
Website: https://www.discoverpirates.com/
Phone Number: (508) 534-9571
Hours on season: Tues-Sat 10AM-5PM
Hours off season: Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11AM to 4PM, Last entry at 3PM.
When are tours available: N/A
Additional information: The Whydah Pirate Museum displays artifacts recovered from an 18th-century vessel used for piracy & the slave trade. It holds more unique artifacts from a single pirate vessel than any shipwreck in the world. New exhibits are added annually as new artifacts are excavated.
Cape Cod Museum of Art
Address: 60 Hope Ln, Dennis, MA 02638
Website: https://www.ccmoa.org/
Phone Number: (508) 385-4477
Hours on season: Wed-Sat 10AM-4PM; Sat 12-4PM
Hours off season: Thur-Sat 10AM-4PM; Sun 12-4PM
When are tours available: N/A
Additional information: Celebrate Cape Cod’s finest artists and the region’s unique artistic identity. As a major hub of cultural life on the region, the Cape Cod Museum of Art is a great place to experience Cape Cod’s many communities, all in one museum visit. Enjoy seven galleries, a film screening room, and don’t forget a souvenir from the museum shop.
Atwood Museum
Address: 347 Stage Harbor Rd, Chatham, MA 02633
Website: https://chathamhistoricalsociety.org/
Phone Number: (508) 945-2493
Hours on season: Tues-Saturday: 10AM – 4 PM
Hours off season: Tues-Saturday: 1 PM – 4 PM
When are tours available: N/A
Additional information: The Atwood House Museum in Chatham is owned by the Chatham Historical Society. In 1926, the Historical Society purchased the property of Captain Joseph Atwood to protect the property and to display and preserve articles and documents related to Chatham’s unique history. The Museum is now home to 11 galleries of permanent and temporary exhibits.
Chatham Marconi Maritime Center
Address: 847 Orleans Rd, Chatham, MA 02650
Website: https://www.chathammarconi.org/
Phone Number: (508) 945-8889
Hours on season: To be announced; view Web site for hours
Hours off season: Closed
When are tours available: N/A
Additional information: The Chatham Marconi Maritime Center is a museum dedicated to the history of a short-wave radio station, WCC, which operated for many years in Chatham. The Marconi Maritime Center brings to life the history of 20th Century maritime radio and illustrates the many advances in science and technology since. The centennial of WCC will be celebrated in 2021, so don’t miss out!
Whaling Museum
Address: 13 Broad St, Nantucket, MA 02554
Website: https://nha.org/visit/museums-and-tours/whaling-museum/
Phone Number: (508) 228-1894
Hours on season: Open Daily, 9AM-5PM
Hours off season: Monday-Saturday, 10AM-4PM
When are tours available: N/A, audio tour information: https://nha.org/whaling-museum-audio-tour/
Additional information: The Nantucket Whaling Museum, located in Nantucket, illustrates Cape Cod’s four centuries of whaling history. It is run by the Nantucket Historical Association and features 9 premium galleries and over 1000 works of art.
The author works for The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn located in West Harwich, Cape Cod. The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn is Cape Cod’s best boutique hotel and experience for travelers looking to live like a local. If you are interested in touring the Inn and planning your next Cape Cod vacation, click below to check out The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn.
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