Hyannis

Explore beaches, shop for Cape Cod souvenirs or sail the waters around this coastal village, which was the preferred vacation spot of former president John. F. Kennedy. 

Spend a leisurely morning enjoying a coffee on Hyannis’s Main Street before heading to one of the city’s many beaches for an afternoon stroll. Rent a boat and explore the coastal scenery or explore Cape Cod by rail on the Cape Cod Central Railway. You won’t miss the fact that John. F. Kennedy used to spend vacations here, with a museum and memorial sites that pay respects to the former president.

Hyannis residents are proud of the town’s association with John F. Kennedy. Find out more in the J.F.K Hyannis Museum that explores his family’s time in the town and remembers his life. Pay your own respects by taking a walk to the memorial in his honor near the water on Ocean Street. Stop to enjoy great views across the harbor.

The large natural harbor means that almost all who visit here will take to the water in one way or another. Use the ferry service to explore the nearby Nantucket Island or Martha’s Vineyard. Rent a kayak or a boat and cruise around the calm waters.

Main Street Waterfront District and the parallel South Street are where you’ll find the majority of the town’s businesses. Browse the galleries, drink in the cafés and pick up souvenirs in the gift shops. Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss Toad Hall Classic Sports Car museum, which features old Porches, Ferraris, Jaguars and more.

Visit in summer and spend a day on one of the nearby beaches. Kalmus, Loop Beach and Veteran’s Park Beach are all local favorites. In the chilly winters the pretty waterfront spots are popular for long walks, making Hyannis a great vacation destination year-round.

Hyannis is the largest of the seven villages that make up Barnstable town in Massachusetts and it is also the busiest. It is the transport hub for the region, so if you are visiting anywhere on Cape Cod you will almost certainly pass through. The town is 71 miles (114 kilometers) south of Boston and 254 miles (409 kilometers) northeast of New York City.