Bakery

Cottage Street Bakery
5 Cottage Street, Orleans
508-255-2821
www.cottagestreetbakery.com
This bakery offers just about any baked goodie you can imagine, including delicious (and reasonably priced) fruit pies and exceptional cakes, including wedding cakes. The breads include multi-grain, oatmeal and squash. And don’t miss the scones and strudel.

Marion’s Pie Shop
2022 Main Street, Chatham
508-432-9439
www.marionspieshopofchatham.com
The dessert pies are only the beginning at Marion’s. Patrons love the place because they can stop and buy a pie – with chicken, beef or seafood – for dinner, along with a delightful assortment of sweets, including cakes and cookies. And they also can get muffins and cinnamon rolls for their next-day breakfast.

Pain d’Avignon
192 Airport Road, Hyannis
508-778-8588
www.paindavignon.com
From whole wheat and rye to raisin-pecan and olive, all kinds of bread are available here. The bakery also makes bagels and croissants and does a busy wholesale business. Some of the not-to-be-missed loaves include a cheese bread, focaccia and a chocolate-hazelnut that is heavenly

Breakfast

Betsy’s Diner
457 Main Street, Falmouth
508-540-0060
Breakfast is served all day and classic American dishes fill the lunch and supper menus. Red-vinyl booths, tabletop jukeboxes and a friendly staff create a lively atmosphere.

The Downyflake
18 Sparks Avenue, Nantucket
508-228-4533
Many come here for the doughnuts, but the full breakfasts draw many fans, too. There are blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup, eggs and omelets with all the fixings to get the day off to a great start.

Grumpy’s
1408 Route 6A, East Dennis
508-385-9494
www.grumpyscapecod.com
You won’t need lunch if you eat breakfast at Grumpy’s. Besides the eggs, omelets and pancakes, there are frittatas, quiches and burritos. And in case you miss breakfast, Grumpy’s is open for lunch with soups, salads and sandwiches.

Persy’s Place
Main Street, Hyannis
508-790-8200
Specializing in breakfast, this casual dining spot has a menu so extensive that the longest part of your dining experience might be reading the menu and making a decision. Located at the east end of Main Street, it is on the quieter edge of one of summer’s busiest retail and tourist marketplaces.

Slice of Life
50 Circuit Ave, Oak Bluffs,
Martha’s Vineyard; 508-693-3838
A deli at the upper end of Circuit Avenue, Slice of Life offers round-the-clock fabulous fare, including a range of breakfast specialties, such as dressed-up scrambled-eggs-and-pancake combinations and bagel meals. Later in the day, you can dine on burgers, pizza, gourmet sandwiches, salads and soups.

Brunch

Old Yarmouth Inn
223 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port
508-362-9962
www.oldyarmouthinn.com
Sunday brunch features a buffet with a carving station with beef and ham, omelets, soup, pasta, a variety of breads, desserts and specialty dishes that regularly change. It’s one meal that will last you all day.

Coffee Shop

Bean
29 Center Street, Nantucket
508-228-6215
People love the coffee at the small, often crowded, Bean, which also gets rave reviews for its hot chocolate.

Buckie’s Biscotti
780 Main Street, Route 6A, Dennis
508-385-4700
All varieties of coffee, including latte and cappuccinio, are just for openers. The baked goods – biscotti, of course – but also an assortment cookies, cakes, cannolis and pies are available to bring home for a special dessert.

Coffee Obsession Cyber Café
38 Water Street, Woods Hole
508-540-8130
Coffee Obsession
110 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth
508-540-2233
www.coffeeobsession.com
Coffee, espresso drinks and bakery items are served in the Woods Hole location, where business conversations buzz, students work on their laptops and people sit on the porch and watch the bustle of Water Street. The Falmouth location has bulletin boards covered with flyers about the latest goings-on in town.

Hot Chocolate Sparrow
5 Old Colony Way, Orleans
508-240-2230
www.hotchocolatesparrow.com
Packed on Sundays, this espresso bar and coffee house serves coffee in a half-dozen flavors, fresh fudge, frozen coffee drinks and ice cream confections year-round.

Starbucks
11 Davis Straights, Falmouth
508-540-4949
6 Market Street, Mashpee
508-477-5806
At Barnes & Noble
Cape Cod Mall, Route 132, Hyannis
508-862-6310
www.starbucks.com
Some people won’t start their day without stopping by for a coffee here. Whether you’re into fancy concoctions, a straight-up Italian roast or an East African blend, you’re bound to find it here, in a cup or in beans you can brew at home.

Burgers

Barbyann’s
120 Airport Rd, Hyannis
508-775-9795
www.barbyanns.com
Home of the half-pound sirloin burger, Barbyann’s offers nine varieties, including the Big Bear Burger with corned beef and ham, the Boursin Burger and Mexican Burger with cheese, salsa and guacamole.

Clancy’s Restaurant
8 Upper County Road, Dennisport
508-394-6661
www.clancysrestaurant.com
Located on Swan River, this popular country tavern offers an affordable menu of everything from burgers and fish and chips to prime rib and stuffed shrimp. The build-your-own-burger choices include cheese, bacon, mushrooms, onions, lettuce and tomatoes, all served on an onion roll.

Chowder

PJ’s Family Restaurant
2616 Route 6, Wellfleet
508-349-2126
To accompany the chowder recommended by our panel, there’s a choice of fried calamari, spicy stuffed clams, steamers and a variety of other seafood dishes.

Seafood Sam’s
356 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth
508-540-7877
302 Main Street, Harwich Port
508-432-1422
6 Coast Guard Road, Sandwich
508-888-4629
1006 Route 28, Yarmouth
508-394-3504
www.seafoodsams.com
A winner last year, Sam’s chowder has a medium-thick broth, just the right amount of clams and potatoes, and it’s seasoned to satisfaction. And there’s plenty of fried seafood – scallops, oysters and clam strips – to go with that chowder.

Wimpy’s Restaurant
752 Main Street, Osterville
508-428-6300
www.wimpysseafoodcafe.com
Known for its friendly service and good food, locals come back often to this Osterville mainstay. In fact, a number of people make it a regular dining and gathering stop at least once a week, many for the homemade quahog chowder made from scratch with bushels of local quahogs and light cream.

Pub

Bobby Byrne’s Restaurant & Pub
Routes 28 & 151, Mashpee Commons
508-477-0600
Route 6A & Tupper Rd., Sandwich
508-888-6088
Route 28 and Bearses Way, Hyannis
508-775-1425
www.bobbybyrnes.com
Since 1973, Bobby Byrne’s has been known as an amiable eating, drinking and meet-your-friends establishment. Hearty pub fare includes steaks, chicken, and, of course, burgers. Homemade soups and salads and generous entrées are offered in the cozy pub and comfortable dining room

Land Ho! Bar and Restaurant
Route 6A and Cove Rd., Orleans
508-255-5165
www.land-ho.com
The Land Ho! is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Orleans, with oak floors, a room-length bar, red-checkered tablecloths and vintage signs covering the walls. It is the quintessential pub, and the food is classic Cape Cod fare.

Liam Maguire’s Irish Pub
and Restaurant
273 Main Street, Falmouth
508-548-0285
www.liammaguire.com
For live music, beer and old-fashioned, friendly service, Liam’s scores. Homemade pub fare includes pot roast, spaghetti and meatballs, lobster rolls and barbecued shrimp.

Hot Stove Saloon
Route 28, Harwich Port
508-432-9811
www.hotstovesaloon.com
Baseball memorabilia lines the walls and in summer you’re sure to catch a game on TV while you’re digging into subs or pizza, chili or a hot basket of wings.

Clam Shack

The Bite
29 Basin Road, Menemsha
508-645-9239
www.thebitemenemsha.com
The Bite is an authentic clam shack well-known on Martha’s Vineyard for its fried whole-belly clams, oysters, scallops, squid and shrimp, as well as the standard fish and chips.

Clam Shack
227 Clinton Avenue, Falmouth
508-540-7758
With a great view of Falmouth harbor, this traditional clam shack has plenty of fried seafood that you can enjoy inside or out – or up on the roof deck.

Kream ‘n’  Kone
961 Main Street, West Dennis
508-394-0808
www.kreamnkone.com
It sounds like it’s just an ice cream place, but before you indulge in the sweet stuff, there is the fried seafood you’d expect at a clam shack and a choice of broiled fish, as well as sandwiches and salads.

Liam’s at Nauset Beach
239 Nauset Beach Road, East Orleans
508-255-3474
After a day at Nauset Beach, hop over to Liam’s for not only the fried seafood, but also grilled fish platters, clam and lobster fritters, and the onion rings.

Pizza

Campari’s Bistro
323 Orleans Road, North Chatham
508-945-9123
www.camparis.com
In addition to a wide selection of entrées, including pasta, seafood, meat and chicken, the menus at Campari’s is well-known for the pizza, including a basic Margherita and the wildly flavorful Benny’s Bomb.

New England Pizza 
1200 Main Street, Route 28, Chatham
508-945-9070
www.newenglandpizza.net
In addition to pizza and calzones, there are grinders, subs, pasta – and a bit of Greek with gyros and baklava.

Pi Pizza Bistro
75 Davis Straights, Falmouth
508-495-5553
www.pipizzabistro.com
Here’s a lively bistro specializing in gourmet brick-oven pizzas, such as fig and prosciutto with a rosemary crust and gorgonzola and a white pizza with mozzarella, ricotta, spinach and shrimp scampi.

Red Barn Pizza & More
4180 Route 6, Eastham
508-255-4500
People keep coming back not only for the pizza, but for the game room and mini-golf. Some say it wouldn’t be summer without a few trips to Red Barn.

Spiritus
190 Commercial Street, Provincetown
508-487-2808
10 Seaboard Lane (off West Main Street), Hyannis
508-775-2955
www.spirituspizza.net
Besides the build-your-own pizzas, Spiritus offer ice cream, as well as unbeatable people-watching at the Provincetown location. In Hyannis, the larger menu includes subs,  foccacia sandwiches and calzones.

Sweet Tomatoes
791 Main Street, Osterville
508-420-1717
95 Route 6A, Sandwich
508-888-5979
www.sweettomatoescapecod.com
Sweet Tomatoes’ thin-crust pizzas come white or red, veggie or meat, or a combination. Also offered are salads, subs, calzones, wraps and pasta.

Seafood

Brewster Fish House
2208 Main Street, Brewster
508-896-7867
Long lines of people wait for the chance to sample this small restaurant’s talent with seafood dishes. The fish is always fresh and the imaginative recipes feature flavors that are both delicate and hardy.

Cape Sea Grille
31 Sea Street, Harwich Port
508-432-4745
www.capeseagrille.com
It’s not only the seafood but also the accoutrements that make this a special place. For example, the roasted halibut is served with celery root puree and topped with an apple-caramelized fennel salad. The grilled yellowfin tuna is accompanied with Eastham turnip and sweet-potato gratin, grilled corn, grilled radicchio and lobster mushrooms. And that’s just a taste of the creative menu.

Chatham Bars Inn
297 Shore Road, Chatham
508-945-6732
www.chathambarsinn.com
The breathtaking view of the ocean is a colorful backdrop and will inspire you to savor the many seafood dishes, including North Atlantic oysters, scallops, Maine crab cakes and stuffed Chatham haddock. The dining room is elegantly appointed and perfect for a special night.

Lobster Pot Restaurant
321 Commercial Street, Provincetown
508- 487-0842
www.ptownlobsterpot.com
With a view of the spectacular Provincetown harbor, you can dine on local seafood before you take you take in the hullabaloo on Commercial Street. Start off with Portuguese kale soup or clam chowder and then dig into one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, like Asian bouillabaisse or cioppino.

Naked Oyster Bistro and Raw Bar
20 Independence Drive, Hyannis
508-778-6500
www.nakedoyster.com
Known for its raw bar, which includes both “naked” and “dressed” oysters, this Hyannis favorite, off Route 132, features swordfish, monkfish, shrimps and scallops. For meat-eaters, there’s filet mignon and chicken.

The Oyster Company
202 Depot Road, Dennisport
508-398-4600
www.theoystercompany.com
The oysters come raw or broiled. Entrees include local scrod and mussels, and for a taste of it all, try The Birth of Venus with shrimp, scallops, littleneck and mussels in a savory saffron-infused broth over linguini.

The Quarterdeck
164 Main Street, Falmouth
508-548-9900
The Quarterdeck’s cozy atmosphere feels like the below-deck of a ship. The focus, of course, is fresh seafood with Chatham scrod, lobster, broiled native swordfish and blackened scallops.

Italian

abbicci
43 Main Street (Route 6A), Yarmouth Port
508-362-3501
www.abbicci.com
Sleek and urbane, abbicci created a new Mediterranean menu two years ago after a renovation. Tapas – confit of artichoke hearts and lamb-and-feta turnovers, for example – are high on the list. Entrees include saltimbocca, pan-seared Scottish salmon, braised short ribs and roast rack of lamb.

Alberto’s Ristorante
360 Main Street, Hyannis
508-778-1770
www.albertos.net
Lots of pasta and veal dishes make Alberto’s a friendly favorite. In summer there is outdoor seating, and in winter, you can have lunch or dinner in the bright dining rooms. You can have cannelloni or manicotti either as an appetizer or entrée. Specialties include Veal Chop Sienese and Farcite Napoletana, eggplant stuffed with ricotta and topped with a rich marinara sauce.

Buca’s Tuscan Roadhouse
4 Depot Road, Harwich
508-432-6900
www.bucasroadhouse.com
Buca’s brings Tuscany to Harwich with favorites like Bistecca Florentine, a rib-eye with  olive oil and sea salt; Vitello Rosa, veal scallopine with red wine, balsamic butter, sun-dried cherries and roasted tomatoes; and Vitello alla Picatta, veal scallopine with white wine, lemon, capers, parsley and butter.

Asian

Inaho Japanese Restaurant
157 Main Street, Route 6A, Yarmouth Port
508-362-5522
An antique captain’s house has been transformed with an authentic Japanese atmosphere and decor. Sushi and sashimi specialties are assembled at the lively sushi bar. Salmon and beef teriyaki plates, tempura, tofu and a dramatic house specialty of whole fried fish arrive from the kitchen.

Misaki
379 West Main Street, Hyannis
508-771-3771
www.misakisushi.com
This small restaurant delivers all manner of Japanese delights, including expertly prepared sushi rivaling what you’ll find at restaurants in big cities. Daily specials are creative and beautifully presented. Try the Bento Box, an assortment of shrimp tempura, maki sushi and other delicacies.

Ethnic

Abba
Old Colony Way and West Road,
Orleans; 508-255-8144
www.abbarestaurant.com
Israeli chef Erez Pinhas has created a menu that combines Mediterranean and Thai flavors in adventuresome dishes. This small and charming restaurant has an intimacy that sets the scene for its sophisticated cuisine, which has cultivated a faithful following.

Brazilian Grill
680 Main Street, Hyannis; 508-771-0109
Launched to provide a taste of home to the Brazilian population on the Cape, this dining spot now has wide appeal. The restaurant is a churrascaria, a popular type of barbecue steak house in Brazil, that specializes in meat grilled, rotisserie-style, over wood charcoal. But the buffet alone – with a variety of soups, salads, fresh vegetables and homemade bread – is a meal in itself.

Iriecorna
420 East Falmouth Highway, Falmouth
508-457-7774
www.iriecorna.com
Jamaican food is the specialty of this restaurant, designed with tropical island colors. Barbecued Hipstrip Ribs, Jerk Fish and Jerk Chicken are featured. You’ll also find curried goat and chicken, Caribbean tiger shrimp and vegetarian dishes.

Napi’s
7 Freeman Street, Provincetown
508-487-1145
www.napis-restaurant.com
Napi and Helen Van Dereck have built more than a restaurant. It is a Provincetown landmark known for its setting, filled with their collection of Provincetown art. The menu features creative Portuguese- and Brazilian-style dishes, great seafood and vegetarian selections.

Water View

The Flying Bridge
220 Scranton Avenue, Falmouth
508-548-2700
http://www.capecodrestaurants.org/flyingbridge/
With its wraparound deck, massive windows and staircase leading to a boardwalk along the length of Falmouth’s marina, the Flying Bridge is truly waterfront dining. It’s long been a popular spot for weddings and family reunions.

Home Port
512 North Road, Menemsha
508- 645-2679
www.homeportmv.com
Watch the sunset over Vineyard Sound from the relaxed dining room or patio in this quaint fishing village in Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard. The menu features native seafood prepared simply.

Ocean House
Depot Street, Dennisport
508-394-0700
www.oceanhouserestaurant.com
The view of Nantucket Sound outside the picture windows is a delightful backdrop for chef Anthony Silvestri’s fusion cuisine of innovative dishes like Cedar-Roasted Teriyaki Salmon, Herb-Crusted Local Codfish and Pan-Roasted Hawaiian Tuna Steak.

The Red Inn
15 Commercial Street, Provincetown
508-487-7334
www.theredinn.com
The 200-year-old Red Inn is rich with New England history. It’s been host to presidents and celebrities, and scenes of Norman Mailer’s film “Tough Guys Don’t Dance” were filmed there. It’s a cozy place with a fabulous view over Provincetown Harbor, especially at sunset. The menu features pan-roasted local cod, fresh lobster and the inn’s specialty, rack of lamb.

twenty-eight Atlantic
at the Wequassett Resort
Pleasant Bay Road, Harwich
800-225-7125
www.wequasett.com
Although you can’t minimize the glory of the panoramic view of Pleasant Bay, it almost takes a back seat to chef Bill Brodsky’s marvelous cuisine – as good as the best you’ll find in Manhattan. Caramelized black cod and coffee-and-brown-sugar-cured beef tenderloin give you an idea of his distinctive creations.

With Kids

Brotherhood of Thieves
23 Broad Street, Nantucket
508-228-2551
www.brotherhoodofthieves.com
Introduce your children to Nantucket history in this cozy place where, back in the 1840s, whalers enjoyed their land time beside the fireplaces. There are burgers and sandwiches for the kids and Mom and Dad can feast on broiled or fried fish.

Moby Dick’s Restaurant
3225 Route 6, Wellfleet
508-349-9795
www.mobydicksrestaurant.com
This is a family affair that the Barry family has provided for you and your children. Burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese and the ever-popular mac and cheese will satisfy the kids, while you have your choice of lobster, mussels, oysters and steamers.

Sam Diego’s
950 Iyanough Road, Hyannis
508-771-8816
www.samdiegos.com
Besides the burgers and hot dogs, your kids can develop a taste for flavors south of the border with tacos and burritos and a variety of other choices on the menu. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad can enjoy tamales and quesadillas, chimichangas and fajitas.

Romantic

Alberto’s Ristorante
360 Main Street, Hyannis
508-778-1770
www.albertos.net
The contemporary ambiance at Alberto’s and the way the space is divided into small areas provide privacy for whispering those sweet nothings into your favorite person’s ear. And the fine Italian dishes will add to that special evening.

Belfry Inne & Bistro
8 Jarves Street, Sandwich
508-888-8550
www.belfryinn.com
Stained-glass windows and furniture fashioned from pews add charm to this restaurant, which was once an abbey, circa 1900. The food presentation is beautiful and brings an additional note to the romantic setting.

Circadia
86 Sisson Road, Harwich Port
508-432-2769
www.circadiabistro.com
In this 19th-century rambling Cape, you’ll find a cozy tavern and a traditional bistro, where chef Franck Champely prepares elegant meals, which will undoubtedly set the right mood.

L’etoile Restaurant
22 North Water Street, Edgartown
508-627-5187
www.letoile.net
Whether indoors in a warmly-lit dining room or outdoors by candlelight, chef/owner Michael Brisson offers “an oasis of calm” and contemporary French cuisine in this lovely star of a restaurant.

The Regatta of Cotuit
4631 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Cotuit
508-428-5715
www.regattarestaurant.com
In this 216-year-old stagecoach inn, now a graciously appointed restaurant, you’ll find beautifully presented dishes like Pan-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass, Caramelized Georges Bank Scallops and Slow Roasted Crispy Lacquered Half Duck.

French

Chillingsworth
2449 Main Street, Brewster
508-896-3640
www.chillingsworth.com
Chillingsworth is consistently rated at the top of the list for dining on the Cape. People who plan to visit here make a reservation for dinner at the same time they book their hotel or B&B. The restaurant setting is sumptuous and the seven-course table d’hôte menu is a brilliant array of flavors. Look for Cilantro Crusted Rare Grilled Tuna Tournedos, Seared Veal Steak with Mushroom Risotto and Basil Crusted Salmon with Oyster Mushrooms.

L’Alouette Bistro
787 Main Street, Harwich Port
508-430-0405
www.lalouttebistro.com
Alan and Gretchen Champney have created a romantic, south-of-France ambiance in this traditional Cape Cod house. Chef Steven Graves uses local ingredients in dishes such as Veal a la Normande, Soy-Lacquered Atlantic Salmon and Roast Duck and Duck Confit. Pastry chef Christine Arden has luscious treats for desserts.

Le Grenier
Main Street, Vineyard Haven
508-693-4906
www.legrenier.com
For twenty-six years, chef/owner Jean Dupon has been offering French cuisine in this Martha’s Vineyard restaurant. Traditional appetizers like escargots and onion soup are a prelude to Frogs Legs Provencale, Duck a L’Orange, sweetbreads, quail and a number of seafood dishes.

Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry’s
352 Main Street, Hyannis; 508-790-0910
Route 6 at Brackett Road,
North Eastham; 508-255-2817
258 Commercial Street, Provincetown
508-487-3360
www.benjerry.com
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream may not be made on the Cape, but it is some of the best around. Some of our favorites are Cherry Garcia and Phish Food. If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll have trouble deciding between New York Super Fudge Chunk and Chocolate Fudge Brownie.

Four Seas Cape Cod
360 South Main Street, Centerville
www.fourseasicecream.com
The lines snake out the doors but move quickly, with friendly young counter servers dishing up creamy ice cream, fresh sorbets and delicious toppings, all made on site from scratch. Try cantaloupe or ginger ice cream with Four Seas’ wonderful hot-fudge sauce – you’ll be hooked.

Ice Cream Smuggler
716 Main Street Route 6A, Dennis
508-385-5307
Ice Cream Smuggler is a gathering spot for ice cream lovers on the north side. For those with adventurous tastes, there are ginger, grapenut and grasshopper flavors. Dieters, try the chocolate almond yogurt – it’s 96 percent fat-free and very chocolaty.

Men's Clothing

Maxwell & Co.
200 Main Street, Falmouth
508-540-8752
www.maxcocapecod.com
The store’s high-end, cutting-edge European and American clothing lines offer a refreshing break from the blazer-and-khakis tradition on Cape Cod.  Handmade shoes and leather accessories are also sold.

Puritan Cape Cod
408 Main Street, Hyannis
508-775-2400
199 Main Street, Falmouth
 508-548-0116
4 North Way (Mashpee Commons), Mashpee; 508-477-4333
573 Main Street, Chatham
508-945-0326
www.puritancapecod.com
Owned by the Penn family for three generations, the stores feature casual wear by Tommy Bahama, Ralph Lauren and Vineyard Vines, as well as suits and sport jackets by Hart Schaffner & Marx and Calvin Klein.

Sundog
41 Main Street, Edgartown
508-627-5254
Sun Dog specializes in high-quality sportswear such as Mine clothing and Raffi cashmere sweaters, as well as Timberland and Allen Edmonds shoes. This is the place to send your guests to shop.

Watson’s
34 Main Street, Orleans
508-255-3003
Right in downtown Orleans is this longtime men’s clothing and sportswear store, which, since 1947, has handled moderate to better priced lines, including Pendleton, Columbia, Tommy Bahama, Alex Cannon and Nautica.

Woman's Clothing

Beth Bishop
45 South Orleans Road, Orleans
508-255-0642
There’s a large selection of clothing from classic to trendy, from casual to evening wear. Popular brands include Eileen Fisher and Canvasbacks. The staff here is friendly and very helpful.

Karol Richardson
47 Main Street, Orleans
508-255-3944
11 West Main Street, Wellfleet
508-349-6378
www.karolrichardson.com
Local designer Karol Richardson’s distinctive clothing includes designs that are casual as well as elegant. Some items have classic lines while others are funky, even avant-garde. In addition to her line, her stores sell contemporary clothing by other designers, as well as shoes and handbags.

Purple Poppy
15 Central Square, Mashpee Commons
508-477-1402
www.purplepoppy.com
There’s so much here, you’re bound to find more than one item you want to take home, including lots of casual tops, skirts, jackets, pants and dresses and glitter for evening. Designers include Melly M. and Splendid.

Talbots
23 Steeple Street, Mashpee Commons, 508-539-9800
Cape Cod Mall, 769 Iyanough Road, Hyannis, 508-778-8850
Harwich Commons, 115 Route 137, Harwich, 508-432-8900
www.talbots.com
Known for its classic style, which fits right into Cape lifestyles, Talbots has a wide range of clothing in petite, misses’ and women’s sizes. You can put together a whole outfit and  complete it with shoes and handbag in one-stop shopping.

Shoes

Cape Cod Shoe Mart
271 Route 28, Dennisport
508-398-6000
Shoe lovers will appreciate the wide variety of shoes and styles sold at outlet prices in an outlet-type setting. Nothing fancy, except some of the best shoe bargains on the Cape.

Hanlon Shoes
378 Main Street, Hyannis
508-775-8877
Cape Cod’s only specialty store specifically for runners, this Main Street store handles shoes, apparel and advice for the whole family of athletes. Other casual footwear and sandals are sold in summer.

If the Shoe Fits
47 Main Street, Orleans
508-240-0970
www.if-theshoefits.com
More than shoes, this trendy shop also has chic clothes and accessories. You’ll find flip-flops, festive sandals, dressy heels and boots, arty tops and jackets, and decorative handbags, including the spectacular Mary Francis designs.

The Shoe Salon
521 Main Street, Chatham
508-945-0292
837 Main Street, Osterville 508-428-2410
www.theshoesalon.com
Brands include Cole-Haan, Amalfi, Donald Pliner, Stuart Weitzman and Vaneli. The styles range from casual flats and sandals to high heels and evening shoes. And while you’re there, check out the handbags and chic tops.

Jewelry

Baksa Studio
766 Route 6A, Dennis
508-385-5733
www.baksa.com
Michael Baksa crafts gold jewelry with an assortment of gemstones. The stones and pearls are set into classic and contemporary designs, and Baksa does custom work to please the individual preferences of his discriminating customers.

CB Stark
53A Main Street, Vineyard Haven
27 North Water Street, Edgartown
888-227-8275
www.cbstark.com
Founder C.B. Stark designs are a tradition on the island. Gold, silver, diamonds and gemstones are fashioned into motifs that say “the Vineyard” – flip-flops, seashells, grape clusters and the island’s coastline.

Chatham Jewelers
532 Main Street, Chatham
800-535-4367
www.chathamjewelers.com
Gold and silver, diamonds and pearls, rings and things, plus bracelets, bangles, pendants and earrings in smart and classic designs are available in this store that has been serving jewelry lovers for more than a half century.

Ross Coppelman Goldsmith
1439 Route 6A, East Dennis
508-385-7900
www.rosscoppelman.com
Ross Coppelman fashions gold, platinum, sterling silver and precious stones into original designs. Inspired by the sea, his “Ocean” series features a large array of bracelets, rings and pendants. His “Platform” group is a modern collection with geometric designs.

Bookstore

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
769 Iyannough Road (Cape Cod Mall),
Hyannis; 508-862-6310
www.barnesandnoble.com
Barnes & Noble, one of the two big booksellers on the Cape, has just about any book you’d want. There’s a fine children’s department upstairs with books and educational toys. And there are story-time events for children and book groups.

Borders
990 Iyannough Road, Hyannis
508-862-6363
www.bordersstores.com
You can easily spend an afternoon here. With comfortable chairs and books for every interest, plus magazines and CDs, you can get lost for hours. There are weekly story times for children, a weekly chess and Scrabble club, a knitting group, lectures and a monthly “open mic poetry night.”

Eight Cousins Children’s Books
189 Main Street, Falmouth
508-548-5548
www.eightcousins.com
Eight Cousins sells thousands of children’s books, selected for their contributions to a child’s experience of culture, fun, beauty, insight and knowledge. In addition, about 250 titles for adults are available.

The Inkwell Bookstore
199 Main Street, Falmouth
508-540-0039
www.inkwellbookstore.com
Not only does Inkwell offer a large, diverse selection, it encourages interaction with local readers through book clubs, writing salons, children’s workshops and classes. The store is cozy and inviting. 

Parnassus Book Service
220 Main Street (Route 6A),
Yarmouth Port; 508-362-6420
www.parnassusbooks.com
Parnassus has been a Cape landmark for almost a half century. Set in a three-story, 19th century building, Parnassus sells new, used, out-of-print and rare books. The outside book stall is run on an honor basis – just leave the money under the door.

Yellow Umbrella
502 Main Street, Chatham
508-945-0144
www.yellowumbrellabooks.com
Offering a sizable collection of new and used books, this shop has plenty of charm for browsing whenever you have a few moments to spare.

Antiques

Antiques Center of Cape Cod
243 Main Street (Route 6A), Dennis
508-385-6400
www.antiquecenterofcapecod.com
With more than 250 dealers, the Antiques Center of Cape Cod offers a great opportunity to find that piece of china or rocker you’ve been searching for. The choices are abundant so you also may find something you want that you weren’t looking for.

Countryside Antiques
2052 Main Street (Route 6A), Brewster
508-896-1444
Here is one of the Cape’s best selections of English pine antiques and reproductions – but that’s not all. This interesting shop features fine Chinese antiques and collectibles, including china and artwork.    

Pleasant Bay Antiques
540 South Orleans Road (Route 28), South Orleans; 508-255-0930
www.pleasantbayantiques.com
Housed in a white Victorian farmhouse, this store handles Early American period furniture and accessories, early blown and pressed glass and antique duck decoys, including the work of A. Elmer Crowell of East Harwich, considered perhaps the foremost carver of the Cape.

Sow’s Ear Antique Company
4698 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Cotuit
508-428-4931
www.sowsearantiqueco.com
Tucked into Cotuit’s oldest house (built in 1729) and next to Cahoon Museum of American Art, Sow’s Ear has folk art and Americana, cupboards and sideboards, marine art and ship models, and other items compatible with the era of the building. A garden shop on the premises sells cast-iron furniture, outdoor statuary and weathervanes.

Furniture

Artifacts Fine Furniture
and Interior Design
434 Main Street, Hyannis
508-790-3436
www.artifactsfurn.com
Artifacts offers a range of fine furniture and decorative items plus interior design services. Brands include Hickory Chair, Sherrill and Harden. Rugs and Hunter Douglas window products are also sold.

Ethan Allen Home Interiors
1520 Route132, Hyannis
508-362-0011
www.ethanallen.com
Well-known for its large selection of furniture from traditional styles to more contemporary lines, Ethan Allen can furnish your whole house, one room or just provide the right accent with it many accessories.

West Barnstable Tables
2454 Meetinghouse Way,
West Barnstable; 508-362-2676
www.westbarnstabletables.com
Using old and salvaged wood, West Barnstable Tables handcrafts tables, cupboards, hutches and other distinctive pieces. Furniture made with new woods, like cherry and black walnut, also is produced here.

Home Decor

LeRoux At Home
62 Main Street, Vineyard Haven
508-693-0030
www.lerouxkitchen.com
This three-level store has a full inventory of contemporary items for bath, bedroom and kitchen – even those gadgets needed for a spontaneous cooking adventure.

Pier 1 Imports
1070 Route 132, Hyannis
508-771-9788
www.pier1.com
Pier 1 has a collection of furniture, accessories and tableware from around the world, including Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines. Shoppers go there for the wicker and accent pieces and affordable prices.

Pottery Barn
38 Steeple Street, Mashpee Commons
508-477-3678
www.potterybarn.com
There’s a lot more than pottery here. Furniture for every room in your house, tableware, rugs, pillows and decorative items are available. You can find something as small as a picture frame or as large as a sectional sofa. 

Garden Supply

Agway
20 Lots Hollow Road, Orleans
508-255-8100
686 Route 134, Dennis
508-385-8772
1005 Main Street, Chatham
508-945-1555
349 Route 6A, East Sandwich
508-888-0044
www.agwaycapecod.com
Nursery centers that stock everything from peat moss to pet foods, Agway stores have become synonymous with all ‘round care of the yard, garden and the creatures you’ll find there. There are several Agway stores, stretching from East Sandwich to Orleans for homeowners’ convenience.

Hyannis Country Garden
380 West Main Street, Hyannis
800-352-4769
www.countrygarden.com
This seven-acre gardening center has been supplying the gardening needs of its customers for forty years. It stocks shrubs, trees, perennials, annuals, roses, ground covers, herbs and bonsai. There are also gardening tools, bird feeders and watering supplies.

Mahoney’s Garden Center
958 East Falmouth Highway (Route 28), East Falmouth
508-548-4842
2929 Route 28, Osterville
508-420-4428
www.mahoneysgarden.com
Two of Mahoney’s retail centers are on the Cape. Mahoney’s five-acre growing greenhouse in Woburn keeps the stores supplied with high-quality plants. The East Falmouth location is impressive, with rows and rows of annuals, perennials, sculptures and fountains.

Snow’s
22 Main Street, Orleans; 508-255-0158
www.snowshomeandgarden.com
A longtime locally owned department store, Snow’s is a tradition in Orleans and has just about anything you’d want for outdoor living, from plants, trees and organic fertilizers to lawn mowers and barbecue grills.

Gift Shop

Oceana
One Main Street Square, Orleans
877-240-1414
www.oceanacapecod.com
American crafts, tabletop items, rugs,
toiletries and home accents are featured at Oceana. Sterling silver and gold jewelry, prints, photographs and ceramics by local artists make this a shop where you’re likely to find something to please almost anyone on your gift list.

Rainy Day
66 Main Street, Vineyard Haven
508-693-1830
www.rainydaymv.com
You’ll find decorative items with a folk accent, bath products, nautical gifts, kitchenware and candles in this attractive shop that specializes in customer service.

Tale of the Cod
450 Main Street, Chatham
508-945-0347
www.taleofthecod.com
Gifts that capture the atmosphere of the Cape Cod are special here. Ornaments painted with an image of the Chatham bandstand, miniature Nantucket basket pendants, ship models and telescopes are just a few of the items that will keep the Cape in mind wherever you are.

Yankee Ingenuity
525 Main Street, Chatham
888-945-9123
www.yankee-ingenuity.com
Yankee Ingenuity has a diverse, global collection: unusual clocks, delicate ceramics from Japan, lamps in the shape of a frog or dragonfly and jewelry that takes the shape of shells. Photographs of the Cape by shop owner Jon Vaughan are beautifully framed.

Sporting Gear

EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports)
1489-1513 Iyanough Road, Hyannis
508-362-8690
This store, known for its sporting goods, clothing, camping supplies and outdoor gear, provides everything a family could need for an active life outdoors – hiking boots to kayaks, binoculars to trail mix. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and will help you find what you really need, not just what’s stylish. You can rent kayaks and camping gear in summer, snowshoes and cross-country skis in winter.

Goose Hummock
Route 6A at Town Cove, Orleans
508-255-0455 or 255-2620
www.goose.com
Since 1946, this Orleans cornerstone business has supplied outdoors enthusiasts on Cape Cod with hunting, fishing, sporting, marine and boating supplies and accessories. The store also provides fishing charters and plenty of expert advice.

Olympia Sports
796 Iyanough Road, Hyannis
508-775-1378
Olympia Sports offers a full range of sporting goods for the family, including a great assortment of national-brand merchandise in sports and fitness equipment, apparel, athletic footwear, popular sports and leisure wear and accessories.

Art Gallery

Addison Art Gallery
43 Route 28, Orleans, 508-255-6200
www.addisonart.com
Featured at this gallery is a fine array of realistic work, including the watercolors of Vera Champlin, figure paintings of Paul Schulenberg, cityscapes by Eric Emile Walker, still lifes by Phar Schulenberg and the pristine egg temperas by Garry Gilmartin.

Berta Walker Gallery
208 Bradford Street, Provincetown
508-487-6411
www.bertawalker.com
This is the premier gallery for well-established artists with a Provincetown connection, many of whom have national reputations, including Paul Resika, Varujan Boghosian and Wolf Kahn. Berta Walker also exhibits the work of Salvatore Del Deo, Elspeth Halvorsen, Jack Kearney and Brenda Horowitz.

Left Bank Gallery
8 Cove Road, Orleans
508-247-9172
3 West Main Street, Wellfleet
508-349-7939
25 Commercial Street, Wellfleet
508-349-9451
www.leftbankgallery.com
Left Bank Gallery represents a wide range of artists. For those looking for landscapes, there are paintings by JoAnne Brown, Joyce Zavorskas  and Gail Bessette. Abstract paintings by Carol Odell and Kate Nelson add to the diverse selection. And there are also ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry and handmade clothing.

The Packard Gallery
418 Commercial Street, Provincetown
508-487-4690
www.packardgallery.com
Anne Packard and her daughters, Cynthia and Leslie, exhibit their work in this long-established gallery. Each artist presents a different approach. Anne is known for her serene landscapes. Cynthia and Leslie work in a bolder, more contemporary style. 

Rice/Polak Gallery
430 Commercial, Street, Provincetown
508-487-1052
www.ricepolakgallery.com
This gallery is known for its sophisticated collection of artwork. Look for Romanos Rizk’s “Lily Pond” series and sculpture by Julie Levesque and Swede Plaut. Barbara Abel and Walter Crump’s photographs are unusual and arresting.  Suzanne Howes-Stevens paints ethereal landscapes over maps.

Tree’s Place
Route 6A and 26, Orleans
508-255-1330
www.treesplace.com
Tree’s specializes in representational paintings by well-established artists including Robert Vickery, Joseph McGurl, Robert Douglas Hunter and William R. Davis. Also look for the quiet water views by William Desmarais and Sergio Roffo and figure paintings by Elaine G. Coffee.

Specialty Grocery

Fancy’s Market
699 Main Street, Osterville
508-428-0137
This one-stop grocery has a fine selection of bakery and deli products, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, wine and beer. And it’s a good place to go to fill up your picnic basket.

Nantucket Wild Gourmet
& Smokehouse
1223 Main Street, Chatham
508-945-2700
Known for wild Alaskan cold-smoked salmon, which Peter Donovan prepares in the traditional manner of Irish and Scottish experts, this specialty grocery also sells other products, including sourdough bread from Germany and Donovan’s Irish brown bread.

Ring Bros. Marketplace
485 Route 134 (Harney’s Plaza),
South Dennis
508-394-2244
www.ringbrosmarketplace.com
It’s a concise, rewarding shopping experience. Visit the butcher at Dark Horse Beef & Deli, which is next to Chatham Fish & Lobster. Montilio’s has the baked goods. The produce section is one of the best around. And if you want a night off, there are prepared foods and a fine selection of wines.

Trader Joe’s
655 Route 132, Hyannis
508-790-3008
www.traderjoes.com
Known for organic products and gourmet items, Trader Joe’s has become the only place to shop for foodies. Since the 1960s, it has spawned 280 stores in 23 states.

B&B/Inn

Belfry Inne & Bistro
8 Jarves Street, Sandwich
508-888-8550
www.belfryinn.com
This B& B consists of three buildings: The Abbey (circa 1900), a former church; its manse, The Painted Lady (circa 1882); and The Village Inn (circa 1838). If stained glass in your room has appeal, try to book a room in the Abbey. Many rooms have fireplaces, whirlpool tubs for two and private balconies.

Chatham Wayside Inn
512 Main Street, Chatham
508-945-5550
www.waysideinn.com
The spacious inn has fifty-six beautifully decorated guest rooms with traditional furniture and fabrics. Some rooms have fireplaces, four-poster beds and porches or patios with lovely views of the adjacent park or the Chatham Seaside Links Golf Course.

Outermost Inn
Lighthouse Road,
Gay Head, Martha’s Vineyard
508-645-3511
www.outermostinn.com
Located high on the Gay Head Cliffs, the inn’s seven rooms have large picture windows that look over Vineyard and Block Island sounds. The wrap-around covered porch and lawns offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed breakfast, an afternoon drink or a snooze in the hammocks.

Hotel/Motel

Cape Codder Resort & Spa
1225 Iyannough Road, Hyannis
508-771-3000
www.capecodderresort.com
Centrally located, the resort has a spa, a casual Hearth ’n Kettle restaurant and the more upscale Grand Cru wine bar. Kids love the wave pool, with its big water slide and oceanic waves.

Chatham Bars Inn
297 Shore Road, Chatham
508-945-0096
www.chathambarsinn.com
Chatham Bars Inn, which opened its doors in 1914, is on the register of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World. The main inn has a grand, historical flavor, while the newer cottages are graciously decorated. There are four restaurants, both fine-dining and casual, and a new spa. 

Harbor View Hotel
131 North Water Street, Edgartown
508-627-7000
www.harbor-view.com
Built in 1891, this historic hotel has breathtaking views of Edgartown Harbor and lighthouse, as well as of Chappaquiddick Island. Sit on a rocking chair on the verandah and take it all in. The hotel also houses a fine restaurant.

Wauwinet Inn
120 Wauwinet Road, Nantucket
508-228-0145
www.wauwinet.com
The Wauwinet, a premier place on Nantucket is a Relais & Chateaux property. Situated on both the Atlantic Ocean and Nantucket Bay, it offers sweeping views and luxuriously appointed rooms. The inn’s restaurant, Topper’s, is recognized as one of the best on the island.

Wequassett Resort and Gold Club
Pleasant Bay Road, East Harwich
508-228-0145
Whitewashed buildings and cottages sit on this twenty-two-acre site overlooking Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Golf and tennis are available, and the pool area overlooks Pleasant Bay, Round Cove and the ocean. Dining choices are the exquisite Twenty-Eight Atlantic, the casual Thoreau’s and the Outer Bar & Grille.

Beaches

Cahoon Hollow Beach
Route 6 to Cahoon Hollow Road, Wellfleet
Although the walk down the massive dune to the waterfront may seem intimidating, it’s worth the haul. The waves make for perfect surf, the sand is smooth and the scenery is breathtaking. The Beachcomber restaurant at the top of the dune is a good dining and dancing stop on your way out.

Chappoquoit Beach
Chappoquoit Road, off Route 28A, West Falmouth
A beach that still boasts a reputation as a “best-kept secret” or at least a lesser known jewel, Chappaquoit offers some privacy for sunning and swimming as well as access to fishing, boating and golfing. Also nearby are Little Island, Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, Chappaquoit Point, Great Sippewisset Rock and Great Sippewisset Creek.

Cold Storage Beach
Sea Street, East Dennis
This bay beach has something to offer year-round. In the summer, Dennis residents with a parking sticker swim in the calm waters and play and laze on the broad stretches of sand, bordered by rolling dunes. At low tide, the sense of space is mesmerizing. Sunsets are gorgeous. In the off-season, it is a wonderful place to walk, and you can mark your way by the big boulders that line the shore.

Craigville Beach
1050 Craigville Beach Road, Centerville
One of the largest and most popular of the Cape’s beaches, Craigville features great people-watching, and swimming in the warmer, gentler surf of Nantucket Sound. A long beach, it is great for walks – in summer and in the off-season. It lies between two other beaches, Covell and Long, and is within an easy drive of restaurants in Osterville and Hyannis.

Nauset Beach
Beach Road, East Orleans
It’s one of the great beaches on Cape Cod, with dashing ocean waves and great lengths to stroll. Not surprisingly, it’s very popular and in summer the parking lot fills up early.

Walking Trail

Fort Hill Trail
Fort Hill Road, Eastham
www.nps.gov/caco/
This one-and-a-half-mile loop crosses fields and connects with the Red Maple Swamp Trail. There are grand views over Nauset Marsh and Nauset Spit. The starting point is the parking lot across from the Penniman House, a Second Empire-style home built in 1868 by Captain Edward Penniman.

Great Island Trail
Off Chequessett Neck Road, Wellfleet
www.nps.gov/caco/
Great Island in Wellfleet, one of the more remote areas on the Cape, is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore and offers a spectacular shore walk, high dunes and pitch pine forests. It is a long walk – seven miles round-trip – through tidal flats that host many shorebirds and wading birds, and it’s well worth the effort.

Punkhorn Parklands
Trailhead: The dirt parking lot at the end of Run Hill Road, east off Stony Brook Road, Brewster
Punkhorn Parklands is a conservation area in Brewster, purchased by the town to protect it from development and to preserve its varied ecosystems. It has wild areas and remnants of l9th-century agriculture along three major trails and offers opportunities for fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

Bike Trail

Cape Cod Canal Bikeway
Access via Tupper Road, Sandwich or
Bell Road, Bourne
www.capecodbikeguide.com/canal.asp
This bikeway follows the Cape Cod Canal and offers fantastic views of the canal’s boat traffic. The path, a wide road with minimal grades, runs approximately seven miles between the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges and is ideal for beginner cyclists, especially families with younger children.

Cape Cod Rail Trail
Access Dennis to Wellfleet
www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/ccrt
The Cape Cod Rail Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way for twenty-two miles through Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Its paved surface, few hills and well-marked automobile crossings make it ideal for cyclists.

Province Lands Bike Trail
Cape Cod National Seashore
Province Lands Visitors Center,
Provincetown
www.nps.gov/caco/
This five-and-a-half-mile bike trail takes you through sweeping dunes. It has steep hills and sharp curves and was not designed for high speed. There is parking at Province Lands Visitor Center and Herring Cove and Race Point beaches.

Shining Sea Bikeway
Access from Elm Road, Oyster Pond Road and Surf Drive, Falmouth
www.cctrails.org/falmbike.htm
This three-mile path is a microcosm of Cape Cod charm as it weaves its way from Falmouth through woodlands and past Vineyard Sound and ends at the picturesque village of Woods Hole.

Boat Excursion

Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown
MacMillan Wharf, Provincetown
800-826-9300
www.whalewatch.com
The Dolphin runs daily trips from Provincetown Harbor to Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank. The excursions are designed to enhance awareness of whales, other marine life and the marine habitat. Trips are both fun and educational.

Hy-Line Cruises
220 Ocean Street, Hyannis
800-492-8082
www.hy-linecruises.com
Offering ferry tours of Hyannis Harbor and Lewis Bay, as well as the Cape Cod Canal, Hy-Line Cruises is a Cape Cod family-owned and operated ferry company with more than forty years in the cruise business. They do a brisk business in ferrying passengers to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as well.

Portuguese Princess
MacMillan Wharf, Provincetown
800-442-3188
www.princesswhalewatch.com
The three-to-four-hour whale watch on board the Portuguese Princess vessels includes an introduction into research techniques, plankton sampling and microscope viewing. Interactive games for children are featured. If you’re lucky, these great mammals will come so close to the boat that you can almost touch them (but don’t).

Sunset

Race Point Beach
Race Point Road, Provincetown
Here Cape Cod Bay meets the great Atlantic Ocean. It is a dramatic view, especially at sunset. No wonder painters have been coming here for more than a century.

Rock Harbor
End of Rock Harbor Road, Orleans
You’ve probably seen a distinctive photograph of sunset at a serene beach with trees lined up in the waters offshore. This is the view from Rock Harbor. The trees are channel markers pointing the way to a safe harbor for boats. Park your car and walk to the far end of the lot to enjoy the beautiful view across Cape Cod Bay.

Wellfleet Harbor
End of Commercial Street, Wellfleet
You still see a fleet of fishing boats here, but at sunset, you’ll only have eyes for the glory of those colors over Cape Cod Bay. The Bookstore Restaurant is nearby, along with  Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater’s original venue. So you can have dinner, catch a sunset and see a play without moving your car.

Public Golf Course

Captains Golf Course
1000 Freeman’s Way, Brewster
877-843-9081
www.captainsgolfcourse.com
Two well-maintained, championship eighteen-hole courses, with a variety of challenging holes, make for an interesting game. There are also two practice greens and a driving range.

Dennis Pines Golf Course
Golf Course Road, East Dennis
508-385-8347
www.dennisgolf.com
East Dennis offers this classic Cape Cod golf course, which has maintained its reputation as one of the toughest golf courses since it opened in 1966. Set in a pine forest, the trees and topography, along with four holes that have water, present golfers with a real challenge.

Farm Neck Golf Club
1 Farm Neck Way, Oak Bluffs
508-693-3057
With a picturesque course, this club offers a variety of holes, many with beautiful water views of Sengekontacket Pond and the ocean. Bill Clinton often played there during his summer vacations away from the White House. Farm Neck is a very good reason for golf lovers to get on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard.

Museum

Cahoon Museum of American Art
 4676 Falmouth Road, Cotuit
508-428-7581
www.cahoonmuseum.org
The collection is built around the primitive paintings of the late Ralph and Martha Cahoon. Ralph Cahoon’s mermaids and sailors whimsically populate seaside locations with lighthouses, clipper ships and hot-air balloons. Martha Cahoon’s scenes depict children and animals in fanciful rural settings. The Cahoon Museum also features 19th- and early 20th-century American marine paintings, landscapes, still lifes and portraits.

Cape Cod Museum of Art
Route 6A to 60 Hope Lane, Dennis
508-385-4477
www.ccmoa.org
The Cape Cod Museum of Art has an extensive collection of works by artists who lived and worked on the Cape, including Charles Hawthorne, Edwin Dickinson and Hans Hofmann, who nurtured the golden years of the Provincetown art colony. Contemporary painters and sculptors are also represented. Special exhibitions are presented in its seven galleries and sculpture garden.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
869 Main Street (Route 6A), Brewster
508-896-3867
www.ccmnh.org
Founded in 1954, the museum encourages understanding of the natural environment through discovery and learning. It is located in a 17,000-square-foot building on an 80-acre site, abutted by 300 acres of town-owned conservation land. With two floors devoted to the flora and fauna of Cape Cod, it features exhibits on whales, indigenous birds, and coastal change, and several aquaria. Outdoors, three nature trails wend along woodland, salt marsh and bay.

Heritage Museums and Gardens
67 Grove Street, Sandwich
508-888-3300
www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org
Known for its landscaped grounds planted with hundreds of rhododendrons, Heritage also showcases its antique automobile collection in a Shaker round barn. The American History Museum exhibits military miniatures, antique toys and the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame. “A Short Life and Merry: Pirates of New England” is a special exhibition through October.

Provincetown Art Association and Museum
460 Commercial Street, Provincetown
508-487-1750
www.paam.org
The Provincetown Art Association and Museum houses a large collection of the works of artists who populated this artists’ colony for more than a century. The artists who were drawn here represent a who’s  who in 20th-century American art. With a new addition to its historic building, PAAM offers a full palette of exhibitions, workshops, lectures and special events.

Night Spot with Live Music

The Beachcomber of Wellfleet
1120 Cahoon Hollow Road, Wellfleet
508-349-6055
www.thebeachcomber.com
From high on a bluff overlooking Cahoon Hollow Beach, the Beachcomber has been rocking the Outer Cape for almost three decades. Catch the house band, the Incredible Casuals, on Sundays, while
having supper. The band schedule is mainly indie rock, with a sprinkling of reggae, rhythm and blues and jazz.

Harry’s Blues Bar
700 Main Street, Hyannis
508-778-4188
www.harrysbluesbar.com
Harry’s at the west end of Main Street in Hyannis, features Cajun and American food, and ‘round about 9 p.m., the music heats up. It’s a great place to go dancing.

The Nimrod Restaurant
& Jazz Lounge
100 Dillingham Avenue, Falmouth
508-540-4132
www.thenimrod.com
You can dance to the big-band sound of the John Salerno Band, and there’s always someone playing your favorites at the piano bar. Established jazz artists as well as talented up-and-comers are booked.

Sundancer’s Restaurant
Route 28, West Dennis
508-394-1600
www.sundancerscapecod.com
Enjoy dining in the bar, restaurant and deck at this popular nightclub, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth year on the Cape. The menu features sandwiches, salads and daily specials; the club provides some of the most popular DJs and entertainment in the area.

Theater

Cape Playhouse
820 Route 6A, Dennis
508-385-3911
www.capeplayhouse.com
Since its first play “The Guardsman” starring Basil Rathbone, in 1927, the Cape Playhouse has presented popular theater with many famous actors. The headliners through the years represent some of the biggest names in show business. Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Helen Hayes, Julie Harris and Gregory Peck are just a few of the stars that made this a premier spot for summer stock.

Cape Rep Theatre
3299 Route 6A, Brewster
508-896-1888
www.caperep.org
Cape Rep always comes up with a smart list of plays, which have included works by such luminaries as Noel Coward, Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. The company stretches its talents to do some terrific musicals and even takes on a more avant-garde play, like “Top Dog/Underdog.”

Harwich Junior Theatre
105 Division Street, West Harwich
508-432-2002
www.hjtcapecod.org
With its half-century of history behind it, Harwich Junior Theater puts on a delightful schedule of plays for all ages, from Shakespeare and Chekhov to “Hansel and Gretel” and “The Little Mermaid.” The theater also conducts acting classes for kids and coaching programs for children and adults.

Monomoy Theatre
776 Main Street, Chatham
508-945-1589
www.monomoytheatre.org
The talented Ohio University Players in residence at Monomoy Theatre always present a summer of plays that will broaden your horizons. You can always count on a work by Shakespeare and a musical. And the company loves to bring back some of the great theater from the past: works as diverse as ones by Eugene O’Neill and George S. Kaufman.

Vineyard Playhouse
24 Church Street,
Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard
508-696-6300
www.vineyardplayhouse.org
Notable for presenting both the classics and new plays, the Vineyard Playhouse is planning four plays on its main stage and a work by Shakespeare in the amphitheater. Past seasons have seen works by Michael Frayn, Robert Brustein, Harold Pinter and Lillian Hellman.

Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater
Harbor Stage: 1 Kendrick Avenue,
Wellfleet; 508-349-9428
Julie Harris Stage: 2357 Route 6,
Wellfleet; 508-349-9428
www.what.org
Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater opened its new 200-seat Julie Harris Stage last year and continues its mission of doing contemporary and avant-garde productions in the new space as well as in its original theater on the town pier. Works by David Mamet, Samuel Beckett, Sam Shepard and Christopher Durang have been produced here, as well as new plays by Gip Hoppe, Adam Rapp and David Lindsay-Abaire.

Movie Theater

Cape Cinema
Route 6A, Dennis
508-385-2503
www.capecinema.com
At this art-house cinema, graced with the Rockwell Kent ceiling mural painted soon after the cinema opened in 1930, you’re likely to see films that are shown nowhere else on the Cape.

Regal Nickelodeon 5
742 Nathan Ellis Highway (Route 151),
North Falmouth; 508-563-6510
Along with the standard fare shown at most Regal cinemas, you’ll also see some of the films that you won’t find in most other places on the Cape.

Wellfleet Drive-In
51 Route 6, South Wellfleet
508-349-7176
www.wellfleetdrivein.com
Wellfleet Drive-In delivers that classic American experience. Bring your sweetheart or the whole family. And on weekends, it’s the site of a flea market with as many as three hundred vendors, so you can shop until you drop, have a bite to eat and then settle in for a movie.

Health Club

Chatham Health Club
251 Crowell Road, Chatham
508-945-3555
www.chathamhealthclub.com
This club features a quiet, low-key atmosphere specializing in the fitness needs of 50-plus-year-olds. Pool and strength-training equipment are available, along with a variety of membership options.

Mid-Cape Racquet & Health Club
193 White’s Path, South Yarmouth
508-394-3511
www.midcaperacquet.com
Mid-Cape has a staff of personal trainers to motivate and guide you. Also offered are a variety of massage therapies, nine indoor tennis courts, a Jacuzzi and sauna. And for members, there are free programs for the kids.

Willy’s Gym
21 Old Colony Way, Orleans
508-255-6826
4730 Route 6, Eastham; 508-255-6370
865 Attucks Lane, Hyannis
508-771-1600
www.willysgym.com
These well-run fitness centers bustle year-round with healthy crowds swimming, playing tennis and working out. Healing therapies like massage and bio-energy work are available as well as spa treatments.

Spa

Cape Codder Resort & Spa
1225 Iyannough Road (Route 132),
Hyannis
508-771-3000
www.capecodderresort.com
Along with the day-spa packages, a wide assortment of treatments are available, including massages, facials, various scrubs and wraps, manicures, pedicures, waxing and special services for men like the De-Stress Package and the Sports Health Facial. 

Dan’l Webster Inn
149 Main Street, Sandwich
508-888-3622
www.danlwebsterinn.com
The Beach Plum Spa at the inn has recently undergone an expansion, which includes new treatment rooms that can be used for facials, body treatments and massages. A large relaxation space, manicure and pedicure area and additional lockers have also been added.    

Solstice Day Spa
100 Independence Drive, Hyannis
508-775-7400
www.solsticedayspa.com
Solstice has a full menu of spa services for cleansing and beautifying your body, including hot-stone massages, exfoliating treatments, pedicures, manicures, facials, makeup applications and lessons, and haircuts and colorings.

Tresses & The Day Spa
117 Pleasant Street, Nantucket
508-228-0024
www.nantucketspa.com
Seaweed and herbal wraps, mud and tea masks, microderm scrubs and various kinds of massages, as well as a complete line of services for hair, skin and nails are offered to woo you out of the hot sun.