Things To Do
Kalmus Beach
Where Grandma Malone would take you to swim in Nantucket Sound! Located at the end of Ocean Street in Hyannis, Massachusetts, Kalmus Beach is a popular 56-acre coastal barrier beach separating Lewis Bay from Nantucket Sound. It is famous for its steady breezes, boat-watching, and excellent windsurfing and kiteboarding conditions.
Eugenia Fortes Beach
A great beach for searching for seashells. The beach is named for Eugenia Fortes, a Cape Verdean-American and activist for racial equality. In 1945, Fortes and a friend visited this beach, which was then unofficially segregated. Asked by the police to leave, Fortes refused. The following year, a group attempted to buy the beach and privatize it, but Fortes stepped forward in a town council meeting and argued passionately against the plan. The beach remained public and was dedicated to her memory in 2004.
John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
Cape Cod was the one place President Kennedy said he could relax and feel at home, even while bearing the weight of the world. Learn why Hyannis Port was considered the “heart and home” of the Kennedys then and now. Step into the unforgettable Summer White House days of the 1960s when a beloved President and his family brought joy and hope to the nation. Take a self-guided walking tour through downtown Hyannis while exploring famous sites of historic significance to the Kennedy family and the nation. Afterwards, visit Matt and Ashley’s favorite Irish haunt, The Auld Triangle, just on the other side of Main Street. Parking available.
Cape Cod Maritime Museum
The museum preserves and celebrates the rich maritime traditions and history of Cape Cod and the Islands. The must see exhibit? “Menace of Cape Cod: Hazard to Navigation.” Come and find out what sorts of ships and cargoes have travelled past the Cape, how they fared in one of the most treacherous waterways in the world, and how the Cape has tried to mitigate those dangers—by rescuing sailors from wrecks, publishing charts and tide tables and, of course, by building a world-famous canal.
Hy-Line Harbor Cruises
The best way to see the memorable sights and beauty of Hyannis is by the sea. Relax and enjoy the views as your guide explains the various points of interest you see along the way. It’s a fascinating (and sometimes comical) history that includes aspects of our maritime industry, the people who established our waterfront community, and some of the area’s most interesting sights. Learn about the history of Hyannis and local area landmarks including Great Island, the Kennedy Memorial, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, Squaw Island, Point Gammon Light, and the historic Kennedy Compound. KIDS RIDE FREE on select trips!
Historic Main Street
Explore the mile-long downtown strip filled with local shops, the JFK Hyannis Museum, and buzzing eateries like Pizza Barbone and the Auld Triangle Irish Pub.
Hyannis Harbor
Walk down to Ocean Street to watch boats, browse the seaside HyArts Artist Shanties, or stop for a fresh seafood meal at the Black Cat Tavern or cocktails at the Hyannis Harbor Hotel.
