Overview
Hyannis is a village of Barnstable in Massachusetts on Cape Cod. It is the major commercial center including several malls and the regional air, bus and ferry terminals. It is most famous, however, for being the hometown of the Kennedy family.
4 sights · 3 things to do · 9 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 14 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hyannis
John F. Kennedy Memorial
Cape Cod Maritime Museum
John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
Historic Beech Tree
The legends and lore surrounding this English Weeping Beech are almost as enormous as the tree itself. Supposedly gifted to Barnstable in 1776 by the local British Governor as a reward for loyalty to the Crown, the tree …
Cape Cod Melody Tent
Intimate theatre in the round with a schedule of world class acts.
The Cape Cod Potato Chip Company
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Nov. (climate data from nearby Provincetown)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HYA Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Hyannis — 1 mi away. Directions
- ACK Nantucket Memorial Airport, Nantucket — 30 mi away. Directions
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 59 mi away (major hub). Directions
The seasonal CapeFLYER (+1 508 775-8504) runs once-daily during Fridays to Sundays from Boston South Station, taking just over two hours. Usually, service is between Memorial Day (late May) and Labor Day (early September). Trains terminate at Hyannis Transportation Center, in the corner of Main and Central St.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $49–$149 a night (typical $104), from 8 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$90, mid-range ~$180, comfortable ~$320.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Historic Beech Tree
- Lunch Black Cat Tavern
- Afternoon Cape Cod Melody Tent, Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
- Dinner Persy's Place
- Evening The 19th Hole
Day 2
- Morning John F. Kennedy Memorial, John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
- Lunch Baxter's Boathouse
- Afternoon The Cape Cod Potato Chip Company
- Dinner Sam Diego's, Mexican Cookery and Bar
- Evening British Beer Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By bus
- Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway, 17 Elm Ave, +1 508 771-6191.
- Bonanza Bus, +1-888-751-8800.
By plane
- Cape Air, +1-800-352-0714. Regional airline serving Hyannis, Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket with service also to the off cape cities of Boston, Providence (seasonal), and New Bedford.
- Nantucket Air (also known as ACK air), Nantucket Memorial Airport, +1-800-635-8787 or +1 508 228-6234. Flies between Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis and Nantucket.
By train
The seasonal CapeFLYER (+1 508 775-8504) runs once-daily during Fridays to Sundays from Boston South Station, taking just over two hours. Usually, service is between Memorial Day (late May) and Labor Day (early September). Trains terminate at Hyannis Transportation Center, in the corner of Main and Central St.
By ferry
- Steamship Authority Ferries, 65 South St, +1 508 477-8600. A traditional ferry that carries passengers and vehicles between Hyannis and Cape Cod.
- Hy-Line Cruises, Ocean Street Dock in Hyannis Inner Harbor +1 508 778-2600, offers high-speed catamaran passenger service between Hyannis and Martha's Vineyard.
Get around
By bus
Cape Cod has a pretty decent public transportation system in the summer time. There are buses from Plymouth and Brockton that run from Boston to Provincetown. The fare is about $15 each way from Boston to Hyannis, which is pretty reasonable. The buses run every hour or so.
Once on the cape there is another option. The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority as few viable options. The H2O bus goes from Hyannis to Orleans and traveling down Route 28. It takes about an hour and half from start to stop, but this is also doable. In Harwich you can catch the FLEX bus that takes you to Proviencetown.
The Sealine Bus route goes west bound from Hyannis, along Route 28, until you get to Woods Hole. (Where besides a few attractions is another point to catch a ferry to Woods Hole).
The Barnstable Villeger is a shuttle that goes around Hyannis. It is mainly used by locals. The b-Bus which is for residents only (Year Round or Seasonal) but is basically a bus that will pick you up at your house or apartment. Visit the Cape Cod Regional Transit website for information.
The fare for all these buses is $1-2 each way.
By taxi
See
See Historic Beech Tree
The legends and lore surrounding this English Weeping Beech are almost as enormous as the tree itself. Supposedly gifted to Barnstable in 1776 by the local British Governor as a reward for loyalty to the Crown, the tree was instructed "to be planted in the center of commerce". Later that year, coincidentally, Barnstable was the only town on the Cape that did not vote for independence. Whether the vote was a result of that gift, or due to a vicious beating of local patriot James Otis, the world will never know. Either way, the tree is now at the base of a local watering hole, so kick back and have a drink in the shade of history!
See John F. Kennedy Memorial
Museums
Do
Theatre
Tours
Buy
Shop Treasures & Temptations
A unique store that offers antique furniture, vintage smoking pipes, fur coats, an Irish-themed gift shop, off-the-wall items, such as the Lady Gaga inspired boots & lingerie, or the 1896 Regina music box--forerunner to the Victrola--that plays a metal disk. Liz, the owner is personable and honorable, and loves to make people happy.
Eat
Budget
Eat Persy's Place
It claims to have New England's largest breakfast menu.
Mid-range
Eat Baxter's Boathouse
Family-friendly fish ‘n’ chips since 1957. So close to the water you can park your boat here.
Eat Sam Diego's, Mexican Cookery and Bar
Eat The Twisted Tree (Beech Bar)
Several restaurants combined in one location. The Twisted Tree is open year round and serves a wide assortment of fresh seafood. The Beech Bar offers a variety of drinks, as well as fresh seafood, raw bar, salads and sandwiches. Live music is often played in the courtyard during warm afternoons.
Splurge
Eat Roadhouse Cafe
Elegant dining in a casual atmosphere, live jazz and piano bar.
Eat Colombo's Cafe & Pastries
Stylish space offering Italian fare, an on-site bakery & a gelato bar, plus outdoor dining.
Eat Pain D'Avignon
Large bakery with a small French cafe attached. Located in an industrial park near the airport, but don't let that dissuade you. Nice interior atmosphere, outdoor seating in the summer, and quality baked goods.
Eat Cape Cod Central Railroad Dinner Train
Scenic train runs scenic trips between Hyannis and the Cape Cod Canal daily $25-50. There is a Sunday brunch at 11AM ($60-80), or select an evening when they're serve "family dinners" ($90-150) during the round-trip run. Offered June-October, these menus change with the seasons. Or try some local suds on a two-hour "Rails & Ales" tasting, $80-100.
Drink
Drink The 19th Hole
Darts, pool, juke, young crowd.
Drink Cape Cod Beer
Small brewery with attached tap room and store. One guided tour daily at 11AM.
Sleep
Budget
Stay Cascade Motor Lodge
Mid-range
Splurge
Nearby
Centerville
City / town · 7 listings · 3 mi away
Barnstable Village
City / town · 8 listings · 4 mi away
Barnstable
City / town · 4 mi away
Yarmouth
City / town · 35 listings · 5 mi away
Osterville
City / town · 2 listings · 6 mi away
Dennis
City / town · 34 listings · 7 mi away
Cotuit
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
Mashpee
City / town · 16 listings · 10 mi away
My experience
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