The Best Museums in and around Hyannis, MA!
John F Kennedy Hyannis Museum Located At 397 Main Street, Hyannis, MA
- The museum features multimedia exhibits that chronicle the Kennedys’ time on Cape Cod, focusing on JFK’s formative years, political career, and the family’s enduring presence in the Hyannis Port area. Exhibits often include photographs, personal artifacts, and videos illustrating moments of family life, campaign milestones, and the Kennedys’ love of the sea.
Cape Cod Maritime Museum Located At 135 South Street, Hyannis, MA
- Permanent and rotating exhibits explore topics such as sailing on the Cape and Islands, the Cape Cod Canal, and lighthouse history. Highlights include the Elizabeth and William Graham Scrimshaw Collection—the largest public scrimshaw display on Cape Cod—and restored historic watercraft that trace the region’s seafaring evolution.
Whydah Pirate Museum Located At 624 MA-28, W. Yarmouth, MA
- Exhibits feature more than 10,000 recovered artifacts—including coins, weaponry, navigational tools, and personal effects—preserved through ongoing conservation. Visitors can explore a partial replica of the Whydah, view the ship’s bell, and learn about underwater archaeology in the onsite SeaLab and Learning Center. Interactive displays and educational programs help explain how concretions (mineral-encrusted artifacts) are studied and restored.
