I always love shopping – whether I’m on vacation, or at home. I especially enjoy finding unique shops that offer fun gifts and things that can’t be found everywhere. My favorite vacation finds are usually home decor, and gifts, and antique shops that can also offer clothing, furniture, fine art, and more.
Cape Cod offers some fantastic shopping, including some shops that are open year-round and others that are open seasonally. If you are visiting for a vacation in the offseason, it’s a good idea to check out operating hours and dates. Even stores that are open in the offseason usually have reduced hours, which they often list on their social media pages.
Regardless of where you stay on the Cape, it may be worth the short drive to check out the shopping at these shops, main street areas, and plazas.
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The Best Shopping on Cape Cod
Cuffy’s
If you are looking for Cape Cod-themed apparel and home decor, Cuffy’s is the perfect place to start. There used to be four locations, but two remain – in West Dennis in mid cape and Provincetown in the outer cape. The West Dennis location has just added on a 14,000-square-foot expansion that is a big Cape Cod shopping destination.
Visit early or late in the day because it can often be very busy, especially in the summer months. It was always a popular spot but the expansion makes it even more appealing. It does close earlier in the evenings than I’d expect, so check their hours before going.
I like shopping at Cuffy’s because there is such a huge selection of sweatshirts, t-shirts, jackets, and more. Everything is reasonably priced, and they have some great sales in the off-season. I also love their huge Cape Cod-themed coffee mugs that are a perfect souvenir from your vacation.
Commercial Street Provincetown
Commercial Street in Provincetown is not only a fun place to visit, but it also offers lots of great small shops within a short walk. This waterfront street offers art galleries, theaters, ice cream shops, candy stores, and gift shops. It’s one of the most walkable towns in the state.
Shops in Provincetown include small chain stores like the Black Dog, Kiehl’s, Sea Bags, and Ben and Jerry’s, along with quaint independent shops and restaurants. There are some fun candy shops that kids will love.
It can take a while to get to Provincetown in the peak season because it’s pretty far, and traffic can be heavy. It’s best to leave earlier in the day if traveling to Provincetown for a day trip.
Main Street Hyannis
Hyannis, technically a village in the town of Barnstable, is one of the larger towns on Cape Cod. Ocean Street Hyannis is a bustling area in the summer because it’s where you can catch ferries to the islands (Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket). Just a block from Ocean Street is Main Street, offering restaurants and shops.
While most of the shops on Main Street are independent shops, there are a few small local chains (including Soft as a Grape). There’s plenty of on-street and paid lot parking in the area and then you can walk around the whole area.
Main Street Falmouth
Another popular, well-known town in Cape Cod is Falmouth. The downtown area of Falmouth, along Main Street, offers restaurants, shops, and cafes. Options include independent shops like Celebrations of Cape Cod, the Guilded Oyster, and the Blast from the Past gift shop.
There are also some local chains, like Soft as a Grape, the Black Dog, and Cupcake Charlies. There are also several great restaurants when you need a break from shopping. Like Hyannis, parking in Falmouth is available as on-street parking or paid lots.
Main Street Chatham
One of my favorite shopping areas in Massachusetts is Main Street in the small town of Chatham. This upscale town has lots of fun things to do, and it’s always great to do some shopping for a little while.
The Main Street area of Chatham in the center of town has art galleries, restaurants, gift shops, and more. Some of these various shops include chain stores like Lily Pulitzer, the Black Dog, and Fatface.
But don’t miss the unique shops, like Ducks in the Window, which is the world’s largest retail rubber duck shop as well as the Chatham Candy Manor. There’s also a small movie theater.
Chain Shopping
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend shopping at chain shops that you can find at home. But on occasion, you may need to visit one to get something that you’ve left at home without paying a high price.
The biggest collection of chain shops is at two large shopping areas on Cape Cod: the Cape Cod Mall and Mashpee Commons.
The Cape Cod Mall offers dozens of shops and restaurants including Target, Barnes and Noble, Sephora, Macy’s, Marshalls, Newbury Comics, Game Stop, and more. There are also larger chain shops in the area, including Home Depot, Kohl’s, and Michaels.
Mashpee Commons, located in Mashpee, has a nice combination of small local shops, and chain stores. Local shops include the Market Street Bookshop, Red Balloon Toy Shop, and Wampanoag Trading Post and Gallery. White House Black Market, William Sonoma, Vineyard Vines, Talbots, LL Bean, and Talbots are some of the chain stores in the complex.
Artist Cottages
There are some fantastic local artists on Cape Cod. You can see their handiwork on display at the artist cottages/shanties that are open seasonally.
There are two towns on the Cape offering them – Orleans and Hyannis. The various artists staffing the cottages can change throughout the season, so if you are there for more than one week you may want to return to see some new merchandise.
In Orleans, the artist cottages are located in Orleans Market Square between Rt. 6A and Old Colony Way, while the artist shanties in Hyannis are located at Bismore Park and the Harbor Overlook.
Throughout the season, there are several festivals and farmers’ markets offering booths from local artists, food, live music, and more. One festival that we’ve enjoyed attending is the Harwich Cranberry Arts and Music Festival held in the late summer.
Other Shops on Cape Cod
There are several other fantastic, independent shops throughout the region. While these aren’t specifically located in the Main Street areas listed above, they are worth the trip.
T Jazelle: offers stylish casual made-in-the-USA bracelets in a variety of styles and colors. They are great gifts and/or souvenirs. While these are offered in lots of different gift shops, this local shop is their headquarters.
Eden Hand Arts: The home of the original Cape Cod Screwball® bracelet has a retail location in Dennis. It’s the only place to purchase these authentic goods, and you’ll need a timed ticket to enter to shop. It’s open seasonally. Visit their website for all of the details and to reserve your ticket.
Bass River Mercantile: I love this old-fashioned general store in South Yarmouth. It’s open year-round and offers works from independent local artisans, as well as gifts, and even their own root beer. The Bass River Mercantile is a great place to buy some unique gifts.
Salt and Stripes: This small gift shop in Sandwich sells its own line of apparel that is distinctly coastal. There are a few other shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Cape Shark: This local shop offers t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more with the popular logo – a combination of shark and the outline of Cape Cod. It has recently moved to Main Street.
Antique Shops
Interested in antiquing during your Cape Cod vacation? There are lots of antique stores in the region, including these popular stores:
Maps of Antiquity: Located in Chatham, offering antique maps and charts
Antiques Center of Cape Cod: This Dennis antique shop has several levels/buildings.
Wisteria Antiques: Located in Brewster, this antique shop specializes in porcelain.
Wayne’s Antiques: Also located in Brewster, this shop is filled with treasures.
Simply Vintage of Cape Cod: This little shop in Yarmouth Port also offers restored furniture and new home goods.
Antiques Center of Yarmouth: A conveniently located co-op offering dozens of vendors.
Dennisport Main Street Antiques Center: An antique center open year-round.
Where to Stay on Cape Cod
When visiting Cape Cod, you’ll have your choice of lodging – from chain hotels, roadside motels, family vacation rentals, resorts, and small inns. Here are a few of the most popular family resorts in Cape Cod.
- Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster
- The Bayside Resort
- The Sea Crest Beach Hotel
- The Cape Codder Resort and Spa i
- Red Jacket Beach Resort
- Ocean Club on Smuggler’s Beach
- Red Jacket Riviera Beach Resort
- Chatham Bars Inn
You can also find lodging and hotel options on the map below (affiliate links).
Looking for more Cape Cod travel tips? Click to see our guide with the best Cape Cod towns, things to do on your vacation, restaurants, and more in Cape Cod.
Looking for more Cape Cod travel tips? Click to see our guide with town recommendations, things to do, restaurants, and more in Cape Cod.