Hyannis Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Hyannis featuring a bay or harbour and a marina
Hyannis
Hyannis
Hyannis which includes a city
Hyannis which includes street scenes

Explore beaches, shop for Cape Cod souvenirs or sail the waters around this coastal village, which was the preferred holiday spot of former president John. F. Kennedy. 

Spend a leisurely morning enjoying a coffee on Hyannis’s Main Street before heading to one of the city’s many beaches for an afternoon stroll. Rent a boat and explore the coastal scenery or explore Cape Cod by rail on the Cape Cod Central Railway. You won’t miss the fact that John. F. Kennedy used to spend vacations here, with a museum and memorial sites that pay respects to the former president.

Hyannis residents are proud of the town’s association with John F. Kennedy. Find out more in the J.F.K Hyannis Museum that explores his family’s time in the town and remembers his life. Pay your own respects by taking a walk to the memorial in his honor near the water on Ocean Street. Stop to enjoy great views across the harbor.

The large natural harbor means that almost all who visit here will take to the water in one way or another. Use the ferry service to explore the nearby Nantucket Island or Martha’s Vineyard. Rent a kayak or a boat and cruise around the calm waters.

Main Street Waterfront District and the parallel South Street are where you’ll find the majority of the town’s businesses. Browse the galleries, drink in the cafés and pick up souvenirs in the gift shops. Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss Toad Hall Classic Sports Car museum, which features old Porches, Ferraris, Jaguars and more.

Visit in summer and spend a day on one of the nearby beaches. Kalmus, Loop Beach and Veteran’s Park Beach are all local favorites. In the chilly winters the pretty waterfront spots are popular for long walks, making Hyannis a great vacation destination year-round.

Hyannis is the largest of the seven villages that make up Barnstable town in Massachusetts and it is also the busiest. It is the transport hub for the region, so if you are visiting anywhere on Cape Cod you will almost certainly pass through.The town is71 miles (114 kilometers) south of Boston and 254 miles (409 kilometers) northeast of New York City.

Hyannis Plaza Hotel

Hyannis Plaza Hotel

2.5 out of 5
662 Main Street, Hyannis, MA
The price is £75 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
£75
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Hyannis. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Hyannis Harbor and Cape Codder Water ...
6.8/10 (823 reviews)
"Parking was not an issue. Room's were spacious and clean and beds comfortable. There was minimal towels in bathroom and the TV kept freezing up for a second or two at times. The pool towels, when available were very small. The handle on the pool stairs was very wobbly, and pool needs renovating. ..."

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

Hyannis Plaza Hotel
Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod

Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod

4 out of 5
1225 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis, MA
The price is £201 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
£201
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Hyannis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (246 reviews)
"Hallways seem to have no A/C and fins up water park was way to hot in there! & also wished the outdoor pool had cooler water … felt like I was in warm bathsm"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod
Holiday Inn Hyannis by IHG

Holiday Inn Hyannis by IHG

3 out of 5
1127 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis, MA
The price is £106 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
£106
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Hyannis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8/10 Very Good! (906 reviews)
"Very nice beds"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Holiday Inn Hyannis by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Steps to the beach with an ocean view,

Steps to the beach with an ocean view,

Barnstable, MA
Stay at this beach cottage in Hyannis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and patios. Popular attractions Hyannis Harbor and Cape Codder Water Park are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (124 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay so close to the beach enormously. The location is great for exploring Cape Cod as it’s so central."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Steps to the beach with an ocean view,
Steps to the Ocean! Perfect Location!!!

Steps to the Ocean! Perfect Location!!!

Barnstable, MA
Stay at this cottage in Hyannis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, patios and cable/satellite TV service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (217 reviews)
"This was our second summer staying at Steven’s cottage. Everything was perfect, from check in process to proximity to beach, amenities (grill, pool, comfortable beds and communal space). It is a great location and the beach is lovely, not too crowded and the great for walking. We’re already booked ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Steps to the Ocean! Perfect Location!!!
Gorgeous Cottage steps from the beach

Gorgeous Cottage steps from the beach

Barnstable, MA
Stay at this cottage in Hyannis. Enjoy patios, an in-room coffee maker and air conditioning. Popular attractions Hyannis Harbor and Cape Codder Water Park are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (15 reviews)
Memorial Day weekend getaway
"Location to town & beach was great. Cottage was listed accurate online. Communication with owner was welcoming. The cottage was a nice weekend get away."

Reviewed on 3 Jun 2025

Gorgeous Cottage steps from the beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Hyannis