Things to Do in Hyannis, When You Are en Route to and From Nantucket
Planning a trip to Nantucket often means making a stop in Hyannis, the bustling town on Cape Cod that serves as the connection point for ferries like the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises. While it may just be a pass-through destination for some, Hyannis has much more to offer. Whether you’re in town by choice or unexpectedly “stuck” due to weather or ferry cancelations, there are plenty of spots to explore, eat, and enjoy. Here’s a curated guide from the Fisher team to help you make the most of your time in Hyannis.
Quinn
“If you’re looking for a good casual seafood restaurant, try out The Black Cat Tavern which is just a stone’s throw from the Hy-Line Cruise’s Hyannis terminal. My wife thought their burger was one of the best she’s ever had and the seared tuna tacos were phenomenal. A great way to kill some time while waiting for the boat.”
The Black Cat Tavern
Address: 165 Ocean Street, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: (508) 778-1233
Website: blackcattavern.com
Joelle
“My family loves to have breakfast at the Keltic Kitchen and shop at their sister store, the Keltic Kottage. Their delicious menu includes a traditional Irish breakfast like Corned Beef Hash or their Farmhouse breakfast with black and white pudding, rashers, and brown bread. The great Irish shop is where you can buy anything from Irish chocolate to sweaters! It’s usually packed, so get there early!”
Keltic Kitchen & Keltic Kottage
Address: 415 MA-28, West Yarmouth, MA, 02673
Phone: (508) 771-4835
Website: keltickitchen.com
Danno
“When my family travels off-island, we like our kids to experience activities we can’t find on Nantucket. Most people go to the arcade at the Cape Cod Mall, but the chain also has the Ryan Family amusement in South Yarmouth. This location has a bowling alley, axe throwing, and an airpark (a super-size inflatable airpark). It’s super fun for the kids in the winter or on a rainy day.
Also in South Yarmouth, Pirate Cove Mini Golf is a completely remodeled 36-hole mini golf course that is updated and super fun. All ages can “meet the challenge” on their two 18-hole championship courses, Captain’s Course or the bold Blackbeard’s Course. Open mid-April through Columbus Day weekend.”
Ryan Family
Address: 1067 Route 28 South Yarmouth, MA 02664
Phone: (508) 394-5644
Website: ryanfamily.com
Pirate’s Cove
Address: 728 Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA, 02664
Phone: 508-394-6200
Website: piratescove.net
Liza
“My favorite thing to do in Hyannis is to go over to Secret Nail Spa and get a mani/pedi. They have plenty of pedicure chairs, the salon is immaculate, and the nail techs are great. Then, I love to eat lunch or dinner at Pain D’Avignon, a French Boulangerie by the Rotary. They have everything from wonderful pastries and croissants to escargot, oysters, and steak au poivre, as well as a great wine list to go along with your meal.”
Secret Nails & Spa
Address: 489 Bearses Way, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: (774) 470-2160
Website: secretnails-spa.com
Pain D’Avignon Restaurant & Boulangerie
Address: 15 Hinckley Rd, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: (508) 778-8588
Website: paindavignon.com
Olga
“Lately, our activities in Hyannis have revolved around our child. When we have a couple of hours to kill on the other side before we need to catch a boat, we go to Ryan’s Ten Pin Eatery and Arcade at the Cape Cod Mall to play some bowling. Dane enjoys playing games at the arcade. After the games, we grab a bite at the restaurant, or Not Your Average Joe’s. We have also been to The Daily Paper and Pain D’Avignon for breakfast. On a few occasions when we felt like switching up the cuisine flavors, we enjoyed dining at the Brazilian Grill or doing takeout from Alberto’s Ristorante. During the Christmas holiday season, we did the Polar Express train ride, which was a hit!”
Ryan’s Ten Pin Eatery
Address: 769 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: 508-771-2100
Website: ryanfamily.com
Not Your Average Joe’s
Address: 793 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: (508) 778-1424
Website: notyouraveragejoes.com
The Daily Paper
Address: 644 West Main St. Hyannis and 546 Main Street, Downtown Hyannis
Phone: 508-790-8800
Website: dailypapercapecod.com
Brazilian Grill
Address: 680 Main St, Hyannis, MA, 02601, United States
Phone: (508) 771-0109
Website: braziliangrill.com
Alberto’s Ristorante
Address: 360 Main St, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: 508-778-1770
Website: albertos.net
Polar Express
Address: 252 Main Street, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: (888) 797-7245
Website: capetrain.com
Brent
“Whole Foods! Not the most novel or extraordinary idea but ‘it’s the truth, Ruth!’ On Nantucket, we are fortunate to have a few smaller independent stores that source great products. However, in terms of our bulk shopping at the “big store,” there is nothing better than the experience of a clean, neat, grocery store with beautiful produce, high-quality proteins, and many healthy options… It is one of the missing links to living on ACK so be sure to stock up with some tasty treats! Other than that, the ‘on the real list’ would be the visit to Pain D’Avignon for a great coffee and delicious treat. I don’t prefer to experience this “too” often, but all our sports teams spend a fair amount of waiting time at the good ol’ Ten Pin Arcade! Keep in mind most of our Hyannis waiting time is early mornings, late nights, and in the non-summer months, so I don’t really have any beach or playground recommendations, however, the Hyline Cruise line has some great recommendations here.
Whole Foods Market
Address: 790 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: (508) 418-5900
Website: wholefoodsmarket.com
Lara
“For a peaceful respite that is close to the Route 132 commercial area, check out Hathaway’s Ponds located off Phinney’s Lane. There are two ponds surrounded by easy hiking trails, as well as two picturesque beach areas great for kids: Main Beach and Quiet Beach.
If you’re on the Cape for the night, head to Trader Ed’s at the Hyannis Marina for waterside cocktails, music, and casual food. You can even catch a sunset and still get on the last ferry!”
Trader Eds
Address: 21 Arlington St, Hyannis, MA, 02673
Phone: (508) 790-8686
Website: traderedsrestaurant.com
Gina
“We love to go to Misaki Sushi, which has a large and traditional sushi menu. They are closed on Sundays, which is typically when we travel back to the island. It’s always a special treat when we are in Hyannis Tuesday through Saturday and have free time while awaiting the boat to head home. Don’t forget to order a ‘Lobster Attack’!”
Misaki Sushi
Address: 379 W Main Street, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: (508) 771-3771
Website: misakisushi.com
Erin
“When I have a few hours in Hyannis while waiting for my ferry, I love going to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s to stock up on staples, especially if I’m traveling back with my car on the slow boat! The Black Cat is a go-to for a bite & drink. Another restaurant I love is just a short drive away is The West End – awesome vibe and great food!”
The West End
Address: 20 Scudder Avenue, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: (508) 775-7677
Website: westendhyannis.com
Trader Joe’s
Address: 655 Iyannough Rd 132 Unit 4-A, Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone: (508) 790-3008
Website: traderjoes.com
Gaelan
“On Main Street in downtown Hyannis, we like to head to Bagels & Beyond 2 for a morning snack before hitting the road. Next door is Pizza Barbone, which has amazing wood-fired pizzas. You can also order takeout and bring the pizza on the boat. Both are open year-round. Just down the road from Hyannis in neighboring West Yarmouth is the Wicked Waves Water Park and Cape Cod Inflatable Park. Last year, we took a day trip over the day before they closed. There were no crowds and the weather was still warm! Our family loved the Flow Rider, Boomerang Blaster, and over-the-top inflatable park.”
Bagels & Beyond 2
Address: 394 Main St, Hyannis, MA, 02601
Phone: (508) 790-8501
Website: hbagelsandbeyondcc.com
Pizza Barbone
Address: 390 Main St, Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone: (508) 957-2377
Website: pizzabarbone.com
Wicked Waves Water Park
Address: 518 Main Street (Route 28) West Yarmouth, MA 02673
Phone: (508) 771-6060
Website: wickedwavescapecod.com
Hyannis is more than just a transportation hub. It’s a vibrant town filled with history, amazing food, and activities perfect for locals and travelers alike. Known as the commercial and cultural heart of Cape Cod, Hyannis is a great place to stretch your legs, grab a bite, and even shop for a few Nantucket essentials before heading over to the island.
From top-tier dining options to laid-back activities, there’s always something to enjoy in Hyannis—even if it’s just for a short layover.