The best places to go shopping in Cape Cod are found in its many charming towns and villages. This Atlantic-facing peninsula is famed around the globe for its whale-splashing waters and wild beaches, its handsome little boutique towns and its romantic B&Bs. It's hardly a surprise that it's a vacation hot spot, but it's also emerged as something of a shopping hub to boot.

The region's popularity is mainly down to the appeal of quaint towns like Hyannis and Falmouth, where lovely main streets still ooze the local vibes of yesteryear. But you can also discover modern malls and flea markets, farmer's bazaars with fresh vegetables and even salt-smelling fishing emporiums that sell the catch of the day. Let's take a look at our favourite places to shop in Cape Cod.

  • 1

    Provincetown Commercial Street

    One of Cape Cod's most vibrant streets

    Provincetown Commercial Street
    • Shoppers

    Provincetown Commercial Street is one of the busiest and most bustling strips in Cape Cod. It runs right through the centre of the town on the northern tip of the peninsula, clocking up nearly 2 miles in length from end to end.

    The entire stretch is a montage of elegant Victorian B&Bs, welcoming taverns strewn with rainbow flags – since Provincetown is the LGBTQ+ hub of the region – and shopping outlets of all shapes and sizes. It really is a menagerie, with vintage bookstores next to purveyors of landscape art, and eccentric hat sellers next to coffee emporiums. 

    Location: Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA

    Map

    photo by Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 2

    Orleans Farmers' Market

    The bounty of the cape

    Orleans Farmers' Market
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Orleans Farmers' Market is a gathering place for agricultural producers from up and down Cape Cod, not to mention fans of truly organic fruit and vegetables. It takes place once a week in the Old Firehouse in Orleans, a couple of minutes' detour off the main Route 6.

    There are all sorts to shop at the Orleans Farmers' Market. You'll encounter stacks of shiny peppers and tomatoes, homegrown potatoes still caked in mud, Cape Cod honey and preserves – you name it. Some vendors offer eat-me-right-now foods, like the artisan Zia Pizzeria and Sweet Daisies Pastries. Try to get there for opening time at 10 am when it's a touch less busy.

    Location: 19 Old Colony Way, Orleans, MA 02653, USA

    Open: Saturday from 10 am to noon

    Phone: +1 508-237-9492

    Map
  • 3

    Falmouth Main Street

    Historic boutiques with all sorts on the shelves

    Falmouth Main Street
    • History
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Falmouth Main Street is the vena cava of Historic Falmouth Village, a kitschy set of blocks packed with charming 1800s facades and Colonial-era buildings. You'll find it straddling Route 28 on the south side of the cape.

    Shopping is arguably the main activity on Falmouth Main Street. Will you be tempted by the creative floral displays of The Salty Florist? Perhaps it will be the tomes and children's reading of Eight Cousins Books? Maybe you'd prefer the Atlantic-inspired snow globes and whatnot of La Touche haberdashery? There's plenty to get through for retail buffs.

    Location: Main St, Falmouth, MA 02540, USA

    Map

    photo by John Phelan (CC BY 3.0) modified

  • 4

    Mashpee Commons

    Get some stylish threads

    Mashpee Commons
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Shoppers

    Mashpee Commons is planned out like an authentic New England small town, with enough timber-fronted cottages and bijou boutiques to make it seem like you'd stumbled into Cape Cod circa 1870. The complex lies at the intersection of the Nathan Ellis Highway and Route 28, a couple of clicks outside of Falmouth.

    An award-winning shopping centre that's famed for its charming looks, Mashpee Commons is heavily weighted towards independent fashion labels and haute couture. On top of that, there are bespoke dog grooming salons, outdoor outfitters, and aromatic tea and spice emporiums selling cumin and cardamom. Our advice? Stick around for lunch and make a day of it. There's some enticing upscale dining in Mashpee Commons to boot.

    Location: 22 Steeple St, Mashpee, MA 02649, USA

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +1 508-477-5400

    Map

    photo by John Phelan (CC BY 3.0) modified

  • 5

    Harwich Port Main Street

    Meet the locals while shopping

    Harwich Port Main Street
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Harwich Port Main Street is the main drag of a town that's consistently listed among the happiest and most liveable seaside communities in the USA. That shows, too, as there's a real joyful buzz about the retail along the road, which wiggles along the southern cape just off Saquatucket Harbor.

    You'll encounter big smiles when you order up an Atlantic lobster at the Brax Landing seafood joint. You'll get local threads and chatter at the boho female clothes spot of The Haberdash. There are unique sea-themed souvenirs on offer at the Snow Goose Gift Shop, all served with good humour and fun. Even if you're not shopping, this bustling walk is worth a visit.

    Location: Main Street, Harwich Port, MA 02646, USA

    Map
  • 6

    Cape Cod Mall

    Several decades of retail excellence

    Cape Cod Mall
    • Families
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Cape Cod Mall has been one of the go-to shopping destinations of the region since it first flung open its doors in the 1970s. Fast forward a handful of decades and the venue is now bigger and better than ever, attracting huge crowds of retail lovers to its spot on the outskirts of perennially popular Hyannis Village.

    It's the high-street brands that take centre stage. The sprawling complex hosts Barnes & Noble for books, Claire's for lady's accessories, GameStop for e-gaming, and JD for sportswear. But there are also some local labels thrown in, along with a whole host of tempting dining options – Philly cheesesteak from Charley's anyone?

    Location: 769 Lannough Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601, USA

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday from noon to 6 pm

    Phone: +1 508-771-0200

    Map

    photo by JJBers (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 7

    Hyannis Main Street

    Follow in the footsteps of presidents

    Hyannis Main Street
    • Shoppers

    Hyannis Main Street has you covered if you're pining after a taste of a classic Americana small-town shopping strip. It runs right through one of the most bustling destinations in Cape Cod, cutting down towards the coast from its junction with Route 28.

    There's shopping on every inch of the sidewalk here, but it's not limited to retail. Perhaps you could begin by unravelling tales of great American presidents at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum? Then it's onto the exotic imported ingredients of the Food Port International Market, the blooming bouquets of Bee & Blossom florists, the sugar-dusted treats of Kandy Korner – we could go on.

    Location: Main St, Hyannis, MA 02601, USA

    Map

    photo by John Phelan (CC BY 3.0) modified

  • 8

    Wellfleet Flea Market

    A beer between shopping sessions

    Wellfleet Flea Market
    • Budget
    • Shoppers

    The Wellfleet Flea Market graces a big parking area off of State Highway 6, some 10 minutes' driving north from Eastham. It's weather dependent and takes place on Sunday mornings, so expect a varying selection of vendors and goods.

    Usually, folks sell handmade and second-hand jewellery, unique sea-crafted artworks made from driftwood and ocean glass, and local delicacies like homemade jams. On hotter days throughout the summer, there's also an onsite beer garden where you can kick back with a local brew and mingle with other shoppers.

    Location: 51 US-6, Wellfleet, MA 02667, USA

    Open: Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm

    Phone: +1 508-349-0541

    Map

    photo by Erin McAward (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 9

    Chatham Pier Fish Market

    A traditional New England seafood bazaar

    Chatham Pier Fish Market
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Chatham Pier Fish Market is a must-visit if you like your seafood as fresh as it comes. It's the first place where fishermen drop their catch in the little port town of Chatham, standing right by the pier where you can all but smell the salt from the Atlantic Ocean.

    You can tell everything is straight from the water since the catch that's on offer changes every day. Some of the most sought-after items are the zingy oysters and the fleshy Chatham mussels, but you can also get bluefin tuna, striped bass, haddock, and even swordfish.

    Location: 45 Barcliff Ave, Chatham, MA 02633, USA

    Phone: +1 508-945-3474

    Map
  • 10

    Sandwich Antiques Center

    A quirky pitstop near the entrance to the cape

    Sandwich Antiques Center
    • Shoppers

    The Sandwich Antiques Center counts a whopping 5,000 sq ft of shopping space at its location on the southwest side of Cape Cod. You can start sifting through it all for hidden bargains by heading up Route 6 and pulling off onto the 130 for about 10 minutes. There is dedicated customer parking on site.

    Talk about eclectic – the array of vintage goods within is pretty fantastic. From stained-glass lampshades and mahogany furnishings dating back 100 years to old-school globes and historic fishing paraphernalia, it's a haven for retail hunters with a whiff of New England nautical life about it. Swordfish model for above the fireplace, anyone?

    Location: 131 MA-6A, Sandwich, MA 02563, USA

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +1 508-833-3600

    Map
Joseph Francis | Contributing Writer