MY TOP 5 CAPE COD MUSEUMS

When you're planning a vacation, a museum visit might not be the first thing that jumps onto your itinerary. But I'm here to say it should be! Cape Cod, one of our country's first artist communities, offers fantastic museums showcasing not just art but nature, antique cars, glass, authentic pirate treasure, and more. The variety of museums on Cape Cod rivals any major city. Here are five of my favorites!

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History - Brewster
I've been visiting the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History since I was a kid in the 70s, and I love it even more now than I did then. Situated on a beautiful stretch of Rt. 6A, the museum offers a look at how the peninsula of the Cape was created and how it has changed over time, a cross section of a live beehive (behind glass! phew!), an aquarium, an osprey cam which keeps an eye on the osprey nest perched on a nesting pole just outside, an exhibit about the Wampanoag people, the first inhabitants of the area, and much more.  Just outside is a screened butterfly house. Venture inside to view many colorful species - there is a good chance one will land on you to say hello! Just past the butterfly house is the Wing Island Trail to Cape Cod Bay. It is one of our favorite hikes and passes through a salt marsh with osprey nesting pole, a beech forest, and a sea meadow. It's simply beautiful in every season.

Cape Cod Museum of Art - Dennis
The Cape Cod Museum of Art offers the sophistication of art museums found in major cities. Showcasing work that is inspired by the region, the museum also offers a wonderful outdoor sculpture garden and gift shop filled with locally made art, The museum offers many new exhibitions annually - there is always something new to see! It's located on the grounds of the historic Cape Cinema with its amazing ceiling mural and the renowned Cape Playhouse - make it a three-fer and visit all three!

Whydah Pirate Museum - Yarmouth
View and interact with the world’s only authenticated pirate treasure! The museum's exhibits were raised from the bottom of the ocean from the pirate ship Whydah which sank in 1717 off the coast of Cape Cod. The Whydah was captained by notorious pirate Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy (who, as pirates go, wasn't actually too bad of a guy). You'll view the ship’s bell, a replica of the Whydah ship, countless pillaged gold and silver coins, and many artifacts from daily pirate life. Don't miss it!

Sandwich Glass Museum - Sandwich
The museum exhibits nearly 5,000 pieces of glass produced at the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company in Sandwich between 1825 and 1888 – then the largest producer of glass in the world. Learn about the history of glassmaking and see historic examples of all types and colors of glass objects. A great multi-media show and live glass blowing demonstrations take place throughout the day.

Heritage Museum and Gardens - Sandwich
Heritage is famous for its multiple museum buildings and Dexter rhododendrons that bloom late May into early June. A Shaker-style round barn houses the (amazing!) J. K. Lilly III Antique Automobile Collection with its stunning display of antique automobiles. The American History Museum hosts an impressive collection of military miniatures, antique firearms, and the distinguished bird carvings of master carvers A. Elmer and Cleon Crowell – which have sold at auctions for over $1 million. A working hand-carved carousel (rides are free) and many of America's most distinguished artists' works are on exhibit in the Art Museum. Heritage has miles of walking paths and three museums featuring American art. Visitors are welcome to bring their own lunch, though no alcoholic beverages are allowed. Plan to spend the whole day!

Whydah Pirate Museum