Things to Do on Cape Cod on a Rainy Day: Our Favorite Indoor Spots

You planned a Cape Cod getaway. You packed your beach bag, picked out a few restaurants, and had every intention of spending your days outside. Then you checked the forecast. Rain. All day.

Well, we’ve got good news. Cape Cod has some pretty fantastic things to do indoors, and a few of them might end up being your favorite part of the trip.

Our first suggestion? Enjoy a leisurely breakfast here at our Cape Cod bed and breakfast in the heart of Yarmouth Port. Watch the rain fall outside while you stay cozy and dry, have another cup of coffee, and figure out where you want to go. No need to rush out into a downpour.

Once you’re ready, you’ve got options. Unique museums, live glassblowing, local art, theater, and a couple of breweries where watching the rain is half the fun.

Here are some of our favorite things to do on Cape Cod when it rains.

8 Strawberry Lane, Yarmouth Port

If there’s one place we love sending guests on a rainy day, it’s the Edward Gorey House. Lucky for us, it’s right here in Yarmouth Port.

Edward Gorey was an author, illustrator, and designer known for his wonderfully strange drawings, dark humor, and delightfully peculiar characters. His former home, a nearly 200-year-old sea captain’s house, is now a museum dedicated to his work and life.

Inside, you’ll find original artwork, books, personal belongings, and changing exhibits that give you a look into Gorey’s unusual world. Even if you’ve never heard of Edward Gorey, don’t let that stop you. You don’t need to know anything about his work to appreciate the wonderfully odd things he collected.

Gorey was also a devoted animal lover, particularly fond of cats, and that side of his personality is reflected throughout the museum.

129 Main Street, Sandwich

Glassblowing probably wasn’t on your original Cape Cod itinerary. After visiting the Sandwich Glass Museum, you might wonder why not.

Sandwich was once a major center of American glassmaking, and the museum tells that story through historic glass collections, changing exhibits, and live glassblowing demonstrations.

And the demonstrations are the real reason to go. Watching a glassblower turn a glowing blob of molten glass into something beautiful is pretty fascinating. They make it look almost effortless, which is impressive when you consider just how hot that glass is.

Plan on spending about an hour or so exploring the museum, and don’t skip the glass shop. You’ll find beautiful pieces that are a little more interesting than the usual Cape Cod souvenir.

If the rain lets up, historic Sandwich Village is worth a look while you’re in town.

674 Route 28, West Yarmouth

Pirates on Cape Cod? Oh, absolutely. And this isn’t a museum filled with movie props and make-believe treasure.

The Whydah Pirate Museum tells the story of the Whydah Gally, a pirate ship that sank off the coast of Cape Cod in 1717. The wreck was discovered in 1984, and the museum displays actual artifacts recovered from the ship.

We’re talking real pirate treasure, coins, weapons, and objects that spent centuries underwater.

You’ll also learn about the people aboard the ship and the ongoing work of recovering and preserving its artifacts. It’s fascinating maritime history, made even more interesting by the fact that it happened right here off our coast.

60 Hope Lane, Dennis

If you’d rather spend your afternoon looking at paintings than pirate treasure, head to the Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis.

The museum focuses on art connected to Cape Cod and the Islands, with paintings, sculpture, and works by artists who have lived and worked in the region.

Cape Cod has attracted artists for generations, and it’s interesting to see how differently they’ve captured the same beaches, fishing villages, and coastal landscapes. Some of the scenes might even look familiar after a few days exploring the Cape.

The museum also hosts changing exhibitions, so there’s a good chance you’ll find something different each time you visit.

869 Main Street, Brewster

You’ve probably heard plenty about Cape Cod’s beaches, salt marshes, and wildlife. But how much do you really know about what’s living out there?

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster is a good place to find out.

The museum explores the Cape’s natural environment through exhibits about local wildlife, coastal habitats, and ecology. It’s especially interesting if you’ve spent time walking the beaches and wondered about the birds, marine life, or other creatures you’ve spotted along the way.

The property also has nature trails through marsh and woodland habitats. Those are better saved for a dry day, of course, but the indoor exhibits give you plenty to explore when the weather isn’t cooperating.

3299 Main Street, Brewster

Cape Rep Theatre in Brewster produces professional theater right here on Cape Cod, with a season that includes plays, musicals, and other performances.

Cape Rep has both indoor and outdoor performance spaces, so make sure you’re booking a show in the indoor theater if rain is in the forecast.

And unlike a museum, this one requires a little planning. Check the performance calendar before your trip, book your tickets, and make an evening of it.

If live music is more your thing, take a look at what’s happening with Cape Symphony.

The orchestra presents concerts throughout the year, with programming that includes classical music, pops concerts, guest artists, and special performances.

You don’t have to be a classical music expert to enjoy a concert, either. The schedule includes a variety of musical styles, so it’s worth checking what’s coming up during your stay.

Performances take place at different venues around Cape Cod, like the Barnstable Performing Arts Center, so be sure to check the location when purchasing tickets.

Not every rainy-day activity needs an admission ticket.

Route 6A, also known as the Old King’s Highway, runs right through Yarmouth Port and is one of our favorite areas for browsing local shops and antiques.

Start at Simply Vintage of Cape Cod right here in Yarmouth Port. You'll find antique furniture, vintage home accessories, jewelry, and gifts.

A little farther along Route 6A in Dennis, Scout Vintage specializes in French and European vintage finds, antique furniture, and home accessories.

Another stop worth making is the Antiques Center of Yarmouth, at 325 Route 28 in West Yarmouth. This large antiques co-op has more than 100 dealers and consignors, so there's quite a bit to explore. You'll find everything from vintage jewelry, books, and nautical collectibles to furniture, artwork, and old postcards. If you enjoy hunting for unexpected treasures, you could easily spend a good chunk of your rainy afternoon here.

If you're heading to Sandwich to visit the Glass Museum, you can also stop at Sandwich Antiques Center, where multiple dealers offer furniture, fine art, jewelry, and collectibles.

Our advice? Pick one area rather than driving from town to town in the rain. Browse a few shops, stop somewhere for coffee, and enjoy an afternoon without much of a schedule.

Speaking of coffee, we’ve already done some of the homework for you. Take a look at our guide to seven Cape Cod cafes worth getting up early for. A really good latte can improve almost any rainy afternoon.

If the rain is still coming down by late afternoon, a local brewery might be just the place to wait it out.

98 Town Neck Road, Sandwich

The indoor taproom at Tree House Brewing Company in Sandwich has wall-to-wall windows overlooking Cape Cod Bay, so you can settle in with a beer and watch the rain roll across the water without getting wet. Not a bad view for a gloomy afternoon.

Tree House is known for its craft beer, but the food is another good reason to visit. The Sandwich location offers pizza, with whole pies available throughout the week. Lobster rolls are also offered on select days, generally on weekends. You can even bring your own food if you’d prefer.

1336 Phinney’s Lane, Hyannis

Over in Hyannis, Cape Cod Beer has an indoor taproom that’s another great option when the weather isn’t cooperating.

You can stop in for a cold pint or a tasting flight, and the brewery regularly hosts live music featuring local musicians. Hungry? You can bring your own food or check the brewery’s food truck schedule to see what’s available.

13 Willow Street, Yarmouth Port

Not a beer drinker? How about some Cape Cod wine?

Right here in Yarmouth Port, Dunn & Sons Wine is an independent wine shop with a thoughtfully selected collection of bottles from smaller producers. Sign up for a tasting if they have one scheduled during your visit, or pick up a bottle to bring back to the inn. A glass of wine while watching the rain outside sounds pretty good to us.

And if you’d rather enjoy your wine with dinner, Leonessa and Old Yarmouth Inn are both right here in Yarmouth Port, each with extensive wine lists.

A little planning can save you from spending half the day driving around looking for something that’s open.

· Check seasonal hours. Some Cape Cod museums and attractions close or reduce their schedules during the quieter months. Always check before heading out.

· Book tickets when you can. Small museums, theater performances, and special events can have limited availability. The Edward Gorey House, in particular, recommends reservations.

· Stay relatively close to home. If you’re staying in Yarmouth Port, there are plenty of indoor activities nearby. No need to drive all the way across the Cape just because it’s raining.

· Check the weather before heading out. A little rain is one thing. Coastal storms with strong winds or flooding are another. If the weather is severe, it’s better to stay put until conditions improve.

We’ll admit it. Sometimes the nicest place to be when it’s raining is right here at the inn.

There’s something pretty wonderful about sitting down to a homemade breakfast, enjoying a fresh cup of Three Fins coffee, and watching the rain outside when you don’t have anywhere you absolutely need to be. Afterward, spend some time in our library and enjoy a variety of books, games, and puzzles. It's a nice way to pass a rainy afternoon without even leaving the inn.

And if you do decide to venture out, we're always happy to help you find a museum that's open, a good spot for lunch, or something interesting happening nearby. After an afternoon of exploring, you'll have a warm, dry place to return to, get comfortable, and enjoy the rest of your stay.

Rain or shine, there’s plenty to enjoy on Cape Cod. And if the forecast changes halfway through your stay? Well, that’s just another good reason to come back.

Ready to plan your getaway? Explore our rooms at the Inn on Main, and we’ll help you make the most of your time on Cape Cod, whatever the weather has planned.