Cape Cod offers an eclectic array of museums sprinkled throughout the Cape’s 40 miles.  The Whalewalk Inn is centrally located to most all.

Cape Cod Maritime Museum

Celebrating and preserving Cape Cod’s Maritime past and present.  www.capecodmaritimemuseum.org 508-775-1723

Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth

The living history museum of the Wampanoag and Pilgrims.  www.plimoth.org 508-746-1622

ZooQuarium

Since 1969 ZooQuarium has provided a fun-filled adventure to explore and discover the marvelous creatures that live just steps away from the roadways of Cape Cod.  www.zooquariumcapecod.net  508-775-8883

The Salem Witch Museum, Salem

You are there.  Witness the testimony of the hysterical girls, the suffering of the blameless victims, and the decisions of the fanatical judges who sent innocent people to their deaths.  Ask the players if ergot poisoning could have been the mysterious cause of all the hysteria.  www.salemwitchmuseum.com  978-744-1692

Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum

Make it to the top of the Pilgrim Monument and enjoy the panoramic view of Provincetown Harbor, Cape Cod Bay and Cape Cod National Seashore and the town of Provincetown.  At 252 feet the tower is the tallest all granite monument in the country.  The granite came from Maine, and the design is molded after Torre del Mangia in Siena, Italy.  President Theodore Roosevelt laid the corner stone August 20, 1907, and the monument was completed in 1910.  On a clear day from atop the tower, you can see the Boston skyline 30 miles away.  The base of the tower houses the Provincetown Museum, which contains many, interesting exhibits including whaling and shipwreck artifacts and a diorama of the Mayflower.  www.pilgrim-monument.org  508-487-1310

National Marine Sanctuary

Here you can dive into the waters off Cape Cod and experience its wonders without getting wet.  Explore the only National Marine Sanctuary in the Northeast. www.stellwagen.noaa.org  781-545-8026

Life-Saving Museum, Nantucket

This is an exact replica of an 1874 U.S. Life Saving Service Station at Surfside.  The museum contains many interesting life-saving artifacts, including a variety of lifeboats from as early as 1785.

Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum

These distinctive baskets were created by Nantucket sailors working on the lightships, a floating lighthouse anchored 24 miles off shore, who had not much to do during good weather.  The lightship era lasted from, 1854 to 1905.  The baskets were woven on a wooden from out of rattan brought back from the Pacific Rim by the whalers. 

Nantucket Whaling Museum

This museum is housed in an 1846 refinery and spermaceti candle factory.  The then-prized spermaceti is the oil found in the sperm whale’s head, which was used as lamp oil and machine oil.  The museum contains a hoard of interesting whaling artifacts, including a 43-foot skeleton of a finback whale, a fully rigged whaleboat and the original lens from the Sankaty Lighthouse.  Lectures on the history of whaling are presented.

Peter Foulger Museum, Nantucket

Peter Foulger acted as interpreter for the first settlers in 1659, and his daughter, Abiah,  was the mother of Benjamin Franklin.  The Foulger Museum contains interesting exhibits that change periodically.

John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum

A celebration of the Kennedy family and friends on Cape Cod.  It is housed in the former Hyannis Old Town Hall.  Here you will find a collection of Kennedy family photographs and video narrated by Walter Cronkite.  These exhibits focus on “The Cape Years” of President Kennedy, offering photography, photomurals, and a video with vintage footage and oral history enhancements.  Here a glimpse may be had of the family times and recreational activities of the late President.   www.hyannis.com

Gorey House, Yarmouth

The Edward Gorey House celebrates and preserves the life and works of Edward Gorey, an unique American author and illustrator who spent his last years in a rambling, Cape house off the Yarmouth Port Common.  Explore the house and discover how Edward Gorey worked and lived.  See the array of works this prolific artist created throughout his lifetime.  Learn about various animal welfare issues through interactive exhibits in our children’s area.  www.edwardgoreyhouse.org  508-362-3909

Donald Trayser Museum, Barnstable Village

Once the old Customs House, today it is the home to an interesting collection of New England artifacts.  On the same plot sits Cape Cod’s first “gaol” or jail. It is believed to be the oldest jail still existing in the New World!

Josiah Dennis Manse Museum, Dennis Village

The Dennis Historical Society named this building after its original owner, Rev. Josiah Dennis (also the town’s namesake). Located on Nobscusset Road, the restored home stores the Reverend's writing desk, manuscripts and books. It is also filled with other exhibits including precious antiques. Visitors can self-guide themselves through both floors with friendly historians volunteering information for those who look interested in anything. There is a handsomely rendered model of Dennis’ Shiverick Shipyard, active for about 15 years from 1849-1864. Adjacent is a one-room schoolhouse (circa 1770), archetypal in description.  http://www.virtualcapecod.com/Dennis.asp  508-385-2232

Cape Cod Museum of Fine Arts, Dennis

It was recently hailed by The New York Times as a “star museum.” Cape Museum of Fine Arts, Adjacent to Cape Playhouse, is at 60 Hope Lane, Dennis. The CMFA was built in 1985 and presently houses more than 850 permanent works in its collection, which spans the period from 1898 to the present. The Museum organizes classes, tours and regional art discovery tours. Open year round. Reel Art Cinema at the CMFA shows avant-garde, classic, art and independent films on weekends from October to April.  www.ccmoa.org

Cape Cod Arts Association, Dennis

This gallery conducts many art exhibits of local artists, classes and demonstrations throughout the year.  Purchases may be made and admission is free.

Cape Cod Canal Visitors Center, Sandwich

Explore the rich history, fascinating feature and vigilant operation of the Cape Cod Canal.  Features include a 41-foot patrol boat, live radar and camera images of the working Canal , a small theater and many exhibits.  Park Rangers staff the Center and provide a variety of free public programs, tide charts, canal guides and brochures.  wwww.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/ccc/recreation/recreation.htm

Heritage Museums and Gardens, Sandwich

Celebrates the American spirit on 100 acres of award winning gardens, labyrinth and maze, and 200-year old windmill.  J.K. Lilly III Automobile Museum with antique cars and bicycles, plus new exhibits.  American History Museum with the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame, antique toys and more.  Art Museum with restored and running 1912 carousel and new exhibits.  Museum Store with shops in two building and the Dan’l Webster Café.  Check www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org for events and festivals.

Sandwich Glass Museum

Internationally renowned for the display of beautiful glass made in Sandwich between1825 and 1888.  Glassblowing daily.  Museum shop.  www.sandwichglassmuseum.org

Thornton W. Burgess Museum. Sandwich

A unique museum dedicated to a unique individual.  Burgess was a children’s author who created Peter Rabbit and other characters.  Also a tribute to nature education.  www.capecodconnection.com/capecod/ccbirds.htm 
508-888-4668

Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen, Sandwich

Celebrating Thornton W. Burgess with nature programs, live animal exhibits, nature trails, wildflower garden, working 1902 Jam Kitchen, jam making classes and gift shop.  www.capecodconnection.com/capecod/ccbirds.htm

Aptucxet Trading Post Museum, Buzzard’s Bay

The structure is a replica of the Pilgrims’ first trading post, founded in 1627, and the first example of American private enterprise.  Open May 28, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 – 4:00, Sunday 12:00 – 5:00  www.bournehistoricalsoc.org/aptstory.html  508-759-8167

The Wampanoag Indian Museum, Mashpee

Features a look at an important piece of American history.  www.wampanoagtribe.net

The 1869 Schoolhouse Museum, Eastham

The museum is located on Nauset Road across from the National Seashore Visitor Center.  It is housed in a one-room schoolhouse built in 1869.  The original and remaining one of the three schoolhouses consolidated on that site in 1906, it served the town until 1936 when its last pupils moved to a newer building.  The old building stood abandoned for many years until 1963 when the newly formed Eastham Historical Society looked about for a place to house the town's historical treasures.  The school building, then well on its way to decrepitude, was purchased, restored, and became a museum. The museum displays objects from the various facets of the town's history including farming, shipwrecks, the Life Saving Service, Native American artifacts, the school and daily life in town.  www.easthamhistorical.org 

The Swift-Daley House, Eastham

The house is located on Route 6 next to the Post Office. Built in 1741 by Joshua Knowles, its bowed roof is typical of early houses built by ship's carpenters.  The wide board floors, deep kitchen fireplace and narrow stairways are other features of 18th century houses.  In 1859 Nathaniel Swift occupied the house, who with his brother Gustavus of North Eastham, soon moved to Chicago and founded the Swift meat packing empire. The second part of its present name comes from Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Daley who purchased the house in 1939 and restored it to its original condition. Mrs. Daley generously donated the house to the Eastham Historical Society in 1974.  www.easthamhistorical.org 

The Penniman House, Eastham

One of the early trophy homes in Eastham, built in 1867 by Captain Edward Penniman.  A pair of whale jawbones frame the rear gateway to the house.  An example of the French Second Empire Style of architecture, the house is located on Fort Hill Road and maintained by the National Seashore.  Open for guided tours.  http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/
lessons/112penniman/112penniman.htm 

Wellfleet Historical Society Museum, Wellfleet

Every last bit of spare Wellfleet memorabilia seems to have been crammed into this old storefront. The volunteer curators have taken pains to arrange the surfeit of artifacts so that visitors can follow up on a particular interest -- the United Fruit Company (now Chiquita Brands International, Inc.), say, which got its start here in 1870 when one of Lorenzo Dow Baker's swift clipper ships delivered a cargo of exotic bananas, or Marconi's mysterious transoceanic experiments. Even restless children are likely to find something of interest, particularly among the antique toys in the attic. Inquire about the lecture schedule: The museum hosts fascinating speakers and sponsors a chowder supper once a summer. Historical walking tours around town take 1 1/4 hours, cost $3, and leave at 10:30am   www.frommers.com/destinations/wellfleet/  508-349-9157

Brooks Academy Museum, Harwich

It is a grand 1844 Greek Revival schoolhouse – the country’s first school of navigation.  The museum also contains numerous exhibits from the cranberry industry, as well as a 1770-gunpowder house and an 1872 outhouse.  www.harwichhistoricalsociety.org  508-432-8089

Cape Cod Railroad Museum, Chatham

It is housed in a striking 1887 Victorian building with a turret and gingerbread trim.  Inside you will fine a 1910 New York Central caboose, many vintage photographs and thousands of authentic model trains.  www.virtualcapecod.com/chatham.asp

The Stony Brook Grist Mill Museum, Brewster

The first water-powered mill in American operated here in 1663; the present dwelling houses a restored, operational 19th century mill as well as museum.  www.town.brewster.ma.us/cmmt/millsites.html

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster

It contains numerous hands-on exhibits, including a working beehive, a sea-life room with live specimens and 80 acres of self-guided nature trails.  The John Wing Trail meanders through salt marshes, ending with a fabulous view of Cape Cod Bay.  The museum also offers guided tours to Monomoy Island including overnight stays at the restored lighthouse on South Monomoy.  www.ccmnh.org 508-896-3867

New England Fire and History Museum, Brewster

It contains 30 working fire-engines, as well as Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler’s personal collection of fire-fighting memorabilia.  www.frommers.com/destinations/brewster/

The Brewster Historical Society Museum, Brewster

It is adjacent to the 25-acre Spruce Hill Conservation Area.  The museum is housed in an 1830s sea captain’s home, and contains numerous artifacts, including antique clothing and toys and a complete 1884 barbershop.  www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1160893 or www.frommers.com/destinations/brewster/   508-896-9521

French Cable Station Museum, Orleans

This is where the first transatlantic communications were made between Orleans and Brest, France, via a 3,000-mile underwater cable.  For a period of 50 years, the station received important news of the times, including Lindbergh’s landing in Paris in 1927 and the invasion of France by Germany in 1940.  The original working equi9pment is still in place.  www.frommers.com/destinations/orleans/  508-240-1735

The 1833 Meeting House Museum, Orleans

It contains many interesting historical artifacts from the early days of Orleans.  It is located on the right to Nauset Beach on the corner of River Road.  508-240-0071

Cahoon Museum of American Art, Cotuit

Here you will find the whimsical folk art of noted husband and wife artists Ralph and Martha Cahoon housed in a 1775 Georgian Colonial that once served the stagecoach route from Hyannis to Sandwich.  There is also a collection of 19th and early 20th century American marine paintings, landscapes, still lifes and portraits.  Artists such as Ralph Blakelock, William Bradford, James Buttersworth, and more are represented here.  Shows change every six to nine weeks, so there is always something new to see.  www.cahoonmuseum.org  508-428-7581

Osterville Historical Society Museum, Osterville

It consists of the Captain Jonathan Parker House and Cammett House both circa 1790.  The grounds offer period gardens maintained by the Osterville Garden Club.  Also located here is the Crosby Boat Museum containing two boats well-known to sailing enthusiasts:  The Cape Cod Catboat and the Wianno Senior, similar to the type that John F. Kennedy sailed in the waters off Cape Cod.  www.osterville.org/OHSindex.htm  508-428-5861