A Walk Through Hyannis’ Inner Harbor

The Inner Harbor in Hyannis is a bustling area that is full of great things to do in the spring and summer. On any given day, you could head down to the water and spend the entire day enjoying the sights, watching boats, having a picnic in one of the parks, taking a cruise, or eating at the restaurants.

The great thing about the Inner Harbor is that everything is relatively close together, making it possible to park and walk to all of the amenities once you arrive. There is also a boardwalk lining about half of the waterway, so you can easily walk from one place to another and get up close to some massive luxury yachts as you stroll. The next time you find yourself in this part of Hyannis, check out some of the following attractions or plan to spend the entire day exploring the Inner Harbor.

 

Pubs and Restaurants

Are you looking for a bite to eat or a quick drink? You’ll have multiple prospects throughout Hyannis Harbor, including local favorites like Spanky's Clam Shack and Seaside Saloon, the Black Cat Tavern, and Tugboats.

As you might expect, all three restaurants specialize in seafood, and they all have a bar area, should you want to pop in for a quick beer or cocktail during your travels.

Spanky's is known for having one of the best lobster rolls on the Cape, in addition to its oysters, scallops shrimp, cod, and other local specialties. There are also four different lobster feasts and a house-made clam chowder from which to choose, giving you all kinds of options.

The Black Cat Tavern is perhaps best known for its Giant Black Cat Lobster Roll. This sandwich will run you $28.95, but you'll be lucky if you can get through the entire thing. In addition to seafood, you'll also find burgers, steak, sandwiches, salads, and tacos on the menu.

At Tugboats, you almost have to try the lobster because it has its own section on the menu. One pick is the Lobster Overdose, which includes a cup of lobster bisque, a lobster roll, and French fries. Chicken, steak, sandwiches, salads, and burgers are available, as well. Keep in mind that Tugboats and Spanky’s close for the winter, but the Black Cat Tavern is open all year round.

 

Ferries and Boat Tours

Any time you’re near the ocean, it’s normal to want to get on a boat to see more. Luckily, the Hyannis Inner Harbor has multiple cruise and tour possibilities. If you randomly end up in the area, there might be space for a walk-on, but it’s probably best to book a few days in advance, especially in the high season.

The Steamship Authority operates a ferry to Nantucket out of the Harbor and gives you the opportunity to bring your vehicle with you. That's good news if you want to play a round at Miacomet Golf Course, hit the waves at Surfside Beach, or visit any of the island's other outlying areas.

You can also get to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard from Hyannis Harbour through Hy-Line Cruises. These ferries leave multiple times per day all year long, but you'll want to make reservations to ensure you get on your desired sailing. Starting in May, Hy-Line Cruises also features harbor cruises, sightseeing tours of Nantucket Sound, deep sea fishing excursions, and Cape Cod Canal cruises.

Bay Spirit Tours is an alternative if you'd like to spend a few hours on the water, as they have a lighthouse tour that cruises Lewis Bay and beyond, a sunset cruise with an onboard bar, and a sailing with live music every Tuesday. All of these cruises run from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend, and charters are also available.

For the little bit of fishing, check out Helen H Deep Sea Fishing, which has a fleet of five boats, along with one, two, and three day fishing excursion opportunities. You'll have the chance to catch cod, haddock, sea bass, scup, tuna, fluke, and striped bass on your trip, or you can simply hire a boat to do some whale or seal watching.

 

The Marina and Boat Rentals

If you’d rather drive a boat than take a tour or cruise, you’ll have some options in the Inner Harbor. For starters, there is the Hyannis Marina, where you can dock your boat during the summer and have it ready and waiting for you whenever you want to take it for a ride. The marina also provides fuel, winter storage, and repair services, and offers boat sales.

You can rent a boat at All Cape Boat Rentals, as well, which is located right in the heart of the Inner Harbor. There are three different boat types from which to choose, with the largest holding up to 12 people, making it a great choice if you want to take the family out for an afternoon ride.

 

Parks and Beaches

Spending a few hours at one of the Inner Harbor’s parks or beaches provides a relaxing environment and also some of the best people and boat watching on all of Cape Cod.

Bayview Street Beach is a little out of the way compared to most places on this list, as it’s south of the Hyannis Marina, and you could even claim that it’s technically outside of the Inner Harbor. It’s also the only location on this list that might be a little difficult to walk to because it’s not along or close to the boardwalk. Having said that, the beach has a parking lot, warm, shallow water, and some of the Inner Harbor’s best views, making it well worth a stop.

In the heart of the Inner Harbor is Michael K. Aselton Memorial Park, a vast green space dedicated to the memory of a local police officer who lost his life in the line of duty in 1983. There are a picturesque garden and walking path at the park, which also meets up with the boardwalk, and concerts are sometimes held there during the summer.

You can't miss Bismore Park when walking the boardwalk because it's in the middle of everything. The park features artisan shops, so you can pick up a piece of local art while enjoying the sights. There are also picnic tables, providing a nice place for lunch, and benches looking out into the Inner Harbor. The boat docks immediately across from the park give the area a great atmosphere, and you might even have the chance to see the Pirate Adventures Hyannis pirate ship, which leaves from the park.

 

Just Another Place to Explore

Cape Cod is full of great places to check out, but very few have as broad a range of activities in such a small area as Hyannis’ Inner Harbor.

Here, you have the chance to watch luxury yachts as they pass by, dine at some of the Cape’s top seafood restaurants, swim in the ocean, and go into Lewis Bay on a boat all in the same day. If you’re looking for something to do in the spring and summer, you could certainly do worse than a day on the Inner Harbor.