Hyannis Renaissance

Hyannis Renaissance

More than one million people travel to Hyannis each year -- but many are merely passing through the town on their way to its ferry docks and boats to the outlying islands. For decades, townsfolk wished that these travelers would spend a little bit of time -- and money -- in Hyannis, but there wasn't much to entice them to stay.

But today, changes are afoot. In a move to become more family-friendly, sophisticated, and appealing, Hyannis has been revitalizing its downtown and waterfront areas. One pleasant improvement is the "Walkway to the Sea," completed in 2006. This wave-patterned brick path winds from Main Street at the Village Green all the way down to Bismore Park at Hyannis Harbor. Along the way are colorful art installations of lobster buoys, complete with educational information about the fishing industry. The Village Green itself is now host to a weekly Farmers' Market, free movie showings, and band concerts in the summer.

As part of the "Harbor Your Arts" initiative, a series of wood "shanties" now populate Aselton Park along the Walkway to the Sea. Juried artists and artisans rent the sheds as both work space and selling arenas for their products. A seasonal stage, where free musical and theatrical performances are held in summer, opened in 2006.

The entire downtown corridor is abuzz with building restorations, improvements, expansions, creative landscaping, new sidewalks, and spruced-up storefronts. You may just want to linger before catching your ferry.