12 Best Shopping in Cape Cod, Massachusetts

A special place, Brewster Book Store is filled to the rafters with all manner of books by local and international authors, with an extensive fiction selection and kids' section. Author signings and children's story times take place year-round.

You'll find used, rare, and new books here, including a large collection of Americana. There's also an extensive selection of children's books. Look for frequent author events and book signings.

Here you'll find a varied selection of unique jewelry, gifts, whimsical folk art, and home decor—including many pieces created by local artisans—at reasonable prices (especially for Chatham). The gallery also showcases the award-winning landscape photography of the shop's owner, Jon Vaughan. 

Shops don't get more adorable than this downtown candy store with the bright pink awning, winning sweet-toothed fans since 1955 for their slow-cooked, small-batch confections. Their version of a clambake is a too-cute assortment of chocolate sea creatures on a bed of chocolate rocks. Sea salt caramels, made with local sea salt, are a favorite, and they stay open year-round.

Fudge, chocolate, caramel corn, ice cream, and taffy are some of the sweet reasons to visit this family-run shop, open all year (no ice cream in winter). The front of the store is devoted to display cases of fine chocolates and glass jars filled with old-fashioned "penny" candy. In the back are gifts galore: sea glass ornaments, Cape-made soap, lobster-printed onesies, and other items with a beach vacation theme. Take a selfie out front with the big stuffed bear, propped on a bench. 

Marine Specialties is full of treasures, knickknacks, and clothing. Here you can purchase some very reasonably priced casual- and military-style clothing, as well as seashells, marine supplies, stained-glass lamps, candles, rubber sharks (you get the idea), and prints of old advertisements.

Main Street is chock-a-block with gift shops and T-shirt stores, but if you're looking for a special memento of your time on the Cape, head to this little shop. Shelves and display cases overflow with a well-curated selection of jewelry, home goods, gifts, art (including cool pieces made from beach rocks), and more; many pieces are made regionally or locally.

This gallery, in an 1844 former school, shows the works of more than 50 local and national artists (modern and contemporary), as well as that of printmakers and photographers.

Set back off the street at the end of a wooden walkway, this fantastic little slice of literary heaven is packed with volumes upon volumes—rooms of used-but-in-good-shape books, including some rare and out-of-print texts. It's a great place to lose track of time year-round.