Hyannis/Hyannis Port
 

Hi,

Planning a week in Hyannis/Hyannis Port during the week of Thanksgiving. Are there restaurants open during that time? What is there to do that is open? I heard the town basically shuts down past Labor Day.

Thanks!

Hyannisport is really just a residential area of Hyannis, but Downtown Hyannis has things open year round.

Some of the summer themed places will be closed, but Main Street will still have it's usual places open, although more quiet than summertime.

The day before Thanksgiving, most Bars and Restaurants will be open because it is a favorite time to come baack home and get together with old friends. Most places used to be closed on Thanksgiving, unless they were offering Thanksgiving Dinner specials..and even then they might close early.

But over the past few years, I've noticed that a lot of places are opening on Thanksgiving Night so that people can get out of the house....some places might open at 5:00 or so....not sure how much food they'd be serving though, unless it's a special Thanksgiving menu.

Lots and lots going on all over the Cape .. Falmouth and Hyannis .. are more like cities now .. with shopping and restaurants that are open year round .. some do close .. but I am sure if you checked with the Chamber they would have a list to share of what is going on where .. Lots of families are down that week so only the real beach type places close now .. but if you should get lucky with the weather ..beaches are still beautiful at that time of year .. and you won't need a sticker to park .. I would also look in towns nearby to Hyannis .. including Falmouth or Osterville (huge year round population) .. Brewster as well .. Enjoy !

Thank you milemarker and mahs. I've looked into renting a house in Hyannisport (Lewis Bay). Any idea how that area is? Any areas that I should avoid?

That is a very nice residential area not too many places to avoid around there....The Kennedys usually are around that weekend.

If the weather is nice, be on the lookout in the Bay for a blue hulled boat "Mya"

The family usually goes on their final sail of the season over Thanksgiving if the weather is ok. It'll most likely be the only boat other than the ferries out on Lewis Bay at that time of year.

Hi milemarker,

do you live in the area? any suggestions for restaurants? will be bringing a 4 month old baby on the trip during thanksgivung week. thanks!

I grew up in the area, but have moved down to Newport, RI.

I still have family there, and get back pretty frequently. Usually I stick to my old haunts, with an occasional new place that pops up.

Don't have any kids of my own, but most places, unless it's a romantic restaurant, will be fine.

Some favorites in Hyannis:
British Beer Company
http://www.britishbeer.com/local/hyannis/

Roo-Bar
http://www.theroobar.com/

Sam Diegos
http://www.samdiegos.com/

Black Cat
http://www.blackcattavern.com/

Hannahs
http://www.hannahsbistro.com/index.htm

Ardeos
http://www.ardeocapecod.com/ardeo.htm

**Most of these places turn into more of a nightclub/lounge later in the evening...but dinnertime is still relatively quiet.

In the Yarmouth

Captain Parkers
http://www.captainparkers.com/
(absolutely the best clam chowder...IF you like it thick and creamy)

Ardeos (Same owners as in Hyannis, but it's in a strip mall that most tourists wont encounter)

Dennis:
Clancy's
http://www.clancysrestaurant.com/

(There is a Clancy's in Yarmouth, but the view and company is much better in the Dennis one)

Hope that helps, again I'm kidless, so my tastes might be skewed.

Hope you have a nice and relaxing time...the Cape is great that time of year...especially if the weather is nice.

Thank you milemarker. We are doing some daytrips as well from Hyannis while we're there. we are driving to Newport, RI, what is the main area we should head to? Is there a downtown/uptown area where there's shopping, tourisy things to do?

Basically it's all in one area, that's what drew me to Newport, reminded me of the Cape in ways, but a lot more compact and walkable.

The main downtown area is Thames Street. Upper Thames is busy year round, while Lower Thames gets more quiet in the off-season (but still plenty of small shops and restaurants to poke around in)

That time of year, parking is available and free! (A big change from Summer)

For restaurants try:
Brick Alley
http://www.brickalley.com/

Red Parrot
http://www.redparrotrestaurant.com/

Buskers
http://www.buskerspub.com/

The Mooring
http://www.mooringrestaurant.com/

Clarke Cooke House
http://www.clarkecooke.com/clarke_cooke_house.aspx

Black Pearl (The Tavern..casual dining)
http://www.blackpearlnewport.com/
(Chowder is good, but not as good as Captain Parkers on the Cape...IMO)

22 Bowens
http://www.22bowens.com/

5th Element
http://www.5eri.com/

Salvation Cafe
http://go.salvationcafe.com/

I could go on and on...go to
www.gonewport.com
for more links

The mansions are up from Downtown on Bellevue Ave...a few are open for the Christmas Season and decorated:
http://www.newportmansions.org/
and
http://www.astorsbeechwood.com/

Take a 10 mile drive around town:
http://www.oceandrivenewport.com/

Stop by Castle Hill for a great view and drink
http://www.castlehillinn.com/

If the weather is nice, walk part of the Cliff Walk
http://www.cliffwalk.com/

OK, you're only doing a day trip, but you get the idea of what there is to do...

This is great, you're a wealth of info! reserving tickets for the mansions, which ones do you suggest? i am getting the 5 mansion tour, need to pick 5. Have you been to all?

I've been to most at some point or other.

If you're going during your Thanksgiving stay in November, only 3 are open that time of year. (Well 3 plus the Astor's which is run by a separate company)

The Breakers, Marble House, and the Elms. (I would say that those 3 are my favorite Preservation Society Houses)

Rough Point, Doris Duke's Mansion, is probably my favorite, but it is closed that time of year, and run by a separate company too.

Truth be told, 5 mansions in 1 day would be too much for me, I think most people that get those tickets in the summer are sttaying a few days and do a couple a day, and enjoy other thigs too.

The Breakers is a guided tour, while the other 2 (Marble and Elms) are audio tours where you get an i-pod type device, and listen and tour at your own pace.

Ok thanks, we'll cut it short and do one mansion and then tour downtown. The drive from Hyannis to Newport is about 1.5 hours, correct?

Yes, about 1 1/2 hours....pretty straight forward.

Do you know what route I should take when heading to Cape Cod from NYC (ex. - go through which town in CT to get to Cape Cod?) Thank you.