14 Best Places to Shop in Cape Cod, Massachusetts

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

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.

You'll find used, rare, and new books at this family-owned, independent bookstore, including a large collection of Americana. There's also an extensive selection of children's books. Look for frequent author events and book signings.

This long, skinny shop offers 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. 

The Ghelfi family has been making candy for three generations; the chocolate-covered magic happens in the candy kitchen behind this shop. They make their own fudges, brittles, mints, and most of the chocolates. Their treats are so adored, one customer was buried with a tin of her favorite Ghelfi's chocolates (top that, M&Ms!). Try a sea salt caramel or a cashew turtle and you'll see why. There's a second location in Mashpee Commons. Ice cream is on the menu at both.

Located in two areas on Ocean Street (51 and 180), on a boardwalk that parallels the Hyannis Harbor and at Bismark Park, 12 artist shanties host a rotating slate of 80-plus Cape Cod--based artists. Work ranges from photography and paintings to handmade jewelry, ceramics, and wood carving. Hours vary for artists, so check the website for details.

This inviting Cape Cod-themed shop features mostly local artisans and crafters who fill its shelves with a wide variety of home, garden, food, and gift items.

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 old-fashioned "penny" candy. Some of the chocolates (caramels, fudge, filled chocolates) and all of the saltwater taffy and ice cream are made in-house. 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 Bert, the big stuffed bear, propped on a bench. 

Open since 1961, Marine Specialties, Provincetown's Army-Navy story, is a filled-to-the-rafters treasure-trove of knickknacks, beach gear, and clothing. Here you can purchase some very reasonably priced casual- and military-style clothing by brands including Tommy Bahama (some marked 'irregular'), as well as seashells, marine supplies, stained-glass lamps, candles, rubber sharks (you get the idea), and souvenirs.

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.

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.

Set inside a cute-as-a-candy-button Victorian house, Stage Stop is a family affair, run by Josh and Mandi Fedele and their kids. While some of their recipes date back to the 1920s, the Fedeles are always up for making something new and fun--say chocolate-covered Devil Dogs or freeze-dried gummy sharks. More than 80 percent of what they sell is made in house.

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.