As the semester winds down, the amount of homework and tests you have starts to rev up. If you’re like me, during this period of time, you’re daydreaming about the upcoming summer that’s on the horizon.
Every year, my family would spend a week on Cape Cod, and ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been in love with the popular peninsula in Massachusetts. Since I’ve been going there since I was little and lived there full-time last summer and will again this summer, I consider myself an expert on all things Cape Cod.
So, if during finals week, you’re daydreaming about your trip to Cape Cod this summer, here are a few small businesses you should consider adding to your itinerary!
First things first, we’ll start with my favorite coffee shops!
LightHouse Keeper’s Pantry
Home of the famous Fluffy Seagull latte, there’s a reason why Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry is a fan favorite.
It’s conveniently located on Route 6A in Yarmouth and is the perfect spot for a morning coffee run, to grab food for the beach, or for a fun sweet treat!
It’s locally owned, and everything is made in-house. They offer a variety of specialty drinks from the aforementioned Fluffy Seagull (peanut butter and fluff latte) to the Nantucket Fog (lavender and Earl Grey tea), as well as grab-and-go sandwiches for lunch and breakfast.
In addition to the yummy drinks and treats they sell, they also have sauces, seasonings, and more on sale before you walk up to the cashier. My favorite is their cranberry lime hot sauce.
I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but I’m a huge fan of their caffeine-free hibiscus tea and their Chapin Beach sandwich.
Snowy OWl
Next up on the list is another one of my favorite coffee spots, Snowy Owl! Snowy Owl has three locations throughout the Cape, including Sandwich, Chatham, and Brewster. So, wherever you are on the Cape, you can try their delicious drinks.
If you are a true coffee guru, then Snow Owl is definitely the place to check out! They source all of their coffee beans from Colombia and brew them in-house. They also offer all-natural syrups to put in your coffee or tea, from vanilla to fresh maple syrup. At the different locations, they also offer various baked goods for sale.
I highly recommend the Chai Latte from Snowy Owl, but make sure to ask for it sweetened if you’re looking for a sweeter Chai.
The Hole in One
And finally, a shop I’ve been going to since I was little: the Hole in One! Like Snowy Owl, they have multiple locations on Cape Cod including Yarmouth, Orleans, and Eastham.
The fan favorite at Hole in One is the donuts, and they are the perfect treat to start your day or bring back to your cottage. If you’re looking for a restaurant to sit down and eat breakfast, the Eastham and Orleans locations are the perfect place to do so, as they offer a variety of breakfast foods and meals.
They also have a variety of drinks from coffee to tea. I also love the chai latte here, where they sprinkle a little nutmeg on top, which is the perfect addition.
Now, we’ll talk about some of my favorite bookstores.
The Brewster Bookstore
Located right on Route 6A in Brewster, The Brewster Bookstore is the perfect spot for a beach read!
In addition to the many books they sell, they also sell games, painting supplies, watercolor books, and more. If you’re interested, they also host various author signings in the summertime. It’s been locally owned in the same location since 1982.
Where the SideWalk Ends
Like the name implies, Where the Sidewalk Ends is located at the end of the sidewalk of the very popular Main Street in Chatham!
Just like the Brewster Bookstore, they sell a variety of your favorite novels. The first floor is for adult books, the second floor for children and teens. After a long day shopping at the shops in Chatham, this is a perfect final stop to pick out a read for your vacation.
And finally, I’ll give my three favorite places to shop until you drop!
Sundance Clothing
Just like Where the Sidewalk Ends, Sundance Clothing is located right on Main Street in Chatham as well as in Sandwich.
They sell everything from clothes to jewelry to various furniture; it’s the perfect stop for your Main Street itinerary. In addition, over the summer, they have a charm bar where you can make a necklace, bracelet, or anklet with your choice of charms. Every time my best friend came to visit me last summer, we always made a point to visit the Charm Bar.
The Earth House
For those who love to collect records or crystals, The Earth House is the perfect place for you! Located right on Route 6A in Orleans, it’s the perfect stop for vinyl and antiques. It’s definitely not the usual store you would find on the Cape, but that’s what makes it unique. I highly recommend adding this store to your itinerary.
The Handcraft House Gallery
And finally, another cute shop on Route 6A in Brewster, The Handcraft House! Out of all the shops I mentioned, this one might be my favorite.
It’s a gallery full of handmade items from local Cape Cod or Massachusetts artists or businesses. It’s the perfect place to stop for a gift or memento for your trip to the Cape!
Cape Cod is such a beautiful place to visit in the summer with its beaches and sunsets. It’s also a place of many small businesses, reminding us to keep supporting local businesses. Happy shopping!