The Best Antique Shops on Cape Cod

Aside from the usual touristy activities, Cape Cod is known for, the region offers a unique antiquing experience for people who want to experience a bit of history. In fact, the Cape has one of the greatest clusters of antique shops in the United States. Most of the businesses are family-owned. Antiquing on the Cape is an amazing experience as you can always tell the passion behind the curations since the people who run the shops care deeply about their timeless collections.

Getting around should be easy once you figure out where to start. The shops are mostly found in clusters and you can find several great shops within walking distance of each other. This article should give you an idea of where to go for the best antiquing experience on Cape Cod.

Ship and Shore Nautical Artifacts (Sagamore, MA)

If you are looking for marine antiques, Ship and Shore Nautical Artifacts & Decor along Cranberry Highway should be your first stop. It has one of the greatest selections of antique lanterns and ship portholes around. Besides marine artifacts, they also stock model ships, nautical-themed toys, and trade signs.

You might be lucky to lay your hands on some of the hardest finds in marine antiquing business when you make a stop at Ship and Shore. Their ever-changing collection has warship portholes, rectangular portholes, and brass portholes. Lanterns available include warship floodlights, cruise ship lanterns, antique brass lanterns, and port lanterns. 

Sandwich Antiques Center (Sandwich, MA)

The Sandwich Antique Center is located at 131 Route 6A, Sandwich, MA is arguably one of the best venues of its kind on the Cape. The shop is spread over 5,000 square feet and is quite easy to find once you arrive at Sagamore Bridge. The center has been around for more than two decades. It is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.

Their offerings are very diverse and will satisfy the wants of most collectors or anyone just browsing. They have home accessories, pieces of furniture, fine art, jewelry, and other interesting pieces. Their offerings are not limited to antiques as they also have contemporary items such as fine art, photography, and sculptures.

Paul Madden Antiques (Sandwich, MA)

Paul Madden Antiques is located at 146 Main Street, Sandwich Village, MA. They have been in business for about half a century. Their inventory consists of a variety of Americana with every sale being guaranteed in writing by the establishment. Collectors, museums, and decorators will find their collection quite impressive.

At any given time, the shop has thousands of items available for sale. You can check new arrivals on their official website. Their inventory usually has marine antiques, Americana folk portraiture, Americana folk art, artwork from the Cape, Nantucket Lightship baskets, and antique scrimshaw.

Historical Antiques and Coins (Sandwich, MA)

Historical Antiques and Coins have been in operation since 1981. It is located on Route 6A and it is open from Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 5 pm and on Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. You can check into the store any time it is open to browse what they have to offer.

Their inventory has coins and currency, military artifacts, collectibles, and various other interesting finds including gold and silver items. They have experienced staff on board who can help you better understand the pieces they have in their collection and so make an informed purchase. If you are selling your treasures, you should also consider making a stop at the shop. They buy a wide range of antiques and historical items including military relics, gold, silver, jewelry, coins, and other items.

Cat’s Meow Antiques (New Bedford, MA)

Cat’s Meow Antiques is located at Acushnet River Antiques, 50 Kilburn Street, New Bedford, MA. The shop is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. They have a relatively small collection but it is always packed with some very interesting items.

The antique is run by an amazing collector; Paula Deane. Her collection has paintings, traditional antiques, jewelry, furniture, glassware, and other fascinating vintage pieces. Her experience in the business shows in her showcase and the range of items available in the shop. 

West Dennis Antiques (West Dennis, MA)

You will find the West Dennis Antique Shop at 259 Rt. 28 West Dennis, MA. The proprietor restored an old 18^th-century building and then furnished it with furniture, oriental rugs, painting, andirons, jewelry, and various other accessories from the 18^th and 19^th century. All these items were collected from New England. The property is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.

Brian Cullity American Antiques (Sagamore, MA)

You will need to book an appointment to see Brian Cullity’s American Antique collection. They have a selection of English ceramics, American glass, and American ceramics from the pilgrim era through to the classical period.

Brian, the proprietor, grew up in a family with an antique shop. He worked at the shop during his teenage years. After completing Navy school, he took a teaching job. He quit teaching after a short stint to deal in antiques full-time in Tennessee. He came back to New England in 1982 and he has been involved heavily in the local antique scene ever since.

Maps of Antiquity (Chatham, MA)

If you are crazy about maps, there is no better place to visit on the Cape than Maps of Antiquity. The shop is located at 1409 Main Street (Route 28), Chatham, MA. They are open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. You can also arrange an after-hours appointment by phone. The business is run by Bob Zaremba and Danielle Jeanloz, a couple living on the Cape.

Their collection of antique maps dates as far back as the 15^th century. It is a huge collection with newer maps from the 21^st century also being available. Categories available include maritime maps, maps of the United States, celestial and constellation maps, comparative maps, military maps, historical maps, antique atlases, antique wall maps, world maps, and transportation maps. You will find several antique maps of North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and the Pacific.

Windsong Antiques

Windsong Antiques can be found on Route 28 in Harwich Port. It is one of the oldest local businesses currently in operation on the Cape. It was established in 1958 by John and Cassandra Baylis. They ran the shop successfully until 1987 when they moved the operations of the business to Florida. The business would return to Cape Cod in 2005 under the care of their daughter, Sandra Baylis.

As a business that has been in continuous operation for nearly six decades, it has built a reputation as one of the antiques on the Cape with some of the best finds. Their collection of antiques include early English and American blown glass, country furniture, cut glass, art glass, pattern glass, ceramics from the 18^th and 19^th century, American pottery from the 19^th and 20^th century, silver coins, postcards, jewelry, prints, and much more. You can check all these antiques on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The shop is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays.

 

Closing Thoughts

While most of the better antiques are found in the Upper Cape, the Lower Cape, and the Mid Cape, the Outer Cape also has some decent shops worth checking out. In Provincetown, there is a cluster of shops on Commercial Street with some great antique collections. Yesterday’s Treasures and Scott Dinsmore Antiques on the same street should make for an interesting antique hunting experience.

Cape Cod has so many great antiques and this list is definitely not a comprehensive account of the antiquing experience on the Cape. Luckily for you, many antiques are within walking distance of each other and you can find yourself making stops in several shops during a normal visit. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations on the best shops to visit once you are on the ground. People familiar with the local scene will be more than glad to help you.