What to Buy in Cape Cod: 10 Treasures That Capture the Coast’s Charm

From the briny tang of salt spray on your lips to the creak of wooden piers at dawn, Cape Cod is all weathered shingles, low dunes and a sky that seems to hold a million migrating birds. Morning fog slips off the bay, fishermen unload the day’s catch in Provincetown and Chatham, and on summer evenings the lights of Nauset Lighthouse blink like an old friend. The Cape’s neighborhoods – Wellfleet’s quiet marshes, Hyannis’s bustling harbor, Sandwich’s historic village – each carry a distinct coastal flavor. Whether you want something small to tuck into your suitcase or a statement piece that recalls breezy afternoons on the Cape, these are the best souvenirs from Cape Cod to bring a sense of shore back home with you. 1. Sea glass jewelry Why pick this up: Sea glass is literal treasure from the tide – smooth, frosted shards turned into rings, necklaces and earrings that catch light like tiny, softened gems. Each piece speaks of time, tide and long summers spent combing beaches from Provincetown to Eastham. What to look for: Look for pieces with natural, frosted patina (not overly polished), secure settings and names of local artists. Blue and green pieces are rarer; collectors often prize the “whiskey” amber and cobalt blues. Price bracket (2025): $25–$150 Where to find it: Provincetown art stalls, Wellfleet’s flea markets, galleries on Commercial Street, and small jewelry shops along Main Street in Chatham. 2. Nantucket lightship baskets Why pick this up: These woven baskets are Cape Cod–area icons with roots in Nantucket’s whaling era—beautiful, durable and unmistakably New England. A real conversation piece that ages well. What to look for: Authentic woven cane with turned wooden bases and brass tacks; makers’ marks indicate island craftsmen. Minis make lovely keepsakes; full-size antiques are investment pieces. Price bracket (2025): $200–$4,000 (miniature versions on the lower end) Where to find it: Nantucket shops and artisans, Nantucket Whaling Museum gift shop, select galleries in Hyannis and Chatham. 3. Cranberry preserves and syrups Why pick this up: Cape Cod’s bogs, from Carver to Wareham, produce some of the sweetest, tartest cranberries. Jams, preserves and cocktail syrups bottle that bright, punchy flavor for toast, cocktails and glazes back home. What to look for: Small-batch or single-farm labels, all-fruit recipes (less sugar), and unique blends like cranberry-beach plum or cranberry-maple. Price bracket (2025): $8–$20 Where to find it: Farmers’ markets in Hyannis and Chatham, roadside farm stands in Carver, specialty food shops on Route 6A, and Wellfleet’s fall cranberry festivals. 4. Cape Cod Potato Chips and local snack boxes Why pick this up: A taste of Cape Cod in a crunchy bag—Cape Cod Potato Chips are a regional classic, and curated snack boxes with locally made kettle chips, sea salt caramels and crackers make great gifts. What to look for: Limited-edition flavors (lobster or sea-salt & vinegar regional batches), and themed gift tins during the holidays. Price bracket (2025): $3–$25 Where to find it: Grocery stores and gift shops across the Cape, the Cape Codder outlets in Hyannis, and tourist shops along the seafront. 5. Driftwood décor Why pick this up: Driftwood mirrors, candle-holders and small sculptures bring the Cape’s shoreline straight into your living room—weathered wood with character shaped by surf and sun. What to look for: Sturdy construction (especially for functional pieces), sealed finishes if for indoor use, and pieces sourced from local beaches with labels noting origin towns. Price bracket (2025): $30–$600 Where to find it: Beachside craft fairs in Provincetown, galleries on Route 6A in Sandwich and Barnstable, and artisan booths at Wellfleet’s arts markets. 6. Small‑batch sea salt Why pick this up: Salt harvested or blended on the Cape carries a faint marine minerality that elevates everything from grilled fish to roasted vegetables—practical and poetic. What to look for: Coarse flake salts, flavored blends (seaweed, lemon zest, smoked), and producers who note tidal harvesting methods. Price bracket (2025): $6–$20 Where to find it: Food shops in Hyannis and Orleans, artisan markets in Chatham and Provincetown, and farm stands near the marshes. 7. Glass fishing floats and buoy décor Why pick this up: These rounded, hand-blown or vintage floats—once used by fishermen—add a splash of maritime color and history to shelves and porches. What to look for: Authentic vintage floats are great for collectors; contemporary blown-glass reproductions often have bright, salted tones and are safer for indoor display. Price bracket (2025): $40–$300 Where to find it: Antique shops in Sandwich and Falmouth, seaside gift stores in Wellfleet, and galleries in Provincetown. 8. Lighthouse and dune art prints Why pick this up: Local artists capture the Cape’s light—Nauset, Chatham, Highland and Race Point lighthouses, marshes and beachgrass—with a palette that feels like a postcard. Prints make easy, frameable mementos. What to look for: Hand-signed prints, limited editions, and pieces labeled with the exact lighthouse or dune field depicted. Price bracket (2025): $30–$400 Where to find it: Art galleries on Commercial Street in Provincetown, Main Street galleries in Chatham, and open-studio trails across Eastham and Brewster. 9. Cape Cod Beer and local cider Why pick this up: The Cape’s microbreweries and cider-makers bottle the region’s relaxed summer vibe—crisp ales, fruity ciders and special seasonal batches perfect for backyard clambakes. What to look for: Seasonal releases, brewer notes on local hops or apple varieties, and mixed-packs from Cape Cod Beer (Hyannis) or small cideries in Barnstable County. Price bracket (2025): $6–$30 per bottle/can or small pack Where to find it: Brewery tasting rooms in Hyannis, liquor stores across the Cape, and farmers’ markets where local producers sell directly. 10. Hand‑blown Sandwich‑style glass Why pick this up: Sandwich, one of the Cape’s oldest towns, has a storied glassblowing tradition; hand-blown vases, bowls and paperweights make heirloom-quality souvenirs with historic roots. What to look for: Pieces stamped or labeled as Sandwich-style, blown by local studios, and signed by the artist for provenance. Price bracket (2025): $30–$500 Where to find it: Sandwich Glass Museum gift shop, artisan studios in Sandwich village, and galleries along Route 6A. When packing up your treasures, remember to ask about local shipping options for larger pieces—many Cape Cod shops will crate and ship fragile items so you can bring home a piece of the dunes without the dented souvenir box. 🌊 souvenirs from Cape Cod Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas! About the Author Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!