Kennedy Compound

Joseph P. Kennedy and his wife, Ethel, first rented a cottage on Marchant Avenue in Hyannisport in 1926. Three years later they bought it, ushering the lasting association with the Cape through their three children, John, Robert, and Ted. The so-called Kennedy Compound consists of six cottage-dotted acres behind a high fence, though only three of the houses within are owned by the Kennedys. It’s possible to do a quick drive-by in the off-season. During the summer, two police cars guard the turnoff onto the road (though rumor has it that the troopers in the front seat are just stuffed dummies).

John F. Kennedy Museum

In Hyannis proper, the modest and somewhat disappointing John F. Kennedy Museum (397 Main St., 508/775-2201, www.jfkhyannismuseum.org/, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat. and 12–5 p.m. Sun. late–May–mid-Oct.; 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. and 12–4 p.m. Sun. mid-Oct.–Dec. and mid-Feb.–mid-May, $5 adults, $2.50 children 10–17, free children under 10) has a short video about the Kennedys’ time here, along with a collection of black-and-white photographs of JFK sailing, playing ball, and relaxing with his family on the Cape.