Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Brewster, MA

This historic coastal town is located on the bay side of Cape Cod, having served as a favored residence for sea captains in the early 19th century before evolving into a summer retreat for the affluent. The water along the bay side is notably warmer than that of the ocean side, with much calmer surf, making Brewster an excellent choice for a family beach vacation.

Additionally, the grandeur of the Brewster Flats—believed to be the most extensive tidal flats in America—offers breathtaking vistas. These flats provide an educational experience for children, allowing exploration of tidal pools rich with crabs, oysters, mussels, scallops, and other marine life up to two miles at low tide.

1. Crosby Landing Beach

While Brewster has several public beaches worth visiting, Crosby Landing Beach is notable for its spaciousness, complemented by ample parking in the dunes behind. At high tide, visitors can relax on the sand and swim in the gentle surf.

First-time visitors may be astonished by the stunning view at low tide, where sand stretches endlessly, adorned only by tide pools.

The scenery becomes even more captivating on a partially cloudy day, with shafts of sunlight illuminating the pools, or at sunset, creating an incredibly romantic ambiance.

2. Nickerson State Park

Established in 1934, Nickerson State Park is the first state park in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This expansive 1,900-acre area, characterized by kettle ponds and scrub pines, was a donation from the widow of Samuel Mayo Nickerson (1830-1914), a founder of the First National Bank of Chicago.

Mayo passed away shortly after the destruction of his grand mansion, Fieldstone Hall. The park’s pine-fringed ponds create an ideal setting for a variety of water activities, including swimming and kayaking.

The visitor center at the north end is connected to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, complete with a bike rental and repair station along the pathway.

Within the park, there are 16 miles of trails and over 400 campsites distributed among various small-scale campgrounds, most located by the ponds.

3. Brewster Old King’s Highway Historic District

The Old King’s Highway (Massachusetts Route 6A) is a stunningly scenic drive winding around Cape Cod Bay.

This route is steeped in history, connecting a series of charming town centers. Originally a Native American trail, it transitioned into a cart path for 17th-century colonists and subsequently a favored residential street for sea captains in the 19th century.

Virtually all of the Old King’s Highway in Brewster is preserved as a historic district. At the Harwich Road intersection, one can visit the site where the town initially developed in the late 17th century.

Near this area, the elegant Brewster Ladies’ Library, built in the Stick style in 1868, remains active.

The road is lined with various attractions mentioned in this article, alongside a distinguished selection of antique stores, galleries, hobby shops, home design boutiques, and impressive captains’ homes from the 18th and 19th centuries.

4. Cape Cod Rail Trail

This well-known 25.5-mile rail trail traverses Brewster along the former railbed of the Old Colony Railroad, established in the 1860s.

As one of the first projects of its kind in America, the Cape Cod Rail Trail was developed in the 1970s following the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ acquisition of the right-of-way.

In Brewster, this trail serves as an exceptional means of navigating by bike or on foot. To the south, it showcases a quintessential Cape Cod landscape filled with cranberry bogs and ponds.

One notable area is Long Pond, the largest freshwater pond on Cape Cod, which features Brewster’s public freshwater swimming beach.

The trail runs alongside Old King’s Highway for a mile or two before leading into Nickerson State Park in the northeast corner.

5. Stony Brook Grist Mill and Museum

There may not be a more picturesque scene on Cape Cod than this historic water-powered grist mill, nestled in a serene valley along Stony Brook.

This watercourse once served as Brewster’s economic foundation, powering the country’s first grist and woolen mill in the late 17th century.

The present structure at 830 Stony Brook Rd is what remains of Factory Village, a commercial community that emerged at the turn of the 19th century.

The waterwheel and milling machinery were added during a restoration completed in 2009 and are of contemporary design.

Open during summer Saturdays, visitors can observe the milling process and purchase freshly ground cornmeal.

In spring, alewife herring migrate upstream to the mill pond to spawn, a natural event that can be witnessed via fish ladders located across the road from the mill.

6. Breakwater Beach

The nearest public beach to Brewster’s historic center is only a few minutes away from Brewster Store and Brewster Ladies’ Library.

Served by two parking lots, Breakwater Beach features a delightful stretch of sandy shoreline bordered by gentle dunes, secured by the namesake breakwaters.

At high tide, the beach is relatively small and descends sharply into the water, which is surprisingly warm in the height of summer.

When the tide recedes, visitors can explore Brewster Flats, discovering tide pools or admiring the stunning sunset views during early or late hours of the day.

7. Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

For those interested in learning about the Cape’s wildlife, natural history, and archaeology, a family-friendly museum situated next to Stony Brook offers a comprehensive experience.

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History highlights various subjects, from 10,000 years of human habitation around Stony Brook to the Wampanoag Native Americans, colonization, and the early industry.

The museum includes an aquarium featuring over 80 native species, alongside beehives, a butterfly house, and a collection of local bird specimens.

Furthermore, the museum’s outdoor space encompasses more than 80 acres, plus trails that extend into an additional 320 acres of conservation lands, following the lower reaches of Stony Brook and leading to Cape Cod Bay.

This area boasts a diverse array of habitats to explore, including salt marshes, pitch pine forests, beech woodlands, a barrier beach, and the banks of Stony Brook, where the herring migration can be observed in springtime.

8. Paine’s Creek Beach

At the mouth of Stony Creek, a stunning inlet surrounded by rocks presents a delightful opportunity for exploration, particularly during the summer months.

Paine’s Creek Beach serves as a safe and enjoyable swimming area when the tide is in and is an optimal location for launching a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

At such times, visitors can float from the freshwater creek into the saltwater. During low tide, this site also provides an excellent starting point for a journey onto Brewster Flats or a tranquil walk to find clear water for swimming.

9. Brewster Whitecaps

Cape Cod is renowned in the baseball community for the ten-team Cape Cod Baseball League, a platform where future Major League Baseball stars participate in collegiate summer baseball.

Organized baseball has been played on Cape Cod for nearly as long as anywhere else, with a Brewster team dating back to the 1880s.

However, the Brewster Whitecaps are a more recent establishment, joining the league as an expansion team in 1988. Prominent players who have passed through the Whitecaps include Aaron Judge, Jeff McNeil, and Kyle Hendricks.

The Whitecaps play at the 4,000-seat Stony Brook Field, which opened in 2006 and is adjacent to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Their season runs from mid-June to mid-August, with Brewster securing three championships in 2000, 2017, and 2021.

10. Drummer Boy Park

A fitting complement to a visit to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History is this adjoining public park.

Drummer Boy Park features an open field equipped with paved pathways, benches, and mature trees. One notable feature is the Old Higgins Farm Windmill, a smock windmill dating back to 1795, relocated to its current position in the 1970s.

Adjacent to the windmill is The Harris-Black House, built around the same era, believed to be the last existing primitive one-room house on the Cape.

At the opposite end of the park lies a gazebo, which serves as the center for a series of Sunday concerts and various public outdoor gatherings during the summer months.

11. Cape Rep Theatre

This artist-driven theater company operates on seven acres of picturesque land at Nickerson State Park.

Cape Rep Theatre features a charming indoor venue with 125 seats, originally constructed in 1959 for a summer camp.

An outdoor theater accommodating up to 200 guests in summer is also available, making it unique in the Cape.

The main season spans from May to December, offering a broad array of performances, from classic Broadway musicals to innovative productions by emerging talents.

During summer, there are family-oriented performances during the day, followed by more sophisticated productions in the evening.

12. JT’s Seafood Restaurant

Cape Cod is widely recognized for its clam shacks, which are casual establishments serving quintessential New England seafood and comforting dishes.

JT’s Seafood Restaurant, located along the Old King’s Highway in Brewster, is a prime example of this culinary tradition. Highlights of the menu include lobster rolls (both hot and cold), clam chowder, clam strips, fish & chips, and lobster bisque.

For those who are indecisive, the Fisherman’s Platter offers a sampling of a variety of items. Additionally, JT’s is among the few local establishments offering exceptional ice cream, featuring 20 flavors alongside frozen yogurt, soft serve, and sorbet.

13. Crosby Mansion

Located on the route to Crosby Landing is an opulent mansion constructed in 1888 for entrepreneur Albert Crosby (1823-1906).

After relocating to Chicago, Crosby amassed a fortune from distilled alcohol production, particularly during the Civil War. His impressive 35-room residence in Brewster drew inspiration from the extravagant homes along Chicago’s Gold Coast.

He and his wife Matilda named it “Tawasentha,” referencing Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Song of Hiawatha.”

The scale of construction was so significant that a spur was built on the Old Colony Railroad specifically for its construction.

Noteworthy features include a 60-foot viewing tower, extensive hand-carved mahogany details, a two-story billiard room, a grand parlor, and a two-story art gallery that showcased works from artists like Childe Hassam and El Greco.

The Crosby Mansion remains a testament to the opulence of its era and is open for tours on Sundays during July and August.

14. Harbor Lights Mini Golf

For families traveling with children who seek an alternative to Brewster’s historical and cultural offerings, there exists a classic seaside mini-golf course just off the Old King’s Highway.

Harbor Lights Mini Golf features winding pathways interspersed with abundant vegetation, flowers, and water, resembling a garden attraction.

Little boulders dot the course, and the centerpiece includes an outcropping with a cave and waterfall.

Skill prevails over luck across these 18 rolling holes. As an added bonus, the course serves Gifford’s Ice Cream, along with floats, sundaes, and shakes.

15. Brewster General Store

A staple of community life for over 150 years, the Brewster General Store embodies a cherished throwback, offering a wide variety of goods while serving as a welcoming communal space with a set of benches outside.

Initially constructed as a church in 1852, the building transitioned into a general store in 1866 upon the arrival of the Cape Cod Central Railroad.

The long side windows reflect the building’s previous function. Notables such as Horatio Alger and Helen Keller have been known to frequent the store, which has gained fame over generations of vacationers.

Products include penny candy, greeting cards, local jams, toys, puzzles, board games, homeware, beach essentials, books, and much more.

Mornings see locals stopping by for fresh coffee and pastries, and the Brewster Scoop ice cream stand in the parking area is a summer must-visit.