Brewster, Massachusetts, is a quaint coastal town in Barnstable County on Cape Cod with a rich history. Settled in 1656, it’s home to public beaches along Cape Cod Bay, parks, historic structures, unique shops, and a lot of culinary talent.

Despite the town being quiet and slow-paced, there are plenty of things to do in Brewster MA. We’ve put together some of our favorite Brewster MA things to do to help you get the most out of your trip to Cape Cod.

Fun Outdoor Things to Do in Brewster MA

If there’s one thing that’s abundant in Brewster, it’s outdoor activities. These are some of the best and most popular outdoor things to do in Brewster MA.

Brewster Beaches

At low tide, a trip to any of the town’s Cape Cod Bay beaches is a wonderful way to see the Brewster Flats. The receding ocean water reveals clam beds, tidal pools, and almost two miles of sandbar for you to stroll, explore, or simply relax on with a beach chair. These powder sandy Brewster beaches include:

• Breakwater Beach
• Crosby Landing
• Ellis Landing Beach
• Linnell Landing Beach
• Mant’s Landing (Robbins Hill Beach)
• Paine’s Creek Beach
• Point of Rocks Landing Beach
• Saints Landing Beach

In addition, Brewster has some refreshing inland beaches. Long Pond, for instance, features more than 6 miles of beach and stretches into Harwich. The freshwater is wonderful for swimming in the summer months.

Nickerson State Park

With wooded trails for walking and 8 miles of bike trails that connect to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park offers many outdoor activities. Three of its ponds are ideal for boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming — Cliff Pond, Flax Pond, and Little Cliff Pond. You can go horseback riding too. Other facilities include an amphitheater, playground, and restrooms. Keep in mind that there’s a parking fee.

Cape Cod Rail Trail

As the most extensive bike path on the peninsula, the Cape Cod Rail Trail is one of the best Brewster MA things to do. As of 2021, the paved path extends for nearly 30 miles from Yarmouth in the west to Wellfleet in the northeast. Along the way, it connects to bike trails and provides beach access in multiple towns, including Brewster. Aside from biking, you can use it for hiking, horseback riding, running, and walking. Be sure to wear your bathing suit so that you can stop along the way and swim at one of the beaches or ponds!

Golf & Mini Golf Courses

Whether you’re looking for leisure couple, group, or family activities, the town has a few golfing and miniature golfing spots. Harbor Lights Mini Golf is open for the summer season and serves Gifford’s Ice Cream. Captain’s Golf Course is the town’s premier golf facility with two championship courses. Also in town is Cape Cod National Golf Club, which has an 18-hole championship golf course.

Best History & Entertainment Brewster MA Things to Do

There are several learning opportunities throughout Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Here are a few that are located in downtown Brewster MA and the surrounding area.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

With just 17,000 square feet, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History preserves and displays natural artifacts. It features archaeology exhibits, wildlife exhibits — including a collection of birds — an aquarium, and interactive exhibits. Additionally, a screened house is the setting for a butterfly life-cycle exhibit, which is popular with locals and visitors every year. The museum even has 400-plus acres of natural habitat with wildflower gardens and nature trails.

Cobb House Museum & Windmill Village

Safeguarding Brewster-related history and artifacts, The Brewster Historical Society maintains several historical sites. The Cobb House Museum is a restored house from the late 1700s and features five permanent galleries. Windmill Village consists of a restored windmill and an 18th-century house.

Stony Brook Grist Mill & Museum

Among the historical Brewster MA things to do, visiting the Stony Brook Grist Mill & Museum is one of the most picturesque. The historic mill is the only structure from Factory Village that still stands. During the summer season, the upstairs museum is open for viewing 19th-century artifacts.

Cape Rep Theatre

One of the best cultural attractions in town is watching a performance at Cape Rep Theatre. The theatre company is committed to telling incredible stories and performs four to five indoor plays and musicals between May and December. In the past, it has performed “Shakespeare in Love” and “Mama Mia!” Children’s shows are available in the outdoor theater during the summer.

Awesome Festivals & Events in Brewster MA

The community hosts several events throughout the year. However, the two biggest are Brewster in Bloom and Brewster for the Holidays. Here’s some more information about these Brewster MA events.

Brewster in Bloom

Brewster in Bloom is an annual arts and antiques event that the town hosts from the end of April to the beginning of May. For three days, you can enjoy self-guided tours of galleries with fine arts and crafts. There’s a 5K race, live music, a parade, and more.

Brewster for the Holidays

Held at Drummer Boy Park next to Windmill Village, Brewster for the Holidays is a monthlong event that starts at the end of November and runs until Christmas Eve. The many festivities include a holiday concert, a tree lighting ceremony, historic inn tours, and photos with Santa Claus at Lemon Tree Village. Even the restored windmill is aglow with lights at night!

Best & Unique Brewster MA Shopping Experiences

If you want low-key Brewster MA things to do, the town has more than a dozen shops. From the general store to a small shopping center, you’ll find traditional and unique items as well as everything in between. Brewster has some of the best shopping Cape Cod offers!

Sydenstricker Glass

Using the hand-carved stencil technique of artist Bill Sydenstricker, the Sydenstricker Glass studio creates unique glass art designs. Some of the pieces are on display in major museums and galleries — Tiffany Museum in Winter Park, Florida; Museum of Modern Art in New York; and the Toronto Museum of Art. In the main gallery, you can view and purchase the handcrafted masterpieces. Downstairs, you can watch the artisans make glassware designs.

HandCraft House

At the HandCraft House, you’ll find an extraordinary collection of functional and decorative crafts — artisan candles, garden art, wall sculptures, oil paintings, jewelry, clocks, and more. Everything in the store is handmade in North America, and many of the artists are Cape Cod residents.

Wisteria Antiques

Set up in a sterling lavender Victorian home, Wisteria Antiques is a mesmerizing shop with an extensive collection of the finest hand-painted porcelain in the United States. It used to be the home of a sea captain but now houses vintage Venetian glass, fluted stemware, crystal, Limoges porcelain, costume jewelry, perfume bottles, paperweights, and more. You’re sure to find something beautiful for yourself or someone special at one of the best Brewster MA antiques shops.

The Brewster Store

As an old-fashioned general store, The Brewster Store sells a wide range of items — books, shirts, penny candy, antique lamp parts, unusual gifts, and souvenirs. It’s located in a building that was erected as a church in 1852. You’ll see it next to the Brewster Scoop ice cream shop on historic Route 6A.

Lemon Tree Village Shops

At Lemon Tree Village, you’ll find a collection of unique shops. The Cook Shop has an array of gourmet food products, tabletop items, chef’s tools, and one-of-a-kind kitchen supplies. The Village Toy Store has all kinds of children’s toys, books, games, and more. You can get divine fudge, truffles, penny candy, and more at Brewster Sweets.

Here are some other Lemon Tree Village shops that we recommend:

• Brewster Birdhouse at Woodworks Gallery
• By-the-Bay Designs
• La Bodega Cape Cod
• Lemon Tree Pottery
• The Sanctuary — Healing Therapies and Gifts

Delicious Restaurants in Brewster MA

Over the years, the culinary scene on this Massachusetts peninsula has become quite remarkable. In fact, eating is one of the most satisfying Brewster MA things to do. Below are a few of the best restaurants in Brewster on Cape Cod – all within walking distance of Candleberry Inn Brewster Bed & Breakfast.

Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters

When you want coffee, Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters is the best place to go. This coffeehouse has been serving specialty coffee for more than five years. Along with a caffeine boost, the shop serves oatmeal, pastries, jerky, chocolates, cookies, and more.

Brewster Inn & Chowder House

Serving food for more than a century, Brewster Inn & Chowder House is located in a former retirement home that was built around 1870. The kitchen makes homestyle seafood and other delicious dishes for lunch and dinner — including fish sandwiches and platters. The dining room is casual and ideal for couples or families. The fried scallop and oyster rolls are unique items on the menu that you won’t find at any other restaurant in town.

Spinnaker

Offering a fantastic fine dining experience, Spinnaker has a romantic atmosphere that’s perfect for couples and small groups. It has only been open since 2017 but has become popular among locals and visitors. The Mediterranean-inspired menu changes depending on the available fresh ingredients. Despite that, you can always expect a creative menu and an extensive wine list. It is a short walk away from the Candleberry Inn, and we recommend that you make a reservation.

Eat Cake 4 Breakfast Bakery

With a mission to make food fun and delectable, the Eat Cake 4 Breakfast Bakery is owned by a pastry chef who studied French pastry and applies those techniques to traditional American baked goods. The menu includes a variety of cakes, cookies, croissants, individual desserts, pies, quiches, scones, and tarts. You can order an espresso or coffee as well.

Candleberry Inn Cape Cod Has the Best Accommodations in Brewster MA

Located in the heart of town, Candleberry Inn Cape Cod is the best Brewster bed and breakfast and is conveniently near all of these Brewster MA things to do. We have some of the best luxury accommodations on the cape.

Furthermore, we’re only about 20 minutes from Chatham, 45 minutes from Provincetown, and 90 minutes from Boston. As our guests, you’re within proximity to the many other things to do on Cape Cod and beyond, such as Cape Cod whale-watching cruises.

Check our rates to reserve a room or suite today.