Nestled in Barnstable County on Cape Cod, Brewster Massachusetts is a charming coastal town steeped in history. Founded in 1656, it boasts public beaches, parks, historic buildings, distinctive shops, and a vibrant culinary scene — all next to Cape Cod Bay.
Though Brewster may seem tranquil and leisurely, it’s filled with activities and attractions. To enhance your Cape Cod visit, we’ve compiled a list of our top recommended things to do in Brewster MA, ensuring that you fully experience the town’s offerings.
Fun Outdoor Things to Do in Brewster MA
Brewster is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wealth of activities across its scenic landscape. Here are some of the top and most beloved outdoor pursuits to enjoy in Brewster MA.
Brewster Beaches
Visiting Cape Cod Bay’s beaches during low tide is an exceptional experience in Brewster, showcasing the famous Brewster Flats. As the ocean recedes, it uncovers clam beds, tidal pools, and nearly 2 miles of sandbars that are perfect for walking, exploring, or just lounging in a beach chair on the soft, sandy shores. Here’s a quick list of the beaches in Brewster:
- 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
Moreover, Brewster offers delightful inland beach options. Long Pond spans over 6 miles of shoreline, extending into Harwich. Its freshwater provides an ideal setting for swimming during the summer.
Nickerson State Park
Spanning 1,900 acres, Nickerson State Park is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts with its forested walking paths and 8 miles of bike trails, which link to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The park features three ponds — Cliff Pond, Flax Pond, and Little Cliff Pond — that are perfect for boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming.
Horseback riding is another activity you can enjoy here. And, additional amenities include an amphitheater, playground, and restrooms.
NOTE: Parking is subject to a fee.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
The Cape Cod Rail Trail stands out as the peninsula’s longest bike path and is a top activity in Brewster MA. As of 2021, this paved trail stretches almost 30 miles from Yarmouth in the west to Wellfleet in the northeast, linking with other bike trails and offering beach access across several towns, including Brewster.
The paved path isn’t just for biking. It’s also perfect for hiking, horseback riding, running, and walking. Don’t forget to wear your swimsuit so that you’re ready to enjoy a swim at any of the beaches or ponds you encounter along the way!
Golf & Mini-Golf Courses
Brewster caters to all kinds of visitors — from couples seeking leisure to groups and families looking for fun activities — with its selection of golf and mini-golf options. Harbor Lights Mini Golf welcomes visitors in the summer and offers Gifford’s Ice Cream as a treat. For those seeking a more traditional golfing experience, Captain’s Golf Course features two premier championship courses.
Best History & Entertainment Things to Do in Brewster MA
Cape Cod Massachusetts is rich in educational and entertainment experiences. Below are some notable opportunities in downtown Brewster MA and its vicinity.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Spanning 17,000 square feet, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History is dedicated to conserving and showcasing natural artifacts. The museum hosts a variety of exhibits, including archaeology and wildlife displays with a notable bird collection, an aquarium, and hands-on exhibits.
A highlight is the butterfly life-cycle exhibit housed in a screened area, attracting both locals and visitors annually. Moreover, the museum encompasses over 400 acres of natural habitats, featuring wildflower gardens and nature trails.
Cobb House Museum & Windmill Village
The Brewster Historical Society plays a crucial role in preserving the town’s history and artifacts through its stewardship of various historical sites. Among these, the Cobb House Museum, a restored, late-1700s residence, showcases five permanent galleries. Additionally, Windmill Village highlights a restored windmill alongside a house from the 18th century, offering a glimpse into Brewster’s past.
Stony Brook Grist Mill & Museum
Exploring the historical things to do in Brewster MA, the Stony Brook Grist Mill & Museum stands out for its scenic beauty. This historic mill is the sole remaining structure from Factory Village. In the summer, visitors can explore the museum upstairs, which houses a collection of 19th-century artifacts, offering a unique glimpse into the past.
Crosby Mansion
The Crosby Mansion is a historical gem that embodies the elegance of the 19th century. This meticulously restored mansion showcases intricate architecture and design, offering visitors a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of its original owners. Its sprawling grounds and detailed interior make it a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and architecture admirers alike.
Cape Rep Theatre
A highlight among the town’s cultural offerings is attending a show at the Cape Rep Theatre. This theatre company is dedicated to bringing remarkable stories to life, staging four to five indoor plays and musicals from May through December. Additionally during the summer, the outdoor theater hosts children’s shows, making it a diverse and engaging entertainment venue.
FACT: Past productions at the Cape Rep Theatre include hits like “Shakespeare in Love” and “Mamma Mia!”
Awesome Festivals & Events in Brewster MA
Throughout the year, the Brewster community comes alive with numerous events, but two celebrations stand out as the most significant. Here’s an overview of these hallmark Brewster MA events.
Brewster in Bloom
Brewster in Bloom is a yearly celebration of arts and antiques that takes place from late April to early May. For three days, attendees can partake in self-guided tours that showcase galleries filled with fine arts and crafts. Additional highlights include a 5K race, live music, a parade, and various other activities.
Brewster for the Holidays
Brewster for the Holidays takes place at Drummer Boy Park, adjacent to Windmill Village, and spans from the end of November to Christmas Eve. This month-long celebration is packed with festive activities, including a holiday concert, a tree-lighting ceremony, tours of historic inns, and opportunities for photos with Santa Claus at Lemon Tree Village. At night, the restored windmill lights up, adding a magical glow to the festivities.
Best & Unique Brewster MA Shopping Experiences
For those seeking relaxed things to do in Brewster MA, the town boasts over a dozen shops — ranging from a classic general store to a quaint shopping center. Here, you can discover both traditional and unique finds, covering everyday essentials, one-of-a-kind treasures, and more. Brewster shopping is known for offering some of the best experiences on Cape Cod!
Sydenstricker Glass
The Sydenstricker Glass studio specializes in unique glass art creations, utilizing the hand-carved stencil method pioneered by artist Bill Sydenstricker. Pieces from this studio are featured in prestigious institutions like the Tiffany Museum in Winter Park Florida, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Toronto Museum of Art.
In the studio’s main gallery, visitors have the opportunity to view and buy these handcrafted masterpieces. Additionally, they can observe the skilled artisans crafting glassware designs in the downstairs workshop.
HandCraft House
The HandCraft House boasts an impressive selection of both functional and decorative handmade items, including artisan candles, garden art, wall sculptures, oil paintings, jewelry, clocks, and much more. All products in the store are handcrafted in North America, with many of the artists hailing from Cape Cod, showcasing local talent and craftsmanship.
Wisteria Antiques
Housed in a striking lavender Victorian residence, Wisteria Antiques offers a captivating shopping experience with a vast array of the United States’ finest hand-painted porcelain.
Formerly the dwelling of a sea captain, this enchanting shop now features an assortment of treasures, including vintage Venetian glass, fluted stemware, crystal, Limoges porcelain, costume jewelry, perfume bottles, paperweights, and much more. Whether for yourself or as a gift, you’re bound to discover something exquisite in one of Brewster MA’s premier antique stores.
The Brewster Store
An old-fashioned general store, The Brewster Store offers an eclectic mix of products — books, shirts, penny candy, antique lamp parts, unique gifts, and souvenirs. This charming store occupies a structure originally built as a church in 1852. Situated alongside the Brewster Scoop ice cream shop on the historic Route 6A, it’s a must-visit for a taste of local history and a variety of shopping options.
Lemon Tree Village Shops
Lemon Tree Village is home to a diverse range of distinctive stores. The Cook Shop features a wide selection of gourmet foods, dining accessories, culinary tools, and exclusive kitchenware, while The Village Toy Store offers an extensive assortment of toys, books, games, and more for all ages. For those with a sweet tooth, Brewster Sweets serves delicious fudge, truffles, penny candy, and other treats.
Below are additional Lemon Tree Village shops we suggest visiting:
Delicious Restaurants in Brewster MA
The culinary landscape of the Cape has greatly evolved over time, so dining out has become one of the most enjoyable things to do in Brewster MA. Here are some of the top restaurants in the town, some of which are conveniently located within walking distance of the Candleberry Inn.
Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters
For coffee enthusiasts, Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters stands out as the premier destination. With years of experience in serving specialty coffee, this cafe provides not only a caffeine fix but also oatmeal, pastries, jerky, chocolates, cookies, and an array of other treats.
Brewster Inn & Chowder House
With a history of serving meals for over a century, Brewster Inn & Chowder House occupies a building that once served as a retirement home, constructed circa 1870.
Specializing in homestyle seafood and a variety of delectable options for lunch and dinner — such as fish sandwiches and platters — this establishment boasts a relaxed dining atmosphere for couples. Notably, its menu features unique offerings like fried scallop and oyster rolls — distinct dishes not available at any other local restaurant.
Spinnaker
Spinnaker delivers an exquisite fine-dining experience in a romantic setting ideal for couples and small groups. Since its opening in 2017, it has quickly gained popularity among both locals and tourists.
The restaurant’s Mediterranean-inspired cuisine varies with the availability of fresh ingredients, ensuring a dynamic and creative menu complemented by an extensive wine selection. Conveniently located a brief stroll from the Candleberry Inn, securing a reservation is highly recommended to enjoy this culinary gem.
Eat Cake 4 Breakfast Bakery
Bringing a playful and delicious approach to dining, Eat Cake 4 Breakfast Bakery is led by a pastry chef with formal training in French pastry techniques, which are cleverly infused into classic American bakery items. The diverse menu features an assortment of cakes, cookies, croissants, individual desserts, pies, quiches, scones, and tarts. Plus, espresso and coffee are available to complement your choice of treat.
Candleberry Inn Has the Best Accommodations in Brewster MA
Nestled near the center of town, Candleberry Inn stands out as the finest bed and breakfast in the area, offering elegant accommodations close to the best things to do in Brewster MA. Our prime location places you within a short drive to a wide array of attractions across Cape Cod, including whale-watching cruises, too.
During your stay, you have full access to a range of amenities that include gourmet breakfasts and serene garden landscapes. And if you’re visiting for a special occasion, you can enhance your stay with one of our packages.
To book your stay in one of our rooms or suites, please check our rates today!
