There are so many places and things to see and do when on vacation in Brewster/Cape Cod. We made a list of 10 of our favorite things to see and do for both adults and children, while enjoying your vacation.
The list is in no particular order.
1. Enjoy the Brewster Flats
Low tide in Brewster provides one of the most wonderful opportunities to explore the ocean floor. Children delight in searching for sand crabs and small fish. Wiffle ball, volleyball and corn hole games pop up along the shore line on the cool sands. Shallow pools offer perfect conditions for skimboarding. This is also a great time to take a walk out to the ocean’s edge! Be aware of tide schedules. Water will fill the Point of Rocks Beach area from the northeast often catching some visitors unaware. There are many beaches to explore in Brewster. Information about the various beaches including their location and cost of beach stickers for parking can be found on the Town of Brewster website. Digging for clams is also popular during low tide. A permit is necessary to do this and can be obtained at the Brewster Town Hall 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631 between 8:30 am-4:00 pm. Please familiarize yourself with the Shellfish Regulations.
2. Take a Ferry to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are widely considered two of the most picturesque areas of Cape Cod. Nantucket is the smaller of the two islands and lies 30 miles off the coast. It’s authentic cobble stone streets are lined with upscale boutiques, restaurants and charming old churches. More detailed information about Nantucket can be found by clicking here. Martha’s Vineyard is comprised of 3 towns- Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and Vineyard Haven. The bigger of the two islands, Martha’s Vineyard is also home to the world’s oldest operating platform carousel called the Flying Horses. Buses run every few minutes throughout the island, allowing visitors to get on and off at the various towns. Additional information about restaurants and shops can be found here.
Ferries to the islands can be boarded in Falmouth, Harwichport, Hyannis, and Woods Hole. Leave plenty of time prior to your departure to drive to the port and find parking. Availability and price of parking varies according to which port you go out of. It is not necessary to take a car with you to either island. Most attractions on the islands can be seen by walking, biking or using the public transportation on the island. Information about the various options for ferries including schedules, parking and price can be found here.
https://youtu.be/HGvwO8qq8FI
3. Attend a Cape Cod Baseball League Game
The Cape Cod Baseball League is a collegiate summer baseball league on Cape Cod. It is 1 of 10 leagues in the National Alliance of Summer Baseball. There are not tickets to purchase, but the teams do appreciate donations to help with funding. Brewster’s team is the Whitecaps and they play their home games at Stonybrook School 384 Underpass Road Brewster, MA 02631. Information about the league and it’s franchises as well as game schedules can be found here. The league’s mission is to provide affordable family entertainment. Their motto is “Where Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight”- don’t miss this opportunity to see these up and coming baseball greats!
4. Swim, Body Surf and Boogie Board at Nauset Beach
For more adventurous water activity, head on over to Nauset Beach 250 Beach Road Orleans, MA- part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Nauset is about 8 miles east of the cottage on the Atlantic shore. The larger waves provide great opportunities for surfing, boogie boarding, body surfing and more advanced skim boarding. Plan to take a lunch and spend the better part of a day there. This is also home to Liam’s Clam Shack if packing and carrying a lunch seems like too much work. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available. Parking is $20/day or $75/week and can be paid at the parking entrance gate. Parking fees are charged 7:30 am-4:30 pm. There are lifeguards on duty at this beach. Beach rules can be found here.
5. Golf
The Captain’s Golf Course 1000 Freeman’s Way Brewster, MA 02631 is owned and operated by the Town of Brewster. It is a public golf facility with 2 championship 18-hole courses and offers a daily green fee rate. There is also a full service restaurant and lounge on site. Information about hours, rates, lessons and the courses themselves can be found here.
For the younger or less competitive folks in your party, there are several miniature golf courses conveniently located in Brewster and Orleans.
Harbor Lights Mini Golf 81 Underpass Road Brewster, MA 02631
Cape Escape Adventure Golf 15 Canal Road Orleans, MA 02653
6. Have a Lobster Feast
Our cottage is fully equipped with all the cookware and serving pieces for a lobster feast. If you are new to preparing these crawling crustaceans you can order them already prepared at the Breakwater Fish and Lobster Market 235 Underpass Road Brewster, MA 02631. Breakwater will have them ready for you at the time you designate so that you can bring them back to the cottage to enjoy. They also sell steamers, shrimp, scallops and other fresh fish. Make sure to have plenty of drawn butter ready to dip this New England delicacy in!
7. Explore the Brewster Store
Take a step back in time when visiting this historic general store dating back to 1866. Located at the intersection of 6A and Rt. 124. At one time it housed the town’s post office. My mother used to tell stories about her and her cousins walking to the Brewster store to get the mail when she spent summers during WWII at a family cottage on Robbins Hill Road. For more details about the store’s history click here. Today the store sells penny candy, home made fudge, hand crafts, souvenirs, fresh donuts, an assortment of household goods and a few basic groceries. In 1993 the Brewster Scoop (ice cream) opened in the shed at the back of the store and is now located in the old post office next door. We highly recommend at least one trip to the Brewster Store and several to the Brewster Scoop!
8. Take a Drive to Provincetown
Provincetown is located at the northern tip of Cape Cod, approximately 32 miles east and north from the cottage. This seaside town is the location of the Pilgrims’Mayflower’s landing in 1620. A monument commemorating that event stands in the center of town. On your drive out to P-town make sure to note the iconic Day’s (Flower) Cottages in Truro, just north of Rt. 6. Provincetown has a long history as a haven for artists. Many unique art galleries and boutiques can be found along Commercial Street. Enjoy lunch or dinner at one of numerous restaurants overlooking the water. Save some time to stop into Race Point Beach or Herring Cove Beach to enjoy the tip of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
9. Listen to Live Music at The Woodshed
The Woodshed is a local dive bar and is located .5 mile from the cottage at 1993 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631. You can easily walk down Old North Road to 6A and follow the sidewalk west toward Dennis to get there. Live music begins every night at 9:30 pm. Visit their Facebook page to see current schedule of performers- The Woodshed. CASH ONLY visit the ATM before you go. There is an ATM on site, but fees to withdraw cash are high.
10. Enjoy the Magnificent Sunset
Meander down to Point of Rocks Beach to experience stunning views of the sunset each night. Make sure to take your camera to capture some amazing photos. One of our favorite places to watch the sun set while enjoying a wonderful dinner or drinks is the Ocean Terrace at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club 2907 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631. All the Brewster beaches provide incredible views of our breathtaking sunsets, weather permitting.