American Heritage Realty
508-255-2202

Cape Cod Oceanview Realty

Wellfleet Real Estate
508-349-3911

414 South Orleans Rd, PO Box 336, South Orleans, MA 02662

Brewster

Located on Cape Cod Bay, Brewster’s seafaring past has earned it the informal name “Sea Captain’s Town.” This quintessential small town, rich in cultural history, represents a perfect blend of past and present.

Brewster History

Brewster owes its name to Elder William Brewster, one of the original pilgrims aboard the Mayflower. Settled in 1659, the area that is now Brewster was actually part of Harwich. In 1803, papers were signed, creating two separate towns. In the 18th and 19th centuries, many of Brewster’s residents made their living at sea. Packet boats frequently sailed between Breakwater Beach and Boston, making the town a lively economic center. Those who flourished used their wealth to build the stately homes that still grace Route 6A (Old King’s Highway) today. Nowadays, enjoy visiting some of the town’s natural and cultural gems; golf, hike, bike, swim, attend NCAA baseball games and band concerts; treat yourself to fine lodgings, restaurants and pleasurable shopping sprees.

Pilgrims

The Pilgrims had planned to sail to Virginia, but ended up settling in Plymouth. Why? In part because they were almost out of beer. In England they were unaccustomed to drinking the water, so it stands to reason that they would be very wary of drinking the water on this side of the ocean. Boiled during the brewing process, the Pilgrims drank beer because it was free of deadly microbes, and therefore was safer. An entry in Pilgrim William Bradford’s diary mentions that there was little food and less beer; this precluded further exploration and kept the Pilgrims in Plymouth.

Cape Cod National Seashore

In 1961 President John F. Kennedy signed a bill to create the Cape Cod National Seashore. Comprised of approximately 27,000 acres, from Chatham to Provincetown, the Cape Cod National Seashore offers visitors approximately 40 miles of the finest seashore on the Atlantic coast. Since its establishment, the work of the natural National Seashore has involved the conservation and preservation of the magnificent natural surroundings of the Cape, as well as the maintenance of various natural and historical sites for the enjoyment of visitors. The Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham offers exhibits on Cape Cod human and natural history, as well as beaches, biking and hiking trails, historic landmarks, scenic overlooks and guided tours, programs and activities.

Beaches and Shores

Whether it’s beach combing, swimming, wading, building sand castles, or enjoying gorgeous sunsets, Brewster’s Cape Cod Bay beaches provide the perfect setting to indulge in enjoyment of the seashore. The Brewster Flats: The daily tide’s ebb and flow is nothing short of dramatic. At low tide all of Brewster’s bayside beaches become the Brewster Flats. Swim to your heart’s content at high tide, then observe the “magic” of the waters receding out over a mile, exposing beautiful views of sandbars, clam beds and tidal pools teeming with sea life.

Enjoy all of these public beaches on Cape Cod Bay:

There are no lifeguards at Bay beaches. Portable toilets are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Long Pond, accessible from Crowell’s Bog Road, off Route 124, offers a picturesque setting for fresh water activities. A lifeguard is on duty from July 4th weekend through Labor Day weekend, with portable toilets available from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Boating

Whether you prefer a kayak, canoe, rowboat, sailboat, powerboat or cat boat, spend some time exploring the Cape’s ponds, bays, river, coves and marshes. Pleasant Bay and Cape Cod Bay invite exploration in larger boats, with Pleasant Bay offering access to the open ocean via inlets at Nauset or Chatham. Several boat ramps are located around town; there is no ramp fee. Remember to be aware of the tides for launching and maneuvering your boat.

Boat rentals, sailing lessons and guided trips are available locally. Off Chatham, you’re bound to see Harbor Seals and Gray Seals, either in the water, on the sandbars, or sunbathing on exposed rocks. For guided seal tours, contact the Massachusetts Audobon’s Wellfleet Bay Sancturary or the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History.

Fishing

Striped bass, bluefish, tautog and flounder inhabit Brewster’s bayside waters in the spring, summer and fall, with cod making an appearance in the winter. No license is required for saltwater fishing. Shellfishing is a terrific way to enjoy and explore the Cape’s saltwater shores. Quahogs and sea clams are available year-round from the town’s western beaches. A permit is required and may be purchased from the Brewster Town Hall or, during the summer, at the Visitor Center. The equipment you will need is available at sports, bait and hardware stores.

Brewster Oysters

Despite winter storms from the north, which create a pretty harsh environment for oysters, the Brewster Aquaculture Association began experimenting with growing them in 1996. Today their efforts and improving techniques are producing an expanding crop. The sea farm raised American oysters are carefully monitored and are contained in cages firmly anchored against wind, wave and current. Protected from predators while being bathed in the plankton-rich waters of Cape Cod Bay, ask for Brewster Oysters at local restaurants and fish markets.

Bike Trails

Miles of paved trails, through woods and fields, by cranberry bogs, freshwater ponds, and saltwater marshes, make up the thirty mile-long path known as the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Following the bed of the former Penn Central Railroad, it winds through the towns of Dennis, Chatham, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Information is available at town visitor centers.

Note: Massachusetts law requires all children aged sixteen and under to wear a helmet.

Walking/Hiking

Year-round, walkers and hikers take advantage of Orleans’ beaches as well as the Cape Cod Rail Trail (for walkers/hikers, as well as bikers). Other self-guided tour venues include Nickerson State Park, the Cape Cod National seashore (extending from Eastham to Provincetown) and conservation areas.

Parks

Visitors of all ages will enjoy Brewster’s parks, among them: Nickerson State Park, located on Route 6A, is an ideal place for a family outing, camping, hiking, giking, swimming or boating. Encompassing 1,955+ acres and 8 freshwater ponds, the park offers nature trails, 8 miles of paved paths, picnic sites, 3 stocked year-round ponds, and boat launches for motorboats, sailboats, canoes and rentals. Situated around the ponds and in the woods are 418 campsites.

The Herring Run and Stony Brook Grist Mill & Museum are located at the intersection of Satucket and Stony Brook Roads. Featuring a herring run where hordes of herring migrate up Stony Brook from the salt water of Cape Cod Bay to spawn in the pond waters of West Brewster, the Herring Run’s paths are a great place to observe the alewives’ awe-inspiring journey up the fish ladders. The picturesque Grist Mill, beside sparkling Stony Brook, is a quiet reminder that this location was a busy 19th century industrial area. Now a working mill, it was refurbished to allow the grinding of corn today. Purchase some corn meal to make fresh corn muffins.

Drummer Boy Park is home to Brewster’s Bandstand and Playground. A delightful site, it offers a spectacular view from Route 6A, across Quivet Creek to Cape Cod Bay. Enjoy band concerts and a picnic on the lawn on Sunday evenings in the summer. The park is located on Route 6A in West Brewster. Punkhorn Parklands, begin at the end of the paved portion of Run Hill Road. Over 800 acres comprise this conservation land, offering miles of wooded trails that pass by lakes, ponds and marshes. Hiking boots recommended.

Scenic Route 6A

One of this country’s most scenic byways, Route 6A meanders some 34 miles from Bourne to Orleans. Originally a Native American trail, it became an extension of the King’s Highway of the Plymouth Colony as Colonial settlements grew and commerce increased.

In early times, Route 6A was the site of stately homes built by wealthy merchants and sea captains. Many have been preserved and beautifully restored, and still grace the route today. Along with them you’ll pass historic sites, interesting shops and restaurants, grand old inns, and breathtaking salt marshes.

Loaded with yesteryear charm, you’ll enjoy discovering Route 6A.

Whales and Seals

Destination: Stellwagen Bank. Situated just north of Cape Cod, this is a major feeding ground for whales. They migrate there in spring and continue to feed on abundant plankton for months. Do make plans for a tour out of Chatham or Provincetown, the whale watching capital of the Eastern seaboard. Along with several whale species, you may also see dolphins porpoises and seals.

Generally spotted in the waters off Chatham, seals have repopulated the waters of the Cape in recent years. You may see Harbor Seals sunbathing on exposed rocks, Harbor and Gray Seals hauled out on the sandbars off Chatham, or fishing in the ocean surf and in protected coves. Guided seal tours may be arranged through the Massachusetts Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and private operators.

Bird Watching

One of the richest ornithological heritages in the country, spend some time at the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in Chatham, where wonderful bird watching opportunities await bird enthusiasts. You will also find excellent bird watching at Chatham Light where gulls, terns and sea ducks can be seen in numbers, generally with the aid of a telescope.

During the winter, the Chatham Fish Pier is a good spot to view gulls and sea ducks. Before or after your outings, stop in at the Bird Watcher’s General Store on Rt. 6A in Orleans. Whether its birding equipment, reference books, bird art, bird feeders, or items for children, this is the place to shop.

Theater

Brewster’s Cape Rep Theatre offers an eclectic menu of dramatic productions. Children will love the weekly summer performances of the Tanglewood Marionettes at First Parish, located across from the Brewster General Store on Route 6A. Elsewhere, enjoy the offerings at the Harwich Junior Theatre, The Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre (WHAT) in Wellfleet, and the Cape Playhouse in Dennis. Check local newspapers for current productions.

Museums

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History offers visitors of all ages interpretive exhibits that celebrate the natural history of Cape Cod, along with three walking trails for exploration. Known for popular programs such as KidSummer and Mudflat Mania, lecture series by renowned scientists, credit courses on regional marine topics, special family events, and guided nature walks, the Museum is truly a Cape Cod treasure. The Museum is located at 869 Main Street on Route 6A.

The Brewster General Store

Enjoy your newspaper, along with coffee, donuts and pastries, or sit and chat with friends on the famous Brewster Store benches. Then explore the yesteryear offerings of this 140 year old landmark-old-fashioned penny candy, homemade fudge, Cape Cod taffy, and a wide variety of gift items. Later on, try the ice cream at The Brewster Scoop in the old shed behind the store.

Arts and Crafts

Cape Cod, including Brewster, is a mecca for painters, carvers, sculptors, potters, photographers, jewelry makers and other arts and craftspeople. Their work may be found in shops and galleries, as well as at outdoor shows, fairs and festivals. Consult local newspapers and information booths for information.

Sport

Swim, windsurf, sailboard, canoe, kayak, fish, hike, bike, ice skate, play tennis in Brewster (courts behind the Fire & Rescue Station, park behind Council on Aging, behind the Water Dept. building and at 1673 Main St.) and soccer (fields located on Freeman’s Way). For baseball lovers, the Cape Cod Baseball League’s Brewster Whitecaps host games at Stony Brook School. In Orleans, ice skate at the Charles Moore Arena, on O’Connor Road. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy playing at Ocean Edge and at the acclaimed Captain’s Golf Course located on Freeman’s Way.

Restaurants

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a quick pick-me-up, Brewster offers a variety of possibilities, including fresh, local seafood. Have fun exploring our eating establishments. Bon appetit!

Last updated: July 24, 2009

Hosting • Design • Development: Community Internet Cape Cod Web Design