24 Hours in Brewster – Here’s What to Do

The historic sea captain town of Brewster is full of quaint and intriguing surprises around every corner. More peaceful than its bustling neighbor Orleans, Brewster boasts shops which surpass the quintessential kitsch of the tourist industry and focus more on Cape Cod cultural wares.

Many of the old sea captain estates still stand along Route 6A, although now they now serve as bed and breakfast inns, art galleries, restaurants and antique shops.
There is much to do in Brewster, but if you only have a day to visit, try our guide below to spending a busy, yet relaxing, 24 hours in town.

8 to 9 a.m. – Breakfast

There is an array of excellent breakfast nooks in town which offer your more typical morning meals, like the Brewster Coffee Shop (2149 Main Street). But for something a little more unusual, try Eat Cake 4 Breakfast (302 Underpass Road). This bakery, far from the healthiest option in town, is nonetheless a mandatory stop. Have you ever had a pistachio croissant, or passionata cake? How about a Brewster bun? Explore the delectable treasures within their cases, and Eat Cake 4 Breakfast will provide you with the most heavenly start to your day.

Coffee lovers will want to bring that slice of cake on the go, since Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters is the place for them. The establishment sources green, unroasted beans and prepares them in-house, providing customers with the freshest cup they’ve likely ever tried if their go-to brew involves a metal tin and plastic cap. They also offer an array of baked goods to complement their meticulously perfected joe.

9 a.m. to noon – Morning Solitude

Brewster is perhaps best experienced either alone or with a small group, exploring backroads and the many nature paths within town lines.

But before you’re off exploring, stop by the infamous Brewster General Store (1935 Main Street). Originally built as a two-story church in 1852, The Brewster Store became a local shop in 1866 when the building was purchased for one dollar by William W. Knowles. Today, the building houses diecast and nostalgia toys, books, fudge, taffy, glass ornaments and specialty products like oil lamp parts, suspenders and locally made soaps.

After the store, try a visit to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History (869 Main Street). The museum preserves, exhibits, and interprets their own collections of natural history artifacts with a Cape Cod focus. Children and adults are engaged in high-quality programs, classes, lectures, panel discussions, workshops, films, walks, field trips, traditions and interactive exhibits that reveal the many facets of the natural world and the reciprocal impacts that humans and nature exert on each other.

Noon to 1:30 p.m. – Lunch

You’ll need hearty fare to keep yourself fueled for the afternoon’s nature walks, so why not stop at a local legend that’s been in business since 1948?
Cobie’s (3260 Main Street) is a casual summer seafood counter famous for its fried clams, onion rings, lobster rolls and sweet potato fries.

Café Alfresco’s (103 Lemon Tree Village Square) menu may be a little small, but the selections they do have are original and unforgettable. They specialize in putting seafood into creative sandwiches like the smoked salmon sandwich or Nantucket scallop roll, but also have a couple vegetarian options like the fried squash blossom panini which are sure to be equally as crowd –pleasing.

1:30 to 6 p.m. – Fresh and Saltwater Walks

Nickerson State Park (3488 Main Street) offers visitors a salt-tinged woodland setting with hiking trails and a paved eight mile bike path that connects to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. There are eight freshwater kettle ponds stocked year round with trout and perfect for freshwater swimming, kayaking and fishing.

For something even more private, try walking one of the town’s long beaches at low tide, when miles of sand and tidal pools open up as far as the eye can see. Paine’s Creek (Paine’s Creek Road) and Breakwater (Breakwater Road) beaches are particularly suitable for these walks. Both have onsite bathrooms, wavy sandbars and plenty of parking.

6 to 7:30 p.m. – Dinner

You’ve no doubt worked up a mighty appetite by this point, and Brewster’s classy establishments provide you and a special companion the perfect romantic setting for a night out.
The Linx Tavern (832 Villages Drive) is a swanky place with an approachable menu. Stuffed zucchini, flatbreads, ratatouille and an array of seafood plates round out this primarily European menu.

Bayzo’s Pub (2907 Main Street) may be the coziest spot on the Lower Cape, with plenty of brick and stone on the interior, a fire place, piano and a long, bulky wooden bar. While Bayzo’s entrees consist of typical pub fare, the appetizers like fried cod taco, toy box tomato bruschetta and Bloody Mary shrimp skewer are perfectly fine selections to accompany a couple of drinks.
For upscale dining that will bring you back to the elegance of old Cape Cod, make a trip to Chillingsworth on Route 6A (2499 Main St). Housed on the 300-year-old Chillingsworth Foster estate, the restaurant is set among six acres of lawns and gardens. Spicy grilled shrimp and Rare Grilled Duck Breast are just a couple of tasty examples of Chillingsworth’s inventive fare.

By Adam Forziati