10 Best Things to Do in Brewster, MA for Families

Location: Brewster, Massachusetts

If you are looking for the best things to do in Brewster, MA, this charming Cape Cod town might just surprise you. Tucked away from the main tourist areas, Brewster offers a quieter, more relaxed experience that is perfect for families. With scenic trails, tidal flats, and classic Cape Cod charm, there are so many memorable things to do in Brewster, MA that you could easily fill an entire week.

We recently returned from a stay here and it quickly became one of our favorite spots on the Cape. From exploring nature to discovering local shops, this guide covers all the best things to do in Brewster, MA for families.

Table of Contents

The Best Things to Do in Brewster, MA

1. Visit the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

One of the top things to do in Brewster, MA is visiting the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. Inside, you will find engaging exhibits on whales, birds, and marine life, along with hands-on educational programs for kids.

The real gem of the museum is the nature trail that leads through a salt marsh to Wing’s Island. It is a great trail for kids because they can explore the varied Cape Cod landscape. The trail ends at the tidal flats where they can watch the fiddler crabs scurry to their underground homes.

2. Bike the Cape Cod Rail Trail

The Cape Cod Rail Trail is one of the most popular things to do in Brewster, MA. This scenic 25-mile paved path follows the route of the former Old Colony Railroad and winds through pine forests, cranberry bogs, and charming Cape Cod towns.

The trail is well-maintained and perfect for biking, walking, or running, with plenty of access points along the way. In Brewster, you can park for free at 500 Long Pond Road or pay to park inside Nickerson State Park.

If you ride toward Harwich, you will reach Seymour Pond and Long Pond, both great spots to take a break and cool off on a warm day.

3. Explore Nickerson State Park

Nickerson State Park is one of the best things to do in Brewster, MA, especially for families who love the outdoors. With 1,900 acres of wooded trails and freshwater ponds, you could easily spend several days exploring the park.

We visited for a day trip and hiked the Cliff Pond Trail, a scenic 2.7-mile loop that is suitable for all skill levels. If you want to stay longer, the park offers more than 400 campsites, making it a great option for a classic Cape Cod camping experience.

4. Walk the Brewster Flats

No visit to Brewster would be complete without experiencing the largest tidal flats in North America. When the tide recedes, a mile-long sandbar is exposed, and at low tide, the flats can stretch up to 1 to 1.5 miles into Cape Cod Bay, creating a vast sandy expanse.

For kids, it feels like a natural playground, with plenty of opportunities to search for hermit crabs and splash through shallow pools. Just be mindful of the tides, as the water returns quickly and there were moments we felt like we were racing it back.

It was truly mind boggling that we could be looking out over the water and then within a matter of hours, we could be walking across the ocean floor… the boats that had been bobbing in the water now resting on their sides. The rippled pattern of the waves still molded in the sand as if the ocean sprang a leak and drained.

Brewster’s beaches from east to west include Crosby Landing, Linnell Landing, Ellis Landing, Breakwater Beach, Saint’s Landing, Mant’s Landing, and Paine’s Creek, and parking passes are required.

5. Stop at the Brewster General Store

A visit to the Brewster General Store is one of the most nostalgic things to do in Brewster, MA. This classic shop is filled with penny candy, old-fashioned toys, and unique gifts.

Afterward, head next door to the Brewster Scoop for ice cream.

6. See a Show at Cape Rep Theatre

Cape Rep Theatre offers a variety of performances for both kids and adults, making it one of the more unexpected things to do in Brewster, MA.

We saw a puppet show that had the kids laughing the entire time. Even the walk through the wooded path to the outdoor theater felt like part of the experience.

7. Browse the Brewster Book Store

If you love independent bookstores, this is one of the coziest things to do in Brewster, MA. The Brewster Book Store has a fantastic children’s section along with helpful staff who offer great recommendations.

8. Hike the Eddy Bay Trail

For an easy outdoor activity, the Eddy Bay Trail is one of the best things to do in Brewster, MA with kids. This one-mile round trip hike leads to the highest bluff in Brewster, with views over Cape Cod Bay.

9. Watch a Tanglewood Marionettes Show

This acclaimed puppet show runs during July and August at the First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church. From classics like Hansel and Gretel to fairy tales such as Cinderella, children will be enchanted by these beautifully handcrafted marionettes.

Shows are gears toward children in grades K-6. Click here for the show schedule.

10. Visit Stony Brook Grist Mill

The Stony Brook Grist Mill is one of the most historic things to do in Brewster, MA. Open on Saturdays in the summer, visitors can watch the water wheel in action and purchase freshly ground cornmeal.

Even if it is closed, the surrounding area is worth exploring. In the spring, you can watch alewife fish make their way up the fish ladder.

There are so many memorable things to do in Brewster, MA that it is easy to see why this town feels like a hidden gem on Cape Cod. Whether your family loves exploring nature, biking scenic trails, or simply enjoying time at the beach, Brewster offers a slower pace that makes it easy to relax and reconnect.

We are already planning our next visit and know we will continue discovering even more things to do in Brewster, MA each time we return.