Brewster is a charming Cape Cod town with lots of history
The New England town of Brewster is a charming destination nestled among the seaside towns on Massachusetts’ Cape Cod peninsula. The First Parish Brewster Universalist Unitarian Church, whose pews are marked with the names of 99 Brewster sea captains, speaks to the community’s special connection to its past. The iconic structure, built in 1770, still stands out along Main Street and anchors the community’s historic architecture. And with the sea long tamed, present-day Brewster offers 11 beaches that grace the picturesque shores of Cape Cod Bay. “The town is known for the Brewster Flats,” says MaryEllen Monahan of Today Real Estate, who sells homes throughout the region. “The bayside beaches are beautiful, and when it’s low tide, you see the sandy white flats.”
Cape Cods, larger Colonials anchor housing options
Housing options range from cozy Cape Cods to larger Colonial-style homes to contemporary homes. “It’s a vacation destination. Most of the people there are second-home owners,” Monahan says. “It’s very casual; nothing appears too fancy. Everyone’s really nice.” The oldest homes date to the early 1900s, and there’s still room for new construction, which includes the community’s largest and most expensive options. Homeowners typically enjoy large lots and space between neighbors. Waterfront views are common. Prices range from the high $500,000s to the high $2 millions. Condos and townhouses also can be found. They typically range in price from about $300,000 to nearly $600,000, although the largest waterfront townhomes can list for more than $ 1million. “Brewster is definitely more high-end than some of the other towns,” Monahan says.” The community occupies several flood zones, and homeowners close to the water should be aware that insurance rates are likely to be affected by a higher risk of flooding. Otherwise, residents enjoy a mild maritime climate throughout the year.
More than 300 acres of public bayfront beaches
The community has 325 acres of bayfront beaches, most of which are open to the public. Proper permits are required during the summer, when the community’s population increases. Additional outdoor recreational options include several freshwater fishing ponds and Nickerson State Park. The park features wooded trails and ponds and is a popular spot for camping. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a 25-mile-long paved hiking and biking path that runs through the community. Captains Golf Course is a public facility with two 18-hole layouts. And for residents’ best friends, the Brewster Dog Park provides a popular place to play.
Brewster Store is a highlight along historic Main Street
The Brewster Store, located along Main Street in the heart of the community, dates to 1866. A collection of boutique stores and art galleries in Old New England buildings is also found along the community’s main thoroughfare. “It’s a very quaint Main Street. Brewster has a lot of history, and they try to keep it looking that way,” Monahan says. Restaurants are also concentrated along Main Street. The community is known for its oysters, and most restaurants feature fresh seafood. Brewster Inn & Chowder House has been a community staple for more than 50 years. Brewster Fish House and Spinnaker Restaurant are highly rated destinations known for their seasonal offerings.
Museums, other attractions preserve the community's history
The community preserves its history with several attractions. The Cobb House Museum is the former home of Elijah Cobb, the most famous of Brewster’s many sea captains. He landed in France during its Revolution and his ship was captured during the War of 1812. The Crosby Mansion is the dream home of Albert Crosby, a Brewster native who returned from Chicago with a young wife and built her a 35-room estate overlooking Cape Cod Bay. The mansion gives regular tours of the opulent home, which includes a two-story art gallery. Other attractions include the Stony Brook Grist Mill, the only remaining structure from Brewster’s 19th-century Factory Village, and the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. The community’s signature event is Brewster in Bloom, an annual three-day spring festival featuring arts and crafts, music, a 5K and a parade.
Two elementary schools in the community
Students can start their educational journey at two public schools in the community. Stony Brook Elementary, a B-rated school by Niche, serves students in pre-kindergarten through second grade. Eddy Elementary, rated B-minus, serves third- through fifth-grade students. The Brewster Whitecaps play their Cape Cod summer league games on Stony Brook’s baseball field. The two elementaries are part of Nauset Public Schools, an A-rated district. Older students can attend Nauset Regional Middle School, rated B-plus, and Nauset Regional High, an A-rated school. The community is also home to the Latham School, which serves special education students in grades six through 12, and The Laurel School, a PK-6 private institution.
Community is walkable and bikeable
Brewster is small enough that residents can walk and bike to preferred destinations, but Cape Cod is mostly car-dependent. Luckily, tourist season doesn’t have a significant effect on local travel. “It doesn’t get very crowded; it’s easy to get around,” Monahan says. Route 6, known locally as the Mid-Cape Highway, provides quick access to Cape Cod Gateway Airport about 15 miles away. The airport offers regular flights to Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., as well as quick trips to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Provincetown. The community’s CAP Index score of 1-out-of-10 signifies an area with the lowest possible crime rate.
Written By
Matt Pallister
