Brewster is known as the "Sea Captain's Town" as it is believed to have had a greater population of deep-sea captains than any other town in the world. Many of the historic and beautiful homes of early ship captains now serve as Bed & Breakfast Inns and are a key part of Brewster's thriving economy.
Residents of Brewster enjoy a mild climate, a rural Cape Cod Charm, and abundant town recreational opportunities including golf, tennis, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming and more. The Captains Golf Course in Brewster is Cape Cod's leading public golf course facility and features two challenging 18-hole courses -- port and starboard.
The city's coastal location and vast amount of open park space are integral parts of the community and create an almost rural atmosphere. Nickerson State Park provides 400 acres of trails for biking and hiking, camping areas, and freshwater ponds for swimming, fishing and boating.
Many public beaches line Cape Cod Bay starting from the east end of town including Crosby Landing, Ellis Landing, Breakwater Beach, Robbins Hill Beach and Paines Creek Beach to name a few. Long Pond Beach, Sheep Pond and Upper Mill Pond are just a few of the many fresh water ponds that cover the town.
Brewster is a tight-knit community with plenty to offer. There are a number of wonderful museums, theater performances, community groups and events. "Brewster in Bloom" is held each spring and is the town's biggest attraction, spanning several days and including a number events and activities. Brewster's year-round population of about 9,600 grows to about 25,000 in the summer season as visitors come to sample the diversions of the town.
Brewster's central business district on historic King's Highway features art galleries, craft and antique shops and cafes. The city's Route 6 access and convenient location in the heart of the Cape allows for easy access to surrounding attractions including The National Seashore, the Plymouth and Heritage Plantations and other historic sites. Both Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are just a short boat ride away.
Students in the community are served by The Nauset Regional School District. Schools include Nauset High School, Cape Cod Technical High School, Nauset Middle School, Stony Brook Elementary and Eddy Elementary.
Brewster, originally the North Parish of Harwich is ready to celebrate 200 years of history. The town became incorporated in 1803, while the lower half of Harwich, the South Parish, remained Harwich.