Brewster: The Quintessential Cape Cod Weekend Getaway

Sure, Provincetown and Chatham may be better known vacation spots, but the charming town of Brewster offers some of the best views in New England—and some of the best food, too.

How to Get to Brewster from Phiadelphia: You can drive (seven hours) to Brewster, or Amtrak (six hours) or fly (an hour and change) to Boston, then rent a car for the 90-minute drive to Brewster.

Where to Stay in Brewster: The fittingly titled Ocean Edge, which offers some of the most spectacular water views on the Cape, is a sprawling 429-acre (!) resort with every amenity imaginable—along with a sp ectacular Jack Nicklaus-designed, PGA-worthy golf course. Choose between sumptuous Pottery Barn-y guest rooms or one of the recently opened multi-bedroom, two-story villas. But luxury isn’t cheap: A three-bedroom villa with water views will set you back $2,600 a night in high summer season. (Regular rooms cost around $310.)

What to Eat and Drink in Brewster: On the property, the Ocean Terrace serves up fab alfresco dining overlooking the bay, while Bayzo’s Pub (you’ve got to love a place named for alcoholics) is a clubby enclave with great beers and better burgers. The Brewster Fish House, a hop-skip from the resort, is a must for those who appreciate just-caught fare, expertly prepared in a quaint cottage. (Eat at the bar.) And there’s a reason folks line up for the lobster rolls at clam shacks Cobie’s and JT’s Seafood.

What to Do When You’re in Brewster: The scenic 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail is a biker’s paradise that winds through 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park, which boasts more than 400 campsites and some of the Cape’s best fishing. Ocean Edge rents bikes in two spots on the property, and the staff will point you in the right direction, ensuring a memorable ride. Cosmopolitan Provincetown, with its restaurants, shopping and iconic lighthouses, is an hour’s drive away. If you’d rather stay closer to home, Ocean Edge is a seaside playground. Besides hitting up the links, there are four pools (one indoors), a buzzing fitness center, spa treatments and tennis courts galore. For kids there are sports camps, ocean adventures, movie nights, and more.

Where to Shop in Brewster: There’s no traditional cutesy “down-town” in Brewster, so its several galleries and shops are spread about. Don’t miss the Brewster Scoop.

Where to Relax in Brewster: Cape Cod beaches are small and often rocky, but are some of the most beautiful in the country. Ocean Edge can provide an all-access beach pass, so you can check out the varied options, including the beloved Brewster Flats, which is fun during both low and high tides. Inhale deeply. Repeat.


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