The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster, Massachusetts, is housed in a 17,000 square foot building on its own 80-acre site and abutted by 320 acres of town- and Conservation-owned land.
The Museum has two floors of exhibits explaining the coastal change creation of Cape Cod, Native American presence; archaeology showing 8,000 years of human activity; native animals and habitats; an impressive display of indigenous and migratory preserved birds, an aquarium that is a microcosm of the Cape with salt, brackish and freshwater specimens; the Eldridge Arnold birdcarving exhibit; examples of biomimicry and learning through nature to solve 21st century problems; and special, temporary exhibits to enhance the permanent collection. It is surrounded by 300 acres with nature trails meandering through woodland, salt marsh and on the shore of Cape Cod Bay.
<AH> Wonderful place with lots of cool stuff to see, including a live bee hive cross section, lots of fish and other critters, a butterfly house and other exhibits. Probably more of a kid (teens and younger) based experience, but the trails amp up the active adult interest. Behind the museum are nature trails that lead to the beach (Bay side) - about a half mile to the water, so figure a mile and half total if you take a few of the side trails as well (unless you decide to take a long walk on the beach). </AH>