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A Local's Guide to Visiting
Historic Cape Cod Gristmills

Cape Cod’s historic grist mills are some of the oldest in the country. A few still grind cornmeal using wind or water power. Others no longer run, but are open for tours.   

Looking up at a historic Cape Cod windmill with bare wooden sails set against a clear blue sky

Whether you want to see the mill in action, go inside for a guided tour, or just snap a classic Cape Cod photo, here’s where and when to do it.

Good to Know

When the gristmills hold open house days, millers or docents will be on hand to show you the inner workings and tell you about the mill's history.

They welcome questions and love to chat about "their mill", so feel free to ask!

Historic Mills that Still Grind Cornmeal

Let's start with the grist mills where you can meet the millers, watch them grind corn, and buy a bag of freshly ground cornmeal to take home.   


Dexter's Grist Mill (Sandwich)

Set smack in the heart of Historic Sandwich Village, Dexter’s is the oldest grist mill on Cape Cod. 

Every summer, I look forward to seeing the water wheel spinning - and buying some of their freshly-ground cornmeal.

Dexter Gristmill in Sandwich with a swan floating in the outflow from the water-powered millDexter's Gristmill

The grist mill is diagonally across from Sandwich Glass Museum. And Hoxie House (thought to be the oldest house on Cape Cod) is just up the street a bit.

I encourage everyone to visit all three. It's a great way to learn about the early days in the oldest town on the Cape!

*Tip: If you have your water bottle or travel mug handy, fill 'er up at the town's artesian well. (It's on the sidewalk near the mill.) I swear, this is the freshest, sweetest water I've ever tasted. And fill-ups are free.

  • Location: 2 Water Street, Sandwich Village

  • Open: June 23 to October 4, 2025, Monday - Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Admission: $5 adults; $3 ages 9 - 12; Free for ages 8 and under

  • More Info: Dexter Grist Mill →


Stony Brook Gristmill (Brewster)

The grist mill building you see today dates to the 1870s. That might seem kind of new compared with other mills on Cape Cod. But going back in history, water-powered mills have stood on this site since the 1600s.

Stony Brook Grist Mill on a summer day with water wheel in view and roses in bloomStony Brook Grist Mill

Over the years, the Stoney Brook has powered everything from cloth production to (believe it or not!) an ice cream churning operation.

*Tip: If you're on the Cape in late July when they're holding their annual Indian Pudding Party, or in late August for Cornbread Festival Day, be sure to swing by for a free sample made with meal ground right on the premises.

  • Location: 830 Stony Brook Road, Brewster

  • Open: July & August, 2025, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    UPDATE: The mill is open for tours this summer. But due to ongoing construction on the site, you won't see the water wheel turning. On my most recent visit, the miller told me they're hopeful all the work will be finished sometime in September 2025. Fingers crossed!

  • Admission: Free; donations welcomed

  • More Info: Stony Brook Gristmill →


Chatham "Godfrey" Windmill (Chatham)

When you're ready for a little break from the shopping and dining scene in downtown Chatham, take a short (less than 1/2 mile) walk over to see Godfrey Windmill.

Godfrey Windmill in Chatham with sails up and visitors entering the front door during a special-event open houseChatham Windmill

Built in 1797, this windmill has been fully restored to working condition by millwright and restoration specialist, Andy Shrake. 

Andy is a stickler for historical authenticity. For the nearly all of his restoration work, he used the same type of hand tools that would've been available back in the 1700s. No wonder it took him more than 3 years to complete the job!

"Corn Grinding Days"
at Chatham Windmill

This is the only windmill on Cape Cod that still grinds cornmeal.

That only happens twice each summer. And even then, they only put everything in motion if the wind and weather conditions are just right. 

If you're lucky enough to catch that in person, it’s amazing to see (and hear!) the windmill in action.

  • Location: 125 Shattuck Place, Chatham

  • Open: June 30 to August 29, 2025; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed July 4th)

  • Corn Grinding Days: June 21 and August 16, 2025, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., wind and weather permitting

  • Admission: Free; donations welcomed

  • More Info: Godfrey Windmill →

Other Mills with Open House Days
(No Grinding Demos)

Although these windmills no longer grind cornmeal, they're open to the public for tours during the summer months. 


Old Higgins Farm Windmill (Brewster)

Driving along Rt. 6A in Brewster, you can’t miss this 18th-century windmill perched on a knoll near the entrance to Drummer Boy Park.

Old Higgins Farm Windmill with the door open to welcome visitors.Higgins Farm Windmill

It’s part of the Brewster Historical Society’s “Windmill Village,” which also includes the Harris-Black House (ca. 1795) and the Hopkins Blacksmith Shop (ca. 1867).

On open house days, you can go inside the windmill, check out the house, and watch the blacksmith at work.

Smithy hammering a piece of red-hot iron on an anvil, inside the old blacksmith shop at Windmill Village.Bruce, the Windmill Village blacksmith, "strikes while the iron is hot".

*Tip: Drummer Boy Park is right there, too. The park has a playground, restrooms, open fields, and walking trails with views of Cape Cod Bay. It's a great spot for a picnic before or after your visit to Windmill Village.

  • Location: Windmill Village, 51 Drummer Boy Road, Brewster

  • Open: July & August 2025, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

  • More Info: Old Higgins Farm Windmill →


Olde Eastham Windmill (Eastham)

This is the oldest windmill on Cape Cod. It was built in Plymouth MA around 1680 and transported to the Cape in the 1770s  — on a barge.

Eastham Windmill on the village green, with the door open to welcome visitors insideEastham Windmill

Can you imagine the ingenuity it took to load this structure onto a barge, float it across Cape Cod Bay, and move it back onto land? Mind blowing!

*FYI: A few sources still refer to this as a “working” windmill. In my humble opinion, that gives a mistaken impression. Yes, the mill is in working condition. But they haven't started it up in recent years, for fear of damaging the old gears. 

  • Location: 2515 State Highway (Route 6), Eastham

  • Open: July and August 2025, every day except Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed on Wednesdays); also open for Windmill Weekend the weekend after Labor Day

  • Admission: Free; donations welcomed

  • More Info: Eastham Windmill →


Judah Baker Windmill (South Yarmouth)

Judah Baker is the last-standing of Yarmouth's old windmills. And it's in a really unique location, on the shoreline of the Bass River. 

Close-up of Judah Baker Windmill with the second-floor windows openJudah Baker Windmill

If you're able to manage the narrow, inside stairs to the second level, have your camera ready. The view out the window toward Bass River is worth the climb.

View from inside Judah Baker Windmill, looking out a window toward Bass River with visitors sitting on lawn chairs nearby.

There’s a small beach here, too. (Not surprisingly, it's called "Windmill Beach".) The stairway down to the water's edge is kind of steep, and the beach all but disappears at high tide.

But if your timing is right, it's a peaceful spot to soak in the sun and salt air after you've toured the windmill. 

  • Location: 89 River Street, South Yarmouth

  • Open: June 2 to September 4, 2025 (open Labor Day), Monday from 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesday - Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Admission: Free, donations welcomed

  • More info: Judah Baker Windmill →

Other Mills to See Up Close

These grist mills aren't open for inside tours. But they do offer wonderful photo ops any time of year.

Jonathan Young Windmill (Orleans)

Like many other historic windmills on Cape Cod, this one has seen some travels in its day. After being moved three times (once as far away as Hyannisport), it's finally found its forever home back in Orleans, overlooking Town Cove.

Jonathan Young Windmill in Town Cove Park, overlooking the coveJonathan Young Windmill

This is a surprisingly peaceful spot, considering how close it is to a busy, traffic-y street. 

There’s a short, natural pathway from the windmill down toward the cove. And even though the thicket down there has grown up a bit over the years, you can still catch glimpses of boats sailing by.

Well worth a stop and a photo op if you’re in Orleans!

  • Location: 41 Old Colony Way, Orleans

  • Open:  Official sources claim Jonathan Young Windmill is open for summer tours, but I’ve yet to find it open — even during July and August. Because open days/times are a bit tough to pin down, I’d count this one as a great photo op, not a guaranteed walk-in.  

  • More Info: Jonathan Young Windmill →


Old East Windmill (Sandwich)

Old East Windmill sits on the grounds of Heritage Museums & Gardens, so you’ll need an admission ticket to Heritage if you want to see this oldie.

Old East Windmill tucked into the trees and gardens, spring flowers in bloomOld East Windmill

You won't be able to go inside, but it’s a postcard-worthy photo stop while you're touring the fabulous gardens.

  • Location: 67 Grove Street, Sandwich MA

  • Access:  The windmill isn’t open, but it’s visible from the grounds during Heritage’s open season, May 10 – October 19, 2025, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

  • Heritage Tickets: adults $25, youth (3-17) $15, children (2 & under) Free  

  • More Info: Old East Windmill →

Planning Your Visit: FAQs

Are Cape Cod’s historic grist mills kid-friendly?

Yes. Kids get a kick out of seeing inside the mills, and the millers and docents do a great job engaging with them. Just keep a close eye on your little ones. The stairs to the second level are steep and narrow.

Are restrooms available?

Restrooms are not available at most grist mills. A few have portable toilets on the grounds, but it’s best to plan ahead.

Can I bring my dog to a grist mill?

Dogs are not allowed inside the mills. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are allowed outside on the grounds at most mills. The exceptions are Old East Windmill (Sandwich) and Stony Brook Grist Mill (Brewster), where pets are not allowed on the property.

Is fresh-ground cornmeal available for purchase?

Yes. On grinding days, cornmeal is sold at Dexter Grist Mill in Sandwich and at Stony Brook Gristmill.

Are the mills wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately, no. A narrow walker might fit through the door if the user can manage the step, but reaching the upper floor would also require climbing steep stairs.  

How much time should I plan for a visit?

Most guided tours inside the mill last 10–15 minutes, or a bit longer if there are lots of questions. I usually allow 30 minutes to an hour for my visits.

Do I need a reservation?

No reservations are required. Open house days at the mills are on a drop-in basis.

Are any Cape Cod grist mills open in the off-season?

Stony Brook Grist Mill in Brewster usually opens on a Saturday in November for its pre-Holiday cornmeal sale. Otherwise, the mills are closed off-season.


Have a great time exploring Cape Cod’s historic grist mills!

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