Provincetown, MA

Address:Provincetown, Massachusetts

A visit to Provincetown is exactly what a weary soul needs. This little fishing village, affectionately known as "P-Town", lies on the tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Breathe the fresh air and seawater coming off the Cape as you stroll along Provincetown's wharf eating saltwater taffy. Browse the shops and restaurants on Provincetown's narrow, tree lined streets and enjoy the pristine beaches. Gorgeous views on the Cape's tip make biking and hiking very popular activities. Whale watching and cruises are also in high demand. Learn about Provincetown on a fun visit to its museum and monument. Although Provincetown is a gay resort, the people are very friendly, and visitors are made to feel welcome.

Learn more about Provincetown and its history at the Provincetown Museum and Pilgrim Monument on High Poll Hill Road. Exhibits tell the story of the museum's founding pilgrims who first set foot in Provincetown. You will also learn about the early history of the local cape. Across the street is the Pilgrim Monument, definitely worth a visit. Built in 1910, the 250-foot monument commemorates the Pilgrims' arrival in Provincetown Harbor, where they signed the Mayflower Compact. 60 ramps and a 116 step circular stairway is your ticket to the top of the monument where you will get the best views of the entire Cape. Admission to the monument is included with museum admission. If you want a more detailed tour of this historic town, hop on the Provincetown Trolley, and a guide will tell you about Provincetown history and point out landmarks. Tours leave every half-hour from Town Hall on Commercial Street.

Provincetown was recently ranked the sixth best beach location in the U.S. and it's easy to see why. Race Point Beach has a very special feature. The Cape Code waters and the Atlantic Ocean meet up to create a great swirl called Race Point, hence the name of the beach. There's even a museum on the beach called Race Point Lifesaving Museum. One of the best drive-out parts of Race Point Beach is Hatches Harbor. It has a big river that runs out into the ocean and at night you can see all the fish jumping out of the water!

Whale watching is one of the most popular adventures available on the Cape and very popular with children. Spring and fall are the best times for whale-watching. Bring warm clothing, even in summer. Trips leave from Provincetown wharf. Being the closest harbor to the Stellwagen Bank, there's a rich whale feeding ground, which pretty much always produces good whale sightings, so you should definitely take this tour.

Many clearly marked biking and hiking trails take you around the dunes and woods on the tip of the Cape. As you ride, enjoy beautiful views of the dunes, the woods, the beach and a variety of wildlife and plants. Information on the dunes and trail maps can be obtained at the Province Lands Visitors' Center, which sits majestically atop a large dune. If you are hiking, take a compass, water and good walking shoes, as the sand gets quite hot.

Shopping and dining on Provincetown's main street is delightful, but expensive experience. Shops and restaurants line both sides of narrow Commercial Street. Peruse many fine art stores and galleries as tantalizing aromas invite you in off the street for a delicious meal. Food choices range from seafood, Portuguese and Venezuelan, to Italian, French and Mexican. If you choose to drive down Commercial Street, be very patient as you drive and try to find parking. Locals and tourists will jump in front of your car without hesitation when crossing the road. Biking and walking to Commercial Street is your best bet. When you are ready to call it a night, accommodations are mostly on the opposite side of town from Commercial Street.

Provincetown hosts many festivals throughout the year including Women's Week in October. Thousands of women, both straight and gay, come together for sporting events, a craft fair, harbor cruises, self-help groups, lectures, singles events, a prom, community dinner and more. The Portuguese Festival, which celebrates Provincetown's Portuguese fishing community, is very popular with families. Held the last weekend in June, the festival is celebrated with Portuguese foods, traditions and dance, including a blessing of the fleet and a parade.

Provincetown is located at the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 116 miles from Boston. It's about 2 1/2 to 3 hours by car, depending on traffic. Flying Cape Air, takes 20 minutes. The bus takes longer or you can relax on the daily ferry (in season).