A lot of beach towns can feel similar to each other, but there truly isn’t anywhere else like Provincetown, Massachusetts. Getting here requires a deliberate effort, as it’s nestled at the outermost tip of Cape Cod, about sixty-five miles down Route 6 from the mainland’s Sagamore Bridge. There’s no accidentally finding yourself here—but seek and you shall find.
Today, Provincetown remains one of the most vibrant and beautiful destinations on the East Coast, albeit something of a chameleon. It has a reputation as both an LGBTQ+ summer colony and a niche artists’ enclave. But Provincetown is, in fact, also deeply entwined with the American narrative: It was Provincetown Harbor where the Pilgrims first anchored before landing at Plymouth, and it was in these waters that they signed the Mayflower Compact, the first document to establish self-government in the New World. People of all persuasions and expressions have been coming here for centuries to live freer lives.
If your own journey brings you to Provincetown, you’ll find that this is one of the most welcoming beach towns in the country, if not the world. It’s certainly the only place where you might go to the beach and find VIPs like Ryan Murphy or Ken Fulk, next to a local family, next to a gaggle of drag queens. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is welcome to be themselves in P-town. Here’s where we suggest you eat, stay and explore for the best things to do in Provincetown.
Getting to (and around) Provincetown
Yes, you can drive, but with Cape traffic, the journey can easily take twice as long as it should, and nobody deserves to start off a P-town trip in a sour mood. The ferry is the way to go: It’s scenic, serves drinks, and the journey takes about ninety minutes. There are two available from Boston: Bay Stay Cruises from the World Trade Center in the Seaport, and City Cruises from Long Wharf next to the New England Aquarium (and if you’re early for the ferry and have an hour or so to kill, the Aquarium is totally worthwhile). If you don’t mind spending a little more—sometimes three or four times the cost of the ferry—the fastest way is to fly. Cape Air offers regular service in the summer months from Logan International Airport and Westchester County Airport in New York.
Provincetown Art Association and Museum (pictured) is an ideal place to familiarize yourself with Provincetown’s truly robust arts scene.
Provincetown Office of Tourism
The best things to do in Provincetown
First things first: Climb the Pilgrim Monument. The largest all-granite structure in the United States, this 252-foot tower stands in the center of town. The climb up can be a bit strenuous, but at the top you’ll enjoy truly breathtaking views. On a clear day, it really contextualizes just how remote Provincetown is, here at the far end of Cape Cod.
The beach, too, is a huge draw here. Rent some bikes from Provincetown Bike Rentals or The Bike Shack then head north to the Province Lands Bike Trail, which winds its way through sand dunes, cranberry bogs, and coastal forests. You’ll ultimately end up on the northern edge of the peninsula at Race Point Beach, which truly feels like the ends of the earth. Not a biker? Uber is also available, but if you’re traveling without a car, bikes make the journey quicker, as cellphone reception at Race Point can be limited. Another popular option (that’s more easily accessed on foot) is Herring Cove Beach. And if you’re craving a long walk, head towards Long Point Beach. But you’ll want to be careful because it’s accessed via a three-mile hike along the stone dike at the end of Commercial Street, and can get pretty hairy if high tide is rolling in.