Provincetown - town on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, United States

Provincetown is at the very tip of the Cape Cod peninsula region of Massachusetts. Perhaps due to being at the remote end of the Cape and because of its variety of beautiful scenes, Provincetown has attracted artists of all types over the years. One of the oldest artist colonies in America, it has produced a large number of excellent galleries, cutting edge theatre and many unique shops. There is also the persistence of an attitude of tolerance, making Provincetown a preferred home and travel destination for many gays and lesbians.

"P-town", as it is sometimes called, also has an intriguing history as the first landing site of the Pilgrims and the place where the Mayflower Compact was signed. Fishing and whaling have also been a huge part of Provincetown's past. Its large, safe harbor and prime location made it the Cape's fishing center, with thousands of ships calling it home port. The glory days of fishing are now gone and only about two dozen ships continue the traditions. The Portuguese influence brought by the fishing era still lives in Provincetown.

Provincetown is also blessed with pristine beaches and dunes on the Atlantic side. Race Point Beach has often made the lists of top beaches in America. It is also one of the few spots on the east coast where one can watch the sun set into the water.

Understand

As the first stopping point of the English settlers on the Mayflower, Provincetown grew into a colonial port, but remained small compared to other Yankee trading towns until the 19th century.

The town became prosperous in the 1800s as a fishing and whaling center. The population was bolstered by a number of Portuguese sailors, many of whom were from the Azores, and came to live in Provincetown after being hired to work on US ships. Today, the town is a hub for whale watching vessels, which provide excellent opportunities to see whales.

After the 1898 Portland Gale severely damaged the town's fishing industry, members of the town's burgeoning art and theater community took over many of the abandoned buildings. By the early decades of the 20th century, the town had acquired an international reputation for its artistic and literary output.

Some of the most famous literary lights and artists who lived in Provincetown included playwrights Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill, and Susan Glaspell; Artists Marsden Hartley, Robert Motherwell, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock; Norman Mailer, author, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and co-founder of the Village Voice, beat poet Harry Kemp and Slaughterhouse-Five writer Kurt Vonnegut. Today, the town is well-known for off-beat, queer and left of center writers and media personalities, including filmmaker John Waters; Michael Cunningham, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Hours; Andrew Sullivan, author, columnist for the Daily Beast; blogger Andy Towle, poet and founder of Towleroad.com; Kate Clinton, comedian and writer; and Anthony Bourdain, chef, author, television host.

Because of its status as the first artist's colony in the U.S., the town has a strong ethic of tolerance which supported the development of a large gay community from the 1960s on. Today it is quite common to see same-sex couples showing affection and one can expect to encounter men in drag, particularly on Commercial Street, which is the main string of restaurants, shops and galleries. In general, however, the town's attitude of tolerance extends to heterosexuals, who are increasingly present and are welcome in most establishments.

Climate

The water surrounding Provincetown has the effect of moderating temperatures in all seasons, such that the entire town is included in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a, which indicates an average annual extreme minimum temperature (1976–2005) of between 0 and 5 °F (-17.8 and -15 °C). The water also has the effect of delaying the onset of the seasons, by keeping spring temperatures cooler and fall temperatures warmer than the rest of the state.

The average annual snowfall is 19.5 inches per year. The record high temperature was in 1964. The lowest recorded temperature was in 1976.

Read

Land's End: A Walk in Provincetown () by Michael Cunningham. This award-winning author and resident of Ptown writes an engaging travelogue about the city at the tip at of the Cape.

The Maytrees: A Novel () by Anne Dillard. Set in Provincetown, this novel examines family life and the mysteries of marriage, the effect of forgiveness and human development.

Ptown: Art, Sex, and Money on the Outer Cape () by Peter Manso. This (now) dated, gossipy take on the people of Provincetown and the lifestyles of the somewhat rich and barely famous would make a good beach read. Published in 2003.

Get in

By car

The fastest route from the Cape Cod Canal bridges is Route 6, the Mid Cape Highway. Travel time from Boston's Logan Airport (IATA: BOS) or Providence's T.F. Green Airport (PVD) is about 2½ hours without traffic slowdowns. From the Cape Cod Canal, Provincetown is about 60 mi (97 km) and 1½ hours. Eastham, with its 40-mph speed limit and two-lane highway, is a notorious speed-trap.

By bus

• Flex Bus. Bus service on Cape Cod with direct service between Provincetown and Harwich and from there connections to other Cape Cod towns.
• Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway, +1 508 771-6191. Bus service from Boston's Logan Airport and Amtrak's Boston South Station to Provincetown via Hyannis

By plane

• Provincetown Municipal Airport (IATA: PVC), 176 Race Point Rd, 42.076117°, -70.216780°, +1 508 487-0241. Taxis ($7) and shuttles ($2) are available to take you to central Provincetown. 2015-11-12
• Cape Air, 660 Barnstable Rd., Hyannis, MA 02601. Cape Air flies several times a day from Boston's Logan Airport to Provincetown Airport, 20-min flight; in the summer they also offer flights to White Plains, New York, which is accessible to the greater New York City area, 60-min flight. Cape Air operates Cessnas and is the only scheduled airline serving Provincetown.

By boat

Ferry service to Provincetown operates seasonally, late spring to mid-fall. All services dock at MacMillan Pier 📍, just to the south of Lopes Square (off Commercial St at the foot of Standish St). All ferry companies allow bicycles on board for a fee.

From Boston:

• Boston Harbor Cruises, 1 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02210. Catamaran service in 90 minutes. Runs from mid-May to early October.
• Bay State Cruise Company, 200 Seaport Blvd. Suite 75, Boston, +1 617 748-1428. High Speed ferry crosses in 90 minutes. Runs from mid-May through October.

From Plymouth:

• Captain John's Boats, 77 Water St., Plymouth. Summer only.

Get around

By bicycle

• Ptown Bikes, 42 Bradford Street, 9AM to 6 PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals, sales, accessories, and repairs.
• Arnold's Bikes, Commercial Street, 10AM to 5PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals and repairs.
• Gale Force Bikes & Beach Market, 10AM to 5PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals, sales, accessories, and repairs. Beach Market sandwich shop.
• The Bike Shack, 63 Shank Painter Road, 10AM to 5PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals, sales, accessories, and repairs.
• Provincetown Bike Rentals, 136 Bradford Street, 10AM to 5PM (summer only). Bicycle rentals.

By rented car

• Enterprise Car Rental, Provincetown Municipal Airport, +1 508 487-0009. (summer only) 8AM - 6PM.

By taxi

• Black & White Taxi, 336 Commercial St, +1 508 413 5413. 8:30AM-2AM. General Taxi, Airports, Piers. Late-model taxi cabs. Minivans available. Small and large groups accommodated. 2022-12-11
• Cape Cab Taxi Service, +1 508 487-2222, info@capecodtaxi.com.
• Atlantic Rides P-Town, 928 Commercial St, +1 508 413 3192. 8:30 AM to 2:00 AM Daily. General Taxi Services. Sedan and Minivan taxicabs available. Clean, late model vehicles. 2022-12-11

By bus

• Provincetown/North Truro Shuttle, +1 508-385-1430. 9AM - 8PM. Routes run late May to late September. Two routes go from the ferry dock to various tourist attractions including the visitors center, Provincetown Art Association and Museum, beaches, First Pilgrim Park, Highland Lighthouse and Museum and the Flex bus stop.

See

• Pilgrim Monument, High Pole Hill Rd. (off Bradford in the center of town), 42.051944°, -70.188611°, +1 508 487-1310. 9AM - 5PM, open until 7PM between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Pilgrim Monument is a 252-foot tall granite tower based on the Torre Del Mangia in Siena, Italy. Visitors can climb to the top for fantastic views. At the base is the Museum of Provincetown. $12.00–adults $9.00–senior citizens (62 and older) $7.00–students (15 & older) w/ ID, $4.00–children 4-14
• Province Lands Visitor Center, Race Point Rd, 42.0741°, -70.2053°, +1 508 487-1256. Open May-Oct 9AM - 5PM. Observation deck with 360-degree view is open year round. Ranger guided tours, activities and exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the area. Films shown on regular schedule daily, see website. 5½-mile bike loop. Free
  • Lighthouse at Race Point, Cape Cod National Seashore, 42.062333°, -70.244722°, +1 508 487-9930. The Race Point Light is a historic lighthouse. It was first lighted on November 5, 1816. Today visitors can stay in the keeper's house and the Lighthouse can be used for events and weddings.

Museums

• Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), 460 Commercial St, 42.0564°, -70.1794°, +1 508 487-1750. Memorial Day to July 4: daily noon to 5PM and also F, Sa 8PM-10PM; July 4 to Labor Day: daily noon-5PM, 8PM-10PM; September: daily noon-5PM, F, Sa 8PM-10PM; October - May: Th, F, Sa, Su noon to 5PM. Really worth visiting. Excellent school for aspiring artists. $7.00 for entrance
• Provincetown Museum, 1 High Pole Hill Rd. (at the base of the Pilgrim Monument), 42.0526°, -70.1893°, +1 508 487-1310. 9AM - 5PM, open until 7PM between Memorial Day and Labor Day. a unique collection of exhibits that depict important events and people in Provincetown history. $12.00–adults $9.00–senior citizens (62 and older) $7.00–students (15 & older) w/ ID, $4.00–children 4-14
• Whydah Pirate Museum, 16 Macmillan Wharf, 42.0505°, -70.1833°, +1 508 487-8899, whydahmuseum@yahoo.com. 10AM to 5PM daily, April 15 to October 31. $10.00 regular admission, $8.00 seniors and children 6-12, children under 12 free
• Center For Coastal Studies (CCS), 5 Holway Avenue, 42.050871°, -70.191793°, +1 508 487 3622. The Center for Coastal Studies is an organization dedicated to the study and protection of the coastal environment. The Center offers exhibits that are open to the public. As these are subject to change, check their website for up-to-date information on their programs.

Do

Festivals

• Bear Week Provincetown, info@ptownbears.org. Mid-July. Annual week-long party for bears and their admirers. Attracts the largest number of attendees of any bear event in the world with over 5,000 registered attendees and thousands more in town. People come from around the world.
• Carnival Week, +1 508 487-2313, info@ptown.org. Mid-August. Premiere annual week-long party in August featuring the gamut of the LGBT community. Features a street parade with outlandish costumes and high spirits. Sponsored by the Provincetown Business Guild.
• Fantasia Fair, +1 203 701-9676, info@fantasiafair.org. Late October. Fantasia Fair is the longest-running theme week in Provincetown: it began in 1975. Fantasia Fair has progressed from a holiday experience for transgender individuals into a mix of practical, social, and educational opportunities designed to enhance the personal growth and awareness of one's own gender expression.
• Family Pride Week, ally@familyequality.org. Late July. Family Week is the largest national gathering of the LGBT-headed family community in the United States.
• Girl Splash, +1 508 246-2082, info@ProvincetownForWomen.com. Late July. Girl Splash is a fun, women-only week with lots of activities from a clam bake to theater to tea dances.
• Holly Folly, +1 508 487-2313, info@ptown.org. Early December. Weekend celebration of the Yule season with toy drives, the Snow Ball and live music performances and sing-alongs. Most shops and restaurants are open.
• Mr. New England Leather, info@FullKitGear.com. Late November. Weekend contest and leather community celebration featuring dance parties and the crowning of Mr. New England Leather.
• The Portuguese Festival and Blessing of the Fleet, wrover@aol.com. Late June. Annual celebration of Provincetown's Portuguese heritage with a parade and the Blessing of the Fleet.
• Provincetown International Film Festival, +1 508 487-3456, contact@ptownfilmfest.org. Mid - late June. This 5-day festival presents a wide array of American and international narrative features, documentaries and short films, and makes a particular point to honor and preserve Provincetown's rich and diverse history as an arts colony, Portuguese fishing village, and gay and lesbian mecca-while never forgetting the area's original Native American inhabitants.
• Snowbound Leather Weekend. Late February. Winter weekend featuring the leather community and dance parties, brunch and workshops sponsored by Full Kit Leather.
• Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. Late September. Theater fans flock to Provincetown to celebrate Tennessee Williams with live performances from as near as Cape Cod and as far as South Africa
• Women of Color Weekend, +1 508 246-2082, info@ProvincetownForWomen.com. Early June. This weekend features the Absolut Inn Stroll, a writer's workshop and a Jazz Brunch on Sunday

Theater

• Art House Theater, 214 Commercial St., +1 508 487-9222. Presents high quality drag shows and Broadway divas all summer long. This is the home of Varla Jean Merman.
• Provincetown Theater, 238 Bradford St, 42.049973°, -70.187645°, +1 508 487-9793. There are two companies operating within the theater. The Provincetown Repertory Theatre is an acclaimed company that presents a mix of classic and modern productions. The Provincetown Theatre Company is the birthplace of the modern American theater.
• CTEK Arts, +1 512 466-6339, psample@ctekarts.org. CTEK Arts presents professional quality theater, develops new scripts and interdisciplinary performances, and provides education in the arts on a year-round basis.

Whale watching & cruises

• Alpha Whale Watch, +1 508 221-5920. Offering private, catered whale watching tours for up to six passengers at a time
• Bay Lady II Excursion Schooner, 584 Commercial St., +1 508 487-9308.
• Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch (Dolphin Fleet). Educational and engaging whale watch including breakfast
• Schooner Hindu, 5 Ryder St.. Go sailing on the Schooner Hindu.
• SeaSalt Charters, MacMillan Wharf, +1 508 444-2732. Offering private whale watching and fishing trips (specializing in striped bass and bluefish).
• Viking Princess Harbor Cruises, +1 508-487-7323. With a wide variety of cruise options, including a harbor cruise and a lighthouse cruise.

Bike tours

• Pedal Ptown Bike Tours, 6 Standish St (next to Art's Dune Tours), +1 508 687-0038, hello@pedalptown.com. 9AM-5PM. Explore the art, culture, & history of Provincetown on a guided bicycle tour departing from the center of town. Offers tours of town, the Cape Cod National Seashore's Province Lands Bike Trail, and bike school classes including "Survive Commercial Street." 2019-04-26

Dune tours

• Art's Dune Tours, 4 Standish St., +1 508-487-1950. Over 60 years experience providing a wide variety of tours, including a sunset clambake and a lighthouse tour. The only way to see the dunes and learn the history and see the natural, unspoilt beauty of the Cape and her dunes.

Beaches

• Herring Cove, Cape Cod National Seashore (Off Route 6.), 42.047778°, -70.220278°. Lifeguards, rest rooms, changing facilities, food, handicapped accessible. Usually calmer waters than Race Point
• Long Point (Tip of Cape Cod), 42.027°, -70.172°. By some it's called "the end of the earth". An 1827 lighthouse graces the very tip of the Cape. Beware of poison ivy.
• Race Point Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore (Off Route 6), 42.081111°, -70.216111°. Lifeguards, rest rooms, changing facilities. This is a nice, wide beach. The surf can be rough at times.
• Town Beaches, on the bay side in town. A convenient beach, but not as nice as the others.

Fishing

Race Point and Herring Cove beaches are popular surfcasting spots.

The following companies offer charters:

• Beth Ann Fishing Charters, MacMillan Wharf, +1 508 487-0034. A 35-foot downeast fishing boat.
• Cee Jay Fishing Parties, MacMillan Wharf, +1 508 487-4330. Fishing parties and Cape Cod fishing charters.
• The Ginny G - Charter Sportfishing, MacMillan Wharf, +1 508 246-3656, vgibson769@comcast.net.

Bike

The Province Lands Bike Trail is an 8-mile, two-way paved loop through the dunes, with access to Herring Cove, Race Point, Provincetown Airport, the Province Lands Visitor Center, and Beech Forest. It was the first bike trail built in a National Park (1967). It can be accessed from town by crossing Route 6 via Conwell Street and entering at Beech Forest or via the bike lanes on Bradford Street and Province Lands Road to the trailhead north of Herring Cove Beach.

• Arnold's Bikes, 329 Commercial St., +1 508 487-0844.
• Gale Force Bikes, 144 Bradford St. (corner of West Vine), +1 508 487-4849. Free parking, helmet, locks. Near the start of the trail.
• Ptown Bikes, 42 Bradford St., +1 508 487-8735. Rentals, service. Near start of the bike trail.
• The Bike Shack, 63 Shank Painter Rd., +1 508 487-0232. 8AM-8PM. Bike rentals and service. Pick up and drop off available. Online reservations.

Buy

Art Galleries

• Bowersock Gallery, 373 Commercial St., +1 508 487-4994. The Bowersock Gallery was established in 2004 as a venue to encourage and explore a deeper interest and enjoyment for contemporary, modern, abstract and classical works of art.
• Egeli Gallery, 382 Commercial St., +1 508 487-0044.
• Julie Heller Gallery, 2 Gosnold St., +1 508 487-2169. Dedicated to the artists who established Provincetown as an art colony
• Lyman-Eyer Gallery, 432 Commercial St., +1 508 487-3937, lymaneyer@lymaneyerart.com. eclectic gallery with a focus on Provincetown scenes and the male figure
• Albert Merola Gallery, 424 Commercial St., +1 508 487-4824. Established as Universal Fine Objects in 1988, the gallery shows a core group of artists, but always has an eye out for new artists
• Packard Gallery, 418 Commercial St., +1 508 487-4690, Info@PackardGallery.com. Opened in 1986, Packard Gallery represents the works of 3 generations of a family of artists
• {{buy |name=Wohlfarth Galleries |alt= |address=443 Commercial St. |directions= |phone=+1 508 487-6569 |tollfree= |email=wohlfarthgalleries@gmail.com |fax= |url=http://www.wohlfarthgalleries.com/ (dead link: December 2020) |hours= |checkin= |checkout= |price= |lat= |long= | content=Featuring American Impressionist gallery of fine paintings and drawings, representing painters of the Cape Cod School of Art in the tradition of Charles Hawthorne and Henry Hensche. }}

Stores

• Birdie Silkscreen Studio, 355 Commercial St., +1 508 487-3338. A unique clothing store. All of Birdie's art is specifically designed with images of Provincetown and Cape Cod. One of the fun aspects of shopping at Birdie's is that you can watch her print while you shop - but don't ask her more than three questions, or she'll put you to work folding tee-shirts!
• Coastline Tattoo, 290a Commercial St., +1 508 487-1147. Coastline Tattoo is dedicated to creating quality, one-of-a-kind tattoos and artwork in a clean, friendly, creative studio environment. Open year-round.
• Full Kit Gear, 192 Commercial St., +1 508 487-9676, info@fullkitgear.com. A premiere leather, rubber and fetish gear store.
• Puzzle Me This, 290 Commercial St., +1 508 487-1059. Provincetown's only game store features challenging and cutting-edge board games, brain teasers, puzzles and card games. With a huge inventory of products, there is something for everybody here.
• Roots, 200 Commercial St., +1 508 487-2500. Eclectic and high quality objets d'art and home decor shop for interior and outdoor spaces.
• Utilities, 393 Commercial St., +1 508 487-6800. Over 2000 modern & useful items for the home. Frommers: "A breath of fresh design..."
• Yardarm Liquors, 38 Conwell St., +1 508 487-0700. The largest liquor store on the outer Cape featuring beer, wine, and liquor

Eat

Bakeries and coffee shops

• Connie's Bakery, 205 Commercial St., +1 508 487-2167, conniesbakery@gmail.com. The epitome of craft baking; delicious pastries and breads from scratch and by hand daily. Shane, who worked with Connie for five years, took over when she and her husband, Richie, retired. Besides great breakfast pastries and breads, they have sandwiches and coffee, too.
• Far Land Provisions, 150 Bradford St., +1 508 487-0045. M-Sa 7AM - 6PM, Su 8AM - 5PM. Deli, breakfast bread, bagels and bakery. In the spirit of a general store, Far Land Provisions offers one-stop shopping for prepared meals, baked goods made in-house from scratch, deli sandwiches, wine & spirits, and full service catering.
• Joe's Coffee and Cafe, 170 Commercial St., +1 508 487-6656. Daily 6:30AM - 5:30PM. West End Espresso Cafe with hot food, soups and sandwiches and sweet snacks.
• Provincetown Portuguese Bakery, 299 Commercial St., +1 508 487-1803. Mar-Oct Breakfast and lunch all day. Until 11PM in summer. Try the malassadas, or the rich trutas. $10-16
• {{eat | name=Wired Puppy | alt= | url=http://www.wiredpuppy.com/content/provincetown (dead link: December 2020) | email=wired@wiredpuppy.com | address=379 Commercial St. | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+1 508 487-0017 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 6:30AM - 5:30PM | price= | content=East End European Style Espresso Cafe with comfortable table seating, complimentary wi-fi and internet connection points. }}

Casual

• Bayside Betsy's, 177 Commercial St., +1 508 487-6566. Days and times open. Bayside Betsy's is a casual American/Continental restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in a waterfront location. entrees: $18.95-31.95
• Canteen, 225 Commercial St., +1 508 487-3800. 11AM - 11PM. An upscale fry-shack with fresh salads, interesting sandwiches and fresh seafood. Serves alcohol and oysters on the half-shell. Mains $14 - 34
• Lobster Pot, 321 Commercial St., +1 508 487-0842, info@ptownlobsterpot.com. April - November from 11AM. Long waits in the summer for the back deck with a view of the bay. Lobster and all manner of seafood. A tourist magnet that doesn't have to try very hard. $25-42
• Local 186 (formerly Enzo's), 186 Commercial St., +1 508 487-7555, info@local186.com. Open May - September, Daily 11AM - 1AM. Hip beers and burgers, salads and luxe starters like foie gras and oysters. Mains $12-25
• Patio American Grill and Blue Bar, 328 Commercial St., +1 508 487-4003, provincetownpatio@gmail.com. Open May - October. Quintessential P-town experience. Location directly on Commercial, good people-watching, fun atmosphere, great food, cocktails, good music and very friendly. entrees $16-30
• Spiritus Pizza, 190 Commercial St., +1 508 487-2808. 11:30AM-2AM (during season). Delicious pizza, open late. A large crowd gathers in front after the bars close at 1AM. $17.50-26.50 (whole pie), or available by the slice

Upscale casual dining

• Central House at the Crown, 247 Commercial St., +1 508 487-1430. Open year-round, W-M 11AM - 9:30PM. With new celebrity Chef Michele Ragussis, this venerable but previously forgettable restaurant has bloomed into one of the hottest kitchens in Provincetown. The menu is American comfort food with an emphasis on quality and inventiveness. The bar is a draw for the solid wine and cocktail list. Mains $19-39
• Jimmy's Hideaway, 179 Commercial St., +1 508 487-1011. Open April - February, daily in season and Thursday - Sunday in winter. Inventive and well-prepared American fare on a very extensive menu. Good choice of cocktails and for wine lovers. entrees: $21-35
• Joon Bar (formerly Lorraine's), 133 Commercial St., +1 508 413-9336, info@joonbar.com. Open May - November: M-Tu Th 5-10PM, F-Su 5-10:30PM. Focus on small, delicious plates in a sleek and clean ambiance; excellent cocktails. entrees: $12-25
• Mac's Provincetown, 85 Shank Painter Rd., +1 508 487-6227. Daily 11AM - 11PM. New outlet of Cape Cod's premiere seafood restaurants. With delicious seafood and perfect sushi, this new entry to Provincetown's dining scene has made a big splash and become a favorite hangout. Try the oyster happy hour from 3 - 5PM entrees: $22-39
• Tin Pan Alley, 269 Commercial St. (across from historic Town Hall.), +1 508 487-1648, info@tinpanalley.com. 5:30 - 10PM Daily. New American and regional New England specialties with an emphasis on the seafood bounty of Cape Cod. Excellent cocktails and good vibe and live entertainment. $22-39

Fine Dining

• Bistro at Crowne Pointe, 82 Bradford St., +1 508 487-6767. Tu-Su from 5:30PM (only in summer). Set in a historic mansion on a bluff overlooking Provincetown. Unrushed award winning dining, free parking, stellar wine list. $22-35
• Mews Restaurant, 429 Commercial St., +1 508 487-1500. Open year-round. Harborfront dining with 211 vodka selections from 29 countries. Good food (Italian) as well. Casual upstairs. Mondays in the winter features Coffeehouse at The Mews, an open mic for writers, playwrights, poets, singers, songwriters, comedians. entrees: $21-33
• The Red Inn Waterfront, 15 Commercial St., +1 508 487-7334. Traditional New England seafood and steaks with a view.

Drink

• Governor Bradford, 312 Commercial Street, +1 508 487-2781. Drinks and raw bar are the focus here.
• The Squealing Pig, 335 Commercial St., +1 508 487-5804. Great selection of beer, and raw oysters.

Gay and Lesbian Oriented

• Atlantic House, 6 Masonic Pl., 42.0571°, -70.1843°, +1 508 487-3821. Little Bar from noon until 1AM, Macho Bar from 10PM until 1AM, and the Big Room from 10PM until 1AM. Perhaps the oldest gay bar in the United States. Was frequented by Tennessee Williams and Eugene O'Neill.
• Crown & Anchor Entertainment Complex, 247 Commercial St., +1 508 487-3821. This complex includes multiple bars with different themes, including a piano bar and a leather bar (see the Vault below).
• Gifford House, 11 Carver St.. This inn contains three bars: Porch Lounge, the Lobby Piano Bar and Purgatory Dance Club.
• Harbor Lounge, 359 Commercial St., +1 508 413-9527, harborlounge@gmail.com. Varies but usually open until 11PM from April to New Years. Harbor Lounge is presided over by Liam McGonigle, a gingerbear from Ireland who makes kick-ass drinks and has a nice selection of beer and wines.
• Monkey Bar, 149 Commercial St., +1 508 487-2879. Informal and fun bar with great martinis.
• Paramount, 247 Commercial St., +1 508 487-1430. Provincetown's premier nightclub. Within the Crown & Anchor complex.
• Shipwreck Lounge, 67 Bradford St., +1 508-487-9005. 6PM - 1AM. An upscale bar at the Brass Key Guesthouse featuring an outdoor patio with lounge seating, beautiful fountain, stunning gas fire pit and delicious cocktails. In the center of Provincetown. Ample parking available at the adjacent municipal parking lot.
• The Vault, 247 Commercial St., +1 508 487-1430. Provincetown's leather bar. Within the Crown & Anchor complex.
• Wave Video Bar, 247 Commercial St., +1 508 487-1430. Provincetown's only video/sports bar. Within the Crown & Anchor complex.

Sleep

Budget: under $200, mid-range: $200-500, splurge: over $500 (standard double room).

Budget

• The Chicago House, 6 Winslow St (Bradford St to Winslow St), +1 508 487-0537. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Steps from Commercial Street. Free parking, wifi, continental breakfast, an outdoor 5-person jacuzzi, bikes to borrow. $60-195
• Crew's Quarters, 198 Commercial St, +1 508 487-5900. Right in the heart of town. New guesthouse with great energy for those who want to experience the best P-Town has to offer. ~$125
• The Outermost Hostel, 28 Winslow St, 42.052949°, -70.191168°, +1 508-487-4378. May-Oct. European-style youth hostel.
• Romeo's Holiday Inn & Spa, 97 Bradford St, +1 508 487-6636. Central location walk to everything, On- site massage therapist, Unique rooms. $68-198

Mid-range

• 8 Dyer Hotel, 8 Dyer St, 42.0553°, -70.1828°, +1 508 487-0880. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Contemporary boutique guesthouse in the east end. Features 7 rooms with air conditioning, robes, some with balconies. The hotel has a pool (which is rare for guesthouses here), jacuzzi and sauna; bikes are available to borrow. As a chef-owned B&B, the breakfast features local produce at a large buffet that includes fresh-baked items and eggs to order. Friendly innkeepers set a fun, upscale, relaxed tone. $99-429 2016-06-08
• Admiral's Landing, 158 Bradford Street (near Commercial St), +1 508-487-9665, info@admiralslanding.com. Bed and breakfast. 2017-01-18
• The Boatslip Resort Hotel, 161 Commercial St, 42.0470°, -70.1902°, +1 508-487-1669. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A gay-friendly hotel with a pool and the site of popular afternoon tea dances. $250-400
• Carpe Diem Guesthouse & Spa, 12 Johnson St, 42.0543°, -70.1848°, +1 508-487-4242. Small luxurious spa resort featuring 19 rooms, gourmet breakfast, daily wine & cheese hour, 24 hour espresso coffee and tea station and numerous amenities to pamper you during your stay. Clothing optional spa with Provincetown's largest steam room, Finnish sauna and Hydrojet spa tub and spa deck. Full spa menu offering classic massages, scrubs & polishes, energy work and Thai Massage. $145-489
• Christophers by the Bay Bed & Breakfast, 8 Johnson St, 42.0539°, -70.1842°, +1 508 487-9263, info@christophersbythebay.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Bed & breakfast close to galleries, shopping, dining and nightlife. Ten guest rooms, both private and shared bath available. An inviting common room, sumptuous continental breakfast and a relaxing sunny back patio. $90-285
• Harbor Hotel Provincetown, 698 Commercial Street, 42.061960°, -70.161690°, +1 508 487-1711, info@harborhotelptown.com. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Oceanfront retro-glam Commercial Street retreat on the edge of downtown. Features include beach access, outdoor heated pool, 6+ fire pits, cabana bar, plenty of parking, wedding and event space, seasonal shuttle service, onsite dining, pool, ping pong, lawn games, onsite bike, and electric scooter rentals. $89-$300 2020-01-17
• The Inn at 7 Central (Carriage House), 7 Central St, 42.0479°, -70.1908°, +1 508 487-8855. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. A blend of space, amenities, privacy and location. 13 rooms all with private entrances in the center of Provincetown. $105-395
• Prince Albert Guesthouse, 166 Commercial St, 42.04750°, -70.19025°, +1 508 487-1850. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Victorian home with a very large front patio that looks onto Commercial Street. Hot tub and gardens in the back. Each room offers a private bathroom, cable TV with DVD, iPod connections, air conditioning (in season), ceiling fans, mini fridges. $125-450
• The Provincetown Hotel at Gabriel's, 102 Bradford St, 42.051308°, -70.188180°, +1 508 487-3232, info@provincetownhotel.com. Historic hotel with a sunny garden courtyard and made to order breakfasts. Family & pet friendly. $125-500
• Revere Guest House, 14 Court St, 42.0489°, -70.1906°, +1 508-487-2292. A restored 19th-century colonial house furnished with antiques and modern amenities. $85-375
• Surfside Hotel & Suites, 543 Commercial Street, 42.05862°, -70.17374°, +1 508 487-1726, surfsidehotelandsuites.elaine@gmail.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Oceanfront hotel, features contemporary-styled guestrooms and two-bedroom apartments with kitchens and balconies overlooking the sand and surf. Guests love this hotel's heated outdoor saltwater pool, large fire pit and patio, onsite bar, private beach and central location. $99-$299 2020-01-17
• White Porch Inn, 7 Johnson St, 42.0542°, -70.1842°, +1 508 364-2549. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. A boutique contemporary B&B in Provincetown. $99-439
• White Wind Inn, 174 Commercial St, 42.0480°, -70.1899°, +1 508 487-1526. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Built in 1845 as a sea captain's house, this bed & breakfast is in the heart of Commercial Street. With twelve guest rooms and a "great" room with fireplace and grand piano, the breakfast is expanded continental. $85-275

Splurge

• The Brass Key Guesthouse, 67 Bradford St. Everyone is welcome at Provincetown’s premier gay luxury resort. Nine historically restored buildings enclose the terraced courtyard with its infinity edge pool and in-ground spa. Experience extraordinary lodgings, a gracious staff, full-service bar, on-site spa treatments, and our private rooftop ocean-view deck. The perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and make new friends; A short walk to the nightlife, museums, restaurants, shops, art galleries and bars of Provincetown. $130-679
• Crowne Pointe Historic Inn & Spa, 82 Bradford St, +1 508 487-6767. Central location walk to everything, great spa, wonderful rooms. Cape Cod Life Magazine Editors Choice, 2007. The Shui Spa is open to the public and offers great treatments, steam room, sauna, mineral soaking tub, 4,000 gallon exotic koi pond. $125-645
• Land's End Inn, 22 Commercial St, +1 508-487-0706. Panoramic ocean views and luxury accommodations high atop a hill in Provincetown's West End. Provincetown's most luxurious guest rooms. $155-630
• The Sandpiper Beach House, 165 Commercial St. Waterside residence available to rent by the week. Self-catering. $1900-8900/weekly

Campgrounds

• Coastal Acres Camping Court, 76R Bayberry Ave, +1 508 487-1700. 120 sites. $35
• Dunes' Edge Campground, Rte 6 at Milepost 116, 42.062094°, -70.186583°, +1 508 487-9815, dunesedge@thetrustees.org. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Over 80 sites. Coin operated hot showers, laundry, camp store, and dump station. $53-69 2020-08-21

Go next

• Take the ferry to Boston or Plymouth or just explore any of the Cape Cod towns.
• Cape Cod National Seashore