By Kate Grip Denon; sponsored by Provincetown Tourism
If you’ve always wanted to explore the famed seaside escape that is Provincetown, Massachusetts, what are you waiting for? Late spring and summer are prime time for this quintessential Cape Cod destination, which offers art and culture, outdoor adventures, and everything in between. Here, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best reasons to stop dreaming and start packing your bags.
1. Enjoy the perfect beach day.
Dive right into some of the best of what this town has to offer: amazing beaches. Cape Cod National Seashore’s Herring Cove Beach is located on the bay side of Cape Cod, meaning gentle waves and slightly warmer temperatures. Race Point Beach, by contrast, has swifter currents and deeper water closer to shore — perfect for spying whales in the spring. The Old Harbor Life-Saving Station also can be found on Race Point, offering a chance to see what life was like for members of the early version of today’s Coast Guard, as well as the 200-year-old Race Point Lighthouse. Long Point Beach is situated at the very tip of the Cape (keep a lookout for the lighthouse here, which dates to 1827), which you can reach either by a 20-minute ferry ride from MacMillan Pier or — if you love a good, long walk — by a scenic six-mile round-trip hike along the Provincetown Causeway and over the dunes. For those traveling with a four-legged friend, head to Pilgrim Bark Park, located just off Commercial Street.
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2. Immerse yourself in the art scene.
As the oldest continuous artist colony in the United States, Provincetown has inspired generations of painters, sculptors, photographers, and other creatives whose work lets us see the world — and ourselves — in a whole new way. Serving as the anchor for the arts community, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) has been welcoming visitors for over a century. More than 4,000 works make up a permanent collection that features some 900 artists, many of whom have personal ties to Provincetown and Cape Cod; among the highlights are pieces by plein-air painter Charles Hawthorne, abstract expressionist Hans Hofmann, and realist master Edward Hopper. Another key player on the local scene is the Provincetown Fine Arts Works Center, which focuses on emerging artists and hosts readings, art talks, and exhibits in its renovated Hudson D. Walker Gallery. And don’t miss a chance to wander through Provincetown’s very own Gallery District, comprising more than 40 galleries arrayed along Commercial Street. You can take it all in during the Friday Night Gallery Stroll, when galleries stay open into the evening, often featuring special exhibits and always offering an opportunity to socialize with gallerists, artists, and fellow art lovers.
3. Celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Known just as much for its hospitality as for its beautiful shores and thriving art scene, Provincetown has long welcomed the LGBTQ+ community. It was already well established as a center of gay culture by the time playwright Tennessee Williams fell in love with this place back in 1940, and visitors of all backgrounds continue to come here today to revel in self-expression and personal freedom. Annual celebrations put a spotlight on Provincetown’s diversity, starting with the famous Provincetown Pride (June 2-4), which — along with Womxn of Color Weekend (June 2-4) — kicks off the town’s lively summer season. Other highlights include Frolic Weekend (June 15-19), also known as Men of Color Weekend;Revolution: Independence Week (July 1-8); Bear Week (July 8-15); Family Week (July 22-29); and Provincetown Carnival (August 12-19), one of the largest outdoor celebrations in Massachusetts.
4. Discover local history and indigenous heritage.
When you arrive in Provincetown for the first time, the 252-foot-tall Pilgrim Monument will no doubt be the first thing you notice: Built to commemorate the Mayflower’s landing in 1620, it’s the tallest granite structure in the United States. At the foot of this imposing tower, the Provincetown Museum offers a deep dive into local history with an impressive mix of artifacts and exhibits, including a re-creation of a 19th-century sea captain’s parlor, a diorama of the signing of the Mayflower Compact, and a new permanent exhibit called “Our Story: The Complicated Relationship of the Indigenous Wampanoag and the Mayflower Pilgrims,” created in partnership with the Native American creative agency SmokeSygnals. Another popular stop for history buffs is the Provincetown Public Library, housed in a circa-1860 former church that’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its Cape Cod Room is filled with books about Provincetown and the Cape as well as those by notable local writers. Be sure to marvel at the half-scale model of the Rose Dorothea, a nod to the town’s fishing and shipbuilding history.
5. Indulge in family fun.
In addition to the picnics, concerts, and parades of Family Week, Provincetown has ongoing attractions to delight young and old — most notably whale watching. In 1975, local fisherman Al Avellar began ferrying passengers to Stellwagen Bank, an underwater plateau north of Provincetown known as a feeding ground for whales; the business he founded, Dolphin Fleet, marked the start of the East Coast’s commercial whale-watching industry. Today, from late spring to late fall, thousands of visitors flock to MacMillan Pier and Provincetown Marina, where Dolphin Fleet and other operators stand ready to introduce them to humpbacks, fin whales, and other gentle giants. Shark enthusiasts, meanwhile, should beeline it to the recently opened Shark Center Provincetown, filled with life-size shark models, a collection of actual shark jaws, and interactive exhibits such as a “sand table” that shows how sharks and seals travel around the sandbars of the Outer Cape. For all-ages thrills of a different sort, check out Provincetown Ghost Tours, whose 90-minute walking tours are packed with spooky local history, or Art’s Dune Tours, offering one-of-a-kind four-wheel-drive safaris into the Cape Cod National Seashore.
6. Catch a cultural happening.
Arts and culture can be found around every corner in this town, thanks in no small part to local forces such as Twenty Summers, an incubator for arts and ideas that celebrates its 10th season of films, talks, and workshops this year (May 8-June 10), with all events held in a beautiful circa-1907 barn that was once home to the Cape Cod School of Art. Jazz lovers, meanwhile, should take note of the Provincetown Jazz Festival (August 8), a magnet for musicians from around the world since 2005. Cinephiles can enjoy the 25th annual Provincetown International Film Festival (June 14-19), which will showcase more than 80 American and international entries, including documentary, animated, and independent films. Later in summer, the 17th annual Provincetown Dance Festival (August 25-27) hosts performers such as Jean Appolon Expressions, a contemporary dance company rooted in Haitian-folkloric culture, and tap artists Khalid Hill and Orlando Hernandez.
7. Join in a community event.
Provincetown is renowned not only for its sense of community but also for the many ways it invites newcomers to share in the fun. Festivals, theme weeks, and other special events abound here, including Juneteenth (June 19), a joyous nod to the completion of the 1863 proclamation that freed all enslaved peoples in the United States. A local tradition for three-quarters of a century, the Provincetown Portuguese Festival (June 22-25) celebrates immigrant culture and heritage through a blessing of the fleet, dancing, food, and more. If big parades are your thing, plan a July Fourth visit to get in on the Independence Day Parade and Fireworks, or come in August to experience the spectacular parade at Provincetown Carnival, a weeklong festival spanning everything from costume contests to dance parties to gallery strolls. Finally, eco-minded visitors should mark their calendars for Whale Week (July 29-August 5), an initiative of the Center for Coastal Studies that raises awareness of the ocean, coastline, and marine life through events such as a 5K run, guided hikes, and special kids’ activities.
8. Explore the Cape’s natural beauty.
Whether you’re looking to hit the trail or get out on the water, Provincetown has you covered. The Province Lands Bike Trail, located within the Cape Cod National Seashore, allows you to stretch your legs while enjoying stunning coastal views; local bike outfitters stand ready to provide the wheels for those who prefer pedaling. Or step back into Provincetown history on the Dune Shacks Trail in the Peaked Hill Bars Historic District, whose rustic huts nestled among the dunes have hosted artists and writers such as Norman Mailer and Jackson Pollock. For adventures on the water, kayaking is a great way to get a closer look at birds and marine life. Located directly on the bay, Coyote Kayaks offers kayak and surfboard rentals, along with guided tours.
9. Feel the thrill of live performance.
When the sun goes down in Provincetown, the entertainment scene lights up. The Provincetown Theater opens its 60th season with the Tony-nominated Casa Valentina (May 11-May 28), by the acclaimed playwright and actor Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles); at the height of summer, look for The Fantasticks: Reimagined (July 10-August 31). A lively mix of comedy, cabaret, and drag shows, meanwhile, can be found at venues across town such as the Crown & Anchor, Pilgrim House, and Post Office Café & Cabaret. A who’s who of Broadway talent fills the lineup at The Art House, which this summer hosts six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald and In the Heights star Many Gonzalez, among other luminaries. And mark your calendar for CabaretFest 2023: Sondheim by the Sea (June 5-11), a collection of 13 shows paying tuneful tribute to the legendary Broadway composer.
10. Snack, shop, and stroll to your heart’s content.
Of all the reasons to visit Provincetown, one of the most compelling is to simply relax and enjoy the pace and personality of this unique coastal community. Start with a taste of local flavor at its many cafes, bars, and restaurants. Treat yourself to a truta — a fried pastry filled with sweet potato, sugar, and cinnamon — at the Provincetown Portuguese Bakery, a downtown fixture since 1900. Grab a hearty sandwich at Far Land Provisions or kick back with an al fresco meal at one of the many outdoor dining options, such as The Canteen and Liz’s Café, Anybody’s Bar. Work off your meal by ambling along MacMillan Pier and Commercial Street, two spots with galleries and shops in which you can happily spend hours browsing, and then finish the day by grabbing a seat in front of Town Hall and settling in for some of the best entertainment Provincetown has to offer: people watching.
