Provincetown, Massachusetts
Things To Do In This Inspiring Gay-Friendly Village In Cape Cod
While sand dunes and the National Seashore make up the bulk of Provincetown, there's more than just beaches in this quaint village at the head of Cape Cod.
In 1620, pilgrims arriving on the Mayflower dropped anchor just off the coast of present day Provincetown and people have been traveling to this out of the way point of Cape Cod ever since.
While fish processing once stabilized the economy of the town, tourism now ranks as the number one industry in Provincetown, especially gay and lesbian travel. With every kind of restaurant available, more art houses than you can shake a stick at, tons of shopping and a friendly family and gay- positive atmosphere and attitude, it’s no coincidence that Provincetown attracts new pilgrims year after year.
Provincetown resembles the towns of an era gone by. The narrow streets, barely wide enough for vehicles to pass through, skirt around rows of traditional Cape Cod houses with their steep roofs and wooden shingle sidings. Best of all the air is clean and the sea is never too far from sight. While desperately quiet in the off season, this sleepy little village comes alive each summer in bursts of rainbow color and action.
This very gay-friendly village holds many attractions for same sex couples and families. Enjoy the natural beauty of the area and of course the exciting nightlife (just remember bars here close at 1 a.m.), whatever you're into there are many things to do in Provincetown.
Things to do in Provincetown
- Summer Stroll - During the day popular activities include strolling Commercial Street in search of the ever elusive souvenir or just browsing the tiny shops for the thrill of the laid back atmosphere found in this village. For some of the best buys, hit the local shops including the Marine Specialties where you’ll find anything you want from a new belt to lawn chairs at dirt cheap prices.
- Pilgrim Pole - For a more historical vantage point, check out the Pilgrim Monument. Built in 1910 the monument remains the tallest all granite structure in the US and P-town’s most dominating structure at 253 feet (77 m) high.
- Art Attack - Artists and writers, inspired by the beauty of the sea and the sand dunes, have captured the area on paper or canvas since the turn of the century and continue to expose their creations in a multitude of art galleries showcasing local and international talent. Take time to chat with local artists such as Johniene Papandreas while admiring her large scale works at Gallery Voyeur. Then stop by the Lyman- Eyer Gallery to check out the male figurative collector’s suite featuring artists including Michelangelo and Toronto artist Steve Walker, inspired by the male figure.
- Bike Around - Rent a bike and follow the trails through the Province Lands Bicycle Trails. At only three miles wide at its thickest point, the vast majority of Provincetown is National Seashore. The entire loop around the park spans a mere eight miles but runs through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled scenery on the island including scenic beaches and majestic sand dunes – bring a camera. For a gay beach that could only rival Fire Island, wade over to Herring Cove Beach.
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