Provincetown is a peaceful and beautiful town located at the northern tip of Cape Cod. It offers a wide range of attractions, such as art galleries, whale watching tours, historic sites, and sandy beaches. In the late nineteenth century, it became known as one of America’s earliest art colonies after being a fishing and whaling center.
The town still has many art galleries and studios, which host cultural events, exhibitions, and festivals throughout the year. Provincetown is also a popular destination for the LGBT community in the Northeast. Aside from its vibrant arts and nightlife scenes, the town is known for its secluded location and scenic surroundings.
Visitors can enjoy excellent restaurants, cozy bed and breakfasts, and a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. It’s no surprise that Provincetown attracts a large number of people every summer.
16. Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum
The Pilgrim Monument is a prominent symbol in the town that can be seen from far away. It is a tall granite tower that offers beautiful views of the town, harbor, coast, and ocean. The monument was built from 1907 to 1910 to commemorate the first landing of the Mayflower pilgrims in 1620.
It was modeled after a similar structure in Siena, Italy and stands at a height of 252 feet. President Theodore Roosevelt laid the first stone. At the base of the monument is the Provincetown Museum, which showcases the town’s maritime history, heritage, and culture. The museum has a collection of artifacts and exhibits for visitors to explore.
15. Race Point Beach
After a day of biking and exploring, taking some time to relax and enjoy the sun and ocean waves is the perfect way to unwind. Race Point Beach, located north of Provincetown in Massachusetts, is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the area.
The beach is named after its strong currents, but it also boasts stunning sandy shores and shallow waters. The backdrop of rolling dunes, charming cottages, and old shacks adds to its charm. The beach is also known for its historic lighthouse from 1816 and the occasional sightings of ships, seals, and whales.
Despite its beauty, the beach is often secluded, allowing you to have the picturesque tidal pools, dunes, and sands to yourself. This makes a visit to the beach even more memorable, especially when witnessing the striking and colorful sunsets.
14. Province Lands Bike Trail
One of the best ways to explore the area around the town is by taking a scenic bike ride along the Province Lands Bike Trail. The trail passes through beautiful dunes, forests, and marshes, allowing you to experience the natural beauty of Cape Cod’s northern tip.
With a length of almost 5.5 miles, it not only takes you to landmarks like the Beech Forest and Province Lands Visitor Center but also connects you to Race Point and Herring Cove beaches. The trail has some hills but is mostly paved, and it offers stunning views of ponds, cranberry bogs, and groves of pine trees.
It is worth mentioning that it holds the distinction of being the first bike trail constructed in a national park back in 1967. Since then, it has become very popular among visitors who appreciate its delightful route and the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent scenery and nature along the way.
13. Provincetown Art Association & Museum
Make sure to visit the Provincetown Art Association if you’re interested in learning about how the town became one of the country’s first art colonies. The museum has numerous rooms filled with intriguing installations and exhibits where you can see loads of exquisite artworks.
Established in 1914 by local artists and business people, it is now one of Cape Cod’s most important, prestigious, and popular institutions. The galleries have been displaying works by area artists for over a century, with around 2,500 paintings, drawings, and sculptures on show.
The association is an active part of the community, offering various classes, talks, and workshops throughout the year. There are also temporary exhibitions, concerts, and performances happening all the time, as well as three sculpture gardens outside. You can always find something new and exciting to see and do at the museum.
12. Go on a Dune Tour
It would be a pity to visit the small town surrounded by beautiful sand dunes and not go on a tour to explore them. These sand dunes are part of the Cape Cod National Seashore and have a unique and delicate ecological system.
You can choose from different types of tours such as riding in a jeep, hiking, biking, or kayaking to discover the stunning landscapes. Some tours even offer delicious lunches on the beach and relaxing boat trips before you can sit down and watch a breathtaking sunset over the ocean.
One highly recommended tour company is Art’s Dune Tours, which has been operating since 1946. Run by Art’s son, Rob, these tours promise to be interesting and engaging, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the shimmering sand dunes.
11. Provincetown Town Hall
Another popular attraction in the seaside town is the beautiful Provincetown Town Hall. It is located a short distance from the marina and boasts elegant Victorian architecture. The entrance, facade, and cupola are all very appealing. Although it has undergone recent renovations, the town hall still maintains its historic character and charm.
Inside, you will find a collection of stunning portraits, paintings, and murals, as well as beautifully furnished grand rooms. In addition to exploring the interior and grounds, you can also attend concerts, community events, and festivals held in the hall.
10. Provincetown Library
If you go a little further up Commercial Street from the town hall, you will come across the Provincetown Library. It used to be a church and is now a beautifully bright white building. Inside, you will find many interesting things to look at, like artifacts, exhibits, and bookshelves. The architecture of the library is very impressive.
One surprising thing you will find is a half-scale model of a schooner from 1905. The library also has over 40,000 other items that cover the history and heritage of the town and the cape. Besides the amazing collection, the building itself is quite beautiful.
It was built around 1860 and has attractive Italianate-style architecture, a tall tower, and lovely staircases. It also has vaulted ceilings and cozy corners where you can quietly read.
9. Old Harbor Lifesaving Station
The Old Harbor Lifesaving Station is a charming and peaceful place located at Race Point Beach. Inside, you can explore exhibits and artifacts and witness exciting live-saving demonstrations during the summer. Originally built in 1897 at Chatham Harbor, the station was carefully transported by barge to its current location in the 1970s.
Visitors can take photos of this beautiful National Historic Landmark and discover its collection of old buoys, surfboat, and other lifeguard-related items.
In addition to admiring its impressive architecture, you can learn about the sailors and turbulent seas of Cape Cod and enjoy watching captivating live-saving demonstrations that follow the early twentieth-century style, making them quite fascinating.
8. Beech Forest
A great outdoor spot to visit is Beech Forest, which is filled with birds. It is located on the road to Race Point Beach, near the Province Lands Visitor Center. You can take peaceful walks on the leafy trails in the forest. It is a large area with green woods and many ponds, which is a nice contrast to the nearby rolling dunes.
While walking on the shaded boardwalks, you can see a variety of amazing animals and plants, including over 250 bird species. Nature enthusiasts can also take pictures of the beautiful flowers and colorful plants. There are also informative signs and viewpoints scattered around the forest.
7. Go Whale Watching
Provincetown is famous for its fantastic art galleries, but it also offers enjoyable whale watching tours. These tours take you around the waters near Cape Cod, where you can often see the huge and magnificent whales.
In the past, the town relied on whaling for its economy, but now it’s the tourists who get to enjoy seeing the whales in their breeding grounds. From April to October, you can see fin and humpback whales swimming and spouting, along with seals and seabirds.
Many companies and sea captains in Provincetown offer trips where you can get up close to these enormous creatures. As you glide across the sparkling surface of the water, you can enjoy stunning views of the ocean and coastline while the knowledgeable crew teaches you about these incredible whales.
6. Herring Cove Beach
Herring Cove Beach is a beautiful place in nature where you can enjoy sandy beaches, dunes, and tidal marshes. It is located on the bay side of the Cape, not too far from the center. You can relax, swim, and enjoy the views at this beach. Unlike other beaches in the area, Herring Cove Beach has gentle waves and warmer water.
It is a peaceful and quiet beach due to its remote location. It is also one of the few clothing optional beaches in the state. Besides sunbathing and exploring the shallow areas and tidal pools, you can also witness stunning sunsets here. Sometimes, you may even spot seals and whales in the nearby waters.
5. Long Point Beach
The Long Point peninsula is a peaceful and beautiful place located at the tip of Cape Cod. The peninsula has a stunning beach called Long Point Beach. It is known as the ‘End of the Earth’ because it curves inward and protects Provincetown Harbor with its sandy shores and rocky landscape.
In the past, there was a small village in this secluded spot. However, the villagers got tired and decided to move their houses by floating them across the harbor on rafts. Now, only the lighthouse and the remains of a Civil War-era artillery battery, which residents called ‘Fort Useless’, can be seen.
It takes several hours to hike to the beach, so many people prefer to take a ferry or use kayaking or a water taxi as other transportation options. Once you reach the beach, you can enjoy the soft sand, stunning scenery, and amazing views without the presence of many other people.
4. Province Lands Visitor Center
There is another beautiful place by the sea near the small museum that you should visit. This place is called the Province Lands Visitor Center, and it offers interesting information about the history and nature of the area. You can also enjoy stunning views of the coastline and go for hikes on its scenic trails.
The center is only open from May to October and has exhibits, photos, and short films about Cape Cod’s ecosystems, animals, and human history. On the observation deck, you can see amazing 360-degree views of the dunes, beach, and ocean. Sometimes, you can even spot whales.
Afterward, you can join guided ranger tours through the dunes or go cycling on the pretty paths that pass through marshes, forests, and ponds.
3. Provincetown’s Art Galleries
Cape Cod is famous for its impressive art galleries, so it’s a must to visit a couple of them during your trip. Most of the galleries are located on Commercial Street in the town center. In Provincetown’s East End, you’ll find a cluster of over forty galleries, making it known as the gallery district.
Artists have been attracted to this area for more than a hundred years since the opening of the Cape Cod School of Painting in 1899. Each gallery has its own unique style and atmosphere, offering a variety of collections such as photographs, prints, paintings, ceramics, and sculptures.
On Friday nights, you can enjoy wine and engage in discussions about art with the artists and gallery owners during their weekly opening events.
2. MacMillan Wharf
MacMillan Wharf is a long and beautiful pier that extends into the harbor. It’s not just a place to catch ferries or take a sightseeing tour, but also a great spot to leisurely stroll and enjoy the view of the bay, boats, and coastline.
Since 1873, the pier has been a central part of the town’s fishing industry, with large trawlers and smaller sailing vessels still docked there. In addition to the fishing scene, there are also art shacks, small shops, and the amazing Shark Center located on the wharf. It’s a lively area with marinas and places to rent watersport equipment.
Besides the peaceful atmosphere and cool sea breeze, both locals and visitors can fish in the waters or take pictures of the town of Provincetown behind them. Starting from this historic wharf, you can embark on exciting whale watching tours and sightseeing cruises around the cape.
1. Commercial Street
Commercial Street is the heart and soul of life in Provincetown, flowing through the center of town alongside the waterfront. It’s a fun and enjoyable street to walk along, where you can find most of the main businesses, bars, boutiques, and BnBs in P-town.
The street is adorned with numerous art galleries and charming old houses, creating a lively yet relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for leisurely strolls. You’ll discover interesting shops, cozy cafes, and adorable cottages, alongside remarkable public artworks and occasional sightings of men dressed in drag.
In addition to enjoying the vibrant ambiance and people-watching, you can browse for souvenirs, explore various art galleries, or take a break to grab a delicious meal or drink. Along Commercial Street, you’ll also find plenty of welcoming guest houses, inns, seafood restaurants, snack stands, and ice cream shops.
