First named “Cape Cod” by a British explorer in the early 1600s, the extreme tip of the Massachusetts peninsula has been a successful fishing community since the days of the Pilgrims. Provincetown has welcomed artists since the late 1800s and has a thriving theater scene. In recent decades, P’town has become a popular destination for the LGBT community. Its remoteness and natural beauty beckon to all visitors. Most cruises here are on smaller boats originating in Boston.
Life at Port
See It for Yourself
our experts review
Provincetown
What We Love
Whale Watching: Many companies offer boat trips from the main pier that go deep into Cape Cod Bay, a breeding area for North Atlantic right whales. Humpbacks and fin whales can also be spotted April through October.
Whydah Pirate Museum: This outpost houses a bounty of booty from one of the world’s only authenticated pirate wrecks captained by Black Sam Bellamy.
Best Known For
Commercial Street: The benches in front of Town Hall are the best perches for viewing the veritable carnival of singers, actors, and drag queens strolling down the main street.
Province Lands: These beaches have towering dunes, bike trails, hiking paths, and some of the best sunset viewing on the planet. Dune buggy tours give you a guided look at the preserve.
Who It's Good For
Nightlife Fanatics: What sets P’town’s robust arts scene apart are the epic drag shows and cabarets that have been entertaining locals and visitors alike for generations.
Book Worms: This small town has the highest concentration of bookstores on Cape Cod. The oldest is Provincetown Bookshop, which dates to 1932.
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You
P’town Pride: Salty fishermen and flamboyant artists get along swimmingly here. What they have in common — in addition to loving their idyllic enclave — is an often palpable disdain for outsiders. Don’t walk in the middle of Commercial Street, keep dillydallying to a minimum (and politeness to a maximum), and you’ll get along just fine.